FY2025 EducationUSA NOFO.pdf

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2025 EducationUSA Advising Services Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0010349

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) Number: 19.432 Deadline for Applications: July 3, 2024

Executive Summary:

The Educational Information and Resources Branch (EducationUSA Branch or ECA/A/S/A) in the Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces a NOFO for up to three cooperative agreements to administer FY 2025 EducationUSA Advising Services, pending the availability of FY 2025 funds. EducationUSA is the U.S. Department of State’s global network of over 430 educational advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories. EducationUSA advisers provide accurate, comprehensive, and current information about the full range of U.S. higher education opportunities, guiding prospective students to find the institution that best fits their needs.

In addition, the EducationUSA network assists accredited HEIs to help institutional leaders meet their campus internationalization goals, including strategic guidance to U.S.

institutions regarding relevant international higher education systems and partners to enhance their international networks and potential partnerships. The EducationUSA network, in collaboration with ECA, also provides information on the U.S. higher education system to foreign governments and institutions and encourages study abroad by Americans to expand their understanding of foreign cultures, communities, and countries.

With the goal of increasing student mobility between the United States and other countries through EducationUSA advising, ECA expects this NOFO will result in up to three cooperative agreements. Applicants can submit proposals for one, two, or all three of the components below:

● Component A for EducationUSA Global Advising Services to support advising operations worldwide including, but not limited to, the development and maintenance of IT infrastructure, training resources and materials, global strategic communications and outreach, and the employment and management of approximately 12 Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REACs).

(Approximately $6,600,000.)

● Component B for EducationUSA Advising Services in Eurasia and Central Asia, to support advising in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. (Approximately $1,500,000.)

● Component C for EducationUSA Advising Services in the Middle East and North Africa, to support advising in Egypt, Gaza, Lebanon, Tunisia, West Bank, and Yemen.

(Approximately $650,000.)

ECA reserves the right to add or remove countries designated in Component B or C depending on ECA and Department foreign policy priorities and the availability of funds.

In these cases, the recipient will need to submit an updated budget and budget narrative highlighting adjustments to the original budget submission.

It is ECA’s intent to award up to three cooperative agreements for an estimated total amount of $8,750,000, pending the availability of FY 2025 funds. Applicants may submit proposals for one, two, or all three funding opportunities, but they must clearly identify the proposal submitted as for Component A: Global EducationUSA Services; Component B:

EducationUSA Advising Services in Eurasia and Central Asia; or Component C: EducationUSA Advising Services in the Middle East and North Africa. Applicants applying for more than one component must submit separate proposals for each component, with detailed budgets and budget narratives outlining a comprehensive strategy for the administration of each program component for which they apply. Applicants should include in their proposal a detailed staff budget with proposed level of effort (please see section D.14.

Budget Format for information regarding the budget format). See section B. Federal Award Information for additional details.

FY 2025 award recipients should be prepared to work closely with implementing partners funded by previous fiscal year awards across all components to maintain continuity of programming and operations during the award's period of performance. This would include, but is not limited to, the maintenance and transfer of developed IT platforms and systems; the EducationUSA fair registration and payment portal (Fair Portal) hosted at ;

outreach and strategic communication strategies; and adviser training and development materials and timelines. Additionally, FY 2025 award recipient(s) for Components A, B, and

C should be prepared to collaborate with each other to ensure the overarching successful implementation of EducationUSA program goals and objectives and ensure the effective integration and amplification of all EducationUSA activities across the global network. It should be noted that ECA will retain copyright use of EducationUSA outreach and event platforms and materials developed specifically for EducationUSA; platforms and materials will be utilized by ECA and current award recipients and will be considered proprietary.

To facilitate effective communication by ECA/A/S/A with the organizations cooperating in the administration of these programs, the award recipients must have the ability to work virtually across a range of platforms with partners in the EducationUSA global network.

Award recipient(s) must have offices and staff in the Washington, DC metropolitan area dedicated to working on this/these award(s). Applicants who do not currently have offices and program staff in the Washington, D.C. area should include in their proposals a detailed plan for establishing a staffed office in Washington, D.C. to work on this/these award(s) no later than October 1, 2024. The award recipient(s) bear the costs of establishing the offices and staff. No such costs may be included in the proposal.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Authority Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright- Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is "to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries...; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations...and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world." The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation.

A.2. Purpose EducationUSA Advising Services’ awards will support the National Security Strategy (NSS), the National Export Strategy (NES), the Department of State’s Joint Strategic Plan (JSP), and ECA’s Functional Bureau Strategy (FBS), by increasing international student engagement with American peers, and subsequently expanding ties between the United States and foreign governments and its peoples through higher education. EducationUSA expands U.S.

higher education networks and encourages international students to gain knowledge and skills on a U.S. campus and contribute to American communities, thereby sustaining economic growth and U.S. businesses and institutions. Successful applicants will submit a proposal that clearly links strategic communication and marketing, advising, and training activities to these goals in a thoughtful, practical, and effective approach.

EducationUSA’s global network of educational advising centers is based at U.S. missions, as well as at a variety of institutions including, but not limited to, Fulbright Commissions, Binational Centers, American Spaces, universities, and NGOs. There are three categories of advising centers: Reference Centers (offer reference materials for the U.S. higher education search process); Standard Centers (offer reference materials and limited advising services by an EducationUSA adviser); Comprehensive Centers (offer full reference collection and comprehensive advising services by at least one full-time educational adviser).

Each year, U.S. missions around the world propose strategic priorities and plans for educational advising in their respective countries to ECA. ECA/A/S/A oversees the network of advising centers, engages U.S. missions in the annual strategic planning process, formulates policies for the network as a whole, and funds advising operations in part by the provision of funding to U.S. missions as well as via cooperative agreements with U.S.

implementing partners. ECA/A/S/A oversees a central website for the network located at www.EducationUSA.state.gov, provides guidance on digital content, oversees various training programs for advisers, and coordinates global outreach and resources in partnership with domestic and international stakeholders. ECA/A/S/A program officers serve as experts on educational issues and support the management of EducationUSA global operations, including close coordination with Public Diplomacy Sections (PDS) of U.S.

missions on their educational outreach strategies and operations. REACs, based overseas and employed by an NGO partner under a cooperative agreement with ECA (Component A herein), monitor the network of advisers and centers, lead adviser training in the field, and serve as regional experts on higher education for the network.

A.3. Component A: Program Specific Guidelines and Recipient Responsibilities

The award recipient will support advising operations worldwide, including EducationUSA centers and advisers as well as virtual advising. In collaboration with ECA, they will formulate and implement a global strategic plan to provide coordination and implementation of annual strategic planning; global strategic communications, marketing, and outreach; the employment, management, support, and professional development of approximately 12 REACs and related support staff to ensure in-depth support of all Component A programmatic activities. The recipient will support EducationUSA adviser training and professional development; development and maintenance of IT infrastructure;

special programs and events; and program and operational policies and procedures. The recipient will utilize the results of REAC monitoring and other evaluation mechanisms to provide timely monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ECA on and across all aspects of global advising.

The recipient may utilize subawards or identify and contract with outside consultants as needed, in close consultation with ECA, to support programmatic resource and activity development, including print and online products and initiatives, training, and evaluation and assessment tools and resources. ECA encourages applicants to propose innovative strategies for all aspects of the EducationUSA Global Advising Services program. The award recipient will be expected to have sufficient staff to ensure in-depth support for the below programmatic activities.

In consultation with ECA, the Component A recipient will conduct regular, interactive coordination and communication (including quarterly check-in meetings) with the award recipient(s) of Components B and C in relation to relevant EducationUSA activities including http://www.educationusa.state.gov/ adviser training, professional development activities, and other initiatives as appropriate and/or as directed by ECA in order to ensure the overall success of EducationUSA activities globally. The Component A recipient will proactively share and distribute adviser training and professional development resources, and EducationUSA global physical and digital assets, including global marketing and promotional assets, strategic communications resources and materials. In consultation with ECA, the recipient(s) of Components A, B and C will coordinate together in the ongoing implementation of an annual global strategic communications plan.

EducationUSA Global Advising Services includes the following program components:

1. Global Strategic Communications In consultation with ECA, the recipient will provide strategic vision and ongoing recommendations to enhance the efficacy and impact of EducationUSA advising, programming, and services globally through a strategic plan, as outlined above. The strategic plan will be supported by an ongoing EducationUSA Global Strategic Communications Plan. The recipient will assist ECA in the development and implementation of the plan, which will be updated annually and serve as a guiding framework for the advancement of EducationUSA strategic priorities through all aspect of global communications. The plan will also provide a tactical guide and resource for the recipient(s) of Components A, B, and C for the overall coordination of EducationUSA’s communications, digital presence, marketing, social media, and promotion throughout the global network in order to strengthen and build upon the unified global EducationUSA brand, tailored to key audiences when appropriate, and responsive to local and country-specific needs.

Proposals should illustrate how the recipient will capitalize upon and further disseminate past and ongoing print and digital materials developed to support EducationUSA global strategic communications, including those associated with past and ongoing marketing campaigns. The recipient will be responsible for ensuring the global standardization of the EducationUSA brand, including web and social media branding and communications, in accordance with official EducationUSA branding and identity guidelines as defined by ECA.

2. Global Advising Management Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REAC): Regional Managers The recipient will employ and manage a global network of 12 REACs to be located in strategic countries as determined by ECA. REACs are experts in higher education in the United States and internationally, preferably in one or more countries of the region of assignment; knowledge of a regional language is preferred. REACs receive policy guidance from ECA/A/S/A and Public Diplomacy Sections of U.S. missions, and provide professional leadership and support to the EducationUSA network of advising centers to foster international student mobility with the United States and advance the U.S. government’s public diplomacy efforts. REACs supply ECA and Public Diplomacy Sections with regular updates on student mobility-related issues and relevant advising programming, counsel U.S.

higher education institutions, and liaise with and advise EducationUSA advising center host institutions on adviser training and center operations. REAC positions may be adjusted, reduced, or supplemented in consultation with ECA based on foreign policy priorities, overall network needs, and the availability of funds.

Twelve (12) REACs are currently based in Sub-Saharan Africa (two), Europe and Eurasia (two), East Asia and the Pacific (two), the Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia (three), and the Western Hemisphere (three). Sufficient REAC administrative support, in the form of REAC assistants or other support staff as needed, should be employed to optimize REAC work, provide equitable support globally to assist REACs in performing their primary duties and ensure that REACs are legally employed to work in their respective locations. Proposals should describe the roles of REACs, REAC assistants, and headquarters program staff in program design and delivery. REAC support and responsibilities comprise the following, including but not limited to:

• REAC Support: The recipient will ensure that REACs are legally employed to work in their respective locations, and provide REAC, and REAC administrative support, salaries, benefits, employment contracts, orientation, training, and transportation; REAC office costs; assist with the logistics of securing housing for the REACs as relevant, as well as travel, conference, and other work-related expenses, in consultation with ECA. The recipient will monitor REAC safety and security in both their country of employment and during REAC travel, and consult with ECA on areas of concern. In consultation with ECA, the recipient will develop annual REAC Work Plans including strategic direction for the relevant sub-region, outreach and training, center site visit timeline, and a travel budget. The recipient will ensure that REAC performance evaluations encompass feedback from ECA and other relevant parties, including U.S. missions and Fulbright commissions. The recipient will coordinate and ensure timely collection of REAC reporting, conduct end-of-year REAC evaluations, and alert ECA when REACs do not meet performance metrics and/or upon reports of misconduct, including actions taken to respond to and correct the infractions and/or poor performance.

• Leadership and Expertise: REACs are responsible for engaging and serving as higher education experts/consultants for ECA, U.S. missions, leadership of advising center host institutions (including Fulbright Commissions, Binational Centers, American Spaces, etc.), and advisers in relation to advising center and program management. REACs also support their international student recruitment efforts, campus internationalization goals, international partnerships, and support for U.S. study abroad. REACs plan and conduct outreach through a variety of activities and events, and expand awareness of EducationUSA and U.S. higher education to promote EducationUSA services and resources, encourage study in the United States, and disseminate knowledge and expertise among the U.S. higher education community.

• EducationUSA Advising and Center Management: REACs are responsible for providing training (in-person and/or virtual) to ensure that all advisers within the assigned region and centers possess the knowledge and expertise to successfully function at their designated advising level. REACs currently conduct one sub-regional adviser virtual training workshop per year. REACs recommend advisers for ECA approval to take part in additional training and professional development opportunities (including conferences, EducationUSA forums, and campus visits) to enhance advisers’ knowledge and skills and to enable advisers to advance to higher advising levels.

REACs will develop an annual EducationUSA professional development and training resources dissemination plan; maintain and update information including, but not limited to, contact information of advising centers and advisers, and regularly updated adviser profiles on the EducationUSA website and other digital and print properties as necessary. REACs will coordinate and ensure that advisers regularly submit data required to track EducationUSA network programs and activities into the EducationUSA data reporting platform. As part of center management, REACs will monitor advising centers through periodic site visits in coordination with ECA and U.S. missions abroad to ensure advising centers are functioning properly and at their designated level as defined in Section A.2.; certify and maintain updated certification of advising centers according to the appropriate designation level (reference, standard, or comprehensive); and ensure periodic and timely content for reporting. REACs will alert ECA of any significant or sustained challenges with individual advisers or advising centers.

• Travel: In addition to conducing site visits, REACs attend approximately two to three international and/or U.S. domestic conferences per year. Note: Should travel restrictions be in place preventing required travel to centers, the award recipient must provide an alternative monitoring plan for ECA’s input and approval. Total REAC travel costs should average approximately 3% of the total proposed budget under Component A.

Virtual Advising As determined in consultation with ECA, the recipient will employ one or more virtual advisers for one or more countries. Pending the availability of funds, ECA reserves the right to expand virtual advising services to other countries to respond to growing global advising needs in accordance with foreign policy goals; countries will be determined in consultation with ECA and regional bureaus. The recipient should demonstrate the ability to directly manage and provide administrative support as determined to meet the needs of virtual advisers.

Virtual advisers provide advising and advising content in designated target languages for designated target populations to maximize the effectiveness of outreach and/or to provide outreach in locations where it may not be feasible or efficient to operate an EducationUSA center due to unforeseen logistical challenges. The recipient will develop dedicated resources for online EducationUSA advising outreach in Farsi, English, or other critical languages used in countries for which virtual advising services are provided.

3. Development and Maintenance of EducationUSA Digital Presence and IT Infrastructure The recipient will oversee, maintain, and adapt technology systems and IT infrastructure that supports the current and future work needs and digital presence of EducationUSA, enhances clear communication of the program’s goals and impact in a consistent way, and strengthens communications and outreach to and on-behalf of the U.S. higher education community. Proposals should illustrate how the recipient plans to manage, maintain, and continue ongoing development of digital operations and IT systems, including the development of a new website. The recipient will manage EducationUSA flagship digital platforms in accordance with best security practices as determined by the Department of

State. The recipient will also ensure ongoing development and dissemination of publications, promotional materials, design elements, online materials, templates, and physical and digital assets, produced under previous and current awards, including in support of global marketing efforts. As necessary, the recipient will be expected to coordinate with the previous implementing partner to transition EducationUSA content and platforms to ensure the continuity of messaging and engagement across platforms. The recipient may wish to combine or maximize outreach efforts across platforms in order to expand engagement with international students, U.S. higher education, non-governmental partners, foreign governments, and other stakeholders.

The recipient will ensure the ongoing development and maintenance of an online

EducationUSA Fair Portal to be utilized for all EducationUSA fairs, forums and events.

With ECA approval, the recipient may charge a convenience fee associated with costs related to payment processing; all income generated must be used to directly offset relevant fair registration and costs related to the implementation of the portal. Based upon the number of events processed through the Fair Portal during a typical year, the applicant may find it practical to budget a convenience fee for approximately 80 fairs. The recipient should also include a plan for the collection of delinquent payments.

The proposal should also include a plan for the continued development of fair-related data collection and evaluation through the Fair Portal including specified attendee metrics, feedback from participants, and the incorporation of best practices and lessons learned, and other information as specified and according to a schedule determined by ECA/A/S/A.

Digital Operations and IT Systems: The recipient will manage EducationUSA flagship social media accounts and other relevant platforms that may emerge in accordance with ECA guidance; a messaging platform built for teams, for all advisers, REACs, REAC assistants, Washington DC staff, and others as designated by ECA; and the implementation and management of EducationUSA.org’s current cloud computing site, productivity, and collaboration tools, including digital asset management, for all EducationUSA staff, ECA, and others as designated by ECA. The recipient will maintain the cloud computing site in accordance with established terms of use and security protocols, including ensuring that all users have submitted written agreement to abide by ECA's terms prior to receiving access.

To further advance and support EducationUSA’s digital presence and IT systems the recipient will:

• In consultation with ECA, develop an updated EducationUSA program website at a dedicated, distinct program website URL and ensure the program website is accessible, user- and mobile-friendly, cross-browser compatible, and agile to function, and host large data and multimedia content, including but not limited to, high-quality videos, images, and an interactive map. The website should include back-end access for advisers and accredited U.S. HEIs. Proposals must include a work plan and timeline for the review and revision of the website. The recipient will also be responsible for approving accredited U.S. HEI website login requests and regularly moderate and review accredited U.S. HEI content submissions.

• Write and manage contracts for technical resources, such as pertinent software licenses for social media, communications, and design use. Current vendors include Adobe Creative Cloud, Calendly, Canva, Cvent, Hootsuite, iStockPhoto, LinkedIn, MailChimp, Survey Monkey, vFairs, Zerion, Zoho, Zoom, and bit.ly. The proposal may include other vendors as long as proper vetting is completed, the cost is reasonable and allocable, and it is available in a global market.

• Provide technical support to REACs, advisers, accredited U.S. HEIs, and program staff who are experiencing difficulties utilizing EducationUSA platforms or tools.

• Ensure the overall digital security of the EducationUSA network worldwide, including all EducationUSA branded social media and other digital accounts in accordance with best security practices as defined by the Department of State, including, but not limited to, the of use multi-factor authentication across IT systems. The recipient will provide account access to ECA as needed to ensure security.

The award recipient must have staffing capacity, infrastructure, and expertise to maintain IT

Systems (content platforms/data/email/digital asset management) and related services and service provider contracts. Costs to manage the current suite of IT systems should be approximately 3% of the total proposed budget. Costs to manage the development, launch, and maintenance of a new website should be approximately 10% of the total budget.

Promotional and Training Materials: All materials and publications must be submitted to

ECA for final approval. ECA will retain copyright use of materials and will determine how and where to distribute EducationUSA and/or international student mobility materials. The recipient will develop, design, oversee, and maintain materials, publications, and platforms including, but not limited to:

• An annual digital Global Guide with content solicited from REACs and award recipient staff in accordance with ECA guidelines. The Global Guide assists HEIs in identifying successful international student recruitment strategies, listing opportunities, challenges, and trends in each world region, and including information such as outreach means, economic and demographic considerations, and foreign government and other scholarships.

• A digital version of the U.S. higher education informational resource “If You Want to

Study in the United States” series to be regularly updated based upon new information.

• A monthly electronic newsletter and/or other relevant resources to highlight

EducationUSA programs and resources for the U.S. higher education community.

• An online learning platform to host current and to-be-developed trainings, presentations, digital assets, and other professional development resources for advisers, REACs, REAC assistants, Washington DC staff, representatives of accredited U.S. HEIs, and others as designated by ECA. The award recipient should be prepared to identify and collect data analytics regarding adviser engagement as deemed necessary by ECA.

• An EducationUSA data reporting platform for advisers, REACs, Washington DC staff, and others as designated by ECA, for use as needed in relation to all EducationUSA programming and network activities.

4. Adviser Training and Professional Development The recipient will design and implement adviser training and related events to build capacity for EducationUSA advising centers, outreach, and virtual advising in order to support uniform approaches to the delivery of advising center services. The recipient should demonstrate the capacity to implement adviser training and related events in a virtual or in-person format, and will develop content to deliver trainings locally, regionally, internationally, and in the United States, including on the periphery of major events such as professional conferences and EducationUSA Forums, as well as through formal and informal shadowing/mentoring and small group meetings. REACs should be utilized as trainers and content creators. REACs will recommend advisers for attendance at relevant conferences, events and other trainings, based on a regular assessment of country, advising center, and adviser professional development needs. Completion of relevant advisers’ training course/s will be a requirement for adviser participation in the ECA-funded professional development programs. The recipient will support adviser training and development through the following responsibilities, including but not limited to:

https://educationusa.state.gov/us-higher-education-professionals/recruitment-resources/global-guide

EducationUSA Adviser Training Institutes (ATI) The recipient will organize and deliver approximately three virtual ATIs designed for up to 90-100 advisers each year, with the goal of increasing the number of trained EducationUSA advisers where possible. ATIs and related trainings are offered at one of three levels of proficiency (further described below). ATI training content should be designed in accordance with an established list of EducationUSA Adviser Competencies and build substantive hard and soft skills that are responsive to the needs of advisers and strengthen strategic engagement with the U.S. higher education community. The recipient will consult with ECA to determine which level of trainings to offer each year in order to provide the appropriate training content. The award recipient will monitor and evaluate the quality of each ATI.

• Level 1 training focuses on working with students and building their knowledge of U.S.

higher education, issues related to students’ academic experiences in the United States, the U.S. State Department, and EducationUSA policies and procedures.

• Level 2 training includes aspects of Level 1, as well as topics including advising center management, strategic planning, and advocating for U.S. higher education and representing EducationUSA.

• Level 3 training focuses on enabling advisers to serve as a resource for their peers, develop specific areas of expertise, deliver training, and contribute to the knowledge base of the network.

• ATI Essentials: A condensed version of the ATIs which can be implemented for part time advisers or advisers not able to complete the full-time course. The ATI Essentials can reflect a condensed version of Onboarding, Level 1, 2, or 3 training themes.

• Onboarding training is mandatory and focuses on providing new advisers with the most important information to begin their adviser tenure. It provides an overview of the new adviser orientation and fundamentals of advising in a global cohort-based setting.

Online EducationUSA Adviser Training Modules The recipient will maintain, update, and manage a suite of both mandatory and optional training modules on a centralized online learning platform (see Program Specific Guidelines:

Component A, Section 3). Content should include an introduction to EducationUSA advising, an in-depth course on advising practices, technical training on social media and web tools, and other online professional development and training as identified in consultation with ECA to ensure continuing education and professional development of the adviser corps. The award recipient should work with ECA/A/S/A, REACs and Level 3 advisers to ensure that the adviser training materials are updated as needed and available in an online course format; current online trainings utilize Canva. The recipient may also rely on outside consultants and experts as necessary.

Sub-Regional and Thematic Training Workshops Approximately six overseas virtual sub-regional or thematic training workshops to be conducted annually by REACs, with content developed in consultation with ECA/A/S/A. The recipient will coordinate REAC and HEI-led professional development sessions for advisers at each of the annual EducationUSA regional forums.

Adviser travel and supporting costs: The recipient will oversee travel and logistics for selected EducationUSA advisers to approved conferences, EducationUSA DC and regional forums, and campus visits, including: organization of travel, hotel reservations/lodging and meals and event registration payments for non-LES (Locally Employed Staff) advisers (including advisers who attend the conference with funding from sources other than this agreement); provide other required support, including supporting ECA/A/S/A in arranging campus visits for advisers before and/or after conferences; and maintain communication with U.S. missions, advising centers, and participating advisers to ensure seamless coordination of travel logistics in advance of and during travel and throughout participation at selected events and activities.

Travel arrangements may include identifying roommates for advisers to save lodging costs.

The recipient should be prepared to provide supplemental per diem for additional travel days to/from the relevant campus if circumstances require (as requested and in consultation with ECA/A/S/A). All costs on site during campus visits, including meals and accommodations are borne by the host campus. The recipient must ensure that non-LES advisers attending approved events and professional development opportunities have travel insurance which covers medical expenses incurred in the United States, and that is valid during the event and related periods of travel. Insurance will include a minimum of:

$100,000 (USD) in accident and sickness expense benefits, medical or surgical treatment, services and supplies, hospital services, local ambulance, visits to a physician’s office, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, and accidental death and dismemberment.

Covered expenses should have a co-pay of no more than $75 USD per visit (yearly maximum of $500).

EducationUSA Advising Resources: The recipient will ensure that resources are consistently updated and incorporate specialized content related to advising in close consultation with ECA/A/S/A, including a new adviser welcome packet, the REAC handbook, the “If You Want to Study in the United States” series, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and others.

The recipient will upload completed resources on the aforementioned online learning platform, the EducationUSA program website, and EducationUSA center websites as directed by ECA/A/S/A. The recipient should be prepared to assist in the translation of key advising materials or messages into priority languages in consultation with ECA/A/S/A.

5. EducationUSA Outreach and Events

With guidance from ECA, the recipient will organize and host several EducationUSA domestic and international events throughout the year to ensure that EducationUSA is well represented at industry events. The recipient will organize and manage EducationUSA representational space and REAC and adviser participation at approved events, and will maintain communication with posts, advising centers, and participating advisers to ensure seamless coordination of logistics and travel in advance of and throughout approved events and activities. In consultation with REACs, the recipient will provide a proposed list of domestic and international events and participating advisers to ECA/A/S/A for approval.

The recipient will be responsible for comprehensive event management for the following

EducationUSA outreach events:

• EducationUSA Forum to be held in Washington, DC The EducationUSA Forum, a biennial two-and-a-half-day symposium in Washington, DC, hosts approximately 700 participants total for an in-person event, including accredited HEI representatives and approximately 50 EducationUSA advisers and 12 REACs. The award recipient should also be prepared to assist, at ECA’s request, with logistics surrounding possible side meetings with international education stakeholders before and/or during and after the Forum.

The recipient should demonstrate the capacity to implement components of the Forum in a fully virtual format if deemed necessary, pending consultation with ECA. If a hybrid or virtual format is approved, the recipient will be expected to submit an alternative plan for ECA’s review and approval. The plan must include an updated budget and budget narrative highlighting adjustments to the original budget submission.

● EducationUSA Regional Forum to be held each year outside the United States to strengthen increased student mobility from the relevant region. The regional forum will take place for approximately two or three days and will attract approximately 80-100 EducationUSA advisers from the relevant region with an equal or greater number of fee-paying U.S. higher education institutions, as well as stakeholders from the relevant world region.

Comprehensive event management for the EducationUSA DC and Regional Forum includes, but is not limited to, the event budget; coordinating content (to be provided by REACs, ECA/A/S/A program officers, advisers, and volunteer higher education institution representatives); managing contracts for venue, accommodations, audio/visual (A/V) and internet, and catering; arranging advisers’ travel, REAC travel, insurance, per diem and logistics. The recipient will develop and distribute promotional materials, and will manage contracts for the creation of any future EducationUSA promotional materials, including, though not be limited to: exhibit installation, signage, and related design elements, event program books, and other promotional resources and designs as determined in consultation with ECA.

With ECA approval, the recipient may charge an event registration fee; all income generated must be used to directly offset relevant EducationUSA program costs including, but not limited to, EducationUSA adviser travel and per diem, venue rentals, etc. During a typical year of network events, past revenue generation has produced significant programmatic funds. The applicant may find it practical to budget for approximately 7% of the overall budget submission for revenue generated from initiatives listed above.

• Conference and exhibition representation events: The recipient will manage the participation of REACs and advisers to participate in approximately two to three international, and four to six domestic, higher education conferences, including those listed below (numbers of advisers to attend are estimates). The recipient will pay necessary registration fees or higher education organization membership costs; secure and managing conference exhibition space to showcase the EducationUSA network; and support the work of ECA/A/S/A to facilitate adviser participation in conference sessions and relevant pre- or post-conference workshops.

Conference and/or membership benefits will be utilized primarily by the recipient and its staff, REACs, and advisers to advance EducationUSA outreach priorities and showcase the network’s global advising capacity and resources. Should there be remaining conference or membership benefits, the recipient should consult with ECA/A/S/A on how to leverage the benefits to maximize approved EducationUSA global outreach activities per the final award including, but not limited to, utilization by ECA staff focused on international student mobility.

It should be noted that ECA reserves the right to adjust attendee numbers and approve alternative and/or additional conferences to those listed below, in line with the final approved award budget.

• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), 2 advisers

• Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE), 3 advisers

• European Association for International Education (EAIE), 3 advisers

• International Association for College Admission Counseling (International ACAC), 9 advisers

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators national conference, 10 advisers

• National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 3 advisers

• National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals (NAGAP), 3 advisers

• Community Colleges for International Development (CCID), 3 advisers

6. EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program

The Opportunity Funds Program, managed by ECA/A/S/A in collaboration with REACs, advisers and Public Diplomacy Sections of U.S. missions, is a cohort advising program for high-achieving, financially-disadvantaged international students that provides specialized advising, and pays the up-front costs for students to apply to U.S. HEIs, with the expectation that participants will be able to gain admission and secure scholarships from U.S.

institutions. Proposals should include details on the management and collection of

Opportunity Funds program data through a data platform that allows for regular data reporting according to a schedule to be determined by ECA. The recipient will coordinate with recipient(s) of Component B and C to ensure required Opportunity Fund program data is entered into the data platform. The recipient will liaise with system designers on data collection updates as needed, and coordinate with ECA on policy and messaging.

7. Program Evaluation The recipient will incorporate feedback, evaluation/assessment, and reporting into every aspect of all program components and activities: global strategic communications; REAC training and monitoring activities; events (including fairs), Opportunity Funds program, and adviser training. The recipient will be responsible for gathering, collecting, consolidating, and reporting, through required semi-annual reports, formal and informal feedback, and assessments of all relevant activities from that period, and for ensuring that REACs undertake all relevant monitoring site visits and submit reports in a timely manner, in addition to ad hoc reporting requested by ECA as necessary. Specific evaluation activities will include: ongoing review of REAC functions and responsibilities as provided in the REAC Handbook; Annual review and evaluation of REACs’ performance and accomplishments;

Monthly report on principal EducationUSA social media properties and web metrics;

Evaluation of EducationUSA training and signature events (including the Washington, DC and Regional Forums); and Annual evaluation of above program components in conjunction with ECA.

The award recipient will be expected to ensure that their evaluation framework is in keeping with ECA’s requirements and expectations for overall reporting and should be prepared to work with ECA's monitoring and evaluation team as appropriate.

A.3.a. Component A: Substantial Involvement

In a cooperative agreement, ECA/A/S/A is also substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring and guidance. ECA/A/S/A’s additional activities and responsibilities for Component A are as follows:

• Engages on the selection and hiring of new REACs as well as advisers in high-profile countries.

• Assists REACs in obtaining access to and related support from, as relevant, U.S.

embassies and consulates, Department of State/ECA offices, Binational Centers, American Spaces, Fulbright Commissions, heads of advising center host institutions, and other institutions as needed.

• Plays a coordination role between recipients of EducationUSA Advising Services involved in Opportunity Funds Program management, coordinates policy and messaging related to the Opportunity Funds Program and liaises with REACs regarding data entry by all participating EducationUSA centers.

• Establishes guidance for program design templates, written and digital products, technology resources, and social media platform management to ensure that materials and resources align with EducationUSA’s coordinated annual strategic communications plan and marketing strategy and State Department requirements.

ECA will retain copyright use of materials and will determine how and where to distribute EducationUSA and/or international student mobility materials.

ECA’s routine monitoring and oversight of these activities will encompass the review and approval of key personnel, especially for REAC positions, will be a consultative process. It should also be noted that ECA will review and coordinate approvals on substantive changes to program delivery methods due to travel restrictions that prevent in-person events from implementation in coordination with ECA’s Grants Division.

A.4. EducationUSA Regional Advising Services: Components B and C Program Specific Guidelines and Recipient Responsibilities

In cooperation with ECA, one or more award recipient(s) will manage EducationUSA advising operations in the following regions:

• Component B: EducationUSA Advising Services in Eurasia and Central Asia, to support advising in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.

• Component C: EducationUSA Advising Services in the Middle East and North Africa, to support advising in Egypt, Gaza, Lebanon, Tunisia, West Bank, and Yemen.

The location of EducationUSA advising centers in these regions may be affected by political considerations and could be based remotely, as appropriate. ECA will decide, in consultation with the award recipient(s) and officers at U.S. missions, such as the Regional Security Officer (RSO), on center relocations for the safety and security of advisers and students. ECA reserves the right to increase, add, or reduce countries and regions based on U.S. foreign policy priorities and the needs of the program and available funding.

ECA may conduct joint occasional meetings with award recipients to ensure collaboration across the network where appropriate, including adviser training, professional development activities, strategic communications, and other initiatives as appropriate or directed to ensure the overall success of EducationUSA activities globally. The recipient(s) will share, and distribute EducationUSA professional development and training resources, EducationUSA strategic communications content, and EducationUSA promotional assets, and coordinate with the recipient of the Component A award in the ongoing development, distribution, and implementation of an annual global strategic communications plan.

EducationUSA Regional Advising Services includes the following program components:

1. Regional Expertise and Engagement Component B and C recipient(s) should demonstrate a deep area and regional expertise in and across the countries within the particular component. Proposals should highlight regional networks including, but not limited to, government organizations, HEIs, and other higher education stakeholders, and the applicant should be prepared to assist and support educational outreach activities of U.S. missions through their regional networks. Proposals for Components B and C should also explain how the ECA-funded EducationUSA program would be implemented alongside any non-EducationUSA educational advising activities, other ECA-programs, or the recipient organization’s proprietary programs to the best effect.

Proposals should include plans to maximize cross-regional programming to increase the impact and reach of EducationUSA activities and to advance EducationUSA strategic priorities across countries. Cross-regional programming may include virtual advising, strategic communications and global marketing, and events. ECA also encourages new innovations to advance cross-regional EducationUSA programming. In consultation with ECA, and pending the availability of funds, ECA reserves the right to expand the administration of the Opportunity Funds program (defined below in Section 7) within and across the regions defined in Components B and C. Cross-regional cohort programming would include countries approved by ECA during the annual strategic planning process.

In consideration of the possibility of ongoing regional and/or country conflicts and the resultant challenges to prospective students in-country, and neighboring countries, the recipient should demonstrate the capacity to adapt advising operations in response to evolving student needs, both in-person and/or virtual, if deemed necessary, pending consultation with ECA. If revised advising operations are approved, the recipient will be expected to submit an alternative plan for ECA’s review and approval. The plan must include an updated budget and budget narrative highlighting adjustments to the original budget submission.

2. EducationUSA Center Operations

The recipient will establish and manage EducationUSA advising centers in specified countries/locations to provide educational advising services to prospective international students on U.S. study opportunities at accredited U.S. HEIs, and also services to accredited

U.S. HEIs. Proposals should indicate that the organization has the institutional capacity to host and support advising centers abroad and should describe in detail for…