English Access Micro Scholarship Program (Access) | AFKAM FY21 05

Opportunity Information: Apply for AFKAM FY21 05

The English Access Micro Scholarship Program (Access) grant opportunity is an open competition run by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda (U.S. Department of State). It seeks one grantee to design, administer, and implement a two-year after-school English program for a cohort of 25 high-potential but economically disadvantaged students ages 14 to 18. The proposed cohort must be implemented in peri-urban areas of Jinja. The total award is capped at USD 30,000, and the funding instrument is a discretionary grant (CFDA 19.022). Local and international NGOs and educational institutions that are registered in Uganda are eligible to apply.

The core purpose of Access is to expand English language proficiency for talented youth who otherwise would not have access to strong supplemental instruction. The program aims to improve students abilities across the four foundational language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Beyond language learning, the program is framed as a broader youth development and public diplomacy initiative. It is intended to build students self-confidence, critical thinking, leadership and interpersonal skills, and strengthen community engagement. It also aims to increase participants understanding of U.S. culture and democratic ideals, with an emphasis on civic engagement, volunteerism, and community service. Over time, stronger English skills are expected to widen pathways to further education and employment and support resilience against delinquency or extremist ideologies. Another stated outcome is to increase the likelihood that successful students can compete for and participate in future U.S. government-funded academic exchange programs and related public diplomacy opportunities.

Program design expectations are specific. The grantee must deliver two years of after-school instruction totaling at least 180 instructional hours per year, or a minimum of 360 hours over the full two-year period. Instruction should be complemented by structured enhancement activities and potentially intensive programming during school holidays. The enhancement component is not optional and should deliberately integrate American cultural and civic themes while also building practical life skills. Examples given include debate clubs or public speaking activities, lessons and events tied to U.S. society and culture (including recognition of American holidays), civic education and community awareness sessions, community service and advocacy activities (including participation in efforts like Global Youth Service Days), intensive English-language camps, and activities that strengthen entrepreneurship and computer skills. Overall, the expectation is a cohesive package: high-quality language instruction plus enrichment that reinforces civic values and real-world application.

From a budgeting and management standpoint, the Embassy signals a strong preference for lean administration. Administrative costs must be kept low and cannot exceed 10 percent of the total budget. Applicants are also encouraged to include cost-sharing, which suggests proposals that leverage partner contributions, in-kind support, or other resources may be viewed favorably, as long as the proposed activities remain realistic and fully costed.

The application package must follow specified templates and include standard U.S. government forms. Applicants are directed to use the Access Cost Proposal Template, the Access Narrative Proposal Template, and an applicant organizational information template. Mandatory federal forms include SF-424 (or SF-424I for individuals), SF-424A (budget information for non-construction programs), and SF-424B (assurances for non-construction programs), with the note that SF-424B is not required if the applicant is fully registered in SAM.gov. Required attachments include a one-page CV or resume for key personnel proposed for the program, letters of support from partners that clearly describe each partners roles and responsibilities, and any official permission letters needed to conduct the planned activities. Proposals must be submitted electronically, and the solicitation limits applicants to one submission per organization or individual. The submission email address is KampalaGrants@state.gov, and the deadline stated in the announcement is close of business September 30, 2021. Incomplete submissions are not considered, and applications are not reviewed until all required information is received.

A major eligibility component is compliance with U.S. federal registration requirements. Applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet identifier (the announcement references DUNS/UEI), an NCAGE code (required for foreign entities registering in SAM.gov), and an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), with proof of application acceptable if a registration is still pending. The notice emphasizes that the legal business name and address must match exactly across D&B, NCAGE, and SAM.gov records, down to punctuation and capitalization, and that self-registration is free. It also highlights that registration can take roughly three to fourteen business days depending on processing and troubleshooting, and it provides guidance and contact points for D&B, NCAGE, and SAM support.

After submission, proposals are reviewed by the Public Affairs Office Grant Review Committee. The published selection criteria focus on program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity (including expertise, planning ability, and responsible fiscal management), and the clarity and detail of the project plan (including target audience definition, recruitment approach, geographic focus, and a reasonable implementation timeline). Budget review looks for cost reasonableness and whether the budget realistically accounts for the resources required to achieve results. Monitoring and evaluation capacity is assessed based on whether the applicant can define milestones, targets, and track progress over time. Reviewers also consider sustainability, as well as the strength of American content, meaning how well the activities deepen participants understanding of U.S. society and ideals, particularly volunteerism and community service.

In terms of award timing, the Embassy indicates it aims to notify applicants of decisions within six to eight weeks after the deadline, though this depends on funding availability. Even after selection, funds may not be immediately accessible; allocation can take up to two months once all award paperwork is completed. Applicants selected for further consideration must provide official copies of the required registrations, and failure to provide them results in disqualification. The opportunity also underscores that awards are contingent on available U.S. government funds and the signing of official award documents, and that applicants should not incur or obligate expenses until all administrative steps are finalized.

Finally, the grant carries reporting obligations. Recipients must submit program and financial reports at intervals specified in the award agreement, and timely reporting may be tied to the disbursement of funds. The Access program is administered by the U.S. Embassy Kampala Public Affairs Office, which oversees coordination, compliance, and performance expectations throughout the award period.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "English Access Micro Scholarship Program (Access)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 02, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for AFKAM FY21 05

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