Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA A S U 10 01
Apply for ECA A S U 10 01
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community College Initiative Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.009 Academic Exchange Programs Undergraduate Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 23, 2009 and posted on Jul 23, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 25, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $8,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $8,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Please see full announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Community College Initiative Program is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant opportunity to fund one or more organizations to run an international exchange and study program that places undergraduate students from developing countries at accredited U.S. community colleges. The core aim is to give participants a strong academic experience paired with practical professional development, job-ready skills, and a direct, first-hand introduction to American society and culture. The program is designed specifically for underserved, non-elite students, with a particular emphasis on women, and it targets students who already bring some work experience rather than applicants coming straight from purely academic pathways.
ECA expects the program to include students from developing countries across every world region. The announcement lists examples of countries that may be included (noting the list can change), such as Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, and South Africa, along with additional countries not named in the summary. For FY2010 planning, ECA anticipates a total cohort size of about 250 to 275 students, indicating that the funded implementers will need the capacity to recruit, place, and support a large number of international participants across multiple campuses and communities.
The funding mechanism is a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the federal government anticipates substantial involvement in the project during implementation rather than simply providing a grant with minimal interaction. ECA expects to make about four awards under this competition, and applicants are allowed to propose administering either the full program or a clearly defined portion of it. Proposals are expected to be costed in a way that links requested funding to a specific number of participants, with detailed calculations covering both direct program expenses and administrative/management costs. A key priority stated in the notice is maximizing the number of students served, so applicants are encouraged to structure budgets efficiently and demonstrate scalable placement and support models.
Cost sharing is required. ECA signals that institutional and private-sector contributions should be significant, and it expects cooperating community colleges and partners to bring their own resources to the table (for example, tuition support, housing discounts, fee waivers, internships, in-kind services, or philanthropic/private support). This requirement is framed as a practical strategy to stretch federal dollars and increase the total number of participants who can be accommodated.
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and eligible nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) entities. The announcement also notes that community college consortia and associations of community colleges that meet relevant 501(c) provisions may apply, which fits the program’s multi-campus, networked nature. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.009 (Academic Exchange Programs, Undergraduate Programs), reinforcing that the activity is primarily an educational and cultural exchange initiative rather than a research or infrastructure program.
From a funding perspective, ECA estimated total available funding at approximately $8.5 million (pending FY2010 resource availability). The award floor is $1,000,000 and the ceiling is $8,500,000, which leaves room for either a single large implementer covering the full program or several implementers each managing a segment. The opportunity was posted July 23, 2009, with an application deadline of September 25, 2009, and it was archived the following day, September 26, 2009.
For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the listed program contact is Hans Posey, Program Specialist (poseyhe@state.gov).
Community College Initiative Program (ECA) - FAQs
1) What is the Community College Initiative Program?
The Community College Initiative Program is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant opportunity to fund one or more organizations to run an international exchange and study program. The funded organization(s) place undergraduate students from developing countries at accredited U.S. community colleges for a combined academic and practical professional development experience.
2) What is the main purpose of this program?
The core aim is to provide participants with a strong academic experience paired with practical professional development, job-ready skills, and a direct, first-hand introduction to American society and culture.
3) Who are the intended student participants?
The program is designed specifically for underserved, non-elite undergraduate students from developing countries. The notice highlights a particular emphasis on women, and it targets students who already bring some work experience (rather than applicants coming straight from purely academic pathways).
4) Is this opportunity for students to apply directly?
Based on the description provided, this is a funding opportunity for organizations to implement and administer the exchange program (including recruiting, placing, and supporting participants). It is not described as a direct application opportunity for individual students.
5) What kinds of activities are expected under the program?
The funded implementer(s) are expected to run an international exchange and study program that includes community college placement plus practical professional development and job-ready skills training, alongside structured exposure to U.S. society and culture.
6) How many students is ECA expecting the program to serve?
For FY2010 planning, ECA anticipated a total cohort size of about 250 to 275 students. This implies the selected implementer(s) must have the capacity to recruit, place, and support a large number of international participants across multiple U.S. campuses and communities.
7) Will the program include students from multiple countries and regions?
Yes. ECA expects the program to include students from developing countries across every world region. The announcement provides examples of countries that may be included (noting the list can change), such as Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, and South Africa, along with additional countries not listed in the summary.
8) What type of federal award is this?
The funding mechanism is a discretionary cooperative agreement. This indicates the federal government anticipates substantial involvement in the project during implementation, rather than a hands-off grant with minimal interaction.
9) How many awards does ECA expect to make?
ECA expected to make about four awards under this competition.
10) Can an applicant propose to run only part of the program?
Yes. Applicants are allowed to propose administering either the full program or a clearly defined portion of it.
11) What are the budgeting expectations for proposals?
Proposals are expected to be costed in a way that links requested funding to a specific number of participants. The notice calls for detailed calculations covering both direct program expenses and administrative/management costs.
12) What is a key priority ECA highlights for program design and budgeting?
A stated priority is maximizing the number of students served. Applicants are encouraged to structure budgets efficiently and demonstrate scalable placement and support models that can accommodate a large cohort across multiple campuses.
13) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. Cost sharing is required, and ECA signals that institutional and private-sector contributions should be significant.
14) What kinds of cost share contributions does ECA expect?
The notice indicates that cooperating community colleges and partners are expected to contribute resources such as tuition support, housing discounts, fee waivers, internships, in-kind services, or philanthropic/private support. The intent is to stretch federal dollars and increase the total number of participants who can be accommodated.
15) Who is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and eligible nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) entities. The announcement also notes that community college consortia and associations of community colleges that meet relevant 501(c) provisions may apply.
16) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity and what does it indicate?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.009 (Academic Exchange Programs, Undergraduate Programs). This reinforces that the activity is primarily an educational and cultural exchange initiative rather than a research or infrastructure program.
17) How much total funding did ECA estimate would be available?
ECA estimated total available funding at approximately $8.5 million, pending FY2010 resource availability.
18) What are the minimum and maximum award amounts?
The award floor is $1,000,000 and the award ceiling is $8,500,000.
19) Does the funding range allow for different implementation models?
Yes. The range leaves room for either a single large implementer covering the full program or several implementers each managing a segment, consistent with ECA anticipating approximately four awards.
20) When was the opportunity posted and when was the application due?
The opportunity was posted on July 23, 2009. The application deadline was September 25, 2009.
21) What does it mean that the opportunity was archived?
The listing indicates it was archived on September 26, 2009, meaning the posting was moved into an archived status after the deadline date provided in the summary.
22) Who is the program contact for questions or help accessing the full announcement?
The listed program contact is Hans Posey, Program Specialist, at poseyhe@state.gov.
23) What capacity should an applicant demonstrate to be competitive based on the description?
Based on the information provided, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate capacity to recruit, place, and support a large cohort of international undergraduate participants (approximately 250 to 275 total anticipated), across multiple U.S. community college campuses and communities, while coordinating significant cost share and partner contributions.
24) What role do community colleges and external partners play in the program model?
The program description anticipates cooperating community colleges and partners contributing meaningful resources (financial and in-kind) to support participants. This aligns with the program being multi-campus and networked, and with ECA emphasizing scalable models that maximize the number of students served.
25) Is the list of eligible student countries fixed?
No. The announcement provides examples of countries that may be included and notes that the list can change, implying flexibility in country participation within the broader expectation of including developing countries across every world region.
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