Deadline: 31-May-22
The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC), seeks applications to strengthen American-style higher education programs in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region.
In addition to high academic standards and progressive curricula, programs will facilitate critical thinking and tolerance of different opinions and beliefs to foster community cohesion and engagement. Programs will strengthen the diversity of the student body of American-style Iraqi institutions of higher education (IHEs) and provide the knowledge and skills graduates require for success in governmental, non-governmental, and private sector leadership positions.
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) offers Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance to groups and individuals striving to bring about positive change in the Middle East-North Africa region. The Assistance Coordination Office works in 20 countries and territories, partnering with governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, youth and women activists and private sector groups to advance their efforts. Competitively selected projects aim to foster participatory governance, economic reform, and educational advancement in response to local interest and needs.
Objectives
- A successful project must include, but does not need to be limited to:
- Improvement in institutional capacity, as evidenced by:
- New or enhanced partnerships and linkages with U.S. or regional IHE(s) that offer American-style curriculum;
- Increased student body recruitment, retention, and diversity, consistent with Iraq’s religious, ethnic, gender, and geographic diversity;
- New and improved offerings to support student performance and post-graduate employment.
- Demonstrable progress toward accreditation by U.S. and Iraqi accrediting organizations.
- Clear, demonstrable efforts to support women, as evidenced by:
- Targeted recruitment initiatives to increase the number of women enrolled in Iraqi IHEs;
- Development of fields of study, course offerings and/or majors related to gender issues;
- New or improved services to increase retention and graduation rates of female students; and/or,
- Enhanced career development services for women that overcome unique challenges to meaningful participation in the economy.
- Improvement in institutional capacity, as evidenced by:
Funding Information
- Estimated Number of Awards: Up to Four (4)
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $11,000,000
- Estimated Award Ceiling: $2,500,000
- Estimated Award Floor: $500,000
- Estimated Length of Project Period: 12-24 Months
Project Beneficiaries
Project beneficiaries must include:
- Students from different religious, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds, representing the diversity of Iraq’s population.
- Women in Iraq (at least 40% of budgeted project activities must directly benefit women in Iraq).
Eligible Countries and Territories
In this announcement, they seek to support projects in Iraq. Successful applicants will use innovative and cost-effective approaches to meet the needs and opportunities of students in Iraq. Please note: applications that focus on activities in countries and territories other than those listed will NOT be considered.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- American-style Institution of Higher Education in Iraq that is non-state sponsored.
- Meet ALL of the registration requirements.
- Meet any requirements listed as MANDATORY in Additional Eligibility Considerations.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=338494