U.S. Mission to Tajikistan, English Access Scholarship Program

Overview

The U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section in Dushanbe, Tajikistan is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement to administer the English Access Scholarship program, that meets the specifications stated below. The implementer must be a legally recognized non-governmental organization, that meets U.S. and Tajikistan technical and legal requirements to develop and implement Public Diplomacy Programs. 

Launched in 2004, the English Access Scholarship Program (hereafter known as “Access Program” or “Access”) is a two-year global scholarship program supported by the U.S. Department of State and managed by the U.S. Embassy of Tajikistan that provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, underserved students, primarily aged 14 to 15. This two-year, 360-hour program exposes participants to U.S. culture, global citizenship, and democratic values through English language scholarships, professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, and programming for alumni. Consisting of both in-class and off-site activities, the program curricula must integrate the four pillars of the Access Program: global citizenship themes, U.S. culture and values, 21st-century skills, and English language instruction. 

The Successful Provider will be Responsible for the Following Tasks: 

• Collaborate with the U.S. Embassy to integrate program goals in curriculum and program design. 
• Partner with the U.S. Embassy to select high-quality teachers and appropriate students for the program. 
• Support professional development needs for Access teachers. 
• Deliver instruction and programmatic activities. 
• Regularly monitor and evaluate program implementation to ensure high-quality programming. 
• Inform U.S. Embassy about significant program developments, challenges, and highlights. 
• Send invitations to the relevant U.S. Embassy staff alerting them to special events, as well as opportunities to visit and speak. 
• Submit success stories of Access Program students to relevant U.S. Embassy staff, in a timely manner, for use on social media. 
• Maintain program and financial documentation to comply with auditing and U.S. Government regulation. 

Project Goal: To support socio-economic empowerment of Tajik youth by improving English language proficiency of 9th grade students from underserved communities through participation in a two-year English language training program focused on media literacy and civic engagement. 

Project Objectives:   

• Objective 1: Increase English language reading, writing, listening and speaking skills on themes of media literacy and civic engagement up to 50 program participants through in-class instruction and off-site civic engagement/volunteer activities. 
• Objective 2:  Strengthen students’ understanding of global citizenship, U.S. culture, values through experiential learning activities, leadership and civic engagement skills. For example: through volunteerism, community service activities, and engaging in issues that impact their local community. 
• Objective 3: Improve the ability of students to critically analyze media content, identify disinformation and credible sources through media literacy training and simulated disinformation exercises.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization for two or more sites. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.

Length of performance period: 2-year program 
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. 
Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 2-years or less. 
Number of awards anticipated: 1 award per grantee for two or more sites. 
Total available funding: Approximately $1,000 per student 
Anticipated start date: November 30, 2024