EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program 2026

Description

EducationUSA connects academically gifted Zambian students with opportunities at U.S. universities and colleges. The Opportunity Funds support the students with costs related to U.S. college applications such as application fees, standardized testing fees, visa fees, and travel expenses. This program enables economically disadvantaged students to complete applications to pursue enrollment at U.S.-accredited institutions. Recruitment and selection will rigorously prioritize merit-based criteria, with particular emphasis on candidates pursuing degrees in STEM, AI, cybersecurity, data science, and other critical and emerging fields central to U.S. innovation leadership. Selection criteria will include demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and articulated career goals in high-priority fields, assessed through a structured rubric developed by the Embassy's Education Outreach Coordinator to ensure the cohort reflects U.S. strategic priorities while remaining accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. By facilitating international enrollment, the program advances U.S. economic prosperity — fee-paying students generate revenue for American institutions, support domestic job creation, and strengthen U.S. global competitiveness; select participants return home to fill critical skill gaps to build Zambia's economy and create markets for U.S. investment. Beyond economics, the program serves key U.S. strategic and national security interests by cultivating a generation of American-educated Zambian leaders, scientists, and professionals, building durable institutional ties and reducing the influence of strategic competitors like China and Russia among Zambia's youth. Taken together, EducationUSA strengthens the bilateral relationship between the United States and Zambia through shared academic and professional experience, advancing mutual understanding and long-term partnership. Successful students will be enrolled into the EducationUSA alumni program, offering long term partnership with future students and the U.S. Embassy. The program will track enrollment rates in STEM and other Administration-priority fields, alumni career outcomes, and retention in EducationUSA and Embassy engagement networks post-graduation. The grantee will not be involved in the selection and recruitment of Opportunity Fund students. The grantee will assist the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in disbursing funds to organizations and individuals to cover travel, admission fees, exam fees, application expenses, and assist the Embassy’s Education Outreach Coordinator to organize logistics for pre-departure orientations. The grantee will meet the following objectives: ● Arrange for the required standardized U.S. admission test fees for selected students. ● As necessary, facilitate payment for domestic travel and per diem costs to enable participants to attend the nearest testing site. ● Arrange payment for university/college application expenses, including financial aid applications. ● Facilitate and pay U.S. visa and SEVIS fees, domestic travel arrangements for visa appointments, travel to U.S. higher education institutions to commence studies, and settling-in allowances and other expenses related to beginning their U.S. tertiary program. ● Facilitate payment for pre-departure orientations and travel logistics for an estimated 30 Opportunity Funds students with successful applications to U.S. higher education institutions.

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