Quincy College Prep Program | DOS SAU PD 05

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS SAU PD 05

The Quincy College Prep Program is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia) funding opportunity designed to expand access to U.S. higher education for high-achieving Saudi secondary school students who come from disadvantaged or traditionally underserved backgrounds. The core idea is to identify promising students early (while they are still in high school), give them a meaningful first-hand experience on a U.S. college campus through the EducationUSA Connect Academies during summer 2022, and then provide sustained, individualized advising after they return home so they can successfully navigate the U.S. college admissions process over the following year. The program is framed as a way to maintain Saudi student mobility to the United States, strengthen long-term mutual understanding between the two countries, and support Saudi Arabia's broader economic transformation goals, including workforce development for youth and women, which in turn is positioned as beneficial for regional stability and bilateral economic ties.

Applicants are expected to run the program end-to-end, starting with recruitment and selection. The selected organization must build a transparent mechanism to announce the opportunity, collect applications, and screen candidates for both eligibility and academic merit. Students should be in grades 10 or 11 at the time they apply, and the selection criteria are meant to prioritize students who are academically strong and realistically positioned to succeed in a U.S.-based academic enrichment setting. That includes intermediate-to-advanced English proficiency, strong potential for eventual admission to a U.S. college or university, and a credible likelihood of completing an undergraduate degree in the United States. A notable requirement is that the selection process must also assess parental and/or family support, since family commitment is treated as a practical predictor of whether a student will ultimately participate through completion. Embassy personnel are expected to take part in the selection process, which signals that the U.S. Mission wants direct visibility into how finalists are chosen.

After selection, the grantee is responsible for placement and pre-departure coordination. This includes placing students into the EducationUSA Connect Academies and managing the logistics needed for their participation, such as travel and other pre-departure arrangements. In other words, the awardee is not just providing advice; they are expected to actively coordinate the students' enrollment and readiness for the summer experience in the United States.

A major portion of the program happens after students return to Saudi Arabia. The follow-on component focuses on pre-academic support and leadership development delivered both as a cohort experience and through individualized guidance tailored to each participant. This can include ongoing educational advising, test preparation support, mentoring through the college application process (including preparing and submitting applications), and other activities that help students move from interest to successful admission. The program also specifically calls for helping participants compete for available Saudi national scholarship programs, recognizing that funding pathways can be a decisive factor in whether students can ultimately enroll in U.S. institutions.

The opportunity also includes a communications and public affairs expectation. Applicants should plan social media and email campaigns that support recruitment and also highlight outcomes, suggesting the Department of State is interested in both effective outreach to underserved communities and visible results that demonstrate impact.

From a funding and planning standpoint, proposals must address scalability. Applicants may submit two to three budget options at different levels between $50,000 and $130,000, or provide a per-participant cost with a detailed budget that allows the program size to expand or contract depending on funds available. The award is anticipated as a single cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Mission will likely remain substantively involved in the project during implementation rather than operating as a hands-off funder.

Key administrative details include that the opportunity is discretionary and falls under the education category (CFDA 19.432). Eligible applicants are U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), and the applicant organization must either have a physical presence in Saudi Arabia or a partnership with a Saudi-based organization. The funding opportunity number is DOS SAU PD 05. The notice was created August 5, 2021, with an original closing date of September 4, 2021. The stated award ceiling is $135,000, and the program anticipates making one award.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Quincy College Prep Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.432.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 05, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 04, 2021. (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 $135,000.00 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.

Apply for DOS SAU PD 05

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