Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA ECAAS 15 008

  • 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 "FY 2015 EducationUSA Leadership Institutes" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.432 Academic Exchange Programs Educational Advising and Student Services.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Mar 31, 2015 and posted on Mar 31, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 29, 2015 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
  • none
Apply for ECA ECAAS 15 008

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Opportunity Summary:

The FY 2015 EducationUSA Leadership Institutes opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number ECA ECAAS 15 008) was a discretionary U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant competition offered under the Academic Exchange Programs and Educational Advising and Student Services CFDA listing (19.432). The award instrument was a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government anticipated an active partnership with the recipient in shaping and carrying out the project rather than simply providing funds with minimal involvement. The program sat within EducationUSA, a network managed by the Office of Global Educational Programs that supports students in roughly 170 countries through more than 400 advising centers worldwide. Those centers provide accurate, current guidance on the breadth of U.S. higher education options, help students identify appropriate academic matches, and also support U.S. colleges and universities with international recruitment and outreach by helping them navigate overseas markets and explain the complexity of the U.S. system to foreign institutions and government counterparts.

At its core, this funding opportunity was designed to strengthen EducationUSA's mission by developing targeted leadership institutes for select foreign university and government representatives. The main purpose was capacity building: increasing participants knowledge of key issues within U.S. higher education so they can better understand how the U.S. system works, how institutions differ, how admissions and enrollment operate, and how partnerships with U.S. institutions can be developed and sustained. By investing in structured learning experiences for influential stakeholders abroad, the initiative aimed to improve the quality of information and decision-making around U.S. study and collaboration in participants home countries, which in turn supports U.S. higher education engagement internationally.

The maximum potential federal funding level listed for an individual award was up to $500,000 (award ceiling $500,000), with no stated minimum (award floor $0). The announcement indicated no cost-sharing or matching requirement, so applicants were not required to provide non-federal funds as a condition of eligibility, although programs like this often still view leveraged resources and in-kind contributions as beneficial from a competitiveness standpoint when they align with program goals. The opportunity was posted and created on March 31, 2015, and the application deadline was May 29, 2015. The record shows an archive date of June 28, 2015, reflecting that the competition was a time-bound cycle rather than an open, ongoing funding stream.

Eligibility was open to a range of U.S.-based organizations with the capacity to design and deliver an institute-style program, specifically private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (including nonprofits other than institutions of higher education). The listing also included an "Others" category with a note to see additional eligibility details, though the provided source text does not include further restrictions or clarifications. In practical terms, this eligibility set fits the nature of leadership institutes, which typically require strong program management, academic content expertise, participant support services, and the ability to coordinate international participants, logistics, and stakeholder engagement.

For applicants and prospective partners, the key takeaway is that this program was less about individual student scholarships and more about influencing the broader ecosystem that shapes international engagement with U.S. higher education. By training and informing foreign higher education leaders and government representatives, the institutes were intended to create more informed counterparts overseas, strengthen channels for advising and collaboration, and reinforce the EducationUSA network's role as a trusted source of comprehensive information on U.S. higher education. For technical issues accessing the full announcement at the time, the notice directed users to the Grants.gov Contact Center (1-800-518-4726, support@grants.gov), available 24/7 except federal holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FY 2015 EducationUSA Leadership Institutes (ECA-ECAAS-15-008)

What is the FY 2015 EducationUSA Leadership Institutes funding opportunity?

It was a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), to support the development and delivery of targeted leadership institutes connected to EducationUSA. The opportunity was identified as Funding Opportunity Number ECA-ECAAS-15-008.

Which federal office offered this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), within the context of EducationUSA and the Office of Global Educational Programs.

What is the CFDA listing associated with this program?

This opportunity fell under the Academic Exchange Programs and Educational Advising and Student Services CFDA listing, number 19.432.

What type of award instrument was used?

The award instrument was a cooperative agreement. This indicates the U.S. government anticipated an active partnership with the recipient in shaping and carrying out the project, rather than simply providing funds with minimal involvement.

What was the main purpose of the program?

The main purpose was capacity building through leadership institutes for select foreign university and government representatives. The institutes were intended to strengthen understanding of key issues in U.S. higher education and support better-informed engagement with U.S. institutions.

Was this opportunity intended to fund individual student scholarships?

No. Based on the description provided, the focus was not individual scholarships. Instead, it aimed to influence the broader ecosystem by training foreign higher education leaders and government representatives who shape decision-making about U.S. study and collaboration.

How did the program connect to EducationUSA?

The program supported EducationUSA's mission by developing targeted leadership institutes that improve understanding of the U.S. higher education system among influential stakeholders abroad. EducationUSA is a network managed by the Office of Global Educational Programs.

What does EducationUSA do?

EducationUSA supports students in roughly 170 countries through more than 400 advising centers worldwide. The centers provide accurate, current guidance on U.S. higher education options, help students identify appropriate academic matches, and support U.S. colleges and universities with international recruitment and outreach by helping them navigate overseas markets and explain the U.S. system to foreign institutions and government counterparts.

Who were the intended participants in the leadership institutes?

The intended participants were select foreign university representatives and foreign government representatives, with the goal of building their knowledge of the U.S. higher education landscape and how partnerships with U.S. institutions can be developed and sustained.

What kinds of topics were the institutes meant to cover?

Based on the provided description, institutes were meant to increase participants' knowledge of key issues within U.S. higher education, including how the U.S. system works, how institutions differ, how admissions and enrollment operate, and how partnerships with U.S. institutions can be developed and sustained.

What was the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling listed for an individual award was up to $500,000.

Was there a minimum award amount?

No minimum was stated. The award floor was listed as $0.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement indicated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to provide non-federal funds as a condition of eligibility.

When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted and created on March 31, 2015. The application deadline was May 29, 2015.

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The record shows an archive date of June 28, 2015, indicating it was a time-bound competition cycle rather than an ongoing open funding stream.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was open to U.S.-based organizations including private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (including nonprofits other than institutions of higher education). The listing also included an "Others" category with a note to see additional eligibility details, but additional restrictions or clarifications were not included in the provided text.

Does the listing mention any additional eligibility categories?

Yes. It included an "Others" category with a note to see additional eligibility details; however, the source text provided does not include those additional details.

Why would higher education institutions and nonprofits be appropriate applicants for this program?

The eligibility categories align with the operational needs of institute-style programs, which typically require program management capacity, academic content expertise, participant support services, and the ability to coordinate international participants, logistics, and stakeholder engagement.

What was the broader intended impact of the institutes?

By training and informing foreign higher education leaders and government representatives, the institutes were intended to improve the quality of information and decision-making about U.S. study and collaboration in participants' home countries, strengthen advising and collaboration channels, and reinforce EducationUSA as a trusted source of comprehensive information on U.S. higher education.

Where were applicants directed for technical help accessing the announcement?

For technical issues accessing the full announcement at the time, users were directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. The contact center was listed as available 24/7 except federal holidays.

What is the key distinguishing feature of a cooperative agreement in this context?

A cooperative agreement suggests substantial involvement by the U.S. government, with an active partnership role in shaping and carrying out the project, rather than a more hands-off approach.

Browse more: Education Grants, Education Loans, Pell Grants

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)

Next opportunity: 2015 Groundwork USA Annual Assembly and Youth Summit

Previous opportunity: Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for ECA ECAAS 15 008

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ECA ECAAS 15 008) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
The Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area Apply for NPS 15 NERO 0021

Funding Number: NPS 15 NERO 0021
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $427,000
15.PMWRA.Jordan.VA.NOFO Apply for PM PMWRA 15 021

Funding Number: PM PMWRA 15 021
Agency: PM Weapons Removal and Abatement
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $500,000
Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) Apply for DHS 15 GPD 067 000 02

Funding Number: DHS 15 GPD 067 000 02
Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Fiscal Year 2015 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) Apply for DHS 15 GPD 057 000 01

Funding Number: DHS 15 GPD 057 000 01
Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) Amtrak Apply for DHS 15 GPD 075 000 01

Funding Number: DHS 15 GPD 075 000 01
Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Task Agreement with Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, Inc. Apply for NPS 15 NERO 0022

Funding Number: NPS 15 NERO 0022
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $270,420
Cultural Programming in Kabul, Jalalabad, Herat, Mazar e Sharif and Bamyan Apply for SCAKAB 15 CA 004 SCA 04012015

Funding Number: SCAKAB 15 CA 004 SCA 04012015
Agency: Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $200,000
Historic Preservation Fund Grants to Underrepresented Communities Apply for P15AS00078

Funding Number: P15AS00078
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $75,000
Implementation of the Monitoring Plan for the American Peregrine Falcon in Utah Apply for F15AS00158

Funding Number: F15AS00158
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $16,000
Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program Apply for DHS 15 GPD 067 000 01

Funding Number: DHS 15 GPD 067 000 01
Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Apply for DHS 15 GPD 008 000 01

Funding Number: DHS 15 GPD 008 000 01
Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) Apply for DHS 15 GPD 056 000 01

Funding Number: DHS 15 GPD 056 000 01
Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
FY 2015 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) Apply for DHS 15 GPD 075 000 02

Funding Number: DHS 15 GPD 075 000 02
Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
FY 2015 English Access Microscholarship Apply for ECA ECAALW 15 003

Funding Number: ECA ECAALW 15 003
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $25,000,000
FY15 Iraq Mine Risk Education Notice of Funding Opportunity Apply for PM PMWRA 15 024

Funding Number: PM PMWRA 15 024
Agency: PM Weapons Removal and Abatement
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $669,159
High Resolution Land Cover Data Apply for NPS 15 NERO 0023

Funding Number: NPS 15 NERO 0023
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $1,307,953
Russian Olive and Siberian Elm Control Apply for F15AS00161

Funding Number: F15AS00161
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $24,000
Request for Applications for Title II Development Food Assistance Projects for Bangladesh and Mali Apply for FFP FY 15 RFA

Funding Number: FFP FY 15 RFA
Agency: Agency for International Development
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $74,999,999
Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Apply for NPS 15 NERO 0024

Funding Number: NPS 15 NERO 0024
Agency: National Park Service
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $300,000
FY 2015 International Exchange Alumni Enrichment Seminars Apply for ECA ECAPA 15 001

Funding Number: ECA ECAPA 15 001
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Funding Amount: $1,500,000

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

USGrants.org applicant portal membership

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ECA ECAAS 15 008", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.