Deadline: 31 March 2020
The U.S. Embassy France Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition for U.S. and French organizations to submit applications to implement an exchange program for 40 to 50 French high school students, in the United States.
Through the Youth Ambassadors for Community Service program, 40 to 50 young adults from France between the ages of 15 and 18 will develop the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to become more engaged in their communities, will visit high schools and learn about the U.S. education system, and will further their understanding of the United States.
Participants will attend a pre-departure orientation in July 2021 in Paris, as well as a debriefing weekend in January-February 2022, organized by a different French implementing NGO, in coordination with the organization awarded the overall grant.
In partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Paris, the recipient organization will design the two-week U.S. exchange program, from October 16 until October 31, 20211, which will enhance participants’ understanding of American democratic institutions and volunteer initiatives.
Participants will travel to Washington D.C. for initial programming. After spending time in Washington D.C., they will be divided into subgroups in four different cities/host communities, where they will be placed with American host families and attend school classes. They will then return to Washington D.C. for debriefing and evaluation, as well as visits to the Department of State and the French Embassy to the U.S.Participants will engage in a variety of activities, including but not limited to workshops on leadership and community service, community site visits related to program themes, interactive training and discussion groups, volunteer opportunities, visits to high schools, local cultural activities, homestays, and other activities designed to achieve the program’s stated goals.
The exchange must include multiple opportunities for participants to have significant, meaningful interactions with their American peers.
Follow-on activities with the participants are an essential part of the program, and the exchange activities should prepare participants to apply the knowledge and skills that they will have acquired during their time in the United States in the planning of concrete projects in their home communities.
Program Objectives
- Promote equal opportunities for all and encourage knowledge-sharing and intercultural dialogue between French and American youth;
- Raise awareness about civic engagement and volunteerism among young people;
- Strengthen Franco-American friendship and understanding through soft diplomacy;
- Offer French youth the chance to represent their peers and participate in civic initiatives abroad;
- Build leadership skills, encourage volunteerism, self-confidence, intercultural sensitivity, and nurture excellence and civic engagement among young leaders from underserved communities;
- Allow participants to become pillars of community organization, keeping their peers involved in positive social activities and promoting tolerance and achievement; and
- Provide participants with tools to build alliances with American counterparts and to produce positive change in underserved communities.
Funding Information
- Award amount: award may range to a maximum of $249,000;
- Total available funding: $249,000;
- Length of performance period: 17 months, from December 1, 2020 – February 15, 2022 Number of awards anticipated: One award.
Participants and Audiences
40 to 50 outstanding French high school students, between the ages of 15 and 18, from underprivileged backgrounds with leadership potential and commitment to civic engagement.
Eligibility Criteria
- The U.S. Embassy France Public Affairs Section encourages applications from U.S. and French not-for-profit organizations.
- For-profit and commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below.
- Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
- Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
- Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
- Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities. The cost per participant and the total cost will be evaluated, in addition to the total number of participants that the organization is proposing within the budget of the award.
- Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.
- Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.
How to Apply
Please ensure:
- The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity;
- All documents are in English;
- All budgets are in U.S. dollars;
- All pages are numbered;
- All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and;
- All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.
Complete applications must be submitted in one email at the address given on the website.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=324478