Deadline: 31-Aug-23
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Section (PD) to develop and implement the English Access Micro-Scholarship Program.
Public Diplomacy Section (PD) seeks to provide Iraqi youth with educational opportunities through English-language instruction in accordance with Mission Iraq goals.
The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English-language skills to talented, bright, economically disadvantaged students, primarily between the ages of 13 to 18, through after-school classes and intensive summer sessions. As part of their course work, Access students gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate in their countries’ socioeconomic development and better prepare themselves to compete for future U.S. exchange and study programs.
Through the program, the students are encouraged to develop respect for and interest in other cultures, customs, and beliefs.
Implementers are encouraged to thoughtfully design activities include the following topics: global citizenship, STEM subjects, critical thinking, environmental awareness, human rights, U.S. democracy and government, U.S. civil society, diversity and tolerance, U.S. History, U.S. education system, U.S. family and relationship values, and U.S. and global health.
Program Objectives
The Access Program must deliver a minimum of 360 hours of instruction. Classes should be held twice per week. Classes typically last from two to three hours. The Access Program cycle is 24 months with classes. It is the responsibility of the Provider to consider students’ schedules to ensure that Access classes do not interfere with students’ regular school schedule. The goal of the Access Program is to provide participants with improved skills that contribute to building more resilient, engaged, and prosperous communities that are more aware of, and better connected to, U.S. culture. During the life of the program, Access students will:
- Be given a foundation of English language skills. Equipping students with English language skills can increase their competitiveness in the job market, allow them to expand their network, build people-to-people connections, empower them to read and understand a wide variety of sources, and make students more competitive for future U.S. Department of State and other exchanges programs.
- Gain an appreciation for U.S. culture and democratic values. A key element of the Access Program is to familiarize students with important features of U.S. culture and democratic values to encourage mutual understanding between the U.S. and the host country. Partners are encouraged to thoughtfully design their curriculum to integrate the following topics: critical thinking, environmental awareness, human rights, U.S. democracy and government, U.S. civil society, diversity and tolerance, U.S. History, U.S. education system, U.S. family and relationship values, U.S. and global health, and other STEM subjects.
- Develop digital literacy skills. In addition to learning general computer skills, using, and understanding a wider variety of informational technologies has become essential to a young person’s personal and academic future.
- Gain soft skills to prepare the participants to be dynamic, motivated, aware, and conscious members.
- Participate in personal development activities. The Access Program seeks to foster students’ personal development by building balanced intellectual and emotional capabilities to better prepare them for future academic and professional endeavors. Students should be introduced to topics such as lifelong learning, career development and employable skills, critical thinking, selfconfidence, leadership skills, self-awareness, higher education and employment tracks and trajectories, and U.S. government-sponsored exchange program options.
- Promote community service activities.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 24 to 26 months
- Number of awards anticipated: one award.
- Total available funding: $1,000.000.00
- Anticipated programs start date: September ,2023.
Participants and Audiences
- Underprivileged, economically disadvantaged students aged 13-18. The program is gender balanced. Support of Equity and Underserved Communities: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.
Priority Region
- Baghdad, Anbar, Diyala, Wassit, Babel, Karbala, Najaf, Dhi-Qar, Muthanna, Qadisiyah, Mayssan and Basra.
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Be a U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3).
- Have demonstrated experience developing and administering similar programs.
- Have the capacity to operate in Iraq and have active partnerships with organization(s) operating in Iraq needed to support the program.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.