U.S. Embassy Praia Grant: Design and Implementation of the English Access Microscholarship Program on Sal Island, Cabo Verde

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL POTENTIAL APPLICANTS:

Due to the uncertain situation with the COVID19 quarantine in Cabo Verde, the Program can be postponed as according to the Government of Cabo Verde. Details will follow. In light of the restrictive travel and public gathering environments we face globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the U.S. Mission to Cabo Verde invites interested applicants to submit one or two proposals in response to the reference Notice of Funding Announcement (NOFO).

• One proposal may be based on “business as usual” environments, where international travel, large public gatherings, and other programming parameters are unaffected by public health constraints.
• A second proposal, which is optional, would describe your ideas on how to execute the desired project goals in a manner that accounts for restrictions on public gatherings and travel, as well as public health concerns. We encourage creative ideas for remote/online content delivery, online/virtual promotional activities, and virtual participant/audience follow-up. 

If you choose to submit two separate proposals, the associated budget submission may also reflect different costs you would project for these two operating environments. Applicants must also demonstrate competency to manage all financial aspects of the project, including participant costs and transparent arrangements of sub-grant relationships with partner organizations, if applicable.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

U.S. Embassy Praia is pleased to announce the acceptance of applications for the design and implementation of the English Access Microscholarship Program.

Applications may be submitted at any time for consideration before the closing date on July 23, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT -1). Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Background

The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) is a global program supported by the U.S. Department of State. Access provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-15 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access gives participants English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects. The program also gives participants the opportunity to gain an appreciation for U.S. culture and values. It is intended to increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries and improve their chances of participating in educational and exchange programs in the United States. Since its inception in 2004, approximately 195,000 students in more than 88 countries have participated in the Access Program.

Project description:

The goal of the Access Program is to equip talented students who possess a minimal knowledge of English with effective communication and critical thinking skills through meaningful interaction, cooperative learning strategies, and real-life contexts. Additionally, Access seeks to prepare students for conversational English language skills with native and non-native speakers of English through a variety of experiential learning activities. Selected participants must be bright, economically disadvantaged students with beginning level of English. Participants should commit to enroll in classes during the full two-year program. Students will graduate with certificates of completion from the U.S. Embassy in Praia at the end of their two-year program. The Program is divided into distinct phases:

After-School Instruction

Access Program is a two-year program that requires a minimum of 360 hours of instruction reasonably distributed over the two-year period. After-school instruction has been the preferred time for teaching and has generally taken place three days a week with each class lasting from one to one and a half hours per day. It is the responsibility of the Providers to consider the schedule of the students to ensure that Access classes do not interfere with students’ regular school schedule. Enhancement activities related to U.S. culture and values must occur regularly throughout the two years of the program, including during after-school Instruction. Cultural Enhancement activities should be designed to provide hands-on and interactive opportunities for students to engage in discussions, games, community service, and other activities related to U.S. culture and values. Examples may include community events (celebrating U.S. holidays, e.g. Thanksgiving and/or Fourth of July events) and joint programming with participation of U.S. Embassy personnel, U. S. scholars in town (e.g. English Language Fellows, English Teaching Assistants, and/or Fulbright Students), English language intensive sessions, leadership training, etc. Access Programs should also include computer instruction to complement English language classes and enhancement activities. Computer classes, multimedia learning, or social media activities during after-school Instruction and/or intensive sessions should be included in the proposal. Community Service Activities Access students should also be involved in community service activities to increase their awareness of issues facing their respective communities while also gaining an understanding of the ways they can positively contribute to civil society.

Intensive Sessions

Intensive Sessions are often two-week-long summer programs that include more instruction hours per week than the After-school program. These sessions are included in the 360 hours of required instruction. Hours of instruction during Intensive Sessions may not exceed 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Intensive sessions should combine English language instruction with U.S. cultural activities such as drama, computers, art, music, or games and sports, or even civic responsibility projects, leadership and teamwork training, or tolerance programs. Access Program intensive sessions are an important activity which can supplement, initiate, or conclude a student’s two-year English language programming. All intensive sessions should provide students with a window on U.S. culture and values, and their activities as much as possible should incorporate invited speakers (e.g. U.S. exchanges alumni, Embassy personnel, and other native and non-native English-speaking partners, etc.).

Please see the link for further information on the English Access Microscholarship Program: https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/english-access-microscholarship-program

The Successful Provider will be Responsible for the Following Tasks:

• To advertise and promote the program in the local community;
• To select program participants and staff members;
• To organize and provide the English Language instruction classes (after school and intensive sessions); and
• To work closely with the U.S. Embassy in Praia and RELO Office in Dakar;

Project implementation locations

The project implementation location should include cities and towns throughout the island of Sal.

Technical and infrastructure requirements

The provider must specify the location(s) of the Access program and space that will be used for the classes and activities. The provider must either provide verification that the space belongs to the grantee or a written agreement with the holder of the space. The space must have seating for the students; it must have a blackboard/whiteboard, power outlets and bathrooms that meet global sanitary standards. The space should also have a computer class with internet capability (or the grantee should consider providing for this separately).

Functional requirements

1. The provider is responsible for setting criteria for and identifying “economically disadvantaged youth” to be enrolled in the program. The provider is required to produce midterm and final performance reports. The provider should monitor students’ attendance and performance.
2. The provider is responsible for creating a highly effective and innovative method for recruiting new Access teachers. This outreach would include, but not be limited to contacting local state education offices, private language schools and use of social media.
3. Post the highlights on activities on the shared Facebook group
4. The provider is responsible for maintaining a database of Access alumni.

Number of providers:

The provider should reach students in various locations throughout Sal island during this program. The budget per student should be under $1,300 for the two-year period.  Proposals that are cost-effective and include significant cost-share will be given priority.

Assumptions and agreements:

Submission information:

The proposals should be submitted to the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy in Praia electronically to PraiaGrants@state.gov.. Deadline for submission is July 23, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT-1)

Basis for award of the grant:

The grantee should be an established English language institution or a non-governmental organization (NGO) with experience in administering educational programs and/or teaching English, preferably to the target age group. The grantee must have access to an established core of English instructors willing to commit their time to this project. The grantee must identify the location(s) and venue(s) that will be used for this program (verified with a document/preliminary agreement) and will be responsible for recruiting students, and in consultation with the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy, developing the curriculum. Organizations with previous experience and a capacity of working with educational institutions on a national level will be given priority.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL POTENTIAL APPLICANTS:

Due to the uncertain situation with the COVID19 quarantine in Cabo Verde, the Program can be postponed as according to the Government of Cabo Verde. Details will follow. In light of the restrictive travel and public gathering environments we face globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the U.S. Mission to Cabo Verde invites interested applicants to submit one or two proposals in response to the reference Notice of Funding Announcement (NOFO).

• One proposal may be based on “business as usual” environments, where international travel, large public gatherings, and other programming parameters are unaffected by public health constraints.
• A second proposal, which is optional, would describe your ideas on how to execute the desired project goals in a manner that accounts for restrictions on public gatherings and travel, as well as public health concerns. We encourage creative ideas for remote/online content delivery, online/virtual promotional activities, and virtual participant/audience follow-up. 

If you choose to submit two separate proposals, the associated budget submission may also reflect different costs you would project for these two operating environments. Applicants must also demonstrate competency to manage all financial aspects of the project, including participant costs and transparent arrangements of sub-grant relationships with partner organizations, if applicable.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

U.S. Embassy Praia is pleased to announce the acceptance of applications for the design and implementation of the English Access Microscholarship Program.

Applications may be submitted at any time for consideration before the closing date on July 23, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT -1). Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Background

The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) is a global program supported by the U.S. Department of State. Access provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-15 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access gives participants English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects. The program also gives participants the opportunity to gain an appreciation for U.S. culture and values. It is intended to increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries and improve their chances of participating in educational and exchange programs in the United States. Since its inception in 2004, approximately 195,000 students in more than 88 countries have participated in the Access Program.

Project description:

The goal of the Access Program is to equip talented students who possess a minimal knowledge of English with effective communication and critical thinking skills through meaningful interaction, cooperative learning strategies, and real-life contexts. Additionally, Access seeks to prepare students for conversational English language skills with native and non-native speakers of English through a variety of experiential learning activities. Selected participants must be bright, economically disadvantaged students with beginning level of English. Participants should commit to enroll in classes during the full two-year program. Students will graduate with certificates of completion from the U.S. Embassy in Praia at the end of their two-year program. The Program is divided into distinct phases:

After-School Instruction

Access Program is a two-year program that requires a minimum of 360 hours of instruction reasonably distributed over the two-year period. After-school instruction has been the preferred time for teaching and has generally taken place three days a week with each class lasting from one to one and a half hours per day. It is the responsibility of the Providers to consider the schedule of the students to ensure that Access classes do not interfere with students’ regular school schedule. Enhancement activities related to U.S. culture and values must occur regularly throughout the two years of the program, including during after-school Instruction. Cultural Enhancement activities should be designed to provide hands-on and interactive opportunities for students to engage in discussions, games, community service, and other activities related to U.S. culture and values. Examples may include community events (celebrating U.S. holidays, e.g. Thanksgiving and/or Fourth of July events) and joint programming with participation of U.S. Embassy personnel, U. S. scholars in town (e.g. English Language Fellows, English Teaching Assistants, and/or Fulbright Students), English language intensive sessions, leadership training, etc. Access Programs should also include computer instruction to complement English language classes and enhancement activities. Computer classes, multimedia learning, or social media activities during after-school Instruction and/or intensive sessions should be included in the proposal. Community Service Activities Access students should also be involved in community service activities to increase their awareness of issues facing their respective communities while also gaining an understanding of the ways they can positively contribute to civil society.

Intensive Sessions

Intensive Sessions are often two-week-long summer programs that include more instruction hours per week than the After-school program. These sessions are included in the 360 hours of required instruction. Hours of instruction during Intensive Sessions may not exceed 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Intensive sessions should combine English language instruction with U.S. cultural activities such as drama, computers, art, music, or games and sports, or even civic responsibility projects, leadership and teamwork training, or tolerance programs. Access Program intensive sessions are an important activity which can supplement, initiate, or conclude a student’s two-year English language programming. All intensive sessions should provide students with a window on U.S. culture and values, and their activities as much as possible should incorporate invited speakers (e.g. U.S. exchanges alumni, Embassy personnel, and other native and non-native English-speaking partners, etc.).

Please see the link for further information on the English Access Microscholarship Program: https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/english-access-microscholarship-program

The Successful Provider will be Responsible for the Following Tasks:

• To advertise and promote the program in the local community;
• To select program participants and staff members;
• To organize and provide the English Language instruction classes (after school and intensive sessions); and
• To work closely with the U.S. Embassy in Praia and RELO Office in Dakar;

Project implementation locations

The project implementation location should include cities and towns throughout the island of Sal.

Technical and infrastructure requirements

The provider must specify the location(s) of the Access program and space that will be used for the classes and activities. The provider must either provide verification that the space belongs to the grantee or a written agreement with the holder of the space. The space must have seating for the students; it must have a blackboard/whiteboard, power outlets and bathrooms that meet global sanitary standards. The space should also have a computer class with internet capability (or the grantee should consider providing for this separately).

Functional requirements

1. The provider is responsible for setting criteria for and identifying “economically disadvantaged youth” to be enrolled in the program. The provider is required to produce midterm and final performance reports. The provider should monitor students’ attendance and performance.
2. The provider is responsible for creating a highly effective and innovative method for recruiting new Access teachers. This outreach would include, but not be limited to contacting local state education offices, private language schools and use of social media.
3. Post the highlights on activities on the shared Facebook group
4. The provider is responsible for maintaining a database of Access alumni.

Number of providers:

The provider should reach students in various locations throughout Sal island during this program. The budget per student should be under $1,300 for the two-year period.  Proposals that are cost-effective and include significant cost-share will be given priority.

Assumptions and agreements:

Submission information:

The proposals should be submitted to the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy in Praia electronically to PraiaGrants@state.gov.. Deadline for submission is July 23, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT-1)

Basis for award of the grant:

The grantee should be an established English language institution or a non-governmental organization (NGO) with experience in administering educational programs and/or teaching English, preferably to the target age group. The grantee must have access to an established core of English instructors willing to commit their time to this project. The grantee must identify the location(s) and venue(s) that will be used for this program (verified with a document/preliminary agreement) and will be responsible for recruiting students, and in consultation with the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy, developing the curriculum. Organizations with previous experience and a capacity of working with educational institutions on a national level will be given priority.