Tunisia Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program

Deadline: 19-Aug-20

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) is seeking applications for the Tunisia Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program.

The Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program (TJSP) will offer outstanding Tunisian students full scholarships for an academic year of non-degree study at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The program will provide approximately 28 students from across Tunisia a deeper understanding of the United States as well as new skills and knowledge to help them contribute to Tunisia’s economic growth and development.

The Recipient must facilitate participants’ studies and provide enrichment activities to achieve program objectives. Participants will enroll in full-time undergraduate coursework, including courses related to their fields of study as well as American Studies, in order to broaden their knowledge of their chosen field and the United States. Students may not enroll in clinical coursework. TJSP students will fulfill community service requirements in the first semester and complete an internship in the second semester. Students must return to Tunisia at the conclusion of the program in the United States for a mandatory re-entry workshop.

Objectives

A successful project will result in:

Participants being better prepared for the professional marketplace and entry-level professional positions in Tunisia.
Participants building networks with emerging young leaders from across Tunisia and in the United States.
Participants developing the capacity and desire to serve in leadership positions.

Project Design

Applicants must address the management of the following responsibilities in the project narrative.

Recruiting and selecting program participants;
Recruiting and selecting accredited, four-year host institutions in the United States;
Arranging TOEFL tests in Tunisia for all participants and intensive pre-academic ESL courses in the United States for students who require it;
Placing participants at U.S. host institutions;
Organizing a pre-departure orientation in Tunisia, mid-year workshop in the United States, and re-entry workshop in Tunisia;
Providing monitoring and support services for participants at host institutions in the United States;
Assisting with community service and internship arrangements and other special program management;
Financial administration of the program budget including, but not limited to, stipend disbursement; travel arrangements; student reimbursement for cultural events; adherence to federal, state, and local income tax laws; and fiscal reporting;
Managing all travel logistics;
Program reporting and evaluation;
Managing and monitoring the visa process, including the processing of DS-2019s;
Supporting alumni tracking, coordination, and follow-on activities;
Ensuring participants complete a release form regarding the use of photos and quotes in publications related to TJSP.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,300,000
Estimated Award Ceiling: $1,300,000
Estimated Award Floor: $1,000,000
Estimated Length of Project Period: 24 Months

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).
NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. They encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.
Prime Applicant
- To be considered for funding under this opportunity, applicants SHALL:
  - Have demonstrable previous experience working in the MENA region. This should be addressed within the project narrative section of your application.
  - Meet ALL of the registration requirements.