Overview
Submission Deadline: March 22, 2023
The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-17 year-olds students from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access gives participants English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects. Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States. Since its inception in 2004, approximately 100,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program.
Proposal Requirements
Program Guidelines and Criteria
Providers for 2023-2025 English Access Microscholarship Program will be competitively selected with the following considerations:
- Access Providers may host no more than 30 students.
- Providers should demonstrate evidence of the ability to manage an academic program, including management of funds, reporting, and instruction.
- Providers must hire qualified English teachers at a ratio of one teacher for 15 students.
- Providers must hire a program coordinator who can submit reports in English. A coordinator may also be a teacher in the program.
- Programs must cover a minimum of 360 hours of English language instruction over two years through after school/weekend and intensive sessions.
- Intensive sessions are usually held during school vacations and summer, and may take the form of an academic camp. Each intensive session can be no more than 8 hours per day and 40 hours in total. Programs usually have two, and the primary focus is English language development.
- Enhancement activities are counted outside of these 360 academic hours of instruction and should account for approximately 3-4 hours per month.
- Instructional hours for the Access Program include only Access Program students selected for study.
- Evaluation is required and providers must administer the same English language proficiency test before and after the program to demonstrate student progress.
- English language proficiency is not a pre-requisite and must not be used as selection criteria.
- Overlapping Access Programs will not be preferred for the 2023-2025 program cycle.
- Preference will be given to proposals from under-resources and rural areas in Batken, Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Jalalabat oblasts.
Budget Guidelines
| Budget Item (Per Student Budget for 2 Years) | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|
| Instruction Total: Salary for teachers Professional Development | Up to 55% |
| Books/Materials: Textbooks for StudentsTeachers’ Books Other Materials for Teaching Stationary | Up to 10% |
| Administration Accounting: Salary for Coordinator Other Related Fees | Up to 10% |
| Enhancement Activities | Up to 10% |
| Transportation for Rural Students for Intensive Sessions | Up to 15% |
| Food for Intensive Sessions | Up to 15% |
| Accommodation for Intensive Sessions | Up to 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Please note the following:
- Cost per student for two years should not exceed $900
- Rent may not be included in the budget.
- The budget for salary includes income tax and social fund deductions.
- Administration must not exceed 10% of the total budget and includes the coordinator’s monthly salary, accounting and banking fees, and other administrative expenses.
- Professional development activities for Access teachers are mandatory and should be included in after school budget
- Food and Accommodation require justification in the narrative and budget.
Proposals must be written in English.
Both narrative project and budget breakdown should be submitted electronically no later than March 22, 2023 to:
Tel.: (996 312) 597 000, ext. 7409
Fax: (996 312) 597 744
BishkekProjectProposal@state.gov