The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda, announces an open competition for grant proposals for the administration of the English Access Micro scholarship Program (Access), which provides English-language instruction to 13 to 20 year-old disadvantaged students.
The Access Program is expected to fund two years of after-school classes and enhancement activities at a total cost of more than $30,000 USD. Local and international non-governmental organizations and educational institutions registered in Uganda may submit grant proposals to design, implement, and administer the Access Program.
Please submit grant proposals according to the following template:
Narrative and Financial Template
Access Dictionary
Program Information
Background: The English Access Micro scholarship Program (Access) is designed to increase English language skills and capabilities among economically disadvantaged youth. It is also designed to introduce students to American culture and ideals.
The Access Program provides a foundation of English language skills to 13-20 year-old students from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and enhancement activities. Access students gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic ideals, increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their country, and gain the ability to compete for and participate in future U.S. exchange and study programs.
Project Overview: Grantee organizations will be expected to provide selected groups of students with two years of after-school English language instruction and enhancement activities aimed at improving students’ overall English language proficiency in the four basic skills of speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Implementation must include at least 180 hours of instruction per year or a minimum of 360 hours. In addition to providing quality instruction in the English language to Access students, grantee organizations will be encouraged to conduct enhancement activities with content that gives the participants insights into, and an appreciation for, U.S. culture and democratic ideals. These activities could involve such things as public speaking or debate clubs; lessons on U.S. society and culture, including celebrations of American holidays; community awareness activities, such as civic education classes; community service and advocacy discussions and activities, including Global Youth Service Day; and English-language summer camps. Enhancement activities should be designed to help students better understand U.S. society and ideals, especially the U.S. values of volunteerism and community service.
Objectives: The overall objective of the Access Program is to enhance the English-language skills of disadvantaged youth and thereby develop increased self-confidence, stronger critical thinking skills, and opportunities to study or obtain jobs.
Specific objectives include:
- Providing students from socially disadvantaged families with English language classes at no cost;
- Enabling these students to develop leadership and interpersonal skills through various enhancement activities;
- Increasing students’ understanding of U.S. culture and ideals through enrichment activities;
- Enabling students with improved English language skills to successfully participate in U.S. government-funded academic exchange programs and other public diplomacy initiatives.
Administration: Grantee organizations are expected to keep administration costs to a minimum. Please note that administration costs may not exceed 10 percent of the total budget. Grantee organizations are also encouraged to consider cost-sharing.
Program Coordination and Deadline: The Access Program will be administered by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. Please submit your grant proposals electronically to KampalaGrants@state.gov by close of business Friday December 30, 2016.
Questions can be submitted to the same email address.
Please note that incomplete proposals will not be taken into consideration.
