TLR Questions and Answers_Final.docx

Directed Funding Opportunity SFSFOP0008102: Questions and Answers

Q 1) Which countries are included in the undergraduate and graduate program recruitment? If that is up to the offeror to propose, are there are any countries not to be included in the region?

A1) The implementing organization is expected to accept program participants from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen for the first year of recruitment. The list of participating countries is subject to change each year, NEA/AC will confirm in writing the participants countries prior the start of recruitment.

Q2) What are the target numbers for graduate students to be recruited?

A2) The target number for graduate students is approximately around 30 students. The exact number will be confirmed by NEA/AC prior to the start of recruitment.

Q3) Will the college preparatory and leadership workshop, as well as pre-departure orientation for selected students be held virtually or in-person, in the scholarship recipient’s home country?

A3) The implementing organization should submit proposals for in-person and virtual workshops/ pre-departure orientations given the current global COVID-19 pandemic and taking in consideration the participation of conflict countries in the region, where traveling to a physical location for the events might not be feasible. All events should take place in the participants home country.

Q4) Will the graduate program pre-departure orientation be held virtually or in person, in the scholarship recipient’s home country?

A4) The answer to A3 applies for the graduate participants as well.

Q5) How many students will be enrolled in supplemental English languages classes?

A5) The number of participants needing supplemental English classes will depend on the number of qualified participants the implementing organization will recruit, and whether or not those participants will need supplemental English classes. For budget purposes, the implementing organization should account for 20% of the participants needing this service.

Q6) How much should the offeror budget for the undergraduate and graduate application fees, standardized exams and other affiliated expenses (mentioned on p. 8 and p. 10 of the NOFO)?

A6) The first year of the award will be focused on setting up the mechanisms for recruitment and no testing fees should be budgeted for. For budgeting purposes testing fees should be included for years two through five of the proposal.

Q7 )For budgeting purposes, could NEA/AC please advise where the Stocktaking and Management Meetings will take place?

A7) The exact location has yet to be determined. For budget purposes, the implementing organization should budget costs for Washington D.C.

Q8) P. 18 requests a Country by country recruitment plan, as well as rubrics/guidelines for assessing socioeconomic status in each country- please confirm that these documents can be included as an additional attachment, with no page limit.

A8) NEA/AC confirms the country by country recruitment plan, as well as rubrics/guidelines for assessing socioeconomic status in each country can be submitted as an additional attachment with no page limit.

Q9) On p. 13 of the NOFO the estimated base year award ceiling is listed as $400,000. Should offerors assume that the remainder of the $5,000,000 total program funding be distributed evenly amongst the remaining years?

A9) Yes, the $5,000,000 total is inclusive of the $400,000 base year budget, so the remainder of the funding will be distributed evenly across the remaining years. The budget for option years beyond the base year will be contingent on availability of funds.

Q10) Could NEA/AC please provide a template for the Results Monitoring Plan (Appendix 5) mentioned on p. 19?

A10) Yes, please see attached.