Request for FY14 Grant Proposals in ISRAEL
On behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs- the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv is pleased to announce the opening call for proposals for the FY14 English Access Microscholarship Program in Israel.
Local NGO’s and institutions are invited to submit their proposals by April 30, 2015 to the Office of Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv at Levyrx@state.gov
The English Access Microscholarships must provide a minimum of 360 hours over a two year period of high quality, American-style, after-school and English camps and enhancement activities to motivated, economically-disadvantaged 13-18 year-old students currently enrolled in the Israeli school system.
Program Information
Description: The Access Program develops English language skills amongst economically-disadvantaged youth (13-18 years of age), while also introducing them to American culture and society through after-school classes and enhancement activities. Access students often gain enough English to further their education at the college/university level and participate in future exchange opportunities in the U.S.
Project Overview:
The grantee organization will be expected to provide selected groups of students with two years of after-school English language instruction and enrichment activities, e.g. 180 hours of instruction per year or a minimum 360 hours over a two year period, aimed at improving students overall English language proficiency in the four basic skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading. In addition to providing quality EL instruction, grantees will be encouraged to conduct enhancement activities with content that gives the participants an appreciation for, U.S. culture and values. These activities may involve public speaking, negotiating, debate clubs, ModelUN, lesson modules on U.S. society and culture, celebrations of American holidays, community awareness activities and social responsibility -such as global youth service day and volunteerism, and English-language camps. Enhancement activities should be designed to help students better understand U.S. society, culture, history and values.
Objectives: The overall objective of the Access Program is to enhance the English-language skills of disadvantaged youth and thereby develop self-confidence, stronger critical thinking skills, tolerance and understanding, and skills to further study and compete in the job market.
Specific objectives include:
- Providing diverse students from economically-disadvantaged families with English language classes at no cost;
- Enabling students to develop leadership and interpersonal skills through various enrichment activities;
- Increasing students understanding of U.S. culture and values through enhancement activities;
- Providing students with improved English language skills to successfully participate in U.S. government-funded academic exchange programs and other public diplomacy initiatives.
- Provide professional development training for teachers in the program.
Administration: Grantee organizations are expected to keep administration costs to a minimum. Please note that administration costs may not exceed 10% of the total budget. Grantee organizations are also encouraged to consider cost-sharing. Please include in the budget the following:
- Instruction
- Books/Materials
- Transportation
- Enhancement activities
- Administration
Proposal Submission
Interested parties should contact the Office of Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv for the template: Levyrx@state.gov and submit your proposals electronically by April 30, 2015.
Incomplete proposals will not be taken into consideration. Kindly note that only applicants on short-listed project proposals will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Department of State Call for Proposals.
