Frequently Asked Questions -- Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange.docx

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Question: Regarding the Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange, could you please clarify the intended scope and acceptable forms of collaborative research?

· Answer: The NOFO explicitly states that scientific research or surveys are unallowable activities for funding (See page 4 This opportunity will not support, page 5 Program Goals and 6 Project Objectives).

1. Question: Could the Embassy provide guidance on the expected balance of resources between the collaborative research activities, student mobility components, and post-program externships?

· Answer: The NOFO explicitly states that scientific research or surveys are unallowable activities for funding (See page 4 This opportunity will not support). Proposals for consideration should focus on delivering the Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange, providing 76 Kenyan undergrads with a high-quality experience of American tech education through a junior-year semester of study at U.S. universities (See page 5 Program Goals). Externships with American companies in Kenya, following the university portion of the program, are a required element of the program, as is the further development of a pro-American alumni network (See page 6 Project Objectives).

1. Question: Does the Embassy believe stronger alignment is demonstrated through a smaller number of deep, bilateral university partnerships, or through a broader network of participating U.S. and Kenyan institutions?

· Answer: In considering depth vs. breadth in managing U.S. university placements, either approach is allowable. What is required is that qualified proposals must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to deliver and administer the Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange, providing 76 Kenyan undergrads with a high-quality experience of American tech education through a junior-year semester of study at U.S. universities, as well as required externships with U.S. firms in Kenya and alumni network development. (See page 5 Project Background, See page 7 U.S. Embassy Roles and Responsibilities).

1. Question: The NOFO notes Embassy review and approval of proposed U.S. host institutions. For application purposes, does the Embassy expect applicants to identify specific U.S. universities and include letters of commitment or Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), or is it acceptable to propose a structured host institution selection framework and approval criteria, with specific U.S. institutions to be finalized post award, subject to Embassy review and approval?

· Answer: Proposals do not require letters of commitment from host institutions at this stage. Qualified proposals must demonstrate the organizational capacity, expertise, internal controls, and planning required to successfully facilitate university placements and thereby deliver the Freedom 250 Tech and Innovation Exchange experience. (See page 7 Recipient Roles and Responsibilities).

1. Question: With respect to the externships with U.S. companies in Kenya that take place following the U.S. academic semester, at the application stage, does the Embassy expect formal letters of commitment from participating companies, or a detailed externship model, engagement strategy, and criteria for company participation, with formal company commitments to be secured post award?

· Answer: Proposals do not require letters of commitment from U.S. companies at this stage. Qualified proposals must demonstrate the organizational capacity, expertise, internal controls, and planning required to successfully facilitate the post-university externships with U.S. firms in Kenya. (See page 7 Recipient Roles and Responsibilities).

1. Question: To ensure full compliance with our solicitation requirements, could you please confirm the final application submission deadline?

· Answer: The official deadline listed throughout the document is May 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM EAT. This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. (See page 13 Submission Dates and Times).

1. Question: Page 8 of the NOFO states that proposals are limited to seven pages and lists the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) among the required proposal components. Could you please confirm whether the Performance Monitoring Plan is included within the seven-page limit, or whether it should be submitted as a separate attachment, and if so, whether there is a page limit for that attachment.

· Answer: The main proposal is limited to seven pages maximum (See page 8). Please be advised that the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Narrative is limited to a maximum of two pages. Applicants may include an additional addendum to provide qualitative context or detailed explanations; however, this supplemental information is not a mandatory requirement for technical eligibility. (See page 9 Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative).