U.S. Higher Education Guidance Counselor Training Program

The Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu announces an open competition for U.S. alumni (Nepali Graduates from U.S. institutions) or alumni from U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2023 U.S. Higher Education Guidance Counselor Training Program. Teams with at least two U.S. graduates/alumni who meet all the program's eligibility conditions are invited to submit applications. The deadline for submitting proposal to [email protected] by Sunday, April 16, 2023. Any submission received after the deadline will not be considered for this grant opportunity. A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This program provides grants to qualified teams with experience in U.S. higher education to train Nepali teachers and guidance counselors from local secondary schools and provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. higher education system, the college application process, and the U.S. student visa process. The program’s objective is to increase the number of informed counselors who can serve as mentors to students interested in studying in the U.S. With this foundational training under their belt, the counselors will return to their home institutions ready to excel in their counseling and academic role as mentors to students interested in studying in the U.S. PAS Kathmandu will oversee successful applicants which will: · In the first phase, find suitable locations in at least three major cities in Nepal including Kathmandu for holding a two-day training conference that will train 20 – 30 guidance counselors at each location to be U.S. higher education mentors. · In the second phase, conduct the training program in Kathmandu, and then conduct the training program in at least two different provinces outside the Kathmandu Valley. These programs should enable the guidance counselors and teachers to act as mentors to their students and deliver accurate information, as well as relevant skill-building activities and resources to interested students and parents at their local institutions. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Program Office: Public Affairs Section, Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu, Nepal Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Higher Education Guidance Counselor Training Program Announcement Type: Small Grant Deadline for Applications: Sunday, April 16, 2023, Kathmandu, Time Total Amount Available: $15,000 USD CFDA Number: 19.040 C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: The following individuals are eligible to apply: · Applicants must be U.S. Graduates or alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) · Projects teams must include at least two (2) alumni. · Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members in a project. · Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries. · Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. Not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are not eligible to submit applications but can serve as partners for implementing project activities. 2. Cost Sharing Inclusion of cost share is not a requirement of this opportunity. 3. Grant Program Area: The proposed project will: · Provide open access to accurate, high-quality information that counters fee-based consultancy services’ misinformation in Nepal. · Increase the number of informed counselors to serve as mentors to students interested in studying in the U.S. · Foster strategic mentor/mentee pairings to cultivate informed families and students better prepared to apply for study in the U.S. The proposed program will take place in cities across Nepal over the course of one year, with the following requirements: · Number of participants: a minimum of 100 guidance counselors and teachers from Nepal trained, at least 50% of whom are women. · Training locations: At least one training in Kathmandu, and at least two trainings in cities in other provinces. Applicants may choose to partner with colleges, universities, and American Corners in the three cities. · Outputs: The creation of digital training resources, in both English and Nepali and targeted towards student and parent populations, on studying in the U.S. 4. Other Eligibility Requirements If the grant is awarded to a team of individuals only, those individuals are not required to have a UEI (Unique Entity ID) number or be registered in SAM.gov. However, if the team includes an organization as a partner in the project, that organization must have a UEI, as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Organizations must have a commitment to equal opportunity employment practices and to non-discrimination practices with regard to beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Note: Applicants are only allowed to submit ONE proposal. If more than one proposal is submitted, all proposals from that alumni team will be considered ineligible for funding. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Important: Interested applicant must submit a project proposal and a clear budget electronically via email [[email protected]] to the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu no later than April 16, 2023. Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. 1. Project Team Information: At least two exchange alumni team members are required for a project to be considered for funding. Applications need to provide the name and contact information, describe the role each team member will have in the project, and their experience, qualifications, and ability to carry out that role. Applicants need to indicate what proportion of the team member’s time will be used in support of the project. 2. Proposal Summary: A short narrative which outlines the proposed project, including challenge/s to be addressed, project objectives, and anticipated impact. 3. Project Goals and Objectives: The goal/s of the proposed project need to describe what the project is intended to achieve and include the objectives which support the goal/s. Objectives should be specific, measurable, and realistically achievable in a set time frame. 4. Project Methods, Design, and Timeline: A description of how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal/s. This should include a description of the project’s direct and indirect beneficiaries as well as a plan on how to continue the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. The proposed timeline for the project activities should include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. Applicants may also submit proposed workshop or training agendas and materials. 5. Local Project Partners: A list of partners who will support the proposed project, if applicable. 6. Communication Plan: The communication plan should include a communication and outreach strategy for promoting the proposed project. It may include social media, websites, print news, or other forms of media intended to use to share information about the project to beneficiaries and the public. 7. Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: The Monitoring and Evaluation component of the proposal should outline in detail how the proposal’s activities will advance the program’s goals and objectives. This should include any outcomes showing a change in knowledge, awareness, and attitudes; improved quality of services; increased capacity at a school, group; etc. 8. Budget Justification Narrative: Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification. Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail. Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars. Note: Applicants will be required to submit additional federal forms after their proposals are shortlisted. Disclaimer: This notice is subject to availability of funding. U.S. Embassy Kathmandu does not guarantee availability of funding by receiving applications under this announcement. Only successful applicants will be contacted. E. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT Questions about the grant application process should be directed to: [email protected] or Rekha Giri, Education Outreach Coordinator at [email protected] or 01-423 4176.