Funding for English language, STEAM, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Media Literacy Countering/Disinformation Program

Description

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program (or project) in one or more of the following focus areas: - Improve the quality of English language education at the preschool, elementary, secondary and higher education levels; - Improve the quality of, and access to, science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and mathematics (STEAM) education for girls at the elementary and secondary education levels; - Inspire entrepreneurship in under-represented communities particularly among migrant, women, Afro–descendent, and indigenous communities. - Increase awareness of disinformation and build digital media literacy skills to better identify reliable information. Project Objectives: The Public Affairs Section (hereafter, PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica (hereafter, Embassy) works with government and non-government partners throughout Costa Rica to improve mutual understanding between the people of Costa Rica and the United States, and to expand and improve educational opportunities (including English language, STEAM, and entrepreneurship, and digital media literacy/countering disinformation, among other priorities) in order to promote economic development and democracy. The goal of the projects solicited through this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to complement Embassy initiatives to promote mutual understanding through cultural, educational, and professional development programs. Proposals should address one or a combination of the following areas: English, entrepreneurship, STEAM education, and/or digital media literacy/countering disinformation. English language projects should improve English education and empower young English learners by increasing their exposure to educational opportunities or improving the skills of English language teachers. Proposals may include classroom instruction, but priority will be given to projects that include beyond-the-classroom enhancement activities and/or demonstrate coordination with NGO or Government of Costa Rica initiatives, including the Ministry of Education (in particular, bilingual schools). Priority will be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities as well as populations residing outside the San Jose metropolitan area. STEAM education projects should improve the quality of and/or access to STEAM education for girls and encourage girls to enter STEAM fields. Projects may also focus on improving the skills of teachers to enhance STEAM education for girls. Priority will be given to projects that include beyond-the-classroom enhancement activities in coordination with private sector partners and/or the Ministry of Education (in particular, public schools implementing the national STEAM curriculum). Priority will be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities as well as populations residing outside the San Jose metropolitan area. Entrepreneurship projects should promote exposure to and knowledge of basic business skills, for example, creation of business plans/strategies, access to finance, business pitches, digital marketing, scaling, resilience, etc. Priority will be given to projects that aim to respond challenges and opportunities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority will also be given to projects that incorporate under-represented communities, including but not limited to migrant, women, Afro-descendent, and indigenous communities as well projects that deepen the entrepreneurship ecosystem across Costa Rica. Digital media literacy/countering disinformation projects should build critical thinking skills in consuming and disseminating fact-based information, especially on social media, to bolster resilience against disinformation. Priority will be given to projects that enhance digital media literacy among populations vulnerable to spreading disinformation and/or build skills among journalists and media professionals working to counter disinformation. Projects should incorporate innovative educational approaches, including the use of digital technology, to identify and limit the spread of disinformation, especially during elections when disinformation campaigns may be more prevalent. PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED NOFO DOCUMENT FOR COMPLETE DETAILED INFORMATION

Parent Grant Program

Agency Contact