Deadline: 31-Jul-23
The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil (Consulate) announces an open competition for eligible organizations to submit proposals to develop and implement the English Access Microscholarship Program for the community of Sheikhan, in Duhok Governorate, in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
The Consulate’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) seeks to provide youth in and around Sheikhan, including but not limited to those residing in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), with educational opportunities through English-language instruction in accordance with U.S. Mission Iraq goals.
Objective: The English Access Microscholarship Program for Sheikhan will provide a foundation of English language skills to priority students through after-school or weekend classes and intensive summer activities over a two-year period. Access Program students also gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries, and gain the ability to compete for and participate in future U.S. Government-sponsored educational programs.
Primary Goals
- English language acquisition
- Learning about U.S. culture and values, including diversity and tolerance
- Personal Development, including the development of critical thinking skills
- Community Service, within a diverse cohort of youth
Secondary Goals
- Providing participants with English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects
- Enhancing participants’ abilities to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $150,000
- Award amount: $150,000
- Length of performance period: 12
Participants and Audiences: The target audience for this program is economically disadvantaged, demographically diverse, 13 to 16 year-oldstudents residing in or within 12km of the town of Sheikhan. Participants must also include students residing in three nearby Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Sheikhan, Esiyan, and Mamrashan.
Priority Region: Sheikhan and its surrounds.
Recipient’s Role
- During the Access Program cycle, the implementer will be responsible for a variety of activities beginning with advertising and recruitment for the program, student selection, hiring qualified instructors, providing instruction in the classroom and at other venues if desired, planning enhancement activities, monitoring student performance and progress, periodic submission of narrative and financial reports, and collaboration with the U.S. Embassy during some phases of the program. Participating students must reside within 12km of Sheikhan, and instruction must take place within that same area. Some student participants must reside in the nearby IDP camps in Sheikhan, Esiyan, and Mamrashan. Field trips outside of that region are encouraged.
- The provider will assess the level of need in the communities being targeted and ensure that the Access Program benefits bright and economically and/or socially disadvantaged students from the widest possible demographic distribution. Advertising and recruitment should be conducted in order to reach the target audience and can involve such parties as local government officials, school administrators, civic and religious organizations, and Consulate staff. The provider’s staff, in collaboration with the Consulate’s Public Affairs Section, may assist with nomination of candidates. Final selection of the nominations should be made in consultation with the Consulate’s Public Affairs.
- Due to the requirement that this program include students currently residing in IDP camps, the implementer must have an existing relationship with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Interior which would allow for access to such spaces.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must:
- Have demonstrated experience developing and administering similar programs in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region;
- Have an existing relationship with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Interior which would allow access to IDP camps.
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public International Organizations.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies:
- As soon as possible after the beginning of the Access Program, the students, their teacher(s), and parents must be invited to a welcome ceremony. A Consulate Officer should be invited to present each scholarship recipient with a certificate of award that confirms his or her status as a recipient of a two-year scholarship as part of the English Access Microscholarship Program. At the culmination of the Access Program, participants and their parents must be invited to attend a graduation ceremony. The Consulate should be invited to award signed certificates of completionto the students.
- The Consulate will be involved in the implementation of the program, including in: advertising and recruitment of candidates; selection of students; hiring of personnel; the program curriculum; program reporting; ceremonies, and other program details.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.