FY 2025 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has announced the FY 2025 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, aiming to support undergraduate U.S. students with limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The funding opportunity, totaling approximately $16.8 million, is conducted through a cooperative agreement set to begin on August 17, 2025. Eligible applicants include U.S. non-profit organizations and educational institutions with a minimum of four years of experience in international exchanges. The program provides merit-based scholarships of up to $5,000 for a range of academic pursuits, with additional supplemental funding for Critical Need Language Awards and STEM-related research. The Gilman Program seeks to enhance U.S. students’ global competencies aligning with national security and economic goals. Key applicant responsibilities include extensive program planning, outreach, student monitoring, and evaluation. Proposals must demonstrate rigorous performance monitoring, aim to maintain and engage a network of Gilman Advisors, and ensure comprehensive alumni tracking and support. Applications are due by June 30, 2025, with successful candidates notified post-approval of federal funding. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to expanding study-abroad opportunities for diverse U.S. students, emphasizing the holistic growth of future leaders.

The Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) serves as a structured guide for applicants of the U.S. Department of State's ECA programs to collect and analyze data on program performance. The PMP aligns with the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework, detailing specific indicators and survey questions to measure participant outcomes effectively. It emphasizes filling necessary fields, selecting appropriate MODE indicators, and may allow for custom objectives tailored to individual programs, while adhering to data collection and reporting capacities. Key components include demographic questions and performance indicators spanning various objectives such as enhancing cross-cultural competence and community engagement. Applicants are required to collect data post-program, ensuring a methodical approach to assessing participant experiences and broader impacts on communities. The PMP also advocates for a thorough understanding of relevant definitions, including disaggregation criteria and survey question types, to yield accurate insights into audience perceptions and experiences. Ultimately, the document promotes standardized practices in performance evaluation, aiming to foster a consistent and measurable impact from Department of State-sponsored programs while ensuring accountability and enhancing program effectiveness.

The Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) serves as a structured guide for applicants of the U.S. Department of State's ECA programs to collect and analyze data on program performance. The PMP aligns with the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework, detailing specific indicators and survey questions to measure participant outcomes effectively. It emphasizes filling necessary fields, selecting appropriate MODE indicators, and may allow for custom objectives tailored to individual programs, while adhering to data collection and reporting capacities. Key components include demographic questions and performance indicators spanning various objectives such as enhancing cross-cultural competence and community engagement. Applicants are required to collect data post-program, ensuring a methodical approach to assessing participant experiences and broader impacts on communities. The PMP also advocates for a thorough understanding of relevant definitions, including disaggregation criteria and survey question types, to yield accurate insights into audience perceptions and experiences. Ultimately, the document promotes standardized practices in performance evaluation, aiming to foster a consistent and measurable impact from Department of State-sponsored programs while ensuring accountability and enhancing program effectiveness.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY25 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, with a funding opportunity number DFOP0017192. This program aims to support U.S. undergraduate students of limited financial means to study abroad and gain skills crucial for the global economy. Approximately $16.8 million is allocated for one cooperative agreement, with the application deadline set for June 30, 2025. Eligible applicants include U.S. non-profit organizations and educational institutions with at least four years of experience in international exchanges. The program historically awards around 3,100 scholarships annually, providing up to $5,000 each, alongside specific funding for military dependents and language programs. Recipients are tasked with comprehensive program management, including outreach, recruitment, financial oversight, and participant support. Prospective organizations must ensure compliance with federal regulations, develop monitoring and evaluation plans, and maintain an active registration in SAM.gov. The program emphasizes fostering civic engagement and building international competencies among participants, contributing to U.S. national security and economic prosperity. The application process is through Grants.gov, and all submissions must adhere to strict guidelines to be considered.