Deadline: 30-Apr-21
The Office of Public Affairs (OPA), invites proposal submissions from U.S. public and private non-profit organizations and accredited U.S. post-secondary educational institutions (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public and private universities) meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) to design and implement one or two BOLD (BiHOmladinski Lideri, Bosnia and Herzegovina Young Leaders) Academic Fellowships for BiH Student Leaders, pending the availability of FY 2021 AEECA funds.
Program Categories
Applicants may propose to design and implement one of the following:
- Option A: The BOLD Academic Fellowship on civic engagement, which includes one Institute (exchange),
- Option B: The BOLD Academic Fellowship on economic development, which includes one Institute (exchange),
- Option C: Two BOLD Academic Fellowships, either simultaneously or asynchronously. One on civic engagement and one on economic development.
Mandatory Components
- Each institute should be organized for at least 15 undergraduate students, aged 18-25, from communities in BiH to reflect the country’s diversity and administrative divisions, for a total minimum of 30 participants in two institutes.
- Each Institute should be approximately five weeks in duration, including an academic residency at an academic institution and a significant component of experiential learning in the community or in another location
- The academic program in the U.S. should include group discussions, experiential learning activities, and exercises that focus on the theme and include aspects of leadership, team building, collective problem-solving skills, effective communication, appreciation of diversity, and management skills.
- The experiential learning component should include substantive and participatory activities in a community that pertains directly to the theme of the institute and bolsters the skills and experience for students to implement their follow-on projects.
- Institutes should ensure a balance of speakers and perspectives throughout the program schedule, representing diverse U.S. political viewpoints, as well as other aspects of diversity.
- The programs should include requirements of continued follow-on engagement and project implementation that build on the five-week engagement once participants return home.
- In addition to developing participants’ leadership skills, the program should provide participants with an in-depth examination of one of the themes outlined below.
Institute Themes
- The BOLD Academic Fellowship on Civic Engagement should introduce participants to the concept of civic engagement in the United States as a means of improving communities and the institutions and services of government, and provide them with the skills to implement projects as civic leaders themselves.
- The BOLD Academic Fellowship on Entrepreneurship, Youth Employment, and Economic Development should provide participants with an overview of entrepreneurial approaches by introducing challenges and successes of U.S. entrepreneurial models, including social enterprises, business leadership, and women’s economic empowerment.
Funding Information
- Length of Performance Period: 18 months.
- Number of Awards Anticipated: Up to 2 depending on the amount of each award.
- Award Amounts: Awards may range from USD 125,000 to USD 250,000.
- Total Available Funding: USD 250,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. public and private non-profit organizations and accredited post-secondary U.S. higher education institutions (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public and private universities) meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in this section are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to work in all parts of BiH, whether independently or in cooperation with a partner organization.
- All organizations must have a DUNS unique entity identifier and a valid registration on SAM.gov before their project proposals can be funded. Organization must obtain a DUNS number and SAM registration in order to receive funding.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331421