FY 2019 English Access and Advance | DOSRUS19CA006

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS19CA006

The FY 2019 English Access and Advance grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DOSRUS19CA006) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Moscow to support English language programming in Russia during FY 2019-2020. The Embassy, working through its English Language Office (ELO), is seeking an organization to serve as the primary administrator that can deliver broad technical, administrative, and logistical management for two major initiatives: the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) and the Advance program focused on vocational English. The overall purpose is to strengthen English teaching and learning outcomes in Russia by improving students English proficiency, professionally developing English teachers, and supporting expert-led training that helps teachers further train other educators.

Because this is structured as a cooperative agreement, the award recipient is expected to work in close coordination with the English Language Officer at PAS Moscow throughout the full program lifecycle, including program design, implementation, ongoing monitoring, and evaluation. This is not a hands-off grant where the recipient operates independently; instead, the grantee must consult regularly with the Embassy and align operational decisions and reporting with Embassy expectations. A key compliance requirement is maintaining program account records and providing those records to the Embassy on a regular basis, reflecting a strong emphasis on financial stewardship and transparent reconciliation.

For the Advance program, the selected organization is responsible for building out and managing the model used in Russia, preparing the program proposal and implementation approach, and running the preparation and site selection processes. The administrator must also handle contracting and payments, coordinate enhancement activities such as field trips, trainings, and conferences, and manage the logistical and financial arrangements that make these activities possible. In addition, the grantee must compile alumni lists, print graduation certificates, reconcile financial and program reports, monitor program processes, and provide routine reporting to the Embassy. Site visits and other monitoring tools are explicitly expected to track performance and progress across program locations.

For the Access program, the scope is similarly comprehensive but includes the added complexity of administering a larger staffing structure. The administrator must develop the Russia-specific program model and proposal, oversee preparation and site selection, and manage individual contracts and payments for more than 100 staff involved in delivery. This includes coordinators, teachers, counselors, and teaching assistants, as well as service and supplies providers. The organization must also maintain alumni lists, produce graduation certificates, reconcile financial and programmatic reports, and conduct ongoing monitoring with regular reporting to the Embassy, including site visits and other methods of performance oversight.

A major operational component across both programs is logistical support for professional development activities for Access and Advance teachers and staff. The opportunity specifically anticipates events such as conferences, trainings, and themed program days (Access and Advance Days). The grantee would be expected to manage the practical details that determine whether these events run smoothly, including arranging individual travel for participants, booking hotels, purchasing materials and supplies, organizing meals and coffee breaks, and handling publications or printed materials connected to these activities.

Eligibility is limited to public and state controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The awarding agency is the U.S. Mission to Russia, the activity category is education (CFDA 19.040), and the application deadline listed for the original posting was July 1, 2019. The award ceiling is $475,000. Overall, the opportunity is designed for an institution with strong capacity in program administration, contracting and payments, event logistics, multi-site monitoring, and disciplined financial and narrative reporting in a collaborative environment where the Embassy remains closely engaged in program direction and evaluation.

• The U.S. Mission to Russia in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2019 English Access and Advance" 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 2019-02-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-07-01. (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 $475,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

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