BUCHAREST, October 6, 2026 — American Councils for International Education and the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research today signed an agreement that could more than triple the number of Romanian and American high school students exchanged between the two countries. Under the agreement, up to 90 students can take part in the U.S. Department of State’s FLEX Global and FLEX Global Abroad in the 2027–2028 academic year, up from 26 this year.
Up to 70 Romanian students will spend an academic year in the United States, living with American host families and attending U.S. high schools. Pending availability of funds, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will support a number of students, and the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research will fund several more. In the other direction, up to 20 American high school students will live and study in Romania, supported by each government.
The agreement significantly expands the co-financing model the two countries established in 2025. This academic year, 20 Romanian students traveled to study in the United States and six American students traveled to study in Romania, with costs shared equally between the two governments. For 2027–2028, Romania will fund up to 45 participants, more than three times its current commitment.
"Romania is putting its own resources behind this partnership, and now it is more than tripling that commitment. That says a great deal about how Romania sees its future with the United States," said Lisa Choate, President and CEO of American Councils for International Education. "These students will become the entrepreneurs, public servants, and innovators who deliver on that partnership. Americans who know Romania will help U.S. companies and institutions succeed here, and Romanians who understand the United States will bring their talent, ideas, and investment into deeper engagement with our economy. We are grateful to Minister Dimian for his commitment to these young people and to what they will build together."
"This agreement is an investment both in our students and in Romania's long-term partnership with the United States," said Dr. Mihai Dimian, Minister of Education and Research of Romania. "We want our young people to have the confidence and skills to lead in fields increasingly shaped by technology, artificial intelligence, and international cooperation. Expanding this program shows that Romania and the United States are prepared to invest together in that future."
“The United States and Romania are bound by our strategic partnership and a shared commitment to the principles and civilizational values that have shaped our two societies: individual freedom, opportunity, and the belief that young people can build a better future,” said U.S. Ambassador Darryl Nirenberg. “Romania’s decision to substantially expand its investment in FLEX is a powerful expression of that partnership — sharing not only the opportunities these exchanges create, but also the responsibility for sustaining them. We are proud to invest alongside Romania in a generation that will carry our partnership forward.”
FLEX Global is a new U.S. Department of State program that allows high school-aged students from select countries to spend an academic year in the United States, living with a host family and attending a U.S. high school. It builds on the legacies of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, which has operated for more than 30 years, and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, which has operated for almost 25 years. FLEX Global aims to develop a network of young leaders who understand and support U.S. culture and priorities, with a focus on entrepreneurship, technology, Super Intelligence, and leadership.
Romania joined FLEX in 2015, and since then more than 20,000 Romanian students have applied and over 270 have traveled to the U.S. The reciprocal program for American students, launched in Romania in 2024, has so far brought 16 Americans to live and study in the country.
Minister Dimian and Lisa Choate signed the agreement in Bucharest. Attending the signing were Alys Spensley, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest; Remus Pricopie, Rector of the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) and former Minister of Education, who helped initiate Romania's participation in FLEX; and Carter Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer and Regional Director at American Councils.
How to Apply
Romanian participants must be born between July 15, 2009, and July 15, 2012, and be enrolled in grades 9, 10, or 11 at the time of application. They can apply for FLEX Global for the 2027–2028 academic year until October 22, 2026, at: https://www.romania.americancouncils.org/flex-ro.
Participation is fully funded, including travel, host family placement, and school enrollment.
About the Ministry of Education and Research of Romania
The Ministry of Education and Research works to ensure that students have access to high-quality learning opportunities that enable them to realize their potential and contribute to Romania's development.
About American Councils for International Education
American Councils is a U.S. nonprofit organization working with more than 120 countries. It innovates at the intersection of education, economic growth, and diplomacy by engaging people in rigorous learning and by building strategic networks between Americans and people around the world to advance shared peace and prosperity.