Deadline: 7-Jun-21
The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open competition to administer the FY 2021 English Access Microscholarship Program (Access).
The Access Program is a multi-faceted program designed to support global English language learning needs and to improve English teaching globally.
The program exposes participants to U.S. culture and democratic values through English language scholarships for youth, professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, and programming for alumni.
Purpose
- The Access Program enhances the ability of foreign publics, particularly underserved youth and teachers, to better understand the United States, its people, its values, and its foreign policy through the learning of the English language.
- As the language of science, technology, business, and the internet, English is the language of educational and economic opportunity.
- By strengthening the teaching of English globally, the Access program stimulates economic growth and breaks down the barriers of restrictive societies.
- It also serves as a gateway to economic, cultural, and political engagement with the United States, including as preparation for other exchange programs.
Program Approaches
The program’s three-pronged approach includes, but is not limited to:
- Teacher professional development: Participants receive professional development opportunities that strengthen student-centered learning; critical thinking and communicative methodologies; understanding of U.S. culture, democratic values, and service learning. Funds support programming for teachers, directors, administrators, and ministry officials in-country, in the region, and in the U.S. Programs may be virtual, hybrid or in-person depending on local health and safety conditions and on the theme or target audience for the program. The program helps teachers serve as role models and mentors to other English teachers in their respective countries and regions and provides a multiplier effect that strengthens the teaching of English in their countries.
- Scholarships: Bright, underserved students worldwide, primarily aged 13 to 20, receive a foundation of English language, leadership and professional skills, and exposure to U.S. culture and democratic values. Funds support in-country study for English classes close to the participants’ homes. Classes are usually taught in person when health and safety conditions allow, but may move to online teaching to ensure the health and safety of the students and teachers. Hybrid and virtual only programs may be piloted for pedagogical or programmatic purposes. The programs increase the students’ potential to participate successfully in the socio economic development of their countries and increase their chances of competing for and participating in future U.S. exchange and study programs.
- Alumni: Participants receive opportunities that strengthen their foundation of English language, leadership and/or professional skills and understanding of U.S. culture and democratic values acquired under the scholarship program. Funds support programming for alumni in-country, in the region, and in the U.S. These programs are designed locally by U.S. embassies based on public diplomacy goals and may be offered in-person, virtually or in a hybrid format depending on the goals of the program and conditions on the ground.
Funding Information
- Approximate Total Funding: $26,000,000
- Approximate Number of Awards: 1
- Approximate Average Award: $26,000,000
Participants
- Participants will be identified and/or selected by the U.S. embassies and consulates in participating countries, with participant numbers based on funding allocations determined by ECA/A/L.
- Schools or other in-country educational service providers that conduct the classes and training will also be recommended by U.S. embassies and consulates with final approval of ECA/A/L.
- ECA/A/L will inform the recipient of the participating countries and the funding allocation to each country.
Note: Throughout this NOFO, these schools, NGOs and other partners will be referred to as “in-country educational service providers”.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants:
- U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition.
- Applicants must have non profit status with the IRS at the time of application.
- Other Eligibility Requirements:
- Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $130,000 in Bureau funding.
- ECA anticipates making one cooperative agreement, in an amount of $26,000,000 support program and administrative costs required to implement this exchange program.
- Therefore, organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332759