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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): U.S. University Alumni Fairs (MRFP15 04)

What is the "U.S. University Alumni Fairs" grant opportunity?

It is a discretionary education program funded by the U.S. Mission to India and offered through a cooperative agreement. The project supports organizing U.S. University Alumni Fairs in western India to encourage more students to pursue higher education in the United States.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is MRFP15 04.

What is the main purpose of this grant?

The core purpose is to strengthen U.S.-India ties by increasing academic exchange, with a specific emphasis on motivating and informing students from western India to study in the United States.

How does this opportunity fit into broader U.S.-India priorities?

The opportunity is framed as supporting a broader diplomatic priority of deepening one of the key bilateral relationships of the 21st century through expanded educational exchange and people-to-people connections.

What kind of award mechanism is used?

This opportunity is offered through a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates closer coordination with the U.S. government during implementation compared to a standard grant.

What activities is the funded project expected to deliver?

The funded project is expected to organize two large, day-long U.S. University Alumni Fairs designed to attract and inform prospective Indian students and their families.

How many events are required, and how long are they?

Two events are required, and each is expected to be a large, day-long fair.

Where must the fairs be held?

One fair must be held in Ahmedabad. The second must be held in another city in western India other than Mumbai.

Is Mumbai an allowed location for the second fair?

No. The second fair must be held in a western India city other than Mumbai.

What is the expected size or attendance for each fair?

Each fair should be planned to accommodate roughly 800 attendees.

Who is the intended audience for the fairs?

The fairs are designed for prospective Indian students and their families, with programming intended to address practical questions about studying in the United States.

Who are the featured speakers or core participants at the fairs?

Indian alumni of U.S. universities are positioned as the centerpiece voices. The design relies on their credibility and ability to speak directly to real experiences and the value of U.S. higher education.

What other stakeholders are expected to participate?

In addition to alumni staffing information booths, the fairs should include participation from testing bodies, Indian parents who have already sent children to the U.S., and some university recruiters.

What topics should the fairs cover?

The fairs are expected to be practical and information-rich, including panel presentations that cover: education financing options, how a U.S. education can translate into career success back in India, and guidance that demystifies the U.S. student visa process.

What kinds of education financing topics are expected?

The announcement points to financing options likely including scholarships, assistantships, loans, and budgeting.

What is the goal of including parents who have already sent children to the U.S.?

Parents are expected to speak to real-world decision-making and concerns such as costs, safety, and outcomes, helping families feel more confident through peer experience.

Why include testing bodies?

Testing bodies are expected to help address standardized exams and preparation pathways as part of making the process clearer for students.

Why include university recruiters?

University recruiters can provide institutional details and admissions perspectives to complement alumni and parent insights.

What outcomes is the program trying to achieve through these fairs?

The overall goal is to lower informational barriers, build trust through peer-to-peer storytelling, and motivate qualified students in western India to consider U.S. institutions.

What is the estimated funding amount for this opportunity?

The opportunity anticipates a single award with an estimated total funding amount of $37,000.

What is the expected award range?

Awards are expected to fall between $30,000 and $40,000.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. and non-U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities, excluding those categories when they are institutions of higher education).

Are both U.S. and non-U.S. institutions eligible?

Yes. The eligibility statement includes both U.S. and non-U.S. institutions of higher education, as well as nonprofit organizations.

Which U.S. government entity is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai and the U.S. Mission to India.

Who is the point of contact for this opportunity?

The point of contact is the Grants Officer in the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai.

What is the contact phone number listed for the point of contact?

The listed phone number is 91 22 2672 4000.

When was the opportunity posted?

The announcement was posted on April 15, 2015.

What was the application closing date?

The application closing date was June 14, 2015.

What was the archive date?

The archive date was July 14, 2015.

What context does the announcement give about Indian student mobility to the U.S.?

It notes that India was the top sender of international students to the United States for much of the 2000s, was later surpassed by China, and then rebounded to more than 100,000 Indian students per year after renewed growth.

What does the cooperative agreement structure imply for implementation?

It implies the U.S. government likely expected close coordination during implementation, rather than a hands-off, one-time payment approach. The awardee would likely need to align event design, messaging, and outcomes with Mission public diplomacy and education outreach objectives.

What kind of planning considerations are implied by the event scale?

Planning to accommodate roughly 800 attendees per fair implies substantial logistical work around venue capacity, crowd flow, programming design, and coordination with participating stakeholders such as alumni, testing bodies, parents, and recruiters.