Federal Education Grants

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, is pleased to announce an open competition for a University Capacity Building Program (UCBP). U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations and accredited American higher education institutions may submit proposals to manage a 12-to-18-month professional development program for Georgian university administrators, development and grant officers, as well as higher education decision-makers/government officials responsible for higher education management and administration. The proposed University Capacity Building Project, UCBP, will take a comprehensive approach to assist Georgian universities in building a functioning research administration and development infrastructure. UBCP will help higher education institutions (HEIs) build or expand the foundations of research administration and development at their institution and support their diffusion throughout Georgia. Further, the activities will provide participants with best practices on how to leverage and integrate the contributions from universities in this area to promote innovation and collaboration with various stakeholders, ranging from industry to government entities, to improve the economy of Georgia. The activities will be divided into four phases that will include a mixture of online classes/presentations/webinars, a two-week study tour, follow-up online consultations with a grantee and/or selected US host universities aimed at identifying common area/s of interest for development of a joint research proposal/project and a reciprocal visit of US instructors to Georgia. The program phases include: 1. Needs assessment of the capacities of research administration and development offices of UCBP participant universities in Georgia; 2. Increase Georgian HEIs research capacity and deepen US-Georgian university partnership through online mentoring sessions and practical workshops on effective grant writing/ proposal development, strategic communication with donors, alumni engagement, and fundraising); 3. U.S. Study Tour (14 days including travel) including Washington, DC and non-coastal cities for developing joint research initiatives, alumni engagement strategies and effective donor communication plans; and 4. US experts reciprocal visit (10 days including travel) to Georgia aimed at establishing and enhancing the community of US-Georgian researchers and university administrators. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The UCBP seeks to better leverage and integrate the various missions education, research, and engagement in order to increase the contribution of higher education and public research institutions to innovation and economic growth and develop the commercial and entrepreneurial aspects of Georgian academia by presenting successful American models. University administrators responsible for research, sponsored programs, and external affairs will learn how to enhance the university organizational environment. This can be accomplished by sharing successful and collaborative grant office and faculty department structures and training and supporting university grant teams to improve their grant funding efforts. The proposed study tour will assist university leaders in learning how to optimize best practices and organizational structures to cope with the pressures of external forces like limited funding and increased demand for research in the competitive higher education marketplace. Cooperation with universities in non-coastal cities in the United States is encouraged. The project will: help participants understand the foundational infrastructure necessary for success, including university support offices, effective research development activities, successful grant writing, effective alumni engagement strategies, strategic communication with donors and fundamentals of fundraising. These objectives will be realized through intensive online webinars and practical workshops; a study tour of U.S. universities; and reciprocal visits by experts to Georgia to support the project implementation. Help to institutionalize research development/grant offices in universities to liaise with local private sector entities, through various means, including online platforms. Such linkages would provide platforms for exchange of ideas, imagining of opportunities, and establishing networks; Establish a network of professionals from various universities, government agencies, and professional associations that work together on enhancing the university-private sector-innovation triangle; Help to create a common agenda for regular discussions between academics and entrepreneurs by nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems at universities. Following topics/activities (the list can be further expanded) may be supported: a. Research Administration in a United States University: Organization and Function b. Identifying Requests from Sponsors (Private vs Government; Domestic vs International, US vs Non-US models) c. Responding to requests for proposals d. Effective grant writing e. Budgeting effectively (direct and indirect costs) f. Administrative support i. Pre-award support ii. Proposal development g. Partnering with other universities on elaboration of joint research proposals/projects h. Developing and executing effective alumni engagement strategies i. Effective strategic communication with donors j. Fundraising principals and fundamentals of successful fundraising campaigns Applicants may propose other activities not specifically mentioned in this solicitation if the activities reinforce the impact of the project. A detailed program timeline for the entire grant period that outlines how components unfold and complement each other must be included in the proposal. The names of proposed Georgian participants must be reviewed and approved in advance of U.S. travel by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi. PDS anticipates that the majority of Georgian participants will not have working-level competency in English and high-quality (preferably simultaneous) translation will need to be budgeted in the grant, as should airfare, hotel, international travel insurance, the B1/B2 visa fee, and meals and incidental expenses for study tour participants. For monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) purposes, the PDS Grant Officer Representative (GOR) will serve as a facilitator for the study tour. GOR expenses will be covered by the U.S. Embassy. EXPECTED RESULTS The projects aim is to provide a foundation of knowledge and capacity to grow and sustain a modern research administration and development office. This may be occurring the following ways: 1. Provide partner institutions with the understanding of the importance of developing a successful Research Administrative and Development Office. 2. Provide the knowledge base necessary for participants to set up their Research Administrative and Development Office that can become a highly functioning part of their institution. a. Develop understanding of the functions and importance of research administration and development. b. Teach participants how to respond effectively to funding opportunities US and non-US, as well as EU funding sources. c. Teach participants how to identify appropriate funding opportunities. d. Train participants to become a trainer (TOT model) who can effectively pass this knowledge base on to their peers in grant writing and fundraising. 3. Develop greater research capacity for each partner university, collaborate on producing joint research proposals/projects/programs. 4. Allow Georgian and US universities to establish strong international partnerships that could lead to multi-directional programming and collaborative research. 5. Collaborate with US partner universities on elaboration and adoption of an Alumni Engagement Strategy and mutually acceptable action plan. 6. Introduce best working models of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and establish institutionalized ties between the universities and business associations, thus contributing to Georgian universities more effective collaboration with potential employers in private sector and government. Participants and Audiences: Audiences for the proposed project would include university research administrators and development officers, higher education administrators, researchers and relevant policy makers.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, is pleased to announce an open competition for a University Capacity Building Program (UCBP). U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations and accredited American higher education institutions may submit proposals to manage a 12-to-18-month professional development program for Georgian university administrators, development and grant officers, as well as higher education decision-makers/government officials responsible for higher education management and administration. The proposed University Capacity Building Project, UCBP, will take a comprehensive approach to assist Georgian universities in building a functioning research administration and development infrastructure. UBCP will help higher education institutions (HEIs) build or expand the foundations of research administration and development at their institution and support their diffusion throughout Georgia. Further, the activities will provide participants with best practices on how to leverage and integrate the contributions from universities in this area to promote innovation and collaboration with various stakeholders, ranging from industry to government entities, to improve the economy of Georgia. The activities will be divided into four phases that will include a mixture of online classes/presentations/webinars, a two-week study tour, follow-up online consultations with a grantee and/or selected US host universities aimed at identifying common area/s of interest for development of a joint research proposal/project and a reciprocal visit of US instructors to Georgia. The program phases include: 1. Needs assessment of the capacities of research administration and development offices of UCBP participant universities in Georgia; 2. Increase Georgian HEIs research capacity and deepen US-Georgian university partnership through online mentoring sessions and practical workshops on effective grant writing/ proposal development, strategic communication with donors, alumni engagement, and fundraising); 3. U.S. Study Tour (14 days including travel) including Washington, DC and non-coastal cities for developing joint research initiatives, alumni engagement strategies and effective donor communication plans; and 4. US experts reciprocal visit (10 days including travel) to Georgia aimed at establishing and enhancing the community of US-Georgian researchers and university administrators. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The UCBP seeks to better leverage and integrate the various missions education, research, and engagement in order to increase the contribution of higher education and public research institutions to innovation and economic growth and develop the commercial and entrepreneurial aspects of Georgian academia by presenting successful American models. University administrators responsible for research, sponsored programs, and external affairs will learn how to enhance the university organizational environment. This can be accomplished by sharing successful and collaborative grant office and faculty department structures and training and supporting university grant teams to improve their grant funding efforts. The proposed study tour will assist university leaders in learning how to optimize best practices and organizational structures to cope with the pressures of external forces like limited funding and increased demand for research in the competitive higher education marketplace. Cooperation with universities in non-coastal cities in the United States is encouraged. The project will: help participants understand the foundational infrastructure necessary for success, including university support offices, effective research development activities, successful grant writing, effective alumni engagement strategies, strategic communication with donors and fundamentals of fundraising. These objectives will be realized through intensive online webinars and practical workshops; a study tour of U.S. universities; and reciprocal visits by experts to Georgia to support the project implementation. Help to institutionalize research development/grant offices in universities to liaise with local private sector entities, through various means, including online platforms. Such linkages would provide platforms for exchange of ideas, imagining of opportunities, and establishing networks; Establish a network of professionals from various universities, government agencies, and professional associations that work together on enhancing the university-private sector-innovation triangle; Help to create a common agenda for regular discussions between academics and entrepreneurs by nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems at universities. Following topics/activities (the list can be further expanded) may be supported: a. Research Administration in a United States University: Organization and Function b. Identifying Requests from Sponsors (Private vs Government; Domestic vs International, US vs Non-US models) c. Responding to requests for proposals d. Effective grant writing e. Budgeting effectively (direct and indirect costs) f. Administrative support i. Pre-award support ii. Proposal development g. Partnering with other universities on elaboration of joint research proposals/projects h. Developing and executing effective alumni engagement strategies i. Effective strategic communication with donors j. Fundraising principals and fundamentals of successful fundraising campaigns Applicants may propose other activities not specifically mentioned in this solicitation if the activities reinforce the impact of the project. A detailed program timeline for the entire grant period that outlines how components unfold and complement each other must be included in the proposal. The names of proposed Georgian participants must be reviewed and approved in advance of U.S. travel by the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi. PDS anticipates that the majority of Georgian participants will not have working-level competency in English and high-quality (preferably simultaneous) translation will need to be budgeted in the grant, as should airfare, hotel, international travel insurance, the B1/B2 visa fee, and meals and incidental expenses for study tour participants. For monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) purposes, the PDS Grant Officer Representative (GOR) will serve as a facilitator for the study tour. GOR expenses will be covered by the U.S. Embassy. EXPECTED RESULTS The projects aim is to provide a foundation of knowledge and capacity to grow and sustain a modern research administration and development office. This may be occurring the following ways: 1. Provide partner institutions with the understanding of the importance of developing a successful Research Administrative and Development Office. 2. Provide the knowledge base necessary for participants to set up their Research Administrative and Development Office that can become a highly functioning part of their institution. a. Develop understanding of the functions and importance of research administration and development. b. Teach participants how to respond effectively to funding opportunities US and non-US, as well as EU funding sources. c. Teach participants how to identify appropriate funding opportunities. d. Train participants to become a trainer (TOT model) who can effectively pass this knowledge base on to their peers in grant writing and fundraising. 3. Develop greater research capacity for each partner university, collaborate on producing joint research proposals/projects/programs. 4. Allow Georgian and US universities to establish strong international partnerships that could lead to multi-directional programming and collaborative research. 5. Collaborate with US partner universities on elaboration and adoption of an Alumni Engagement Strategy and mutually acceptable action plan. 6. Introduce best working models of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and establish institutionalized ties between the universities and business associations, thus contributing to Georgian universities more effective collaboration with potential employers in private sector and government. Participants and Audiences: Audiences for the proposed project would include university research administrators and development officers, higher education administrators, researchers and relevant policy makers.

The FY 2024 Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) STEM Innovator Award is a grant offered by NASA's Next Gen STEM Project, aimed at supporting informal education organizations and libraries in providing NASA-aligned, inquiry-based STEM educational opportunities to students and educators, with the goal of expanding their regional reach, enhancing innovative practices, and benefiting diverse local communities.

Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: The PN program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). The purpose of the PN program is to significantly improve the academic and developmental outcomes of children and youth living in the most distressed communities of the United States, including ensuring school readiness, high school graduation, and access to a community-based continuum of high-quality services. The program serves neighborhoods with high concentrations of individuals with low incomes; multiple signs of distress, which may include high rates of poverty, childhood obesity, academic challenges, and juvenile delinquency, adjudication, or incarceration; and adverse childhood experiences; and also serves schools implementing comprehensive support and improvement activities or targeted support and improvement activities under section 1111(d) of the ESEA. All strategies in the continuum of solutions must be accessible to children with disabilities and English learners. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.215N.

Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: The purposes of this program are to (1) help address State-identified needs for personnel preparation in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education to work with children, including infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities; and (2) ensure that those personnel have the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies derived from practices that have been determined through scientifically based research, to be successful in serving those children. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.325B.

Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: The purpose of the SCTAC grant program is to advance the mental health and well-being of early learners (as defined in this notice), school-age children and youth, and educators and other school staff, by making grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to provide technical assistance and capacity building to high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) (as defined in this notice). Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.424H.

As part of its work to expand the availability of Good Jobs in all sectors, the Department of Labor is committed to creating equitable pathways to the safe, stable, good-paying jobs that allow workers the right to organize and give them an opportunity to thrive, not just get by. One of the Secretary of Labor's goals for the U.S. workforce is to build a modern, inclusive workforce. As outlined in the Department's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, strategic goal 2 is to Ensure Safe Jobs, Essential Protections, and Fair Workplaces. MSHAs role in accomplishing this objective is to prevent fatalities, disease, and injury from mining, and secure safe and healthful working conditions for Americas miners. The Secretary of Labor, through MSHA, may award grants to state, tribal, and territorial governments (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) to assist them in developing and enforcing state mining laws and regulations, improve state workers compensation and mining occupational disease laws and programs, and improve safety and health conditions in the nations mines through Federal-State coordination and cooperation. MSHA recognizes that state training programs are a key source of mine safety and health training and education for individuals who work or will work at mines. MSHA encourages state training programs to prioritize health and safety training for small mining operations, underserved mines, miners, and independent contractors within the mining industry, and to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. MSHA is also interested in supporting programs that emphasize training on miners statutory rights, including the right to be provided a safe and healthy working environment, to refuse an unsafe task, to have a voice in the safety and health conditions at the mine, and access to effective training that may include presenting it in the language that miners can understand. MSHA recently published two final rules to improve the health and safety of our nations miners, i.e., lowering exposure to respirable crystalline silica and improving respiratory protection, and a safety program for surface mobile equipment. As part of our Federal-State partnership, MSHA will share compliance assistance materials with grantees to assist operators in complying with the new rules. These materials include training that operators may adapt to educate miners as to how these rules apply to the health and safety conditions of their work. MSHA is strongly encouraging grantees to develop training materials on these new rules for the mining industry and to make that training a priority in their training programs. The Agency encourages grantees to address, in their training and education programs, mine emergency preparedness, mine rescue, electrical safety, contract and customer truck drivers, improving training for new and inexperienced miners, managers and supervisors performing mining tasks, pillar safety for underground mines, and falls from heights. The Agency encourages grantees to focus training programs on the causes and prevention of fatal accidents that have occurred in the mining industry. More information about fatalities can be found on MSHAs webpage at: https://www.msha.gov/data-reports/fatality-reports/search.

Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: In awarding research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (2) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.305I and 84.305N. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.305N.

In awarding research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (2) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.305I and 84.305N.

PAS Hong Kong and Macau invites U.S., Macau, and Hong Kong organizations skilled in facilitating and managing academic exchange programs to strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Hong Kong and Macau to submit proposals for a Cooperative Agreement to implement administrative and logistical aspects of this program. All proposals must address the following elements:1) Administration: Carrying out all administrative, logistical, and reporting responsibilities, as established by the assistance award, and following all relevant federal guidelines and circulars. Planning, organizing, and administering the program to include:a. Enroll students in the participating U.S. universities.b. Collect passports, forms, and other materials for visa processing.c. Work with students to sign all necessary documents, including waivers, consent forms, bank account statements, school documents, etc.d. Organize pre-departure orientation(s) for the group, to be held at the Consulate, with light refreshments.e. Organize debriefing upon the groups return to Hong Kong and Macau, to be held at the Consulate, with light refreshments.f. Liaise with parents and teachers regarding the students participation in this program.g. Determining any reasonable accommodation requirements of the students and relaying that to the Consulate for procuring appropriate services, if needed.h. Other required administrative and logistical tasks.2) Travel support for students in Hong Kong and Macau:a. Abiding by the Fly America Act, work with the U.S. universities to purchase roundtrip air tickets for travel between Hong Kong and the U.S. university location.b. Organize local travel for students in Hong Kong, and between Hong Kong and Macau (for Macau participants) for orientation, visa appointments, and debriefing.3) Management/disbursement/payment of expenses. These expenses must be included in the proposal:a. Phone cards.a. Round-trip air tickets (mentioned above).b. Local travel, visa fees and miscellaneous expenses.c. Tuition costs for each participant (based on $4,900 per person). Awardee must maintain accounting control over the funds provided by this award with proper documentation, including invoices, receipts, etc. that adequately substantiates all payments charged to this award.4) Creating and distributing pre- and post-program surveys in order to assess the impact of the program.5) Awardee organization will work closely with the EducationUSA Advisor at the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong and Macau on the project. The EducationUSA Advisor exercises final authority to approve the project design, pace, itinerary, and budget expenditures within the parameters of current guidelines.6) Additional enrichment activities may be included in the proposal. Timeline: March 2025 Selection of participants April 2025 Confirmation of participantsMay 2025 Preparation of documents and grantee begins working with the receiving U.S. university June 2025 Confirmation of itinerary / Pre-departure orientation July 2025 Participants participate in EducationUSA Academy ProgramAugust 2025 Debriefing and presentationSeptember 2025 Survey distribution and evaluation

The U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State announces a full and open competition for U.S. higher education institutions to submit applications to carry out a program to facilitate U.S.-Kenya Higher Education Partnership Program. Please follow all instructions below.Program Objectives: By 2050, one in four people, a quarter of the worlds population, and one in three working-age people will live in Africa. Africa is both the youngest continent and the last and largest emerging market.In the same way that American business schools previously established campuses in places like Singapore and Dubai to leverage international business opportunities in Asia, Nairobi is the place to build platforms now to access and benefit from the worlds last great emerging market, Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya is already the regional financial hub for East Africa and the home to the Silicon Savannah, a vibrant technology community that makes Kenya the premier destination for tech sector investments and innovation in Africa, with many leading U.S. companies such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco already here. As modern Kenya is trying to grow an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) marketplace for the future, the U.S. Embassys Public Diplomacy Section seeks to partner with U.S. higher education institutions through targeted grants to facilitate academic, research, and private sector-growth partnerships with Kenyan universities. This is an opportune moment to increase U.S. engagement in Kenyas ICT space for rising engineers and entrepreneurs to prioritize and benefit from U.S. partnership in expanding Kenyas promising economic prospects, especially in ICT. University partnerships are intended to directly and demonstrably enhance U.S.-Kenya collaboration in science, engineering, mathematics, and tech-driven job growth.The basic parameters for this proposed program are:1. Must include a long-term joint initiative with a Kenyan university and/or research institution. Proposed initiatives must demonstrate ways in which they will be sustainable over time.2. Must focus on some combination of technology research and development as well as private-sector job growth. 3. Must include onsite activities through the proposed program in Kenya at the Kenyan partner university and/or research institution. 4. Ideally, the proposed program would result in mutually beneficial tech, education, and business developments for both U.S. and Kenyan students, researchers, startups, faculty and larger commercial enterprises.5. Additionally, tech-specific student and faculty bidirectional exchanges could bolster these grant-funded university partnerships. 6. Must consider regional diversity in the selection of participating institutions. 7. The program should consider Kenyan government policy that may impact program deliverables. Participants and Audiences: Chartered Kenyan Universities/or research institutions

The goal and mission of the NDPC is to enable communities to address specific evolving and emerging threats and hazards and close capability gaps through development and delivery of learning solutions that strengthen the nations preparedness. The NDPC identifies, develops, tests, and delivers training to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) emergency management and emergency response communities, provides on-site and mobile training at the performance, management, and planning levels, and facilitates the delivery of training by other training partners of FEMA and DHS. FEMA and NDPC members work together to address long-term trends that impact national preparedness - including rising disaster costs, new technology, an older and more diverse population, and emerging threats. The NDPC program objectives are: Strengthen community resilience through training that addresses threats to the homeland including natural, human-caused, and technological. Operate as an integrated, networked community of training partners that maximizes resources for the greatest achievable outcomes. Optimize residential and mobile training using innovative learning technology and training methods. Support FEMA strategic priorities to instill equity as a foundation of emergency management and lead whole of community climate resilience. FEMA is committed to reducing complexity, increasing efficiency, and improving outcomes. In simple terms, the training return on investment (ROI) is expressed as the benefit to cost ratio for individuals, teams, departments, jurisdictions, and regions across the nation to reach and maintain fully qualified/mission capable status. In practice, training ROI is difficult to measure. The cost of training varies significantly depending upon several variables including delivery format (i.e., online, indirect/train-the-trainer, mobile, resident/on-campus) and competency level (i.e., awareness, performance/operations, management). FEMA uses a systematic approach to optimize the national preparedness training portfolio, align resources to address capability gaps through the most effective and efficient means available, and ensure a sound ROI from the local to the national level. Collaboration with FEMAs training partners is integral to that effort.Applicants can submit applications for this funding opportunity through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). Access the system at https://go.fema.gov/

The Cyber Exercises and Experiential Education (CE3) program is intended to bolster low-to-middle-income countries cybersecurity workforce by training and exposing their emerging student leaders to opportunities to engage in or pursue careers in cybersecurity policy and governance. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) announces an open competition for organizations with the capacity and interest to carry out the project outlined in this announcement. 2 of 23 Pending the availability of funds, CDP anticipates awarding 1 grant or cooperative agreement of up to $1,000,000 USD. CDP reserves the right to award more or less funding or make no award as is in the best interest of the US Government. A1. Background on CDP and the State Department’s Cyber Mission Recognizing the growing role of technology as a cross-cutting national security issue, the State Department created CDP in April 2022 to lead and coordinate U.S. diplomacy on cyber and digital policy. The bureau addresses the national security challenges and economic opportunities presented by cyberspace and digital technologies and promotes standards and norms that are fair, transparent, and support the rights-respecting use of technology. Through robust engagement in multilateral organizations, bilateral diplomacy with partners round the world, and encouragement of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, CDP empowers U.S. leadership in cyber, digital, and technology diplomacy. CDP deploys foreign assistance to strengthen international cooperation, create new partnerships, promote economic growth and development, and assist in the defense of our foreign partners to uphold an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet. Calibrated cyber and digital policies help form the backbone of our deeply interconnected world, are vital to U.S. national and economic security, and are required to fully harness the transformative power of technology. As citizens around the world eagerly seek increased Internet connectivity to access the tremendous opportunities afforded by digital transformation, the United States is working to ensure this connectivity is secure, meaningful, governed fairly, and serves the interests of its users. Foreign assistance programs aim to advance an affirmative vision of technology as a tool that supports collective security, prosperity, and democratic values.

U.S. Embassy Riyadh announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to facilitate partnership opportunities between U.S. and Saudi higher education institutes (HEIs), including bringing a delegation of university leaders to Saudi Arabia. Please read this document carefully and follow all instructions. This notice is subject to availability of funding.

The goal of the Inclusive Partnerships for Climate Resilience Activity is to strengthen the capacity of Pakistani universities to lead gender-inclusive and climate-resilient responses in water management. American and Pakistani higher education institutions have the potential to be central actors in advancing Pakistans climate resilience and gender equity. Through this Activity, USAID aims to leverage the unique expertise of U.S. Higher Education Institutions to enhance the capabilities of Pakistani public universities to lead gender and socially inclusive and climate-resilient water management initiatives and strengthen networks and communities, specially for underserved groups.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Consulate General Frankfurt of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a virtual alumni professional development and networking program over a minimum of a 24-month period. The goal of this program is to involve alumni with diverse interests by offering a broad range of activities such as speaker programs, trainings, and educational opportunities. Through the proposed programming, alumni of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored programs will be able to connect with each other and enhance their professional development. Successful applicants should have the capacity to organize virtual events, design and implement specialized programs like mentoring initiatives, and conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) programs to equip alumni with facilitation skills. Additionally, we encourage applicants to demonstrate creativity in designing online engagement strategies, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting creative thinking and problem solving through initiatives like incubators or accelerators. Maintaining connections with the alumni community through effective communication strategies is also essential for a successful proposal. All aspects of this program will be virtual (online) and conducted in English. There will be no in-person programming. Please follow all instructions below. A.1. Priority Region: Eurasia A.2: Program Objectives: Objective 1 Provide USG alumni the opportunity to access information, resources, and networks that will allow them to leverage the skills and experiences gained through their exchanges. Provide skill-building and networking opportunities for alumni of programs including, but not limited to: PFP, YEAR, FLEX, IVLP, Fulbright, Atlas Corps, SABIT, SUSI, Humphrey. Provide professional development opportunities through mentorship programs, networking events and other activities that allow alumni to connect, share experiences, and leverage skills gained through the exchange programs to enable them to have successful careers and give back to their home communities. Examples of activities that could be proposed include: sessions with U.S. subject matter experts, professional development courses offered by commercial training companies, online events for networking, mini-courses or series of events of a single topic designed to increase knowledge over time, and sessions proposed and led by the alumni in their own fields of expertise. Alumni of all USG sponsored programs in Eurasia, both virtual and in-person programs, will be included in programming. Objective 2 Support alumni-driven initiatives that foster greater contact between alumni of U.S. government programs, strengthen local communities, and promote mutual understanding. The recipient of the award will work with the Embassy to establish an alumni council to act as an advisory body for the programming offered under this award. The council will provide guidance and recommendations on themes and content of programming to ensure it aligns with alumni needs. This involves personalized guidance, strategic planning, and support to create initiatives that foster growth, networking, and collaboration among alumni. Applicants should detail their experience, if any, working with, facilitating, and/or supporting boards and/or advisory councils, especially during the inception phase. Applicants should propose a process for alumni to apply to serve on the council, council roles and responsibilities, and outline their vision for working collaboratively with the board once it is established. In addition, the applicant could propose a training program for new council members. Council members will be chosen in collaboration with Department of State staff. Objective 3 Empower alumni to enhance their skills and knowledge, providing support and resources through the Alumni Continuing Education Fund. This aspect of the program should empower the alumni community to continue their education and enhance their skills by providing financial support (ie: scholarships) to cover the costs of online courses at U.S. universities, community colleges, and/or professional schools. Applicants should propose a plan for the administration of this aspect of the program, which could include but is not limited to: providing a pre-selected list of courses at various institutions to alumni, advising alumni on how to select and apply for courses on their own, establishing an application process for alumni to request funding, creating a screening process to evaluate requests and to select participants, facilitating payments to U.S.-based educational institutions, and collecting feedback on programs and the administration of the fund. The Department of State will assist the grantee in the identification and evaluation of potential recipients for the fund's benefits. A.3. Program Guidelines: As this will be a cooperative agreement, the Department of State will have substantial involvement in this effort above and beyond routine grants monitoring including: Approval of program themes, speakers, and programs agendas Selection of alumni council members; final approval of council governing documents Distribution of information and event announcements to the alumni community Approval of the selection of special program participants and scholarship fund recipients. In addition, successful applicants should demonstrate the following: The capability to organize and host regular virtual events in various formats, with a focus on professional development, and an average attendance exceeding 30 participants. Proficiency in developing and implementing complex and interactive programs designed to facilitate knowledge sharing. For example, a six-month mentoring program tailored to skill development and professional growth among members of the alumni community, where seasoned professionals or experienced alumni serve as mentors, offering guidance, advice, and support to mentees who are seeking to advance their careers, navigate professional challenges, or explore new opportunities. The capacity to organize and oversee a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) program, engaging up to 40 USG Alumni. The program should equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge required to step into the role of facilitator, ensuring they can deliver sessions through this grant that are both engaging and informative for fellow alumni. Experience designing activities, including initiatives like incubators or accelerators, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. Creativity in devising innovative online engagement strategies, extending beyond conventional virtual speaker sessions. The ability to develop innovative methods for alumni to connect and engage with each other virtually, fostering networking, collaboration, and relationship-building within the alumni network through digital platforms and activities. In cooperation with the Department of State, the capacity to establish an alumni council with active members drawn from various alumni backgrounds, representing a diversity of programs and geographical locations. The council will act as an advisory body for the programming. The ability to maintain connections with the alumni community, leveraging modern communication tools to keep them informed and engaged. The applicant should propose platforms and tools they will use to engage with alumni, foster relationships, and share updates, events, and relevant information with the alumni network. A.4: Participants and Audiences: For the purposes of this program, participants are defined as individuals from Eurasia who have completed a U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-facilitated exchange program. The alumni community is diverse, ranging from university students to senior faculty members and influential opinion leaders and ranging in age from 20-70. Almost all speak excellent English and applicants should propose to conduct programming solely in English. Should an applicant have the capacity to conduct programming or provide support in Russian, that should be detailed in the proposal and will strengthen the application. Applicants should aim to include individuals from a variety of exchange programs and ensure the interests of all groups are served, including those at high levels in education, business, and civil society. Applicants should be capable of providing programming that occurs at convenient times for professionals in Eurasian time zones, with the knowledge that not all programs will be offered at convenient times for all participants. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 24 months (October 1, 2024 September 30, 2026) Number of awards anticipated: 1 award Award amounts: up to $400,000.00 Total available funding: $400,000.00, pending availability of funds Type of Funding: FY 2023-2024 Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia (AEECA) under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement: The Department of State will have substantial involvement in the implementation of this award and will coordinate closely with the implementer to ensure programs are adapted accordingly and as needed. The award recipient will be in regular communication with the Embassy to develop program ideas, plan strategically, and report on the progress of the programs. Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in a minimum of 24 months. U.S. The Department of State may consider continuation of the cooperative agreement funded under this award beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Banjul Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available to manage two American Corners, American Corner Fajara located 78 Atlantic Road and Africell located at Bundung. Each corner will be funded by a separate grant. These grants will be a collaborative agreement with the U.S Embassy Public Diplomacy Section. The U.S. Embassy will work closely with the Recipient to develop this program. The Embassy will be involved in providing feedback, direction, guidance, and vetting for events planned by program participants. The Embassy will also participate in the career development coaching portion of the program. The Embassy will assist in providing speakers and participants for events hosted through the program. The Embassy provides equipment, an internet connection, and other logistical support for the program. The Embassy will have the direction to stop programming at any time. Purpose of American Corners: American Corners are inviting, open-access learning and gathering places around the world that promote interaction among local communities and the United States in support of U.S. foreign policy. American Corners are a worldwide network of publicly accessible places that enable U.S. Embassies and Consulates to build and strengthen relationships with host country communities, showcase American culture and values, promote English language learning, encourage study in the United States, and foster goodwill and mutual understanding. Purpose: The recipient will host a year-long professional development program for students currently enrolled college or university. This program will provide participants with career and professional group opportunities through staffing the Bundung and Fajara American Corners. The recipient will hire appropriate staff to monitor, mentor, and evaluate participant performance and maintain the documentation required to properly manage an American Space per U.S. Embassy and host institution guidance. During their internship program interns will be responsible for creating programs around U. S. Government (USG) priorities, hosting programs on topics directed by their supervisor, supporting their fellow program participant's projects, providing timely evaluations on program impact and success, and will provide staffing for American Corners in The Gambia. Program participants will receive life skills and career coaching. They will be provided with workplace expectations and their performance will be monitored on a quarterly basis, in writing. The program participants will have a minimum of four (4) written performance evaluations during their year-long program. Objectives for American Corner Fajara: Develop and implement year-long professional development program for students. These interns will staff the corner. Guide program interns to create programs around U.S Embassy priorities. Programing priorities (The embassy can introduce additional programming at any time): o Facilitate English language learning through access to English language speakers, resources, computers, and the Internet. o Foster people-to-people connections, increase understanding, and build respect with host-country audiences through cultural programs. o Support continued engagement with U.S. government alumni, connecting them to local audiences through alumni programs where credible, local voices can share firsthand information about the United States and American values. o Civic Engagement to encourage democratic participation. o Promote public health. o Improve education. o Empower women and girls. o Support The Gambias growing entrepreneurial sector. Objectives for Africell: Develop and implement year-long professional development program for students. These interns will staff the corner. Guide program interns to create programs around U.S Embassy priorities with a special focus on STEM fields as well as: o Facilitate English language learning through access to English language speakers, resources, computers, and the Internet. o Foster people-to-people connections, increase understanding, and build respect with host-country audiences through cultural programs. o Support continued engagement with U.S. government alumni, connecting them to local audiences through alumni programs where credible, local voices can share firsthand information about the United States and American values. o Programs that educate and encourage youth participation in STEM fields is the focus of this corner.

Crisis-affected children identify education as their first priority. Surveys have revealed that children value education as much as food, water or money.[1] Despite this, 224 million children and youth living in crisis settings worldwide are currently denied a quality education. All the while, education is essential for protecting children, youth, and communities during and after a crisis it creates stability and enables psychosocial support and mental health for recovery. Long-term studies show that education reduces risks and mitigates harmful impacts of crisis, especially to the most vulnerable. This Primary Education in Crisis Activity in Ethiopia (the Activity) will meet childrens essential demand for education in Ethiopia. The Activitys purpose is: Improved learning outcomes, wellbeing, and systems resilience for most vulnerable primary school age children affected by crises in Ethiopia. Achievement of this objective is an essential ingredient for Ethiopias long term stability and economic growth. This Activity will benefit from the robust partnership between USAID and The LEGO Foundation, as it will be co-funded from both organizations. In addition to co-funding, the Activity will draw on the extensive expertise of both organizations in foundational skills and playful learning. [1] https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/education_against_the_odds_online_version2.pdf/

The Afghanistan Integrated Activity (AIYA) aims to empower Afghan youth, particularly girls and young women, by equipping them with market-relevant technical and soft skills. This initiative seeks to enhance income, food security, and economic resilience among participants. The overarching goal of AIYA is to improve learning outcomes and livelihood opportunities for young women and men. Expected outcomes include: 1) Improved post-secondary technical and vocational education or learning opportunities for youth, with a focus on market-relevant, skills-based learning within the agricultural sector and its related value chains. 2) Youth, particularly girls and young women, acquire market-relevant skills to improve livelihood opportunities and engage in climate resilient agricultural value chains in their home, community, or other settings. See Attachment 1_AIYA Program Descriptions.

The Public Diplomacy (PD) section of the U.S. Department of State at the Embassy of the United States of America in Paraguay announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to coordinate a comprehensive English program for public servants. This includes serving as the main point of contact for an Embassy provided English Virtual Educator and creating and implementing an 8-month extracurricular enhancement activities program. The project will be tailored to Paraguayan public servants working in Ministries within the greater Asuncion Metropolitan Area, as part of a hybrid American English language learning and professional enhancement program. This program is part of an initiative to support Paraguayan public servants, who will participate during their free time and for whom enhancing their English language skills would have practical application in the workplace. Proposals must be designed to fulfill two primary functions: 1) Serve as the main point of contact and administrative coordinator for an Embassy-provided English Virtual Educator who will develop a curriculum and provide virtual English classes to the participants. 2) Create and implement in-person enhancement activities that support language learning and knowledge acquisition about successfully navigating bilateral and multilateral engagements.