Promoting STEM Education and Youth Entrepreneurship

Overview

The U.S. Embassy in Armenia advances U.S. interests by helping Armenia succeed as a secure, prosperous, and democratic country, at peace with its neighbors, and more closely integrated with the Euro-Atlantic community. One of U.S. Embassy Yerevan Public Diplomacy Section’s objectives is to support Armenia’s economic resiliency and inclusive economic growth by advancing STEM education, and improving the pipeline of young entrepreneurs who are better prepared to contribute to Armenia’s economic growth, particularly in the burgeoning IT sector The Public Diplomacy Section will provide targeted support to initiatives that support STEM education and entrepreneurship skill training for Armenian youth, leveraging U.S. models and expertise. Two (2) separate projects are set forth in this NOFO to support individual and institutional capacity-building in these key areas of STEM education and youth entrepreneurship.

Project 1: Promoting STEM Education in Armenia 

Goal 1: Improve the quality of Armenian STEM education by providing Armenian STEM educators with training and access to Western STEM education materials, teaching methods, and learning practices.

Goal 2: Empower and encourage Armenian youth to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields.

Project activities: To achieve the program goals/objectives and the expected results, the proposals should endeavor to include the following main activities: 

• Creation/adaptation/localization of STEM simulation activities/games/guiding materials in Armenian: 
• Promote STEM teachers’ professional development skills and knowledge: 
• STEM-focused materials: 
• Integrated project-based learning and/or real-world internship experiences: 

Audiences: 

• STEM educators: This group includes teachers, administrators, trainers, mentors, coaches, resource developers, experts/specialists, and policymakers. 
• Students/pupils in grades 7-12.

Project 2: Promoting Entrepreneurial Skills for Armenian Youth 

Goal: Strengthen Armenia’s economic resiliency and inclusive economic growth by promoting the entrepreneurial thinking and capacities among young people, primarily from rural communities of Armenia. 

Audiences: 

• Youth and young entrepreneurs, with a focus on women, primarily from rural regions of Armenia, aged 18-30. 
• Armenian start-ups and business community.

• Organizations with relevant expertise in both project areas may apply for both projects. Organizations may also submit for only one of the two projects. Organizations may not submit more than one proposal per project. Any organization that submits more than one proposal per project will be considered ineligible for funding.
• Applicants MUST submit a separate Application Summary Coversheet for each application that clearly outlines under which of the two (2) projects the application is submitted.
• Applicants must have the experience and resources to reach the target audiences and locations

• Length of performance period: up to 36 months 
• Number of awards anticipated: up to three awards 
• Award amounts: up to $200,000 for Project 1, and up to $150,000 for Project 2; or up to $350,000 for proposals addressing both projects 
• Anticipated programs start date: October 1, 2023 
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement