The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Professional
Fellows Division, of the Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA or “the Bureau”) invites proposal submissions for the FY 2021
TechWomen program to empower, connect, and support the next generation of women
leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The exchange program uses a mentorship model to support emerging
STEM leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle
East and North Africa. Organizations applying for this federal award should
demonstrate the capacity to recruit, select, and place in mentorship experiences
a total of approximately 100-110 women from select countries in these regions
to participate in a five- to six-week intensive peer-mentoring program in the
United States.
Overall grant making authority for this program
is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961,
Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The
purpose of the Act is "to enable the Government of the United States to
increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries to strengthen the ties which unite us with other
nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments,
and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations...and
thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful
relations between the United States and the other countries of the world."
The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation.
Goals
The goals of the program are to:
- Empower emerging women leaders
(“participants”) to advocate for their rights and reach their full
potential in the science and technology industries;
- Create and maintain a
sustainable professional network of support for women in the STEM fields
in the United States and participating countries;
- Develop the field of
technology, explore the role of the tech industry in economic stability,
increase the trade capacity of the participating countries, and promote
economic advancement;
- Build an understanding of
technology’s integral relationship with the professional world and
increase participants’ understanding of how Americans drive development in
science and technology;
- Enhance U.S. science and
technology companies’ understanding of challenges in other countries,
providing them opportunities to hear first-hand from the international
participants about the STEM and market climates overseas;
- Provide women in the STEM
fields with tools not only to advance their careers and encourage
innovation, but also to become role models for women and girls in their
communities;
- Expand girls’ interest in STEM
careers by exposing them to female role models; and
- Increase mutual understanding
between key networks of professionals in different parts of the world.
Eligible Countries and
Participants
The below countries/territories are expected to
participate in the FY 2021 techwomen program. ECA reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposed project configurations, budgets, and participant
numbers in accordance with the program’s needs and availability of funds. In
addition, the Bureau reserves the right to adjust and/or add additional
countries and/or regions should conditions change in a partner country and/or
if other countries and/or regions are identified as viable alternatives and/or
Department priorities.
- Sub-Saharan
Africa (AF): Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South
Africa, and Zimbabwe
- South and Central
Asia (SCA): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
- Middle East and
North Africa (NEA): Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the
Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
Funding Information
- Type of Award: Cooperative
Agreement. ECA’s level of involvement in this program is listed under A.
Program Description above.
- Fiscal Year Funds:
- FY 2021- $3,080,000
pending the availability of funds (base year);
- FY 2022- $3,080,000,
pending successful performance and the availability of funds
(noncompetitive continuation year one);
- FY 2023- $3,080,000 pending successful performance and the
availability of funds (noncompetitive continuation year two),
- Approximate Total
Funding: $9,240,000. This figure represents base year plus two
Non-Competitive Continuation years, pending successful performance and the
availability of funds.
- Approximate
Number of Awards: One
- Approximate
Average Award: $3,080,000 pending the availability of funds.
- Floor of Award
Range: None
- Ceiling of Award
Range: $3,080,000, pending the availability of funds.
- Anticipated Award
Date: August 31, 2021, pending the availability of FY 2021
base year funds.
- Anticipated
Project Completion Date: April 30,
2025. This date reflects the anticipated duration of the award – one base
year plus two non-competitive continuation year
Eligible Applicants
U.S. public and private non-profit organizations
meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC
501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition. Applicants must have
nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please see the
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for additional information.
Post Date - 19-Nov-2020