Notice of Funding Opportunity: English Language Programs (Israel)

America Hub Israel is a U.S. Embassy-affiliated educational and cultural institution that seeks to connect a diverse range of Israeli citizens to the values that underpin American society—democracy, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, and innovation. The Hub prioritizes engagement with students and young professionals 15 to 35 years old through a wide variety of programming and via strategic partnerships.  Its activities encourage participants to take part in constructive dialogue and identify solutions to shared challenges while fostering understanding of U.S. policy, values, and culture.

The Hub’s programs include cultural offerings, lectures, panel discussions, information sessions, skills building courses, and educational workshops on the subjects of democratic values, the American experience, U.S.-Israel relations, diplomacy, technology and innovation, social entrepreneurship, English language, leadership, and higher education in the United States.

Objectives

• Proposals should incorporate use of the Hub’s experiential learning technologies—including an Imagine Box and virtual reality headsets—to create immersive, interactive learning experiences that accomplish the following:
  • Advance the values of democracy, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, and innovation;
  • Promote understanding of U.S.-Israel relations and U.S. foreign policy priorities;
  • Create communities and networks of youth and young professionals that support the goals of the Hub and U.S. Embassy Jerusalem;
  • Provide as a safe space for Jewish and Arab future leaders to meet and pursue mutual goals.
• All program content will be developed in close coordination with the Hub’s Educational Technologist and the Embassy’s English Language Coordinator.

Funding Information

• Total Available Funding: Approximately $30,000 USD
• Award Amounts: $10,000-$20,000 USD
• Length of Performance Period: Up to 10 months
• Number of Awards Anticipated: 1-2 awards

Program Content

• In today’s rapidly evolving world, the demand for individuals with strong English language skills has never been more important—and is particularly relevant for underrepresented groups that might not otherwise have the same career and academic opportunities as mainstream students and young professionals. English is also considered a neutral language among Jewish and Arab students.
• The Hub will accept proposals which address one or several of the needs below:
  • High School English Language Workshops – Expected budget: up to $20,000
    • Develop curriculum and facilitate an interactive, immersive intermediate-level English language program series for Jewish and Arab high school students 15-17 years old that utilizes the Hub’s Imagine Box and/or virtual reality headsets to actively engage participants in the learning process while encouraging teamwork, promoting dialogue, and building understanding and respect between participants.
  • Innovative English Language Enrichment Days – Estimated budget: up to $10,000
    • Develop curriculum and facilitate intermediate-level English language “enrichment days” for diverse high school students 15-17year old who are current participants in the Embassy’s English Access Microscholarship Program. Activities should utilize the Hub’s Imagine Box and/or virtual reality headsets to engage participants in a fully interactive, immersive experience that allows them to practice their English language skills in a fun, motivating setting.

Funding Restrictions

• The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:
  • Projects relating to partisan political activity
  • Charitable or development activities
  • Construction projects
  • Projects that support specific religious activities or promote only one faith/religion
  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or projects
  • Academic or scientific research
  • Projects intended primarily for the growth/institutional development or maintenance of the applicant organization or its partner organizations
  • Unsolicited proposals

Program Audience

• Israeli high school students 15-18 years old from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate potential as future leaders, innovators, and civically engaged members of society.

Eligibility Criteria

• Local and international:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Public and private educational institutions
  • Individuals
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
• To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Israel.