Project Proposals for the 2019-2021 English Access Microscholarship Program

Submission Deadline: July 24, 2019

U.S. Embassy Dushanbe announces a call for proposals for the 2019-2021 English Access Microscholarship Program. The purpose of this program is to provide disadvantaged youth with an opportunity to learn English language skills and enhance leadership through teaching the basics of American culture and values of democratic development and civic engagement. The program targets ninth grade secondary school students from underprivileged families to participate in the program. English Access Microscholarship programs must provide two years of English study, consisting of at least 180 hours of instruction per year. The program should consist of English language courses, as well as out-of-classroom activities and enhancement elements. Examples of enhancement elements related to English language and American culture include, but are not limited to, activities such as drama, computers, dance, art, music, games, sports, local trips, special cultural projects such as celebrating the Fourth of July, and/or events meant to develop leadership skills, build the spirit of team work, and promote social responsibility and tolerance. English Access Microscholarship Program intensive summer sessions are an important activity to supplement and/or conclude a student’s two-year English language programming. The sessions should be a minimum of one week long and may incorporate into their activities native and non-native English speaking partners in a summer camp format.

FY18 Access Cost Proposal template should have a detailed breakdown of costs for the two-year program including after school instruction, books/materials, students’ transportation and snacks, project administration, enhancement activities, intensive sessions, admin costs, etc. On average, costs associated with one student in the framework of the two-year program are approximately $1,000. Each project should include 25 students. Projects that involve higher numbers of students with lower costs are encouraged.  Students should be in the ninth grade when they start the program.

To be eligible for consideration, every applicant must be currently engaged in an English language teaching program.  Both governmental and non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply for this program.  Service providers from remote areas of Tajikistan are encouraged to apply.

More information on the program can be obtained from the Access Provider Handbook (PDF-2 MB) document.

Other Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible to receive an award, organizations must complete the following:

  1. Apply for a DUNS number and an NCAGE number (these can be completed simultaneously)
  2. DUNS application: Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet, if your organization does not have one already, you may obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or visiting http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
  3. NCAGE application: Application page here (but need to click magnifying glass and then scroll down to click new registration)https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx
  4. Instructions for the NCAGE application process:https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/Docs/US%20Instructions%20for%20NSPA%20NCAGE.pdf
  5. For help from within the U.S., call 1-888-227-2423
  6. For help from outside the U.S., call 1-269-961-7766
  7. Email NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil for any problems in getting an NCAGE code. After receiving the NCAGE Code, proceed to register in SAM by logging onto: https://www.sam.gov/
  8. Once DUNS and NCAGE are obtained, continue to SAM registration on www.SAM.gov
  9. Once SAM registration is confirmed, continue to Grants.gov organization registration http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.Organizations must maintain an active SAM registration (www.SAM.gov) with current information at all times during which they have an active Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Given the volume of applications, review may take up to 90 days, and we are unable to individually confirm receipt of proposals.
  10. Register yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and be authorized as an AOR by your organization on www.grants.gov

Cost Proposals (XLSX 376 KB)  and Technical Proposals (XSLX 475 KB) must be written in English and submitted electronically no later than July 24, 2019 to:

Nigina Mirzoeva
U.S. Embassy, Public Affairs Section
109 A Ismoili Somoni Avenue
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel: (992 37) 229 2327, 229 2000, fax: (992 37) 229 2050
Email: EnglishProgramsDushanbe@state.gov