A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Singapore announces an open competition for local partners to host the EducationUSA Singapore Advising Center and collaborate on various U.S. higher education outreach initiatives. U.S. Embassy Singapore will provide some funds to support costs, access to EducationUSA resources including advisor training, and marketing and promotion support. Priority Region: Singapore Program Objectives: To build and support a mutually beneficial partnership between EducationUSA and a local partner organization in order to: Provide reliable, non-biased access to information about U.S. higher education opportunities to students, families, and school representatives in Singapore at no cost; Provide training and information to secondary and post-secondary teachers, counselors, and administrators to empower them to support their students in taking advantage of U.S. higher education opportunities; Collaborate with the public and private sector in Singapore and the United States to align EducationUSA Singapore programming with industry needs when appropriate. Participants and Audiences: Students seeking information and advising in preparation for undergraduate, graduate, technical/vocational, and post-secondary study abroad programs in the United States are the end audience for EducationUSA Singapore services. EducationUSA Singapore staff will engage in activities that include reaching out to students, families, and education professionals. Staff will also support regular outreach events, coordinated with Embassy staff, to engage a wide range of stakeholders: students, parents, teachers, counselors, local and national governmental organizations, and U.S. higher education admissions representatives. Elements of the Program Proposal: Proposals should outline how the partner organization will (A) provide full or part-time advising to students seeking information about U.S. higher education opportunities; (B) actively conduct outreach and host in-person, hybrid, or virtual events that share information with relevant audiences; (C) provide the necessary basic infrastructure to host the Advising Center. Proposals should outline how U.S. government funding will be utilized to achieve these goals, in addition to any cost-share to be provided by the partner organization. Cost sharing is not a requirement but is expected. Proposals should outline how the recipient will utilize U.S. government funds and cost-sharing to provide a robust set of services. The following example scope of work is based on work done by the EducationUSA Singapore office before the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants are welcome to propose a different scope of work with the understanding that awarded funds will be commensurate with services provided: ● (A) Conduct an average of 50 individual advising engagements per month, possibly more in the fall. The monthly engagement breakdown would include around 25 correspondences with regular advisees to guide them through the application process and around 25 one-off inquiries to the center. These engagements may be over Zoom, phone, e-mail, or other Embassy approved channels. ● (B) Create and execute at least 10 in-person, hybrid, or virtual events over the 12-month performance period that share information with relevant audiences (students, parents, teachers, counselors, local and national governmental organizations, and U.S. higher education admissions representatives). Topics may include the 5 Steps to Study in the U.S., a pre-departure orientation, an alumni panel on what their firsthand experience was studying in the U.S., or other information subject to approval by the Embassy. Work with the Embassy to convert these events to videos and social media posts to be posted on our website and social media channels. ● (C) Propose and execute a plan to expand the EducationUSA contact database and/or increase Instagram followers, Facebook likes, or other social media reach by conducting and enhancing outreach to get more students. Minimum outreach includes at least one quarterly e-mail campaign to the Embassy’s existing CRM list and at least one original social media post per month, in addition to publishing the social media posts provided by EducationUSA. All email campaigns and social media posts will be vetted and approved by the Embassy before posting. ● (D) Create and maintain relationships with current school college counselors (or equivalent) in Singapore and U.S. university admissions representatives when appropriate (e.g. when they visit or reach out to EducationUSA); contact data and history must be recorded in the EducationUSA Singapore database. ● (E) Coordinate with event organizers and represent EducationUSA at large scale outreach events and fairs. During the busy season in spring into summer, EducationUSA receives around 5 invitations a month for college and career fairs, post-graduate fairs, or other large education-related events. Coordinate with the Embassy for presentation content, marketing resources, and personnel back-up as needed. ● (F) Office space, to include a minimum of one private room/office for the exclusive use of the EducationUSA Advisor as an office, meeting space, and storage for reference materials such as books, magazines, and promotional items. The space should include sufficient room for and be equipped with at least one bookshelf for the reference collection, one table with multiple chairs for visitors to read and research, one office workstation with Internet-accessible computer for the EducationUSA Advisor, and one additional computer for public use. The Embassy will provide 2 laptops, 2 ipads, and a small printer. The partner must also fulfill the following requirements within the office space: ○ At least 20 hours of operation a week for visitors to use the services of the EducationUSA Advising Center. ○ Maintenance for all materials and equipment purchased with U.S. government funds within the EducationUSA Advising Center. Any maintenance fees and additional costs incurred will be reimbursed to partner for additional purchase for materials and equipment with prior approval obtained from the Embassy. ○ Overhead costs, including but not limited to electricity, telephone service, and Internet connection. ○ Track and report EducationUSA Singapore Center activity. Report statistics (to include visitors to the center, virtual engagements, social media engagements, number of audience members at workshops and events, among others) on a rolling basis through a shared document with the Embassy Education Outreach Coordinator. In addition, send a brief one paragraph qualitative report for each EducationUSA event for the month on the last business day of each month. ● (G) Ideally, venue space and logistical support for EducationUSA events, such as lectures, presentations, workshops, etc. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 months Number of awards anticipated: One Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $75,000 USD Total available funding: Up to $75,000 USD of FY21 ECA and U.S. Embassy Singapore public diplomacy program funds are available. There is potential for more funds to be made available if the budget is commensurate with the project goals, pending approvals and availability of funds. Anticipated program start date (of program planning): April 30, 2021. This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the project implementation. Working closely with the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, the Recipient shall develop a robust reporting system, a schedule of program events, and division of roles and responsibilities with EducationUSA and U.S. Embassy Singapore. Regular, transparent communications via email, phone and video conference calls, and face-to-face meetings (as appropriate) throughout the period of performance are critical to the success of this cooperative agreement. All major elements of the program and its content require advance approval by the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, including, but not limited to: ● Office and venue space; ● Choices of specific programs, dates, and venues; ● Design and content of all collaterals, marketing, publicity, and media products; and ● Selection of any sub-awardees or other partner organizations or collaborators. The U.S. Embassy in Singapore may require revisions to any aspect of the program not previously approved. The Embassy also reserves the right to require changes to previously agreed-upon elements of the program due to circumstances beyond our control. Program Performance Period: One year, to begin approximately April 30, 2021 and conclude April 29, 2022, with the possibility for future awards pending successful performance and availability of future funding. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION U.S. and local organizations with significant experience in education, international relations, and/or events and programming are invited to submit a proposal. Submissions by individuals will also be considered if experience and circumstances assure capability to implement the programs. Eligible Applicants: The U.S. Embassy in Singapore welcomes applications from: ● U.S.-based, Singapore-based, and foreign non-profit organizations/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); and ● U.S., Singapore, and foreign private, public, or state institutions of higher education. ● Individuals For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Successful U.S.-based applicants will demonstrate strong linkages with a Singapore-based partner organization. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is expected. Cost-sharing components, including partnerships with other organizations, must be pre-approved by the U.S. Embassy in Singapore. Other Eligibility Requirements: Awards can only be issued to organizations that are registered in SAM.gov. Detailed instructions and tips on the registration process can be found here. Grants to individuals do not require SAM.gov registration but the individual will undergo a background check if selected to receive an Award. Mandatory Forms - In addition to the narrative and financial proposal, applicants must submit the following mandatory application forms including: SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs) SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) ** Note: form templates can be downloaded here. All proposals must be submitted to
[email protected] with “PAS Grant Application” and the applicant organization’s name in the subject line. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that an application has been received in its entirety. U.S. Embassy Singapore bears no responsibility for applications not received before the due date or for data errors resulting from transmission. Faxed, couriered, or hardcopy documents will not be accepted. Reasonable accommodations may, in appropriate circumstances, be provided to applicants with disabilities or for security reasons. Email
[email protected] if you want to inquire about accommodations. E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION Criteria – Evaluators will judge each application individually against the following criteria. Link to additional information. Process – A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION - Can be found in link to additional information. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS-If you have any questions about the application process, please contact:
[email protected]