Deadline: 31-May-25
The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and investment in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Objectives
- This NOFO will support STEM education and investment in the Kyrgyz Republic by:
- Training Educators: Offering STEM-specific trainings for teachers to improve their ability to deliver high-quality STEM education based on U.S. curriculum and/or modules.
- Fostering Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between U.S. organizations, and Kyrgyz educational institutions to create lasting STEM initiatives.
- Modernizing Curriculum: Updating the STEM curriculum to reflect current global standards and industry needs, ensuring students are well-prepared for future careers and recognize the United States as the global leader in STEM innovation, education, and training.
- Promoting Economic Opportunities: Creating pathways for students to enter STEM fields, as well as pathways for Kyrgyz STEM innovators to secure U.S. support.
- Applicants should select no more than two objectives to address in their project proposal:
- Increase professional and instructional skills of a minimum of 200 secondary educators through hands-on project-based STEM teaching practices, resulting in at least 80% of educators demonstrating the ability to implement at least one new instructional tool, technology, and/or methodology within six months of completing the training.
- Increase student participation and achievement by launching a nationwide STEM competition for 250 primary and/or secondary school students, conducting regional events in each Oblast, culminating in a final competition that sends the winners to a U.S.-based international championship, and resulting in at least 60% of participants reporting a measurable improvement in STEM-problem solving skills.
- In consultation with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Education and Kyrgyz educational institutions, develop and pilot a Kyrgyz-language STEM curriculum – based on a U.S. model– for training science teachers on STEM instruction, resulting in at least 80% of pilot participants demonstrating an increase in STEM teaching effectiveness and confidence as a result of using the new curriculum.
- Increase the capacity of 50-100 STEM innovators to pitch projects by organizing pitching workshops in the Kyrgyz Republic, culminating in a pitch-a-thon event with U.S. investors that selects three final projects for funding.
- Increase STEM engagement in 25 secondary schools across the Kyrgyz Republic by coordinating a mobile U.S.-branded science and technology roadshow, resulting in at least 70% of students reporting an increased interest in STEM subjects and careers.
Funding Information
- Grant amount: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000 (approximately, pending funding availability)
- Duration: 6-12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following non-profit organizations are eligible to apply:
- Kyrgyz Republic-Registered:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Individuals
- Kyrgyz Republic-Registered:
- U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions, and individuals seeking funding to support cultural and/or educational program in the Kyrgyz Republic and partnering with Kyrgyz Republic-registered organizations.
Ineligibility Criteria
- For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO.
- This opportunity will not support:
- Projects relating to partisan political activity;
- Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support;
- Construction projects;
- Projects that support specific religious activities;
- Fund-raising campaigns.
Application Requirements
- Please ensure:
- The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
- All documents are in English
- All budgets are in U.S. dollars
- All pages are numbered
- All applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic.