U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe Public Diplomacy Section: EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Grant

The U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe, Public Diplomacy Section (PD) section, Harare announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to promote U.S. higher education opportunities, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, for high-achieving Zimbabwean university students. Please follow the instructions below:

Priority Region: Project activities must take place in Zimbabwe and the United States and be directed at Zimbabwean audiences/participants.

Program Objectives:

The grantee will work in coordination with PD in support of the 2024/2025 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program. This program assists highly qualified students who are likely to be awarded scholarships, at the undergraduate levels, from U.S. universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front costs of applying. PD and EducationUSA advisers located in Zimbabwe will develop selection criteria and lead the Opportunity Funds selection committee.

Prospective bidders on this grant must submit a proposal to administer the Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) with funding up to US $57,960 and manage two phases of the EducationUSA advising process for 2024-2025. The first phase requires recruitment of student cohorts, and logistics for seven selected students to take standardized tests, pay application fees, conduct transcript evaluations and cover other costs. Throughout this phase, the grantee will assist advisers in Zimbabwe with programmatic and logistical support in providing advising sessions for OFP students. These sessions will include comprehensive advising on the U.S. application process, financial awards/aid, personal statements/essays and recommendation letter writing, CVs/resumes, transcripts and equivalencies, and similar subjects related to admissions at U.S. colleges and universities. This phase includes paying stipends to the regional advisors.

The second phase requires the recipient to manage the travel logistics of approximately five students, including visa and SEVIS fees, international airfare, settling-in allowance, and other related expenses for the 2024-2025 U.S. academic year. The successful grantee will demonstrate an ability to responsibly manage funds, coordinate logistics, and finalize payments in a timely manner. Both phases can be managed virtually, with regular web and phone-based counselling sessions for selected Zimbabwean candidates. Administrative costs, up to 10%, are allowable.

Participants and Audiences:

The target audience is high-achieving Zimbabwean high school and university students.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Length of performance period: 24 Months or less

Number of awards anticipated: 1 Award

Total available funding:             US$57,960

Type of Funding:                        FY24 Fulbright Hays – ECA Funding

Anticipated program start date: October 2024

Funding Instrument Type:         Grant or Cooperative Agreement. 

THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING

Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”).  

PD may entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards 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.[A1] 

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1.     Eligible Applicants:  The following United States and Zimbabwean organizations are eligible to apply:

a.     Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations; and

b.     Public and private educational institutions.

                  *For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

2.     Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required.

3.     Registration:  All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov . Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1.  To Request Application Package:

Email PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov; an automatic reply with the application forms will be sent. Forms are also available at www.grants.gov

2.  Content and Form of Application Submission:

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. 

Content of Application Please ensure: 

·     The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity 

·     All documents are in English 

·     All budgets are in U.S. dollars 

·     All pages are numbered 

The following documents are required:   

Mandatory application forms

SF-424   (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) and, 

SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)  

All application materials must be emailed to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov (with “2024/2025 EDUCATIONUSA OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROPOSAL” in the subject line).