The Minister of Education and Research, Mihai Dimian, and the President and Executive Director of the American Councils for International Education, Lisa Choate, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday regarding the awarding of scholarships for the 2027-2028 academic year under the FLEX Global (Future Leaders Exchange Global) and FLEX Abroad Global programs.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Education and Research, the signing of the memorandum takes place based on the negotiating and signing mandate approved by the Government of Romania on October 1, 2026, and ensures the continuation of educational exchange programs in the United States of America and Romania, respectively, for the 2027-2028 school year.

Under the new agreement, up to 70 Romanian students will be able to receive scholarships to study at high schools in the United States for one school year, while up to 20 American students will be able to study in Romania. Consequently, the number of scholarships awarded to Romanian students will increase significantly starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

The scholarships will be funded equally by the Government of Romania, through the Ministry of Education and Research, and by the Government of the United States of America, through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

The selection process for the 2027-2028 school year is scheduled to begin in November 2026.

'Education creates lasting bonds between people and, through them, between countries. This is one of the key values ??of the FLEX Global and FLEX Abroad Global programs. Through the memorandum signed today, we are continuing a program that has proven its worth for young Romanians while also significantly expanding it: up to 70 Romanian students will have the opportunity to study in the United States for a year. In doing so, we are investing in their education and potential, as well as in the partnership between Romania and the United States,' stated Mihai Dimian, Acting Minister of Education and Research.

FLEX Global is one of the most important educational exchange programs for students between Romania and the United States.

'Romania is investing its own resources in this program, FLEX Global, and is now expanding it. This speaks volumes about how Bucharest views the future of its relationship with the United States, as joint investments create lasting partnerships. The American and Romanian students participating in the program will become the entrepreneurs, professionals, and public sector leaders who will turn this partnership into concrete results. Americans who know Romania will help U.S. companies and institutions succeed here. Romanian graduates of the program who understand the United States will support Romanian companies in investing and expanding in the U.S. It all begins with education. I thank Minister Mihai Dimian for his commitment to these young people and to the future they will build,' said Lisa Choate, President and CEO of American Councils for International Education.

Implemented in Romania since 2015, the program offers high school students selected based on merit the opportunity to spend a school year in the United States, where they attend an American high school and live with a host family.

Interest among Romanian students in this program has steadily increased. Between 2015 and 2025, over 18,000 applications were submitted, with finalists coming from nearly every county in the country and from communities of various sizes. In the most recent selection round alone, the number of applications reached approximately 3,000—a record high for Romania.

Launched in Romania in 2024, FLEX Abroad Global offers American students the opportunity to spend a school year in Romania, attend a Romanian high school, and live with a host family. The program thus contributes to the development of educational exchanges and direct ties between the youth and communities of the two countries. Both programs are administered by American Councils for International Education, a non-profit organization with international experience in implementing educational exchange programs. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Roberto Stan;EN - writing by: Catalin Cristian Trandafir)