EducationUSA Fair and College Counseling Workshop in Jordan

The organization should arrange a two- day EducationUSA Fair in October 2025. This fair will serve as a premier higher education event, connecting Jordanian students, parents, and high school counselors with representatives from 25-30 accredited U.S. universities. The organization will also develop and produce a digital campaign to foster interest in U.S. higher-education opportunities.

Goals and Objectives 

• Phase 1: Outreach to U.S. Higher Education Institutions 
  • Develop a targeted outreach campaign to recruit U.S. institutions, highlighting Jordan as a key market for international student recruitment. Reach out to U.S. university admissions offices, international program coordinators, and relevant departments through a direct email marketing campaign. Provide reports on outreach efforts.
  • Work with Fulbright Jordan, NAFSA, and U.S. university alumni networks to ensure a diverse range of institutional participation, including universities who participated in previous EducationUSA fairs in Jordan, as well as new institutions.
  • Collaborate with the U.S. Embassy EducationUSA team to streamline application process and curate a final list of participating universities using the EducationUSA portal.
  • Maintain a consistent flow of updates and reminders to participating U.S. higher education institutions regarding the fair, application deadlines, and any pertinent details.
• Phase 2: Outreach to Jordanian Schools, Universities, Parents, and Education Stakeholders 
  • Launch a media and digital campaign across print, radio, and social media to promote the education fair.
  • Obtain official approval from Jordan’s Ministry of Higher Education at least 60 days before the fair.
  • Implement a user-friendly online registration system, encouraging early sign-ups for both the fair and breakout sessions.
  • Partner with schools and universities for seamless integration of fair promotions into their communication channels.
  • Establish a press and media engagement plan, working in tandem with the U.S. Embassy for maximum event coverage, including press releases and captivating social media content.
  • Recognize parental influence and conduct targeted outreach, including informational sessions and/or webinars.
• Phase 2A: Influencer-Led Digital Engagement EducationUSA Storytelling Campaign
  • To enhance EducationUSA outreach efforts, the grantee must develop and implement a year-round digital storytelling campaign promoting U.S. higher education opportunities utilizing influencers and content creators. This initiative will leverage Jordanian current students and alumni of U.S. universities, influencers, and U.S. government exchange program alumni to create compelling content that resonates with target audiences.
  • Produce 50 one-minute videos featuring Jordanian current students, parents and alumni of U.S. universities, influencers, and U.S. government exchange program alumni.
  • Each video should focus on a key aspect of studying in the United States, such as choosing a university, navigating admissions, discussing U.S. educational opportunities with parents and family members, securing scholarships, adapting to campus life, and leveraging a U.S. degree in Jordan.
  • Videos should be engaging, professionally edited, and optimized for Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts.
  • Selected influencers and content creators must be approved by the U.S. Embassy.
  • Video content must be approved by the U.S. Embassy.
• Phase 3: Accommodation & Pre-Fair Orientation 
  • Cover hotel reservations and payments for three nights for one university representative per institution.
  • Cover meals and incidentals for one representative per university for three days (two fair days and one pre-fair day).
• Phase 4: Fair Day Operations 
  • Oversee venue selection, booth setup, branding, and event logistics.
  • The grantee is responsible for covering all associated costs associated with the fair including the venue, audio and video setup, backdrops and screens as well as al parking and valet services.
  • Design and produce professional booths for U.S. universities, ensuring an organized and visually appealing fair experiences.
  • Spearhead the recruitment and coordination of a dedicated team of volunteers for both pre-fair and day-of-fair activities.  Assign specific roles to volunteers and staff members, such as guiding attendees, assisting university representatives, and handling logistical challenges.
• Phase 5: Post-Fair Engagement & Reporting
  • Implement a feedback collection system from both university representatives and students, ensuring continuous improvement.
  • Utilize surveys and feedback forms to gather insights on the fair’s effectiveness, areas for improvement and overall satisfaction.
  • Explore virtual platforms to keep participants informed about opportunities, updates, and information beyond the fair.
  • Develop a systematic way to determine whether Jordanian students who attended the fair or saw a promotional video actually applied to a U.S. university and successfully attended.
• Phase 6: College Counselor’s Workshop (Spring 2026) 
  • As a follow-on to the EducationUSA college fair, in alignment with State Department priorities to make the United States more prosperous, the grantee will organize a two-day, in-person professional development workshop in Amman. The workshop will target 40 high-school counselors and education advisors. The workshop will be facilitated by a U.S.-based college counseling expert(s), preferably affiliated with a reputable higher-education institution, and will focus on strengthening the capacity of Jordanian counselors to advise students on U.S. higher education and the college admissions process.
• Workshop Objectives 
  • By the end of this intensive training, participants will be able to:
    • Articulate the U.S. higher education system structure, types of institutions, and application pathways.
    • Guide students and parents through the U.S. college admissions process, including standardized testing, timelines, and requirements.
    • Provide personalized advice to applicants and families, mindful of cultural and systemic challenges facing international students.
    • Assist students in crafting competitive personal statements and essays for college applications.
    • Identify, evaluate, and share available scholarship and financial aid opportunities for international students.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $ 250,000
  • Award Ceiling: $250,000
  • Award Floor: $150,000

Duration

• Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations from the U.S. and Jordan are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
  • Public and private educational institutions

For more information, visit Grants.gov.