Deadline: 31-Jul-21
The U.S. Embassy in Iraq has announced the applications for Investing in the Liberated Universities to support initiatives that promote educational and cultural engagement and foster mutual understanding between the United States and Iraq.
Iraq’s minority communities were victims of extreme violence and genocide in the areas around Mosul and the Ninewa Plain, and there is a critical need to restore basic operations at the above-mentioned universities. Under the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) between the United States Government and the Republic of Iraq, education, exchanges, and research collaboration are key pillars of mutual cooperation.
Priorities
- Applicants must have the demonstrated experience and ability to provide guidance to and monitor university partnership projects that would focus on the following U.S. Mission education priorities:
- Faculty development and exchange, both in-person and virtual;
- Curriculum development;
- Collaborative research projects, particularly in STEM and the humanities;
- Capacity building in university administration;
- Development of information systems to establish digital record keeping;
- Capacity building in English language teaching;
- Establishment of distance learning programs;
- Development of career advisory and internship placement services on campuses;
- Initiatives to promote inclusiveness and national reconciliation;
- In addition, the program implementer will:
- Foster relationships between U.S. institutions of higher learning and Iraqi universities. Preference should be given to one-on-one partnerships, with one U.S. institution working with one Iraqi institution;
- Consult with officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), Iraqi university leaders and education experts, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office staff, and U.S. university associations and higher education institutions on program design and implementation;
- Provide quarterly reporting with a budget update to U.S. Embassy Baghdad on program activities.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and source of information for Iraqi universities, U.S. institutions, and U.S. Embassy Baghdad;
- Manage all logistical elements of the program, including facilitating Americans’ travel to Iraq and Iraqi travel to the U.S., should the proposal include such activities;
- Coordinate with public and private sector institutions to develop an internship program for university students;
- Plan and organize a closing session in Iraq or via on-line platforms to summarize and evaluate the program and foster ongoing collaboration between American and Iraqi university partners.
Funding Information
- Approximate Total Funding: $1,200,000, pending availability of funds.
- Approximate Number of Awards: One
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- 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 https://iq.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grant-programs/