2022/2023 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program | AF HAR FY22 09

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY22 09

The 2022/2023 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity run through the U.S. Embassy in Harare (Public Diplomacy Section) to support a project that expands access to U.S. higher education for high-achieving Zimbabwean students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The core idea is to remove the early, out-of-pocket financial barriers that often block strong candidates from applying to U.S. institutions, even when they are competitive for scholarships. All project activities must be directed at Zimbabwean participants, with implementation taking place in Zimbabwe and, where relevant, in the United States.

Under this opportunity, one organization will be selected to administer the Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) in close coordination with the Embassy Public Diplomacy Section and EducationUSA advisers based in Zimbabwe. While the grantee manages implementation and funding logistics, the Embassy and EducationUSA advisers retain a central role in shaping the program: they develop the student selection criteria and lead the selection committee. The program specifically targets students who have the academic strength to earn scholarships from U.S. colleges and universities but who lack the resources to pay the upfront application-related costs that come before any scholarship decision is made.

The grant funds (up to USD 70,000) are intended to cover two connected phases of support spanning the 2022 to 2024 advising cycle. In the first phase, the selected implementing organization recruits student cohorts and coordinates payments and logistics for about 25 selected students as they move through the U.S. application pipeline. This includes arranging and paying for standardized tests, application fees, transcript evaluations, and other necessary pre-enrollment expenses. Alongside these financial supports, the grantee is expected to provide programmatic and logistical backing to EducationUSA advisers as they deliver structured advising sessions. The advising topics are comprehensive and practical, covering the step-by-step U.S. admissions process, strategies for securing financial aid and awards, development of personal statements and essays, guidance on recommendation letters, preparation of CVs or resumes, and handling transcripts, equivalencies, and related documentation.

In the second phase, the organization shifts from application support to pre-departure and arrival logistics for roughly 20 students who ultimately secure opportunities to study in the United States. This phase includes managing critical travel and onboarding costs and coordination tasks such as visa-related expenses (including SEVIS fees), international airfare, a settling-in allowance, and other expenses tied to preparing students for departure and initial arrival. The Embassy emphasizes that the successful grantee must show strong financial stewardship, reliable logistics coordination, and the ability to process payments accurately and on time, since these steps are time-sensitive and directly affect students ability to meet university and visa deadlines.

Program delivery can be handled virtually, using consistent web-based and phone-based advising and counseling sessions with selected Zimbabwean participants. The target audience is described broadly as high-achieving Zimbabwean high school and university students, reflecting the program focus on both undergraduate and graduate pathways. Administrative costs are allowed, but capped at up to 10 percent, signaling that most funds are expected to flow directly into student support and program delivery rather than overhead.

From a funding and timeline perspective, this is a single-award grant (one organization selected) with total available funding of USD 70,000 under FY22 funds. The anticipated start date listed is September 1, 2022. The notice indicates an 18-month performance period, while also stating that proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less, meaning applicants should design an implementation plan that fits within these boundaries and aligns with the overall 2022-2024 advising cycle described. As with many federal opportunities, the award is explicitly subject to the availability of funds. The funding instrument is a grant, categorized under education, offered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, with the original application closing date of May 8, 2022 and an award ceiling of USD 70,000.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2022/2023 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program" 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 Apr 07, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 08, 2022. (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 $70,000.00 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 AF HAR FY22 09

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