U.S. Embassy English Language Program | MMR FY18 NOFO 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for MMR FY18 NOFO 01

The U.S. Embassy Rangoon, through the Department of State's Bureau of East Asia and Pacific, is inviting organizations to compete for a cooperative agreement to run an English Language Program (ELP) in Myanmar. The program will operate in two main locations: the American Center in Rangoon and the Jefferson Center in Mandalay. The central purpose is to deliver high-quality English language instruction that is closely tied to American English and cultural learning, creating a space where participants can strengthen communication skills, deepen cultural understanding, and build people-to-people connections between Myanmar and the United States.

The grant supports a multi-year engagement, with an initial funding amount of $50,000 provided at the outset and the possibility of scaling up if additional resources become available. Although the Embassy may choose to extend the award for up to five years, any extensions depend on Embassy priorities, strong performance, and future funding availability, and there is no guarantee of continued funding beyond the initial period. The notice also makes clear that publishing the opportunity does not obligate the U.S. Government to make an award, and that the Embassy can adjust proposed budgets upward or downward based on available funds and evaluation requirements.

A key expectation is that the selected grantee will manage the ELP end-to-end, covering both academic and administrative functions. This includes overseeing the instructional program itself as well as the operational pieces that make it work in practice. Because the ELP is considered a core part of the Embassy's public outreach strategy, the organization running it is expected to protect and strengthen the reputation and branding of both the American Center and the Jefferson Center. The program is positioned as more than standard language classes: it is meant to provide structured learning opportunities for the general public, offer specialized courses with cultural themes, and create chances for participants to interact with native English speakers. The broader ecosystem around the Centers, including library resources, public programs, and organized clubs, is part of the overall learning environment the ELP should complement. Teacher training may also be offered at times, depending on needs and programming decisions.

An important feature of this opportunity is the Embassy's expectation that the English Language Program becomes financially self-sustaining within roughly two to four years. Applicants are therefore required to propose a realistic program income plan. The application should explain how revenue will be generated, including suggested tuition rates, provide an estimate of the income expected during the project period, and describe how that income will be used to advance allowable program goals. Any income earned during the award must be treated as program income and added to the funding committed by the Department and the recipient, then reinvested into eligible project objectives rather than diverted elsewhere. To enforce that structure, the proposal budget must include a dedicated Program Income column that clearly shows which cost categories and line items will be covered by the earned income.

Administratively, this opportunity is listed as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning the Embassy is likely to remain actively involved in guiding or coordinating aspects of implementation compared to a more hands-off grant. The opportunity is issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Myanmar, and anticipates making one award. The funding opportunity number is MMR FY18 NOFO 01, and the CFDA number associated with the activity is 19.040, within the Education category. The original posting indicates it was created on July 9, 2018, with an original closing date of August 15, 2018, and an award ceiling of $50,000.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Myanmar in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy English Language Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 09, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 15, 2018. (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 $50,000.00 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 MMR FY18 NOFO 01

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