Deadline: 30-Jun-2020
The U.S. Embassy Kigali of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications for a cooperative agreement to organize a training program and mentorship exchange on university advancement and international partnerships for mid-career Rwandan higher education administrators during the 2020-21 academic years.
Program Objectives
- The U.S. Embassy in Kigali, through the Bureau of African Affair’s University Partnership Initiative (UPI), will fund a cohort-based training and mentorship exchange program for emerging higher education administrators in Rwanda during the 2020-21 academic year, focused on university advancement and international partnership.
- In coordination with Embassy Kigali, grant recipient will design and implement a training program and mentorship exchange for no less than six (6) emerging Rwandan higher education administrators, selected to create a diverse cohort representing both public and private institutions. Programming components may include but are not limited to the following:
- The cohort will participate in workshops in Kigali, focused on exploring best practices in university advancement and international partnerships. Local experts and visiting academics will lead focused conversations. Virtual exchanges will be one priority topic in order to tailor the program to the realities of the covid-19 era.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: maximum of $250,000
- Total available funding: maximum of $250,000
Participants and Audiences
Jointly with grantee, U.S. Embassy Kigali will participate in selecting a diverse cohort of mid-career administrators representing a variety of Rwandan higher education institutions. This program will also actively engage senior administrators within the Rwanda higher education system and U.S. HEIs.
Eligibility Criteria
U.S. or Rwandan not-for-profit organizations and U.S. or Rwandan public or private educational institutions are eligible to apply. For-profit organizations are not eligible for this grant.
Evaluation Criteria
- Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
- Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
- Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
- Budget: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
- Monitoring and evaluation plan: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.
- Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.
Selection Criteria
- Up to six U.S.-based higher education administrators will be selected to mentor the Rwandan participants individually or in small groups. Mentors will have experience and connections in both university advancement and international partnerships.
- Mentor selection will prioritize a diverse range of U.S. institutions. In the event that international travel continues to be impractical, the selection of mentors with first-hand experience in Rwanda or similar settings will be prioritized. If global conditions allow, mentors will visit Rwanda for one week to learn about their partner’s institution(s) and to speak with the full cohort. Visits will be scheduled non-concurrently over the academic year to maximize impact.
- Mentors will connected electronically with their partner(s) throughout the year and host their partner’s fellowship.
For more information, visit https://rw.usembassy.gov/nofo-05-20-2020/