TechGirls Program 2026 for Young Girls in STEM (Fully-funded) – YOA

Deadline: January 20, 2026

Applications are open for the TechGirls Program 2026 for Young Girls in STEM. TechGirls is a U.S.-based summer time trade program designed to develop the expertise pipeline in STEM. Young girls (ages 15-17) from the United States and choose international locations acquire priceless fingers-on coaching main them to pursue greater schooling and careers in science, expertise, engineering, and math.

In 2026, this system will embody 111 younger girls from 37 eligible international locations/territories and 13 U.S. friends in a dynamic three-week U.S.-based expertise with a seven-month mentoring program (together with pre-and publish-trade).

The core of the TechGirls program is a 23-day expertise in the United States. In partnership with Virginia Tech University, members interact in an interactive tech camp that gives an in-depth examination of reducing-edge applied sciences and numerous academic {and professional} paths in STEM fields. Then, TechGirls journey to a metropolis across the USA (Austin, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, or Seattle) for group immersion and STEM profession exploration. The TechGirls programming yields a multiplier impact as members return home to conduct group-based mostly tasks with seven months of mentorship. It is estimated that over 44,000 folks have participated in these tasks since 2012.

Benefits

The TechGirls program covers the next prices:

• Visa payment for worldwide members
• Roundtrip worldwide airfare from participant home nation to the United States
• Roundtrip home airfare from participant home metropolis (as relevant)
• Housing throughout program
  • Double occupancy dormitory lodging at Virginia Tech
  • Double occupancy lodging at lodge in Washington, D.C.
• Meals throughout program
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Local transportation to group program occasions
• All academic and cultural occasions
• Emergency medical insurance

Eligibility

Students eligible to apply are those that:

• Are residents of one of many 2026 taking part international locations/territories AND dwelling in that nation/territory at time of trade:
  • Sub-Saharan Africa (AF) – Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia
  • East Asia and Pacific (EAP) – Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Vietnam
  • Europe and Eurasia (EUR) – Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Türkiye
  • Middle East and North Africa (NEA) – Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
  • South and Central Asia (SCA) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
  • Western Hemisphere (WHA) – Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Suriname
  • United States of America
• Are between the ages of 15 and 17 at first of the trade on July 11, 2026
  • Born on or between July 12, 2008 and July 11, 2011;
• Have demonstrated superior expertise and a severe curiosity in science, expertise, engineering, and/or math in their tutorial research;
• Intend to pursue greater schooling and/or careers in STEM, particularly expertise;
• Have robust English language expertise (superior intermediate English expertise);
• Exhibit maturity, flexibility, and open-mindedness;
• Will attend a minimum of one further semester of secondary faculty upon their return to their home nation;
• Are dedicated to finishing a group-based mostly venture upon their return home;
• Eligible candidates should be residents and present residents of 2026 taking part international locations. Third-country nationals completely dwelling in an eligible nation ought to contact organisers to find out eligibility previous to making use of.
• Preference might be given to those that have restricted or no prior expertise in the United States. You will not be eligible if in case you have traveled to the United States in the final three years as part of some other ECA trade program.
• Not eligible if you’re a member of the family of U.S. Embassy or Consulate employees or U.S. Department of State workers. You can’t be a member of the family of a Legacy International employees member or any of our associate organizations. 
• Americans who’re twin residents and dwelling overseas are not eligible to journey to the US on this system or get a J-1 visa.

Application

The application for the 2026 TechGirls program opens on December 11 at 8:00 AM EST and closes on January 20 at 12:00 PM/Noon EST.

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to TechGirls Program.