Description
The U.S. Embassy, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), Harare, Zimbabwe announces an open competition for organizations to carry out a project focused on promoting U.S. higher education opportunities, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, for high-achieving Zimbabwean university students. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Project activities must take place in Zimbabwe and the United States and be directed at Zimbabwean audiences/participants. Program Objectives: The grantee will work in coordination with the Public Diplomacy Section in support of the 2022/2023 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program. This program assists highly qualified students who are likely to be awarded scholarships, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, from U.S. universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front costs of applying. PDS and EducationUSA advisers located in Zimbabwe will develop selection criteria and lead the Opportunity Funds selection committee. Prospective bidders on this grant must submit a proposal to administer the Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) with funding up to US $70,000 and manage two phases of the EducationUSA advising process for 2022-2024. The first phase requires recruitment of students cohorts and coordination and payment for 25 selected students to take standardized tests, pay application fees, conduct transcript evaluations and cover other costs. Throughout this phase, the grantee will assist advisers in Zimbabwe with programmatic and logistical support in providing advising sessions for OFP students. These sessions will include comprehensive advising on the U.S. application process, financial awards/aid, personal statements/essays and recommendation letter writing, CVs/resumes, transcripts and equivalencies, and similar subjects related to admissions at U.S. colleges and universities. The second phase requires the recipient to manage the travel logistics of approximately 20 students, including visa and SEVIS fees, international airfare, settling-in allowance, and other related expenses. The successful grantee will demonstrate an ability to responsibly manage funds, coordinate logistics, and finalize payments in a timely manner. Both phases can be managed virtually, with regular web and phone-based counselling sessions for selected Zimbabwean candidates. Administrative costs, up to 10%, are allowable. Participants and Audiences: The target audience is high-achieving Zimbabwean high school and university students. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 18 Months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award Total available funding: $70,000 Type of Funding: FY22 Anticipated program start date: September 1, 2022 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less.