SFOP0007960: FY 2021 English Access Microscholarship Program
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs notices from 2021.
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs offered grants of up to $26.0 million to nonprofits and colleges and universities. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on June 7, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed April 9, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$26.0 million
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | April 9, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | June 7, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | July 7, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits and colleges and universities.
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Please see full announcement.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Academic Exchange Programs - English Language Programs awards averaged $1.8 million; this notice allows up to $26.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (68% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open competition to administer the FY 2021 English Access Microscholarship Program (Access). The Access Program is a multi-faceted program designed to support global English language learning needs and to improve English teaching globally. The program exposes participants to U.S. culture and democratic values through English language scholarships for youth, professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, and programming for alumni. The program’s three-pronged approach includes, but is not limited to: 1) Teacher professional development: Participants receive professional development opportunities that strengthen student-centered learning; critical thinking and communicative methodologies; understanding of U.S. culture, democratic values, and service learning. Funds support programming for teachers, directors, administrators, and ministry officials in-country, in the region, and in the U.S. Programs may be virtual, hybrid or in-person depending on local health and safety conditions and on the theme or target audience for the program. The program helps teachers serve as role models and mentors to other English teachers in their respective countries and regions and provides a multiplier effect that strengthens the teaching of English in their countries. 2) Scholarships: Bright, underserved students worldwide, primarily aged 13 to 20, receive a foundation of English language, leadership and professional skills, and exposure to U.S. culture and democratic values. Funds support in-country study for English classes close to the participants’ homes. Classes are usually taught in-person when health and safety conditions allow, but may move to online teaching to ensure the health and safety of the students and teachers. Hybrid and virtual-only programs may be piloted for pedagogical or programmatic purposes. The programs increase the students’ potential to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries and increase their chances of competing for and participating in future U.S. exchange and study programs. 3) Alumni: Participants receive opportunities that strengthen their foundation of English language, leadership and/or professional skills and understanding of U.S. culture and democratic values acquired under the scholarship program.
Who has won Academic Exchange Programs - English Language Programs grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Academic Exchange Programs - English Language Programs (19.421) awarded $180 million across 101 grant awards, an average of $1.8 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Health International | North Carolina | 9 | $104 million |
| Georgetown University | District of Columbia | 7 | $74.9 million |
| Escuela Superior de Economia y Negocios | 3 | $150,000 | |
| Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees | 6 | $105,811 | |
| Angoltanarok Nemzetkozi Egyesulete | 1 | $78,803 |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is SFOP0007960 still open?
No. It closed on June 7, 2021.
Who can apply for FY 2021 English Access Microscholarship Program?
Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs accepted applications from nonprofits and colleges and universities. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for FY 2021 English Access Microscholarship Program?
Closed June 7, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $26.0 million each.
Who has won Academic Exchange Programs - English Language Programs grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Family Health International, Georgetown University, Escuela Superior de Economia y Negocios. The program made 101 awards worth $180 million in that time.
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