Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS KAZ AST ECA 24 001
The EducationUSA Advising Services opportunity is a U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, or ECA) cooperative agreement managed by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan. It funds the operation of an EducationUSA advising center in Kazakhstan as part of the Department of State's global EducationUSA network, which spans more than 175 countries and includes over 430 advising centers. The core purpose is to provide accurate, current, and comprehensive guidance about U.S. higher education options so that prospective international students can identify best-fit institutions and successfully navigate the U.S. admissions process. In Kazakhstan, where roughly 2,000 students pursue U.S. higher education each year (the highest number in Central Asia), the program is positioned as a practical way to expand student mobility, strengthen U.S.-Kazakh education ties, and support the U.S. Mission's broader country strategy around people-to-people engagement and institutional partnerships.
A central feature of this grant is its geographic focus: the applicant must propose operating one advising center in a location outside of Astana and Almaty. While EducationUSA centers already exist in Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Karaganda, and Shymkent, the proposal must make a clear case for why a center is needed in the applicant's proposed region and how a physical, in-person presence there will directly contribute to higher student participation in U.S. study opportunities. The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) will make the final decision on the center location in consultation with the award recipient, so applicants need to show flexibility while also presenting a strong rationale based on local demand, access gaps, and the likelihood of reaching students who may not otherwise receive high-quality advising. The awardee is also expected to coordinate closely with existing implementing partners in Kazakhstan to ensure continuity of services and programming during the award period rather than creating duplicative or disconnected efforts.
Programmatically, the funded center is expected to deliver a mix of in-person advising at a physical site, outreach across the surrounding region, and virtual advising services. The grant is designed to increase the number of Kazakh students who successfully apply to, are admitted to, and ultimately enroll in accredited U.S. higher education institutions. The target audiences include secondary school and university students in the selected region (from both public and private institutions), parents of prospective students, high school counselors, and representatives of U.S. higher education institutions, including community colleges. In practice, this means the center is not only a student-facing advising service but also a platform for engaging influencers (parents and counselors) who shape student decisions and for supporting U.S. institutions that are trying to recruit, build partnerships, and understand the Kazakh education landscape.
The opportunity lays out three main objectives. First, it aims to raise awareness of the breadth of U.S. higher education options for both undergraduate and graduate study, emphasizing fit and diversity of pathways rather than a one-size-fits-all message. Second, it seeks to improve applicant readiness and application quality by helping students understand admissions requirements and timelines, strengthen their candidacy, and make informed financial plans. This includes guidance on financial aid possibilities, standardized testing preparation, and practical training on application best practices such as writing strong personal statements, requesting recommendation letters appropriately, and developing extracurricular profiles. Third, it supports U.S. higher education institutions by assisting with overseas outreach and recruitment strategy development in Kazakhstan, which can include helping institutions understand local student interests, educational systems, and potential partner organizations.
On oversight and support, the EducationUSA Branch within ECA (ECA/A/S/A) provides global direction for the network, sets policies, maintains EducationUSA.state.gov, and coordinates training and resources. A Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) based in Dubai will monitor the funded center, provide field-based training, and act as the regional higher education expert for the network. The opportunity also highlights adviser professional development: ECA will offer training and workshops and will select participants, with many costs supported by ECA. At the same time, the award recipient is expected to support adviser participation in additional skills-building opportunities aligned with an adviser training plan, and PDS encourages applicants to contribute direct funding or cost-share to expand professional development while still ensuring daily advising services are maintained.
Eligibility is limited to non-profit and non-governmental prime applicants. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, civil society/NGOs, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions, but for-profit entities are explicitly not eligible as prime recipients. Subcontracting is permitted, but only one non-profit, non-governmental entity can serve as the prime award recipient, and proposals must clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of any partners or subcontractors. Key administrative details included in the notice are: Funding Opportunity Number DOS KAZ AST ECA 24 001; instrument type Cooperative Agreement; CFDA 19.022; an award ceiling of $26,000; posting/creation date January 9, 2024; and an original closing date of February 19, 2024.Apply for DOS KAZ AST ECA 24 001
- The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Education USA Advising Services" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-01-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-19. (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 $26,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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