U.S. Kosovo Youth Exchange Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Kosovo Youth Exchange Program (Cooperative Agreement)

1) What is the U.S. Kosovo Youth Exchange Program?

The U.S. Kosovo Youth Exchange Program is a U.S. Department of State-funded exchange opportunity run through the U.S. Embassy in Pristina. It supports a one academic year exchange in the United States for Kosovo high school students, including study at U.S. high schools, living with U.S. host families, English strengthening, and leadership development through structured exchange experiences.

2) What is the main purpose of this program?

The core purpose is to give selected Kosovo high school students the chance to study in U.S. high schools, live with U.S. host families, strengthen their English, and build leadership skills through structured exchange experiences.

3) Who is funding and overseeing this opportunity?

This opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of State and run through the U.S. Embassy in Pristina. The selected organization would implement the project while coordinating closely with the U.S. government under a cooperative agreement.

4) Is this a grant to run a program, or a scholarship application for students?

Based on the information provided, this is a competitive request for proposals seeking one organization to take full responsibility for designing and operating the exchange program. The opportunity described is for an implementing organization (not a direct student scholarship application in this listing).

5) How many awards are expected?

One cooperative agreement is expected, with one expected recipient.

6) What type of award is this?

The award is a cooperative agreement, meaning the recipient implements the project while coordinating closely with the U.S. government, including embassy involvement in specific aspects such as student selection.

7) What is the total estimated funding amount?

The total estimated funding is $742,500.

8) Is $742,500 also the maximum award amount?

Yes. The same amount ($742,500) is listed as the award ceiling.

9) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed.

10) What is the program category?

The funding opportunity is categorized under education.

11) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is tied to CFDA 19.415: Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges.

12) What does the selected organization have to do?

The organization must manage every major component of program delivery from start to finish. That includes outreach and advertising in Kosovo, running a fair and transparent application process, evaluating written applications, interviewing candidates, coordinating with the embassy during selection, placing students with screened U.S. host families, enrolling students in U.S. high schools, arranging English language support as needed, managing travel and logistics, providing health insurance, delivering orientations (pre-departure and upon arrival), and planning follow-on activities for returning students (re-entry support and alumni engagement).

13) What does "full responsibility from start to finish" mean in this context?

It means the awardee is responsible for designing and operating the entire exchange program cycle. This includes recruitment and selection in Kosovo, placements and support in the United States during the academic year, and post-program follow-on activities once students return to Kosovo.

14) What outreach and recruitment activities are expected in Kosovo?

The awardee must advertise and conduct outreach in Kosovo so eligible students learn about the opportunity and can apply.

15) What is expected of the student application and selection process?

The awardee must run a fair, transparent application process, including reviewing and evaluating written applications and interviewing candidates. The U.S. Embassy will be directly involved at the selection stage.

16) What role does the U.S. Embassy play in selecting students?

The embassy will be directly involved at the selection stage, with at least one representative participating on the committee that evaluates student applications.

17) What placement responsibilities does the awardee have in the United States?

The awardee must place students with screened U.S. host families and enroll students in appropriate U.S. high schools.

18) Are host families required to be screened?

Yes. The information specifies placement with screened U.S. host families.

19) Does the program include English language support?

Yes. The organization must provide English language support for students who are not yet sufficiently fluent. This implies assessing language needs and arranging classes or instruction to help students function academically and socially during the exchange.

20) What travel and logistics must the awardee arrange?

The recipient must arrange travel and in-country logistics, including international airfare, transportation to and from airports, and coordination of arrivals and departures.

21) Is health insurance required for participants?

Yes. Health insurance must be provided for participants.

22) Are orientations required as part of the program?

Yes. The program must include orientation programming both prior to departure and upon arrival in the United States.

23) Does the program include activities after students return to Kosovo?

Yes. The awardee must plan follow-on activities for returning students, supporting re-entry and encouraging alumni engagement and continued leadership development back in Kosovo.

24) Who can apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligible applicants include educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations, including nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, as described in the solicitation.

25) Is prior experience in youth exchanges important?

Yes. The embassy is encouraging proposals from organizations that already have demonstrated experience in youth exchanges, leadership development, and hands-on program implementation.

26) What should a competitive proposal demonstrate?

A competitive proposal should show the applicant has the staffing, partnerships, safeguarding practices, and operational systems needed to recruit students, manage placements, support minors abroad, and reliably deliver orientations and alumni programming across the full program cycle.

27) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SLMAQM RFA CA 11 EUR 003.

28) When was this opportunity posted?

The posted date is February 25, 2011.

29) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is April 29, 2011. The same date is shown as the current closing date.

30) Who are the main program contacts at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina?

The primary program contacts listed are Emilia A. Puma (Public Affairs Officer) at pumaea@state.gov and Merita Musmurati (Program Assistant) at musmuratimb@state.gov.

31) Who can be contacted for grants management or access issues?

A grants management point of contact for access issues is Nicole Martin, Grants Management Specialist, reachable at 703-875-5222.

32) What does "competitive request for proposals" imply for applicants?

It means organizations are expected to submit a complete program plan and compete for selection. The plan should demonstrate the organization can recruit, select, place, support, and successfully return students while meeting exchange program standards and timelines.