Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA PE C WHA EAP 08 53
Apply for ECA PE C WHA EAP 08 53
- 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 "Ngwang Choepel Fellows program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 00.000 Not Elsewhere Classified.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 14, 2008 and posted on Mar 14, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 9, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $650,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $162,250.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
- Please see full announcement.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Ngwang Choepel Fellows program was a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant competition run through the Office of Citizen Exchanges. Its core purpose was to support exchange-based projects centered on two linked themes: cultural preservation and economic self-sufficiency. The program was designed to train and assist Tibetans living in Tibetan communities in China by connecting them with professional development opportunities and structured exposure to American society and culture. In practice, this meant projects built around internships, workshops, and other hands-on learning activities hosted by U.S. institutions, with an emphasis on practical skills, professional networks, and real-world experience that participants could carry back to their communities.
A key feature of the opportunity was its two-way exchange intent. While the program aimed to provide Tibetans with substantive learning experiences, it also explicitly sought to create opportunities for Americans and U.S. host institutions to learn about Tibetan culture and better understand the social and economic challenges facing Tibetan communities today. Applicants were allowed to propose programming in either direction: projects could bring Tibetan fellows to the United States, send Americans to Tibet, or combine both approaches if the design supported the program goals. Overall, the exchange model was meant to produce mutual understanding alongside tangible capacity-building outcomes related to cultural continuity and community-level economic resilience.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary grant competition (Funding Opportunity Number ECA-PE-C-WHA-EAP-08-53) with an estimated total funding pool of $650,000 and an expectation of four awards. Individual awards were anticipated to range from a floor of $60,000 to a ceiling of $162,250. Cost sharing or matching was required, meaning applicants needed to contribute resources beyond federal funds (for example, cash match, in-kind contributions, or partner-provided support, depending on the full announcement terms).
Eligibility was open to several categories of U.S.-based organizations: nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), as well as public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The official notice indicated additional eligibility details were provided in the full announcement. The grant was posted on March 14, 2008, and the application deadline was May 9, 2008, with the archive date of May 10, 2008, indicating the opportunity is historical rather than currently open.
For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement at the time, the listed point of contact was Hans Posey, Program Specialist, reachable at poseyhe@state.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Ngwang Choepel Fellows Program (Historical)
1) What was the Ngwang Choepel Fellows program?
The Ngwang Choepel Fellows program was a U.S. Department of State grant competition run by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) through the Office of Citizen Exchanges. It supported exchange-based projects designed to train and assist Tibetans living in Tibetan communities in China through professional development and structured exposure to American society and culture.
2) What were the main themes or focus areas of the program?
The program centered on two linked themes: cultural preservation and economic self-sufficiency. Proposed projects were expected to connect exchange activities to practical outcomes that supported cultural continuity and community-level economic resilience.
3) What types of activities were supported under this opportunity?
Projects were described as being built around hands-on learning activities hosted by U.S. institutions, including internships, workshops, and other practical professional development experiences. The emphasis was on practical skills, professional networks, and real-world experience participants could bring back to their communities.
4) Who were the intended participants or beneficiaries?
The program was designed to train and assist Tibetans living in Tibetan communities in China by connecting them with professional development opportunities and exposure to American society and culture through structured exchange programming.
5) What did "exchange-based" mean in this program?
"Exchange-based" referred to structured programming intended to build mutual understanding and capacity-building outcomes. The model emphasized learning experiences connected to cultural preservation and economic self-sufficiency, alongside people-to-people engagement between Tibetan participants and Americans/U.S. host institutions.
6) Was the program intended to be a two-way exchange?
Yes. A key feature was its two-way exchange intent. In addition to supporting Tibetan fellows, the program explicitly sought to create opportunities for Americans and U.S. host institutions to learn about Tibetan culture and better understand the social and economic challenges facing Tibetan communities.
7) Could projects bring Tibetan fellows to the United States?
Yes. Applicants were allowed to propose projects that brought Tibetan fellows to the United States, consistent with the program goals of professional development and structured exposure to American society and culture.
8) Could projects send Americans to Tibet?
Yes. Applicants could also propose programming that sent Americans to Tibet, as long as the design supported the program goals related to mutual understanding, cultural preservation, and economic self-sufficiency.
9) Could an applicant propose a project that combined both directions of exchange?
Yes. The program allowed applicants to combine both approaches (bringing Tibetan fellows to the United States and sending Americans to Tibet) if the design supported the program goals.
10) What U.S. government office and bureau managed this opportunity?
This was a U.S. Department of State opportunity administered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), run through the Office of Citizen Exchanges.
11) What was the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number was ECA-PE-C-WHA-EAP-08-53.
12) What type of funding opportunity was this?
This was a discretionary grant competition.
13) How much total funding was estimated to be available?
The estimated total funding pool was $650,000.
14) How many awards were expected?
The opportunity indicated an expectation of four awards.
15) What was the anticipated award size?
Individual awards were anticipated to range from $60,000 (floor) to $162,250 (ceiling).
16) Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required, meaning applicants needed to contribute resources beyond federal funds. The provided summary referenced examples such as cash match, in-kind contributions, or partner-provided support (depending on the full announcement terms).
17) Which organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligibility was open to certain U.S.-based organizations, including nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), public/state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.
18) Were there additional eligibility details beyond the categories listed?
Yes. The official notice indicated that additional eligibility details were provided in the full announcement.
19) When was the opportunity posted?
The grant was posted on March 14, 2008.
20) What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was May 9, 2008.
21) Is this opportunity currently open?
No. The archive date was May 10, 2008, which indicates the opportunity is historical rather than currently open.
22) Who was the point of contact listed for accessing the full announcement?
The listed point of contact was Hans Posey, Program Specialist.
23) What email address was provided for the point of contact?
The email address provided was poseyhe@state.gov.
24) What outcomes was the program trying to achieve?
The program sought to produce mutual understanding through exchange while also generating tangible capacity-building outcomes tied to cultural continuity and community-level economic resilience. It emphasized practical skills, stronger professional networks, and real-world experience that participants could carry back to their communities.
25) What role did U.S. institutions play in supported projects?
U.S. institutions were described as hosts for hands-on learning activities such as internships and workshops, providing professional development opportunities and structured exposure to American society and culture. The program also emphasized that U.S. host institutions and Americans should gain opportunities to learn about Tibetan culture and challenges.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: MIDWEST CLEAN DIESEL INITIATIVE
Previous opportunity: Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare Applied Research and Advanced Technology Development
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 PE C WHA EAP 08 53
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ECA PE C WHA EAP 08 53) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Teacher Exchange Program Apply for ECA A E 09 01 Funding Number: ECA A E 09 01 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,750,000 |
| FY 2008 Incident Qualifications System (IQS) Apply for DHS 08 GPD 001 001 Funding Number: DHS 08 GPD 001 001 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 |
| PRM NGO Programs Assisting Iraqi Refugee Populations Apply for PRM ANE 08 CA NEA 031708 IRAQIS Funding Number: PRM ANE 08 CA NEA 031708 IRAQIS Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| English Language Teaching (ELT) Materials Development Project and English Language Educators Summer Institute Apply for ECA A L 08 02 Funding Number: ECA A L 08 02 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Learn and Serve America Indian Tribes Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative FY 2008 Apply for CNCS GRANTS 031908 002 Funding Number: CNCS GRANTS 031908 002 Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| PRM NGO Refugee Reintegration Projects in Southern Sudan Apply for PRM AFR 08 CA AF 031908 SUDAN Funding Number: PRM AFR 08 CA AF 031908 SUDAN Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| PRM NGO Projects in the Horn of Africa Apply for PRM AFR 07 CA AF 03182008 HORN Funding Number: PRM AFR 07 CA AF 03182008 HORN Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| PRM NGO Projects in Great Lakes Central Africa Apply for PRM AFR 08 CA AF 03192008 GL CENTRAL Funding Number: PRM AFR 08 CA AF 03192008 GL CENTRAL Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Faith and Community A Dialogue Apply for ECA PE C NEA AF 08 24 Funding Number: ECA PE C NEA AF 08 24 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program Apply for ECA PE C PY 08 11 Funding Number: ECA PE C PY 08 11 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Assistance to Firefighters Grants Apply for DHS 08 GPD 044 001 Funding Number: DHS 08 GPD 044 001 Agency: Department of Homeland Security FEMA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,750,000 |
| FY 2008 Funding Opportunity Announcement for PRM Programs that Target Prevention of and Response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) Apply for PRM SGP 08 CA 001 GL 032708 Funding Number: PRM SGP 08 CA 001 GL 032708 Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Congressionally Mandated One time Grants Program for Academic Programs Apply for ECA A 08 ONE TIME COMP A Funding Number: ECA A 08 ONE TIME COMP A Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,200,000 |
| Congressionally Mandated One time Grants Program Competition B Professional, Cultural, and Youth One time Grants Program Apply for ECA PE C 08 ONE TIME COMP B Funding Number: ECA PE C 08 ONE TIME COMP B Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| PRM NGO Projects in the North and South Caucasus Apply for PRM ECA 08 CA 001 EUR 032808 Funding Number: PRM ECA 08 CA 001 EUR 032808 Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| PRM supported NGO projects benefiting Sudanese and Central African Refugees in Chad beginning June 1, 2008 September 30, 2008 Apply for PRM AFR 08 CA AF 033108 CHAD Funding Number: PRM AFR 08 CA AF 033108 CHAD Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Request for Proposals CAFTA DR Programs Apply for DRL 07 GR 020 CAFTADR 040108 Funding Number: DRL 07 GR 020 CAFTADR 040108 Agency: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Investigation/Prosecution of Odometer Fraud Apply for DTNH22 08 R 00116 Funding Number: DTNH22 08 R 00116 Agency: DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $152,000 |
| Freedom of Expression and Information Through Technology RFP Apply for DRL 08 GR 001 GIFT 040408 Funding Number: DRL 08 GR 001 GIFT 040408 Agency: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $13,800,000 |
| PRM NGO Projects in the Balkans Apply for PRM ECA 08 CA 002 EUR 040408 Funding Number: PRM ECA 08 CA 002 EUR 040408 Agency: Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,100,000 |
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
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 PE C WHA EAP 08 53", 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.