SRP Higher Education Access NOFO

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Press and Public Diplomacy (NEA/PPD), in cooperation with the Syria Regional Platform Public Diplomacy (SRP PD) office of the U.S. Department of State, is pleased to announce this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to increase access of Syrian refugees overseas to information about, and other support in pursuing U.S. higher education opportunities. The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to further the U.S. policy objective of encouraging the matriculation in U.S. universities of Syrian students classified as refugees in accordance with national government or United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) protocols. This NOFO outlines NEA/PPD's and SRP PD's funding priorities, strategic and thematic areas of focus, and procedures to submit applications for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Purpose: NEA/PPD and SRP PD invite proposals for programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and prospective refugee classified Syrian international students interested in pursuing their higher education studies at an American college or university. In this context an award under this NOFO is designed to support the preparation, dissemination, and use of information about access to U.S. higher education opportunities for Syrian refugees overseas to advance U.S. policy goals and objectives for Syria. Specifically, proposed programs should support increased access to scholarships and related opportunities for financial support for refugee-classified Syrian students to pursue a degree at accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. This could include: programs that increase access to existing scholarship resources and/or supplementary funding that can cover gaps not met by existing scholarships. Additional program elements may include: providing guidance and/or support on the application process at all stages, e.g. documentation of academic credentials, mandatory standardized testing, visa procurement, etc.; liaising with higher education institutions regarding the unique circumstances of refugee classified students; connecting students beginning their studies with transition support; and other support as appropriate. Proposed programs could also include support for access to virtual/online degree programs.