Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA PE C AF NEA WHA 10 53
Apply for ECA PE C AF NEA WHA 10 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 "Trans Saharan Professionals Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415 Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs Citizen Exchanges.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 9, 2010 and posted on Apr 9, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 20, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,650,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $650,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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 Private institutions of higher education.
- Please see full announcement.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Trans Saharan Professionals Program is a U.S. Department of State exchange grant opportunity offered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Citizen Exchanges. It funds professional exchange projects focused on the Trans Sahara Africa region, with the intent of strengthening civil society and building durable professional partnerships between U.S. participants and counterparts in eligible countries. The announcement is structured as an open competition in which the agency expects to fund three separate projects, awarding one grant per theme to three different organizations.
At its core, the program is designed as a true two-way exchange rather than a one-directional training program. Funded projects are expected to include travel and structured professional engagement for both foreign participants coming to the United States and U.S. professionals traveling to partner countries. A central component on the U.S. side is a three to four week professional development experience for foreign participants, typically organized as study tours and internships that provide hands-on exposure to U.S. institutions, practices, and networks. At the same time, U.S. participants are expected to share their expertise abroad while also learning from local professionals, ensuring the exchange is reciprocal and grounded in real professional collaboration.
The opportunity emphasizes four main goals. First, it aims to give participants from eligible foreign countries meaningful professional development through multi-week U.S.-based programming. Second, it aims to create structured opportunities for U.S. professionals to engage directly with peers in the region in ways that support knowledge sharing in both directions. Third, it prioritizes mutual understanding and the creation of partnerships between key professional groups, with a clear expectation that relationships and collaborative work will continue beyond the official grant period and after ECA funding ends. Fourth, it encourages outreach to mass media so the program and its outcomes reach a broader public audience, extending the impact beyond the immediate participants.
Applicants are expected to propose projects that clearly connect professional learning to longer-term contributions. The announcement underscores that participants should come away with enhanced skills and career-relevant learning, and that they are also expected to contribute their expertise to the program itself, reinforcing the idea of peer-based exchange and collaborative problem solving. Proposals should also show how the activities will strengthen civil society in the locations where exchanges take place, which generally means demonstrating credible local partnerships, practical applications of the exchange experience, and plans for sustained engagement that benefits communities and institutions.
In terms of funding details, this is a discretionary grant competition under CFDA 19.415 (Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs, Citizen Exchanges). The estimated total funding available is $1,650,000, with an award ceiling of $650,000. The agency anticipates making three awards in total. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources (cash and/or allowable in-kind support) as part of the overall project budget. The funding opportunity number is ECA PE C AF NEA WHA 10 53, and the program was originally posted April 9, 2010, with an application deadline of May 20, 2010 (archived May 21, 2010).
Eligibility is aimed primarily at U.S.-based public and nonprofit organizations, including nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status. The announcement also lists public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education as eligible applicant types, along with a category of "Others" that requires consultation of the full announcement for specifics. For access issues or questions tied to the official notice, the listed point of contact is Hans Posey, Program Specialist (poseyhe@state.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Trans Saharan Professionals Program
What is the Trans Saharan Professionals Program?
The Trans Saharan Professionals Program is a U.S. Department of State exchange grant opportunity offered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Citizen Exchanges. It funds professional exchange projects focused on the Trans Sahara Africa region, with the intent of strengthening civil society and building durable professional partnerships between U.S. participants and counterparts in eligible countries.
Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Citizen Exchanges.
Is this a training program or an exchange program?
It is designed as a true two-way exchange rather than a one-directional training program. Funded projects are expected to include meaningful professional engagement for both foreign participants coming to the United States and U.S. professionals traveling to partner countries.
What region does the program focus on?
The program focuses on the Trans Sahara Africa region and supports exchanges with counterparts in eligible countries in that region.
How many projects does the agency expect to fund?
The announcement is structured as an open competition in which the agency expects to fund three separate projects total.
How are awards distributed across project themes?
The agency expects to make one grant per theme, and the three awards are expected to go to three different organizations.
What types of activities are expected on the U.S. side of the exchange?
A central component on the U.S. side is a three to four week professional development experience for foreign participants. This is typically organized as study tours and internships that provide hands-on exposure to U.S. institutions, practices, and professional networks.
What types of activities are expected on the overseas side of the exchange?
U.S. professionals are expected to travel to partner countries to share their expertise and engage with local professionals. The overseas component is intended to be reciprocal, meaning U.S. participants also learn from local counterparts and collaborate in real professional contexts.
How long is the U.S.-based professional development component for foreign participants?
The U.S.-based professional development experience for foreign participants is expected to last three to four weeks.
What are the main goals of the program?
The opportunity emphasizes four main goals: (1) provide meaningful professional development for participants from eligible foreign countries through multi-week U.S.-based programming; (2) create structured opportunities for U.S. professionals to engage directly with peers in the region with two-way knowledge sharing; (3) promote mutual understanding and create partnerships that continue beyond the grant period and after ECA funding ends; and (4) encourage outreach to mass media so the program and outcomes reach a broader public audience.
What does the program mean by a "two-way exchange"?
Two-way exchange means the program is not limited to bringing foreign participants to the United States. It also requires U.S. professionals to engage abroad, and it expects learning and knowledge sharing to happen in both directions, grounded in peer-based professional collaboration.
What kinds of outcomes are proposals expected to demonstrate?
Applicants are expected to propose projects that connect professional learning to longer-term contributions. The announcement underscores that participants should gain enhanced skills and career-relevant learning, contribute their expertise to the exchange, and apply the experience in practical ways that strengthen civil society in the locations where exchanges take place.
How should projects address strengthening civil society?
Proposals should show how exchange activities will strengthen civil society in the places where the exchanges occur. The announcement points to the importance of credible local partnerships, practical application of the exchange experience, and plans for sustained engagement that benefits communities and institutions.
Is sustained engagement expected after the grant period ends?
Yes. A clear expectation is that relationships and collaborative work will continue beyond the official grant period and after ECA funding ends.
Is media outreach part of the program requirements?
The opportunity encourages outreach to mass media so the program and its outcomes reach a broader public audience, extending impact beyond the immediate participants.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant competition under CFDA 19.415 (Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs, Citizen Exchanges).
How much total funding is available under this competition?
The estimated total funding available is $1,650,000.
What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling is $650,000.
How many awards will be made?
The agency anticipates making three awards in total.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should plan to contribute non-federal resources as part of the overall project budget. The announcement notes this can include cash and/or allowable in-kind support.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is ECA PE C AF NEA WHA 10 53.
When was the opportunity posted and what was the deadline?
The program was originally posted on April 9, 2010. The application deadline was May 20, 2010, and the opportunity was archived on May 21, 2010.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is aimed primarily at U.S.-based public and nonprofit organizations, including nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status. The announcement also lists public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and a category of "Others" (with specifics requiring consultation of the full announcement).
Are higher education institutions eligible applicants?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant types.
What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?
The announcement includes an "Others" category but indicates applicants should consult the full announcement for the specific details of what entities may qualify under that category.
Who is the point of contact for access issues or questions tied to the official notice?
The listed point of contact is Hans Posey, Program Specialist. Email: poseyhe@state.gov.
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