2024/2025 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program | AF HAR FY24 07

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY24 07

The 2024/2025 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program is a U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (Public Diplomacy Section, Harare) funding opportunity that seeks one organization to run an EducationUSA support program designed to expand access to U.S. higher education for top-performing Zimbabwean students. The core purpose is practical and targeted: help highly qualified students who are competitive for scholarships at U.S. colleges and universities but cannot afford the upfront expenses that come before any scholarship money arrives, such as standardized testing, application fees, and credential evaluations. All project activities must focus on Zimbabwean participants and take place in Zimbabwe and the United States, with programming coordinated closely with the Embassy's Public Diplomacy team and EducationUSA advisers based in Zimbabwe.

The selected grantee will administer the Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) in coordination with the Embassy and EducationUSA, which will set the selection criteria and lead the selection committee. The work is structured around two advising and support phases during the 2024-2025 cycle. Phase one focuses on recruiting and supporting a cohort of seven students through the early stages of applying to U.S. institutions. This includes handling logistics and payments so students can take required standardized tests, pay university application fees, obtain transcript or credential evaluations, and cover other necessary application-related costs. The grantee is also expected to provide programmatic and logistical support to the EducationUSA advisers delivering structured advising sessions. These sessions cover the full U.S. admissions pipeline, including choosing schools, navigating financial aid and scholarship options, writing personal statements and essays, preparing recommendation letters, developing CVs or resumes, and understanding transcript equivalencies and documentation requirements. Phase one also includes paying stipends to regional advisers, indicating that part of the budget should support the advising network helping students through the process.

Phase two shifts from applications to departure and enrollment support. The grantee will manage travel and pre-departure logistics for about five students who ultimately move forward to study in the United States for the 2024-2025 academic year. Covered expenses in this phase include visa-related costs and SEVIS fees, international airfare, a settling-in allowance, and other directly related travel and transition expenses. While activities may occur in both countries, the program can be implemented virtually, with ongoing web- and phone-based counseling and advising, as long as coordination, logistics, and payments are handled reliably. A key expectation is strong financial stewardship and timely processing of payments and arrangements, since delays can cause students to miss testing deadlines, application windows, or travel start dates.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity anticipates a single award, with total funding available up to USD 57,960. The performance period can be up to 24 months, and the anticipated start date is October 2024. The funding instrument may be a grant or a cooperative agreement; under a cooperative agreement, Embassy staff will have more substantial involvement in implementation. The notice also notes that continuation funding beyond the initial period could be considered non-competitively, but only if funds are available, performance is satisfactory, and continued support aligns with U.S. Department of State interests. Administrative costs are allowed up to 10 percent, which sets a clear ceiling for overhead and indirect program administration within the proposed budget.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. and Zimbabwean non-profit entities, including NGOs, think tanks, civil society organizations, and public or private educational institutions. For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible, and cost sharing is not required. Organizational applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration, which is a standard U.S. federal assistance requirement; individuals do not need SAM.gov registration, though the primary applicants here are organizations.

To apply, organizations must request or download the application package and submit materials by email. The application package can be requested by emailing PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov (an automatic reply provides forms), and forms are also available via Grants.gov. Submissions must be in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars, and pages numbered. Required federal forms include the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs). All application materials must be emailed to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov with the subject line "2024/2025 EDUCATIONUSA OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROPOSAL." The original closing date listed for this opportunity is April 30, 2024, and the opportunity is identified as AF HAR FY24 07 under CFDA 19.022, issued by the U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe.

• The U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2024/2025 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-30. (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 $57,960.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for AF HAR FY24 07

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