Simpler Grants.gov #DFOP0018335

Cooperative Agreement for STRIVE Program: International Academic Partnerships and Small Grants Competition

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is seeking a recipient to implement the FY 2026 Strengthening Talent, Research, Innovation and Vital Engagement (STRIVE) Program through a cooperative agreement. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Academic Exchanges (ECA/A/E) - OEMs and Vendors: - ECA is the sole government entity and program sponsor; no commercial OEMs or vendors are specified - Products/Services Requested: - Implementation and oversight of a small grants competition, resulting in at least 25 subawards to accredited U.S. colleges and universities for developing international academic programs (study, internship, apprenticeship, and research abroad) - Development and execution of a Higher Education Partnerships Initiative, including public seminars, an in-person forum for approximately 40 U.S. and foreign higher education leaders, and follow-on microgrants - Performance monitoring and reporting using the MODE Framework, including data collection on participant demographics, skills development, and program outcomes - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Recipient must maximize funding for subawards and closely consult with ECA throughout the program - Emphasis on supporting U.S. interests in fields such as artificial intelligence, supercomputing, critical minerals, emerging technologies, and energy - Performance monitoring includes both short- and long-term outcome measurement (up to 10 years post-program) - Recipient must organize both virtual and in-person engagements, including a major industry conference forum - Funding and Duration: - Total available funding is $2,000,000 for up to 48 months, with potential renewal for two additional years - Place of Performance: - Primary activities coordinated through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in Washington, DC

Description

The STRIVE Program aims to strengthen U.S. global leadership by supporting U.S. higher education institutions to prepare the next generation of American leaders with essential knowledge, skills, and relationships to advance U.S. commercial and security interests. It provides competitively selected subawards and resources to U.S. colleges and universities to establish international partnerships and programming for undergraduate and graduate students in critical industries. The program has three main objectives: increasing U.S. institutions developing international partnerships, increasing student participation in study, internship, apprenticeship, and research abroad programs aligned with domestic labor needs, and expanding strategic locations for these activities. The award recipient will implement a small grants competition resulting in at least 25 subawards and develop a Higher Education Partnerships Initiative fostering global academic exchanges in fields critical to U.S. interests.

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