NEA/AC Student Leaders Program: Expanding the Understanding of Civil Society in MENA

Deadline: 9 December 2016

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) requesting support for a rigorous program of continuous learning to develop leadership skills and expand the understanding of civil society for a cadre of students seeking to be future leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The principal objective of the Student Leaders Program is to develop the participants’ leadership and collective problem-solving skills through a six to eight week academic residency and field study program.

As a result of this program Student Leaders will be equipped to facilitate civic engagement and reform in their own communities and across the region. The program should:

give participants a multi-dimensional view of U.S. society and institutions through a program that reflects a broad and balanced range of perspectives; and
bring an interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary focus to bear on the program content, as appropriate.

Funding Information: The estimated total program funding is $2.5 million for the initial program cohort, with similar funding levels expected for two additional cohorts.

Eligibility Criteria

This program is open to college and university students between the ages of 20 and 24, currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program at a college/university or having just graduated (in 2017).
NEA/AC seeks a gender-balanced pool of candidates (at least 50% women) and preference is given to traditionally underserved participants when possible (e.g. socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnic and religious minorities).
Those who have travelled to or studied abroad in the U.S. are ineligible.
Applicants should demonstrate sufficient English-language skills to participate in U.S. university-level classes and must be enrolled in and attending a university in their home countries.
At the time of application and while participating in the program, participants must be citizens of such countries mentioned below.
Eligible applicants are accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning, non-profit organizations, or for-profit organizations that have demonstrated capacity and experience to offer undergraduate level programming to non-degree students in leadership, political science, history, democracy studies or public policy and to support an international program.
NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities.
NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
NEA/AC encourages applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.