Deadline: 1 March 2024
The Public Diplomacy Section at the Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU) is seeking proposals to develop and carry out a project focused on promoting U.S. higher education opportunities for high-achieving, financially disadvantaged Venezuelan students at the post-graduate level in the Agricultural STEM and Public Health fields.
Objectives
- The grantee will work in coordination with VAU Public Diplomacy in support of the 2024-25 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program for Graduate Study in the United States. This program will assist highly qualified prospective Venezuelan graduate students who are likely to be awarded full financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front costs of required standardized admission tests, application fees, international and domestic airfare, visa fees, SEVIS fees, and settling-in allowance. The grantee will partner with the Venezuela EducationUSA Network to select and advise up to 25 Opportunity Funds students.
Funding Information
- Up to $75,000 USD
Duration
- Length of performance period: up to 24 months.
Phases
- Individuals and institutions interested in bidding on this cooperative agreement are asked to submit a proposal to administer the Opportunity Funds and manage two phases of the EducationUSA advising process for 2024-25.
- The first phase requires coordination and payment for qualified prospective students to take standardized tests. Throughout this phase, the grantee is expected to assist EdUSA advisers with logistical support in providing advising sessions for the Opportunity Fund Program (OFP) students. If space allows, non-OFP, EducationUSA scholars can attend these virtual sessions. These sessions are expected to include comprehensive coaching on the U.S. application process, financial awards/aid, essay and recommendation letter writing, extra-curricular and volunteer activities, transcripts and equivalencies, and similar subjects related to undergraduate or graduate admissions at U.S. colleges and universities.
- The second phase requires the recipient to manage the travel logistics of approximately 15-20 students, including visa and SEVIS fees, international airfare, domestic airfare, settling-in allowance, and other related expenses. The grantee will communicate with the students and advisers, coordinate visa appointments at the appropriate U.S. consulate, make travel arrangements for domestic and international travel, and coordinate payment to the students of settling-in and other related allowances. The successful grantee will demonstrate an ability to effectively handle funds, coordinate logistics, and finalize payments in a timely manner.
Participants and Audiences
- Prospective Venezuelan graduate students in the STEM Agriculture and Public Health fields interested in studying in the United States.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations.
- Public and private educational institutions.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Venezuela.
