Opportunity Information: Apply for NEAAC ACBURGR 16 013
The Student Leaders Program is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run through the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC). It seeks one primary organization to design and deliver a structured, high-intensity leadership development initiative for a cohort of promising undergraduate and graduate students from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The program is framed as a continuous learning experience intended to strengthen practical leadership abilities while also deepening participants understanding of civil society and how communities organize, advocate, and pursue reform.
At the center of the opportunity is an academic residency paired with field study, lasting roughly six to eight weeks. Through this residency model, participants are expected to build leadership and collective problem-solving skills in a setting that combines classroom-style learning with experiential activities. The grant emphasizes preparing students to return home better equipped to facilitate civic engagement and contribute to positive change, both within their local communities and across the region. The target participant pool is a multinational group of approximately 100 to 120 standout students drawn from across MENA, indicating the program is meant to foster cross-border peer networks alongside individual skill-building.
This funding opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the government anticipates an active partnership role during implementation rather than a purely hands-off grant. The State Department planned to support a single prime implementer beginning in 2017, suggesting the selected organization would be responsible for the overall program design, participant experience, coordination, and delivery under one unified management structure.
In terms of scale and eligibility, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $2,500,000 and expects to make one award. Eligible applicants include a wide range of potential implementers: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses). The funding activity category is education, and the CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 19.600. The NOFO was created on October 28, 2016, with an original application deadline of December 9, 2016.Apply for NEAAC ACBURGR 16 013
- The Department of State, Near East Affairs - Assistance Coordination in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Student Leaders Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.600.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 28, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 09, 2016 No Explanation. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Student Leaders Program (U.S. Department of State) - FAQs
What is the Student Leaders Program?
The Student Leaders Program is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run through the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC). It supports the design and delivery of a structured, high-intensity leadership development initiative for promising undergraduate and graduate students from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
What is the purpose of this grant opportunity?
The purpose is to fund one primary organization to create a continuous learning experience that strengthens practical leadership skills while deepening participants understanding of civil society and how communities organize, advocate, and pursue reform. The program is designed to prepare students to return home better equipped to facilitate civic engagement and contribute to positive change.
Who is the target participant group?
The program targets a multinational cohort of approximately 100 to 120 standout undergraduate and graduate students drawn from across the MENA region. The cohort design indicates the program is intended to support cross-border peer networks as well as individual leadership development.
What does the program model look like?
The program centers on an academic residency paired with field study. The residency is described as a structured, high-intensity experience that combines classroom-style learning with experiential activities focused on leadership and collective problem-solving.
How long is the academic residency and field study component?
The academic residency paired with field study is expected to last roughly six to eight weeks.
What kinds of skills and knowledge are participants expected to develop?
Participants are expected to build practical leadership abilities and collective problem-solving skills. They are also expected to deepen their understanding of civil society and how communities organize, advocate, and pursue reform, with the goal of applying these lessons after returning home.
Is the program intended to have an impact beyond individual participants?
Yes. The grant emphasizes preparing students to return to their home communities better equipped to facilitate civic engagement and contribute to positive change locally and across the region. The multinational cohort size also suggests an emphasis on building regional, cross-border networks among participants.
What type of award is this?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement. This means the government anticipates playing an active partnership role during implementation, rather than providing a purely hands-off grant.
How many awards does the State Department expect to make?
The opportunity expects to make one award, selecting a single prime implementer.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $2,500,000.
Who is expected to implement the program?
The program is intended to be implemented by one primary organization (the prime implementer) responsible for overall program design, the participant experience, coordination, and delivery under a unified management structure, in partnership with the government consistent with a cooperative agreement.
Which U.S. government office is running this opportunity?
The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC).
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is education.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 19.600.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses).
Are small businesses eligible to apply?
No. For-profit organizations are eligible except for small businesses, which are explicitly excluded in the eligibility description provided.
Is this opportunity limited to nonprofit organizations?
No. The eligibility list includes institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and certain for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses).
When was the NOFO created?
The NOFO was created on October 28, 2016.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was December 9, 2016.
When was the program planned to begin under the selected implementer?
The State Department planned to support a single prime implementer beginning in 2017.
Does the opportunity specify where the residency takes place?
No location is specified in the provided information. The description focuses on the residency and field study model and the target participant region (MENA), but it does not name a host country, city, or campus site.
Does the opportunity specify the exact curriculum or required training topics?
The information provided describes broad goals and themes (leadership development, civil society understanding, community organizing and advocacy, and experiential learning) but does not list a detailed curriculum or required training modules.
Does the opportunity specify how students are selected?
No. While it states the target cohort size (about 100 to 120) and that participants are promising students from across MENA, it does not describe selection criteria, nomination processes, or recruitment methods.
Does the opportunity require engagement with civil society concepts?
Yes. A central element of the program framing is deepening participants understanding of civil society and how communities organize, advocate, and pursue reform.
What does "continuous learning experience" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, the program is framed as more than a stand-alone event. It is intended to be a structured learning experience that includes an academic residency and field study and is designed to strengthen leadership skills and understanding of civic engagement in a sustained way.
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