2024-2026 English Access Microscholarship Program | EMB YAOUNDE PDS ACCESS FY24 05

Opportunity Information: Apply for EMB YAOUNDE PDS ACCESS FY24 05

The 2024-2026 English Access Microscholarship Program grant is a U.S. Embassy Cameroon funding opportunity for Cameroon-based organizations to design and run a two-year English-language program for economically disadvantaged youth. The Embassy is seeking implementers to operate the Access program in one of the priority locations: Ngaoundere (Adamawa Region), Douala (Littoral Region), Bafoussam (West Region), or Bertoua (East Region). The program is structured to begin in Fall 2024 and conclude in 2026, and that timeline includes all preparatory and wrap-up work such as recruiting students and teachers, purchasing materials, holding closing activities, and submitting final reports.

At its core, the Access program provides free English instruction to talented students ages 13 to 20 who come from underserved backgrounds, including youth from urban, rural, and ethnic minority communities. Beyond language learning, the program is meant to build students critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills, while also helping them develop stronger job readiness and broader 21st century competencies. A key emphasis is exposure to U.S. culture and democratic values, with the long-term aim of helping participants better contribute to Cameroon's socioeconomic development and become more competitive for future U.S. exchange and study opportunities. Globally, Access has operated since 2004 and has served about 200,000 students in more than 90 countries, including roughly 500 participants in Cameroon.

Program design proposals must include at least 360 total hours of instruction over the two-year period and should combine several delivery modes. These include after-school or weekend classes, intensive sessions (commonly during school breaks or summer-style periods), and project-based learning. The project-based component is expected to go beyond classroom instruction and can include off-site immersion activities and civic outreach, which are intended to strengthen leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and community engagement. Teacher development is also built into the model, reflecting that the quality and consistency of instruction is a central performance expectation.

Applicants need to show they have an appropriate learning site and the ability to run a safe, functional program. The proposal must specify the location and the actual space to be used for classes and activities, and the applicant must either prove the space belongs to the grantee or provide a written agreement with the space owner. The classroom must accommodate 30 students and include basic teaching and facility requirements such as a blackboard or whiteboard, access to power, and minimum sanitary conditions. Internet capability is strongly preferred; if the site does not have it, applicants are encouraged to budget to provide it. Proposals can also highlight additional learning spaces that could enrich the program, such as theaters, gardens, or sports facilities.

From an implementation standpoint, the selected provider will work in consultation with the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde to define and apply criteria for identifying "economically disadvantaged youth" and to recruit the student cohort. The implementing organization is also responsible for recruiting qualified English teachers and monitoring class quality, student attendance, and student performance. Reporting is a significant requirement: the provider must submit frequent reports (typically quarterly), provide periodic program highlights with photos following Embassy guidance, and produce a substantial final performance report at the end of the award. The provider must also maintain graduate records so that program completers can be added to the U.S. Embassy Cameroon alumni database for future follow-on engagement.

The budget framework allows proposals up to a total ceiling of $40,000. Up to $30,000 is intended to design and deliver a complete Access program for one cohort of 30 students and five teachers in one of the priority cities. An additional component, capped at $10,000 but included in the same proposal, is dedicated to teacher professional development across the country program: at least two hours of paid professional development per teacher per month for all in-country Access teachers (15 individuals). This capacity-building plan is expected to include two in-person workshops plus virtual engagement through the Access Teacher Community of Practice (CoP). The Embassy also notes it may decide to split the teacher-development component among multiple providers and may request budget or proposal adjustments accordingly. Applicants should budget comprehensively for all expected costs, including instruction, books and materials, transportation, enhancement activities, administration, and any needed food and accommodation tied to program delivery.

Teacher qualifications and teaching approach are clearly emphasized. The Embassy prefers instructors with degrees or diplomas in English language teaching or education and at least two years of full-time English teaching experience. Teachers should be fluent and comfortable operating in English, and they should have cross-cultural awareness, ideally including familiarity with U.S. culture (actual travel to the United States is not required). The program expects modern, learner-centered teaching methods that prioritize interactive, task-based, and project-based learning. Teachers are also expected to integrate technology appropriately and foster a supportive classroom environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and learning without excessive competition.

The student target group is defined as bright, economically disadvantaged secondary school students with beginner-level English who can commit to the entire two-year cycle. Implementers will form cohorts of 30 students in a selected priority city, and participants who complete the full program will receive certificates of completion from the U.S. Embassy Yaounde. Applicants must also include "American content" in the program design, meaning a substantive American element such as U.S.-origin materials, U.S. speakers or partner organizations, relevant American cultural or societal content, or involvement of Cameroonian alumni of U.S.-sponsored exchange programs. The purpose of this requirement is to strengthen understanding of U.S. values, culture, perspectives, and society while students build their English skills.

Several activities are explicitly not allowed under this funding. The grant cannot be used for scholarships to study in the United States, nor can it fund conference attendance or study tours to the United States. Projects that are inherently political or that appear partisan are prohibited, as are construction activities, programs that support specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, and cash prizes for participants. The eligible applicants are Cameroon-based registered non-profit organizations (including non-profit language centers, think tanks, community associations, and NGOs with relevant programming experience) as well as Cameroon-based non-profit or governmental educational institutions.

Administratively, the opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Cameroon as a discretionary cooperative agreement under Funding Opportunity Number EMB YAOUNDE PDS ACCESS FY24 05 (CFDA 19.421). The award ceiling is $40,000, the Embassy anticipates making about three awards, and the original application closing date listed is January 30, 2024.

• The U.S. Mission to Cameroon in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2024-2026 English Access Microscholarship Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.421.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-30. (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 $40,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for EMB YAOUNDE PDS ACCESS FY24 05

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