English Access Microscholarship Program  | DOS NBO PDS FY22 001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - English Access Microscholarship Program (Kenya) 2022-2023

1) What is the English Access Microscholarship Program grant opportunity?

This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS NBO PDS FY22 001) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya cooperative agreement administered by the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. It invites implementing partners to propose and run the 2022-2023 English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) for economically disadvantaged Kenyan youth.

2) Who is the funding agency and who administers the award?

The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Kenya, and the cooperative agreement is administered via the Public Diplomacy Section at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

3) What is the funding opportunity number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS NBO PDS FY22 001.

4) What type of award is this?

This is a cooperative agreement.

5) What is the overall purpose of Access?

Access is a global initiative (launched in 2004) that combines English language learning with leadership development, civic engagement, and cross-cultural exchange focused on American culture and democratic values. The program aims to build English proficiency while strengthening global citizenship skills such as critical and creative thinking, leadership, IT skills, civic outreach, media literacy, and Kenyan-U.S. cross-cultural understanding.

6) Who are the intended participants (students) for the program?

The program serves motivated students ages 13 to 20 from underprivileged backgrounds, typically secondary school students with beginner-level English. The guidance notes that participants are ideally in Form 2 at the start of the cycle (January 2022).

7) How long is the program and how many instructional hours are required?

The program runs for two years. Participants receive at least 180 hours of instruction per year (360 hours total) over the two-year cycle.

8) Do students receive any certification?

Yes. Upon successful completion, students earn certificates issued by the U.S. Embassy Nairobi.

9) Where in Kenya should implementing partners operate?

Applicants are expected to operate in Mombasa and/or Isiolo Counties.

10) Are proposals expected to address COVID-19 disruptions?

Yes. Because COVID-19 conditions could disrupt timelines and in-person activities, proposals are expected to include an innovative approach that keeps students engaged both face-to-face and virtually. This includes practical plans for remote content delivery, online promotion, and virtual follow-up with participants and audiences.

11) What are the required core components of the 360-hour program design?

The program design must cover three core instructional components within the 360-hour requirement: (1) after-school/weekend English instruction, (2) enhancement activities, and (3) off-site intensive sessions held during school holidays.

12) What is expected for the after-school/weekend English instruction component?

This component is typically held at least twice per week, with sessions lasting about 1.5 to 3 hours. Schedules should ensure classes do not conflict with students' regular school responsibilities. Proposals are expected to move beyond rote/traditional methods and instead emphasize learner-centered, interactive instruction using project-based, task-based, and experiential learning approaches.

13) Is technology or computer instruction required?

Computer instruction and digital learning elements are a consistent expectation. Examples include multimedia activities and appropriate use of social media, either during regular sessions or during intensives.

14) What are "enhancement activities" and how often should they occur?

Enhancement activities are counted toward the 360 total hours and are meant to deepen cross-cultural learning and build civic and leadership competencies. The guidance recommends at least one enhancement activity per month, typically lasting 1.5 to 4 hours, and continuing throughout the full two-year period.

15) What topics can enhancement activities cover?

Suggested themes include U.S. history, popular culture, education, gender issues, environmental topics, ethnic tolerance, democracy, and civil society.

16) What are examples of enhancement activities?

Examples include interactive discussions and games, museum or workplace visits, theater outings, celebrations of U.S. holidays (such as Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July), student-led skits on major historical events, and talent shows featuring U.S. music.

17) Is interaction with the U.S. Embassy or Americans encouraged?

Yes. The Embassy strongly encourages direct interaction with Embassy personnel and American peers when feasible, including online engagement options.

18) What are the off-site intensive sessions, and when do they happen?

Off-site intensive sessions are held during school holidays and are intended to create a more immersive English environment and strengthen cohort bonding.

19) How long and how intensive can these sessions be?

The guidance describes intensive sessions as two-week formats that should not exceed 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. It also notes that in Kenya these sessions often occur as 4-5 day residential experiences with overnight stays and meals. Regardless of configuration, the goal is sustained English-medium immersion combined with cultural and skills-building activities.

20) What types of activities are encouraged during intensive sessions?

Examples include drama, art, music, computers, team-building, peace-building, problem-solving, and other confidence-building exercises. Proposals are encouraged to involve guest speakers, including U.S. exchange alumni and Embassy personnel, and other English-speaking partners.

21) Is community service required as part of Access?

Yes. The program expects meaningful community service to connect students to local needs and reinforce civic participation.

22) What are examples of acceptable community service activities?

Examples include volunteering at senior homes, tutoring younger pupils in English, and organizing park and forest clean-ups.

23) What is "community outreach" in this program?

Community outreach is intended to position the Access site as a model classroom and to share practices with others, including parents, school administrators, and other English teachers (particularly from schools that supply Access students). The expectation is that benefits extend beyond the selected cohort and influence the surrounding education community.

24) What are examples of community outreach activities?

Suggested outreach includes parent workshops on supporting language learning at home, professional development sessions for current or future teachers, and briefings for administrators on strengthening language programs.

25) Are U.S. exchange program alumni expected to be involved?

The Embassy encourages the inclusion of U.S. exchange program alumni in implementation, including as guest speakers or program partners.

26) What types of organizations are encouraged to apply?

The opportunity suggests that strong applicants may include educational institutions and nonprofits with demonstrated capacity and creative methods for reaching disadvantaged youth in the target region.

27) What is the allowable budget range per award?

Budgets range from a minimum of USD 50,000 to a maximum of USD 175,000 per award. The award ceiling is USD 175,000.

28) How many awards were anticipated?

The Embassy anticipated up to three awards.

29) What costs should applicants plan to include in the budget?

Applicants are expected to budget comprehensively for all program costs, including instruction, books and materials, transportation, enhancement activities, administration, and food and (when applicable) accommodation for intensive sessions.

30) Can the Embassy select more than one provider or split implementation?

Yes. The Embassy notes it may split the overall effort among multiple providers.

31) Can finalists be asked to change their proposal?

Yes. The Embassy may ask finalists to revise work plans and budgets.

32) What strategic goal should proposals align with?

Proposals should align with the Embassy strategic goal of supporting conditions that help sustain the Kenyan economy and advance rapid economic growth.

33) When was this opportunity posted and what was the closing date?

The opportunity was posted on November 4, 2021, with an original closing date of December 8, 2021.

34) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity references CFDA 19.022.

35) What is listed for eligibility?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement.