The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, offers high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations the opportunity to live and study in the United States for an academic year. Through this cultural exchange, YES participants serve as “youth ambassadors” for their home countries, fostering mutual understanding by building meaningful connections with their American host families, peers, and communities.
As part of the program, students live with host families, attend American high schools, and engage in activities that help them develop leadership skills and gain insight into U.S. society and values. They also share insights about their own cultures, enriching their American communities’ understanding of their home countries.
Since its launch in Nigeria in 2003, the YES program has aimed to enhance communication and foster mutual respect between the people of Nigeria and the United States. Over 402 Nigerian students have participated in this life-changing exchange and continue to contribute as program alumni.
Requirements for YES Scholarship Program
In keeping with the U.S. Government-sponsored initiatives, dedicated to democratic reform, the competition for the Youth Exchange and Study scholarship is merit-based and open at no cost to all applicants who meet the following requirements:
Be between the ages of 15-18 by the start of program (August 15, 2025);
Must be enrolled in a secondary school in Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina, or Taraba states;
Must have completed JS3 class by August 2025;
Have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades;
Not have spent a total of more than 90 days in the U.S. in the last five years;
Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for J-1 visa);
Be a resident and citizen of Nigeria.
Notice on Secondary School Completion
Applicants who have completed or graduated from any secondary school before the start of the 2025-26 program year are not eligible for a YES scholarship. This applies to all program countries.
Selection Process
There are multiple rounds to the YES application and selection process. All applicants are required to take an English proficiency exam, write a proctored essay, complete a YES program application, and participate in group and individual in-person interviews. All finalists are selected on the basis of merit.
See below for country specific application and selection guidelines.
There are multiple rounds to the YES selection process, the first of which is a pre-selection exam. The pre-selection exam, a Math and English test, serves as a screening tool as only candidates who score well on the test are invited to fill out the official YES application.
All YES finalists complete a YES program application, take an English proficiency exam, write a proctored essay, and participate in a group activity and individual in-person interviews.
Application Deadline
December 15, 2024
How to Apply
For the 2025-2026 program year, the pre-selection exam will take place in November and we will be recruiting finalists and alternates in Gombe, Katsina, Kebbi, and Taraba states. Students who are interested in taking the pre-selection exam and who meet the eligibility requirements listed above should email IRIS Country Director, Dr. Saidu Yakubu at saiduyakubu@iris-center.org for specific dates and testing sites.
