EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program

The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy in Harare, is seeking eligible organizations to administer the 2026-2027 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) in Zimbabwe, which provides financial support and advising services to help high-achieving Zimbabwean university students overcome barriers to applying for undergraduate and graduate study at U.S. institutions. The program targets two distinct phases: Phase One covers standardized test fees, application fees, certifications, and programmatic support with stipends for regional advisers; Phase Two manages travel and pre-departure costs for admitted students and support for EducationUSA online study programs. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to manage financial disbursements, coordinate with EducationUSA advisers, and deliver virtual or in-person support across Zimbabwe. The selection process will be managed by EducationUSA advisers and the Public Diplomacy Section, using criteria that emphasizes program quality, feasibility, organizational capacity, budget reasonableness, and sustainability alignment with embassy strategic goals. The application deadline is August 2, 2026, and applicants must submit a completed grant application form along with detailed project narratives, budgets, risk management plans, and evidence of alignment with Public Diplomacy Section priorities including educational exchanges, democracy support, and social inclusion initiatives.

The maximum award is US$54,000, with administrative costs capped at 10 percent of the total award unless the organization holds a NICRA agreement. The program will operate on a 12-month performance cycle for the 2026-2027 academic year, with Phase Two activities extending into the 2027-2028 academic year to support student travel and pre-departure arrangements. All activities must take place in Zimbabwe and may be implemented virtually, allowing the grantee to provide flexible support to students throughout the country. Applicants should submit applications to PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov and must ensure their organizations are registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity Identifier.