Applications Invited for FY 2024 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program

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About the Organization

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' (ECA) mission is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange that assist in the development of peaceful relations. ECA strives to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of its work.

As mandated by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) works to build friendly, peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public -private partnerships.

About the Grant

The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the administration of the FY 2024 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD). The total amount of funding for this award will be up to $6,770,000, pending the availability of FY 2024 funds. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) (3) may submit proposals to cooperate with the Bureau in the administration and implementation of the Global UGRAD Program. Organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchange programs are not eligible for this competition. See Section C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements for further information.

The Global UGRAD Program selects outstanding underserved students from East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Near East, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere to receive scholarships for one semester of non-degree study at U.S. institutions of higher education. Some students may also participate in one additional semester of pre-academic English language training. Funding should support approximately 245 participants, pending the availability of FY 2024 funds. Every effort should be made to maximize the number of scholarships awarded.

Proposals should demonstrate flexibility and creativity in program planning and administration.

Purpose:

The Global UGRAD Program is designed to promote mutual understanding by awarding outstanding, underserved undergraduate students from East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Near East, South and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Western Hemisphere full scholarships for one semester of non-degree undergraduate study at accredited four-year colleges and universities, as well as community colleges, which represent the institutional and geographic diversity of the United States. During their programs, students enhance their academic education with community service activities and professional development workshops. At the end of their academic program, students are required to return to their home countries.

Applicant organizations must demonstrate the ability to administer all aspects of the Global UGRAD Program, including administering scholarships for one semester of non-degree undergraduate study for visiting students at accredited institutions of higher education in the United States. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• the development of promotional, recruitment, and application materials, and the provision of these materials to Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of U.S. embassies and Fulbright Commissions in participating countries;
• the development and technical management of an online application system;
• the recruitment and selection of appropriate host institutions throughout the United States;
• the coordination of TOEFL testing, provision of TOEFL vouchers, and receipt of TOEFL scores for students nominated to participate in the AY 2024-2025 program;
• the review of all nominations for program eligibility;
• the placement of student nominees at host institutions;
• the development and oversight of in-person or virtual pre-departure and arrival orientation workshops;
• the management of travel arrangements for participants;
• the administration of virtual pre-academic English language programming;
• monitoring and support of program participants;
• the development and execution of emergency planning protocols to ensure the physical and mental health, safety, and security of all participants;
• the oversight and planning of community service and professional development activities;
• the development and implementation of in-person or virtual re-entry workshops;
• the development and administration of a communications strategy, which includes identification of impact stories, in coordination with the program office;
• the management of program finances;
• the evaluation of all program components; and development of alumni tracking, programming, and follow-on activities, in collaboration with the Bureau, including the registering of program alumni with the Bureau’s Office of Alumni Affairs and the International Exchange Alumni website.

Responsibilities in support of the program taking place in AY 2024-2025 may include, but are not limited to:

• the development of promotional and application materials, and the provision of these materials to PASs of U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions in participating countries;
• the development and technical management of an online application system;
• the development and delivery of messaging for applicants and participants related to financial planning and the pre-departure reimbursement process;
• the electronic sharing and transfer of application materials to ECA and, upon request and if necessary, to other organizations involved in the management of an anticipated FY 2024 Global UGRAD Program;
• the coordination of TOEFL testing, provision of TOEFL vouchers, and receipt of TOEFL scores for students nominated to participate in the AY 2024-2025 program; and
• the review of all nominations for program eligibility

PASs of U.S. embassies and bi-national Fulbright Commissions will be responsible for the recruitment and nomination of student participants. The Bureau, in conjunction with PASs, will be responsible for final selection of all program applicants. Applicant organizations must demonstrate flexibility and the willingness to work with any and all countries in the identified regions. ECA reserves the right to add or remove participating countries depending on Bureau priorities and the availability of funds.

The recipient organization must ensure that all program and promotional materials, including verbal presentations, state prominently that the Global UGRAD Program “is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State.” Promotional materials must be approved by the Bureau and follow Department of State branding guidelines. Only the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may issue the certificates of program completion to the Global UGRAD participants.

The award recipient will serve as the principal liaison with Global UGRAD Program host institutions and the Bureau. Further details on specific program responsibilities can be found in the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document, which is part of the formal solicitation package available from the Bureau. Interested organizations should read the entire announcement for all information prior to preparing proposals.

Pending the availability of FY 2024 funds, it is ECA’s intent to award one cooperative agreement for this program. Should an applicant organization wish to work with other organizations in the implementation of this program, ECA requests that sub-award agreement(s) be developed.

Recipient Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the recipient organization are as follows:

• Implementing all aspects of the Global UGRAD Program, including administering scholarships for one semester of non-degree undergraduate study for visiting students at accredited institutions of higher education in the United States;
• Developing promotional and application materials, and providing these materials to PASs of U.S. embassies;
• Recruiting and selecting appropriate host institutions throughout the United States;
• Placing student nominees at host institutions;
• Developing and overseeing in-person or virtual pre-departure orientation workshops, and virtual arrival orientation workshops;
• Managing student travel arrangements;
• Development and execution of emergency planning protocols to ensure the health, safety, and security of all participants;
• Development and administration of an outreach plan, which includes impact stories, in coordination with the program office;
• Administering pre-academic English language programming;
• Monitoring and supporting program participants;
• Overseeing and planning of community service and professional development activities for program participants;
• Managing program finances;
• Evaluating all program components;
• Developing and implementing in-person re-entry workshops, with the option to host them virtually;
• Development of alumni tracking, engagement, and follow-on activities, including registering alumni with ECA’s Office of Alumni Affairs and the International Exchange Alumni website; and
• Responding promptly and fully to requests from PASs and the Bureau.

Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued administration of the program.

Eligibility

• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Others

How to Apply

Deadline for Applications: May 20, 2024

Applications may only be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available at Grants.gov in the “Search Grants” portion of the system.

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Tags Education and Education Technology (edtech) Liberal Arts Others