Deadline: 3-Sep-21
The U.S. Embassy Cairo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit applications to plan and conduct a series of programs on U.S. culture and society using English as a second language.
Purpose: PAS Cairo invites requests for funding from individuals, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations for programs to teach English to college-aged patrons of the U.S. Embassy’s American Center Cairo (ACC) , while simultaneously strengthening ties between the United States and Egypt. Successful requests for funding will offer English instruction for six months to one year in the ACC. Requests for funding must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy, cultural, society, and perspectives, in addition to teaching English.
Objectives
- Plan and conduct a regularly occurring series of engaging and interactive programs on U.S. history, culture, and society through the medium of English as a second/foreign language to build language skills and a greater understanding of the United States. Programs must include a comprehensive means of assessment and should be planned with virtual and in-person alternatives/components in case of continued closure of the ACC to visitors due to COVID-19.
- Learning about American society and culture through English as a second/foreign language allows participants to simultaneously build critical cross-cultural skills necessary for employment, gain a deeper understanding of America and Americans, and develop confidence in order to work with speakers of English or travel or study in the United States. The recipient of funding will work closely with the ACC Director and ACC Outreach Assistant in developing a yearly/monthly plan for programs about American English, cultural and values, and information about the USA.
- Typical program activities will last one to two hours, should be based on ESL/EFL pedagogy, and may cover themes such as American science, technology, and innovation; entrepreneurship; freedom of speech; diversity and inclusion; U.S. democracy and human rights; environment and health; American holidays; and media literacy. Activities may include simultaneous and asynchronous components, and include film screenings and discussions, gameplay, and interactive vocabulary exercises, among others. ACC facilities include a Zoom account (managed/coordinated through ACC staff), Smartboard, a projector, speakers, a microphone, a video conferencing system for possible guest speakers or online participants, high speed internet, a copy machine, and an instructor computer and participant laptops, if needed.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum amount of $18,600
- Total available funding: $18,600, pending availability of funds.
- Anticipated program start date: September 30, 2021
- Length of performance period: Depending on the needs of the project, six months to one year.
- Number of awards anticipated: One
Participants and Audiences
Program activities will typically engage Egyptian college-aged youth interested in improving their English and learning about American culture and society. Proposals should outline anticipated audience size and number of programs per month.
Eligibility Criteria
The following are eligible to apply:
- Individuals
- Not-for-profit organizations, including U.S. or Egyptian think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
For more information, visit https://eg.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/156/NOFO-ACC-v4.pdf
