Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity. Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO).

Program SummaryÌý

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders are intensive academic programs that provide groups of foreign undergraduate students with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions. The principal objective of the program is to provide foreign student leaders an in-depth examination of a theme in U.S. studies, while also heightening their awareness of the history and evolution of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions, broadly defined. The Institutes should address the influence of principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual rights, freedom of expression, equality, diversity, and tolerance, and should also incorporate a focus on contemporary American life. Applicants should propose to administer either option A: SUSIs for Student Leaders (Global) which includes seven Institutes, or option B: SUSIs for Student Leaders from Europe, which includes four Institutes. Each Institute should be five weeks in duration, including an approximately four-week academic residency at an academic institution and approximately one week on an integrated educational study tour. The academic residency should take place on a U.S. university or college campus, and should include academic coursework as well as weekly community service activities, weekly leadership development sessions, and opportunities for interaction with American peers that showcases a balanced view of the diversity of demographics, institutions, and perspectives within the United States. The study tour to another region of the United States should complement the academic residency. All programs should conclude in Washington, D.C., with a stay of two to four days. The programs should include opportunities for continued follow-on engagement once participants return home.

Option A: The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders (Global) The award recipient will be responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing seven (7) Institutes, and the oversight and management of performance of all sub-award recipients under the award. Each Institute should be organized for 20 undergraduate students from underserved communities for a total of 140 participants. Institutes should focus on the following themes: Civic Engagement (2); Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (2); Religious Freedom and Pluralism (1); Youth, Education, and Closing the Skills Gap (1); and the Rule of Law and Public Service (1).

Option B: The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe The award recipient will be responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing four (4) Institutes and the oversight and management of performance of all sub-award recipients under the award. Each Institute should be organized for 20 undergraduate students from underserved communities in Europe for a total of 80 participants. Institutes should focus on the following themes: Civic Engagement (1); Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (1); Journalism and Media (1); and Youth, Education, and Closing the Skills Gap (1). The program should also include a one or two-day event that brings together all participants during the Washington, D.C. portion of the Institutes.

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST December 5, 2018

Sponsor Application Deadline: 10:00pm MST January 10, 2019

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Project Summary (up to 2 pages)
  • PI CV
  • Budget Overview (up to 1 page): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

Organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.

Limited Submission Guidelines

Applicants may submit only one proposal under this competition.

Award Information

Award Amount: ECA intends to award two Cooperative Agreements (one base year plus two non-competitive continuations). One Cooperative Agreement for Option A and one for Option B.

  • Option A: $7,800,000 ($2,600,000 for FY2019 base year)
  • Option B: $4,350,000 ($1,450,000 for FY2019 base year)

Award Duration: 3 years (one base year plus two noncompetitive continuation years).

Cost Share: There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, ECA encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.