2024 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program

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.

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.

Program Specific Guidelines

• 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 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;
• 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;

Funding Information

• Approximate Total Funding: $6,770,000, pending the availability of funds.
• Approximate Number of Awards: 1
• Approximate Average Award: $6,770,000, pending the availability of funds.
• Minimum “Floor” of Award: $6,770,000, pending the availability of funds.
• Maximum “Ceiling” of Award: $6,770,000, pending the availability of funds.
• Anticipated Award Date: July 25, 2024, pending the availability of funds.
• Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 30, 2027

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants
  • U.S. public and private academic and cultural institutions, exchange-of-persons, and other notfor-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition. Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application.
• Other Eligibility Requirements
  • The following additional eligibility requirements apply to this NOFO announcement:
    • ECA’s grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $130,000 in ECA funding. ECA anticipates making one cooperative agreement, in an amount of $6,770,000, pending the availability of funds, to support all costs required to implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.
    • All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO, POGI, and the PSI; non-compliance will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.
    • Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.