FY2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program | DOS NBO PDS FY22 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS NBO PDS FY22 003

The FY2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Kenya) cooperative agreement run through the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The overall purpose is to expand access to U.S. higher education for high-achieving Kenyan secondary school students who are strong candidates for full financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities, but who cannot afford the up-front expenses that come before enrollment. Activities are expected to take place in Kenya and, for students who ultimately enroll, in the United States, and the target audience is Kenyan high school students participating in the EducationUSA scholars pipeline.

The selected implementing organization (the grantee) is expected to work closely with the U.S. Embassy Education Outreach Coordinator and with the EducationUSA Advisor in Nairobi. In practice, the grantee functions as the operational and financial manager for the Opportunity Funds support package, handling payments, registrations, reimbursements/allowances, and time-sensitive logistics. The opportunity emphasizes strong financial controls and fast, accurate payment processing, since many of the key costs (testing, visa steps, flights) are deadline-driven. A specific operational requirement is that the grantee must have an international credit card that can be used to pay SAT registration fees.

Program delivery is structured around several core components. Phase I focuses on helping roughly 40 students cover standardized testing costs, including the SAT, SAT Subject Tests (as referenced in the notice), and/or the ACT. The grantee is responsible for arranging and paying for test registrations and managing logistics across different test dates and testing centers in Kenya. The estimated Phase I support level is about $110 per student, and testing is expected to occur between May and July 2022.

Phase II supports the transition for at least 12 students who have secured admission to U.S. institutions and need help covering the major pre-departure and travel expenses required to actually matriculate. This includes visa and SEVIS fees, required immunizations, international airfare, domestic airfare when needed, and a settling-in allowance when required. The estimated Phase II amount is approximately $2,200 per student. The grantee must coordinate closely with students and the EducationUSA Advisor to schedule visa appointments, arrange flights and other travel, and ensure allowances and other payments are delivered correctly and on time. The timeline anticipates students receiving admission decisions between December 2021 and April 2022, with U.S. program start dates running from July through September 2022, so the Phase II workload centers on preparing students to depart and arrive ready for enrollment.

Beyond direct student cost support, the award also covers administration of small stipends for student assistants who help EducationUSA deliver programming. The EducationUSA Advisor will select two students who previously participated in the EducationUSA scholars program, and the grantee will disburse stipends of $200 per month per student to offset travel expenses tied to assisting with training and program implementation.

The grantee is also responsible for organizing two major in-country events that prepare students for application and departure. First is a College Application Boot Camp planned for July 2022, delivered over five consecutive days for at least 60 students. The implementing organization must handle end-to-end logistics, including participant travel within Kenya, venue arrangements, meals and refreshments, lodging where needed, printing and reproduction of materials, and basic supplies and stationery. Second is a Pre-Departure Orientation in Nairobi planned for July 2022, delivered over three consecutive days for at least 12 students (and potentially more). Similar logistical responsibilities apply: coordinating in-country travel, securing venues, providing meals/refreshments and lodging as appropriate, and supplying materials. For both events, proposals are expected to include contingency plans for virtual delivery if in-person convening becomes impossible.

From a policy and public diplomacy standpoint, the program is positioned as supporting broader U.S. Embassy objectives in Kenya, including inclusive and market-driven economic growth, strengthening health and human capacity, and encouraging trade, economic cooperation, and legitimate travel. The Opportunity Funds approach specifically targets the common financial bottleneck faced by low-income but academically exceptional students: even when U.S. universities may offer full aid, students often cannot afford the preliminary expenses required to apply, test, secure visas, and travel.

Administrative details in the opportunity listing include: Funding Opportunity Title: FY2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program; Funding Opportunity Number: DOS NBO PDS FY22 003; Opportunity Category: Discretionary; Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement; Funding Activity Category: Education; CFDA Numbers: 19.022 and 19.040; Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya; award ceiling listed as $60,000 with an expectation of up to 2 awards; and an original application closing date of March 31, 2022. Eligible applicants are listed broadly as “Others,” with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022, 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 18, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DOS NBO PDS FY22 003

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