U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, EducationUSA Academy Scholarship Program | HKG NOFO FY23 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for HKG NOFO FY23 002

The U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, through its Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Department of State, is offering a competitive government grant in the form of a cooperative agreement to run the 2024 EducationUSA Academy Scholarship Program for students from Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. The opportunity is designed to support a summer enrichment pathway that helps motivated teenagers better understand U.S. higher education and build the academic and practical skills needed to succeed as future undergraduate students in the United States. The program is focused specifically on strengthening cultural and educational ties between the United States and Hong Kong and Macau by creating a structured, high-touch exchange and advising experience.

The core objective is to select and support up to ten students, ages 15 to 17, from Hong Kong and Macau to participate in the U.S. Department of State EducationUSA Academy during summer 2024. The Academy is described as an intensive, in-person, campus-based experience in the United States. Alongside English language training, the Academy emphasizes preparation for undergraduate study, including exposure to the U.S. university environment, expectations in the classroom, and the broader landscape of U.S. colleges and universities. Participants also gain the lived experience of being on a U.S. campus, which typically includes structured academic sessions, skills-building workshops, and guided exploration of U.S. higher education options. The announcement references the EducationUSA Academy network of host institutions, with additional details available through the program website (edusaacademy.org).

The grant will support one award, with an estimated maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $160,000, and the U.S. government expects to make a single cooperative agreement under this competition. Because it is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, applicants should anticipate active involvement from the U.S. Department of State or PAS during planning and implementation, such as coordination on program design, recruitment approaches, compliance expectations, participant support, and reporting. The activity category is Education, and the funding is listed under CFDA number 19.040, which is commonly associated with public diplomacy and educational exchange programming administered by the Department of State.

Eligible applicants are broad and include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), as well as individuals and other entities as allowed under the notice (with the expectation that applicants review the full eligibility clarification in the official funding notice). The Consulate explicitly encourages proposals from organizations in the United States, Hong Kong, and Macau that have demonstrated capability in facilitating and managing academic exchange programs. In practical terms, this implies that strong proposals will likely show credible experience in student recruitment and selection, youth program management, cross-border logistics, safeguarding and duty-of-care practices for minors, coordination with U.S.-based Academy host campuses, and the ability to deliver a well-managed program that aligns with EducationUSA and U.S. public diplomacy objectives.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title (U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, EducationUSA Academy Scholarship Program) and funding opportunity number (HKG NOFO FY23 002). The opportunity was created on July 13, 2023, with an original application deadline of August 31, 2023. The issuing agency is the Department of State, U.S. Mission to China, reflecting that the program is managed through the U.S. diplomatic mission structure serving Hong Kong and Macau. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at enabling a select group of high school students to gain direct exposure to U.S. higher education through a structured summer academy experience, while advancing long-term people-to-people engagement between the United States and the Hong Kong and Macau communities.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to China in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, EducationUSA Academy Scholarship Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 13, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2023. (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 $160,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: 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, Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HKG NOFO FY23 002

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