FY 2025 Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program Placement Components
ID: 356135Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs (DOS-ECA)

Award Range

$200K - $10M

Eligible Applicants

Nonprofits Without 501(c)(3) Status

Funding Category

Other

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes

Original Source

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/356135

Additional Information

https://eca.state.gov/organizational-funding/open-grant-solicitations
Timeline
    Description

    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State is inviting proposals for the FY 2025 Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program Placement Components through a cooperative agreement. This initiative aims to enhance U.S. foreign relations and mutual understanding by facilitating high school student exchanges, where students from various European and Eurasian countries will live with American families and attend U.S. high schools for an academic year. The program is designed to foster cultural exchange, leadership skills, and civic understanding, with an estimated total funding of $10,240,000 available for approximately nine awards, each ranging from $200,000 to $1,024,000. Interested nonprofit organizations must submit their proposals by October 21, 2024, with awards expected to be announced by November 25, 2024. For further details, applicants can contact Paul Schelp at pschelp@state.gov or visit the ECA website for additional information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    pschelp@state.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    FY
    FY.pdf
    The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has announced a funding opportunity for the FY 2025 Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program, designed to enhance U.S. foreign relations and mutual understanding through high school student exchanges. This initiative invites eligible U.S. non-profit organizations to submit proposals for placement components, which include identifying host schools and families, and monitoring students from various European and Eurasian countries. The program's goals are to foster cultural exchange, leadership skills, and civic understanding among participants, who will live with American families and attend high school for an academic year. ECA plans to award approximately nine cooperative agreements, each lasting for one base year with potential extensions, depending on funding availability and compliance. Proposals must demonstrate previous international exchange experience and adherence to federal regulations governing exchange visitor programs. Key activities include student orientation, community service, and cultural programming, all aimed at creating enduring personal and professional ties between U.S. hosts and international students. The application deadline is set for October 21, 2024, with awards anticipated by November 25, 2024.
    NOFO
    NOFO.pdf
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State provides detailed guidelines for submitting proposals in response to its Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and cultural entities under IRS section 501(c)(3). Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov by the specified deadline, adhere to formatting requirements, and include essential documents such as the SF-424 application forms, a comprehensive budget, and an executive summary. Each budget must detail participant support costs and comply with federal audit requirements. Furthermore, ECA emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in program design and encourages public-private partnerships to enhance program impact. Proposals should illustrate how they will engage diverse communities and sustain alumni outreach beyond the program's duration. ECA disallows funding for specific costs (e.g., entertainment) and mandates participant healthcare coverage during program participation periods. The document establishes a structured approach to ensuring proposals align with ECA's mission while encouraging thorough preparation, documentation, and compliance with federal regulations.
    Performance
    Performance.bin
    Performance.pdf
    The Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) outlines the framework for assessing the effectiveness of the Example Program, focusing on data collection from participants to measure program outcomes aligned with the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework. It emphasizes a structured approach for applicants to identify relevant MODE indicators and collect necessary performance data, including demographic information, participant engagement, and post-program outcomes. Key objectives include promoting cultural exchanges and understanding, enhancing community impact, increasing participants' confidence and skills, and fostering connections among alumni. The PMP specifies definitions for performance indicators, targets, data sources, and survey questions, ensuring consistency in measurement across programs. Participants will provide self-reported data through surveys capturing demographic details, changes in perspectives towards various entities (e.g., U.S. government), and engagement levels in their host communities. The report enhances the federal RFP and grant application process by promoting systematic evaluation and accountability for funded programs, ultimately aiming to improve participant experiences and societal benefits derived from international exchange initiatives.
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