EducationUSA Singapore Partnership | PAS SINGAPORE FY21 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS SINGAPORE FY21 001

The EducationUSA Singapore Partnership is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Singapore) funding opportunity to select a local host organization for the EducationUSA Singapore Advising Center and to jointly run outreach that promotes U.S. higher education in Singapore. The core idea is a cooperative partnership: the U.S. Embassy in Singapore contributes funding support (including partial support for an advisor salary and basic operating expenses), provides access to EducationUSA training and resources, and supports marketing and promotion, while the selected partner supplies the on-the-ground space, infrastructure, and programming capacity needed to make advising and outreach more accessible to students and the broader community. The program is designed to help build a pipeline of globally minded students with broader networks and innovative thinking by offering reliable information about study options in the United States and by connecting stakeholders in ways that reflect real education and workforce needs.

The main objectives focus on access, capacity-building, and alignment with broader needs. First, the Advising Center must provide free, accurate, and non-biased guidance about U.S. higher education opportunities to students, families, and school representatives in Singapore. Second, the program is expected to train and inform secondary and post-secondary educators (teachers, counselors, administrators) so they are better equipped to advise their own students about U.S. study pathways. Third, the partner should collaborate with public and private sector stakeholders in Singapore and the United States, when appropriate, to ensure EducationUSA Singapore programming is relevant and can be aligned with industry needs (for example, bringing in subject-matter experts, alumni, or coordinating with institutions and associations).

The target audiences are broad but centered on prospective students exploring U.S. education. This includes students preparing for undergraduate and graduate study, as well as technical/vocational programs and study abroad opportunities in the United States. Day-to-day advising is meant to serve students and families directly, as well as education professionals who influence student decisions. On top of regular advising hours, the program anticipates frequent outreach events that can be in-person, hybrid, or fully virtual and that engage students, parents, teachers, counselors, government entities, and U.S. university admissions representatives.

Applicants are expected to propose a practical plan for three major deliverables: advising services, outreach and events, and physical hosting of the Advising Center. On advising, proposals should explain how the organization will provide full-time or part-time advising and ensure the public can access services consistently. On outreach, the proposal should describe how the partner will actively organize and host events such as lectures, workshops, presentations, and college-related information sessions, including how they will attract attendees and amplify reach through media and digital channels. On infrastructure, the partner must provide basic facilities that meet EducationUSA requirements, including a dedicated private office for the EducationUSA Advisor, meeting space, storage for reference materials, and a small reference area with seating and equipment. The center is expected to maintain a special reference collection about U.S. higher education, display EducationUSA branding and ethical advising principles, and provide at least 20 public service hours per week, which is the Department of State baseline definition for an advising center.

Because this is intended as a shared-investment model, cost sharing is expected and must be described clearly. The proposal should show how U.S. government funds and the organization’s cost share will cover essentials such as office space, utilities (electricity, phone, internet), maintenance of equipment and materials purchased with U.S. funds, and logistical support for events (including venue access when possible). The partner is also expected to recruit and manage local collaborating organizations that can strengthen the campaign, and to provide clear visibility for EducationUSA services (for example, posting public hours and contact details on the partner’s website and displaying affiliation at the center). A monitoring and evaluation plan is required and should measure outcomes and impacts, not just activity counts, and the partner should also outline sustainability plans that help the center’s value continue beyond the initial award period.

On funding and administration, the award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which means the U.S. Embassy will be actively involved in implementation rather than operating at arm’s length. The performance period is 12 months, with an anticipated start around March 1, 2021 (subject to funding availability), and there is the possibility of future awards if performance is strong and funds are available. The program anticipates making one award, typically ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 75,000, with up to USD 75,000 in total funding available from FY21 ECA and Embassy public diplomacy funds; the notice also indicates additional funds could be possible if the proposed budget and goals justify it and approvals are obtained. The Embassy requires close coordination, transparent communications, and a robust reporting system, and it retains approval authority over major program elements such as office/venue space, event choices and dates, marketing materials, media products, and any sub-awardees or collaborators.

Eligibility is limited to non-profit entities and higher education institutions. The opportunity is open to U.S.-based, Singapore-based, and foreign non-profit organizations/NGOs, as well as U.S., Singapore, or foreign private, public, or state institutions of higher education; for-profit entities are not eligible. U.S.-based applicants are expected to show strong connections to a Singapore-based partner. Awardees must be registered in SAM.gov to receive federal funds, and any proposed cost-share partnerships generally require pre-approval by the Embassy.

Applications must include a complete narrative and budget package with specific required sections: a proposal summary, organizational background and relevant past performance (including prior work with the U.S. Embassy or other U.S. government entities if applicable), a problem statement tied to the program’s objectives, clear objectives, a detailed activity and deliverables plan, a program schedule, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and a sustainability plan, along with an itemized budget in U.S. dollars. Applicants must also submit the mandatory federal forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B. Submissions are made by email only to SingaporePASCultural@state.gov with the subject line “PAS Grant Application” plus the organization name; hardcopy, courier, faxed, or late submissions are not accepted. Proposals are reviewed by a Grants Review Committee, and applications are evaluated against published criteria rather than being ranked directly against other applicants. Questions about the opportunity and requests for reasonable accommodations are directed to the same Embassy email address.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Singapore in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "EducationUSA Singapore Partnership" 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 Nov 20, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 31, 2020. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAS SINGAPORE FY21 001

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