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The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an FY 2024 open competition for three distinct regional Youth Ambassadors programs (previously called Youth Leadership Programs) with select countries in East Asia and Pacific (EAP), Europe and Eurasia (EUR), and the Middle East and North Africa (NEA). U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide participants with four-week exchanges in the United States focused on the primary themes of civic education, leadership development, respect for diversity, and community engagement and to support the implementation of service projects in their home communities. The EAP and NEA programs also will engage approximately 3-5 adult mentors in programming alongside youth participants. Competitively selected U.S. secondary students will join participants in U.S.-based activities on the NEA exchanges. Only one proposal per region will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission per region from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review for the region from that applicant. Please see the full announcement for additional information.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Sports Diplomacy Division (ECA/PE/C/SU), in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for the implementation of the FY 2024 Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP). U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct two separate month-long professional development mentorship programs and a reciprocal overseas exchange involving approximately 70-80 international and American participants in total (30 emerging leader participants from other countries and 40-50 American mentors). By empowering women and people with disabilities, the GSMP directly supports U.S. foreign policy goals, promotes social inclusion, and elevates the status of marginalized populations. Through the mentorship experience, the GSMP encourages mutually beneficial relationships between American sports executives and leaders in the sports sector overseas. Furthermore, the GSMP engages alumni from previous years through sustained U.S. Embassy relationships, follow-on individual grants to alumni, and monitoring and evaluation. Tapping into the power of public-private partnerships and founded on participant-led business plans, the GSMP positively affects communities at home and abroad and creates a more secure and democratic global playing field for all.The FY 2024 GSMP model has two distinct professional development mentorship exchanges—the Sport for Community GSMP and the espnW GSMP. Set for spring of 2025, the Sport for Community GSMP on disability rights taps into the global attention received by mega-sporting events—in particular, the Paralympic Games, Special Olympics, and Deaflympics—to connect approximately 15 emerging leader participants with 15 to 20 American mentors in the adaptive sports sector. Sport for Community focuses on increasing the inclusion and full participation of marginalized youth and people with disabilities through sports opportunities worldwide. In fall of 2025, the espnW GSMP on women’s empowerment—a public-private partnership with espnW (ESPN’s sports brand dedicated to women in sports)—will connect approximately 15 female change agents with approximately 15 to 20 American mentors, all of whom are dedicated to promoting the rights and empowerment of women and girls around the world through sports. From start to finish, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title IX serve as core themes. By demonstrating how landmark U.S. legislation promotes democratic values and equality, the GSMP underscores American competitiveness and leadership on an international scale. To keep pace with the burgeoning sport for social change and business trend, the GSMP will also incorporate programmatic elements on how sports philanthropy, marketing, and entrepreneurship play into action plan development and implementation. Please see the full announcement for additional information.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces the American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP) open competition for one cooperative agreement to support a mentorship residency for music industry professionals from around the world. AMMP is a two-to-three-week U.S.-based mentorship residency for approximately 20 mid-career music industry professionals (“mentees”) from three to five countries. AMMP is ECA’s Global Music Diplomacy Initiative’s (GMDI) mentorship program, first announced by U.S. Secretary of State Blinken in September 2023 in response to the PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act. The program seeks to bolster music ecosystems, which play a vital role in fostering diverse and inclusive societies, championing innovation, protecting free expression, promoting economic opportunity, and contributing to the vitality of a civil society. AMMP is facilitated by a partnership between ECA and a private sector partner. With ECA input, the private sector partner will lead the recruitment and selection process and secure American professionals from its membership to serve as “mentors,” who will volunteer their time. Mentors will be available four days during the in-person program and meet virtually monthly with the mentees for up to a year following the residency. Mentors will provide behind-the-scenes access, bolster the mentees’ technical skills and build the foundations for lasting professional networks. Mentees will represent careers that support creative talent and build the music industry infrastructure in their home countries and demonstrate English language proficiency. Mentees will be recruited and selected in cooperation with participating U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Areas of specialization, or “professional tracks,” will be determined each year between the ECA and the private sector partner in cooperation with the award recipient and in line with needs of the participating countries. Mentees will be paired with mentors in the U.S. music industry who are in the same professional track and who bolster mentee’s professional skills and build networks. Mentees will travel to the United States for a two-to-three-week residency, which will take place in a site(s) that have a music industry presence and/or access to individual experts, from small/niche companies, independent labels, mid-sized companies, and larger industry businesses. During the residency, mentees work with expert workshop facilitators and mentors to receive state-of-the-art-training and industry access. Mentees will participate in professional workshops, small and full group forums, cross-industry collaborations, site visits, and develop post-program action plans. Program activities will provide opportunities for professional networking, career planning, and skills-building that create a holistic professional experience through a robust exchange of ideas and training by utilizing in-person and virtual approaches. Mentors and mentees will meet virtually monthly for approximately one year to develop mentee career plans and ensure sustainable effects of the program. Some of these sessions may occur prior to the in-person residency, but the majority should take place after the mentees have returned to their home countries. The recipient will coordinate and track the virtual component throughout the course of the year-long mentorship. The recipient must manage complex logistics, meet strict timelines, manage the needs of private sector partners and mentors, and promote the program through media and social media and develop a plan to share progress, status, updates and outcomes of program components with relevant stakeholders. Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant. Please see full announcement for additional information.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Vienna of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to increase understanding of the United States and strengthen support for the transatlantic relationship and our common goals among young, emerging voices in Austrians. Please follow all instructions below. Although Austrians – especially the younger generations – tend to be eager consumers of American technology and popular culture, and view America’s economic prowess and entrepreneurial spirit as world class, there is skepticism toward U.S. global leadership, including the impression that the United States acts unilaterally on the world stage, concern about the stability of democracy, societal divides, and polarization in the United States. U.S. Embassy Vienna invites proposals for a Youth and Education Exchange to be carried out between September 2024 and December 2025. In times of increasing discord and mis- and disinformation, this program promises to contribute to coming generations of Austrian leaders’ understanding of the United States. Priority Region: None Program Objectives: This exchange program will focus on U.S. culture, shared values, disinformation, DEIA, and the contemporary American political and media landscape. The goal is to reinforce the power of shared democratic values, provide a first-hand look at the U.S. political process and the role of civil society, and enhance people-to-people ties between young Austrians and Americans. The program will reduce stereotypes and produce informed young Austrians who can act as citizen ambassadors, thus benefiting the Austrian-American relationship in the years ahead. As this will be a cooperative agreement, U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement in this effort including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy is providing maximum flexibility for applicant organizations to offer program models that effectively meet the overall goals of the program. In addition to those listed above, required elements of the program are as follows: - Participants should learn about the essential elements of contemporary American life, in particular leadership, civil society, community engagement, and politics and how these elements inter-relate. Participants should have the opportunity to experience these elements in a local U.S. community through interactive, hands-on training, which might include, for example: formal presentations, meetings with stakeholders, discussions, and cultural or social events. - Participants should have interaction with policy experts, media professionals, civil society representatives, and academics and students in both countries. - The program should include elements for post-program engagement with the Austrian participants that include mentoring and supporting participants as alumni of this program. - The recipient will identify specific and measurable outputs and outcomes based on the project specifications provided in the solicitation. Additional program goals include: - Promote future Austrian leaders’ awareness of the American political process and the resilience of U.S. democracy. - Encourage identification of the United States as a destination for future academic, business, or other partnerships, and ongoing education. - Foster professional and personal ties with participants and U.S. citizens in the local community. - Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Austria. Participants and Audiences: Target audience and participants are 10-15 Austrian university students and young professionals, between age 21 and 28 and residing permanently in Austria, with demonstrated leadership capacity to participate in a tailored and compact hybrid (with a virtual pre-program phase) program in Austria and the United States, focusing on education and leadership. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $150,000 Total available funding: $150,000 (pending availability of funds) Type of Funding: FY24 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less. Optional: The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: · Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations · Public and private educational institutions · For-profit organizations CANNOT apply. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching U.S. Embassy Vienna encourages cost-sharing, which may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition, but a very competitive application will include cost sharing that allows for more participants. The recipient of an assistance award must maintain written records to support all allowable costs which are claimed as its contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the federal government. Such records are subject to audit. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. For the following sections please see the attached A2A FY24 NOFO Youth and Education Exchange document D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: ViennaGrants@state.gov H. OTHER INFORMATION

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the FY 2022 Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program (SEAYLP), pending the availability of funds. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct a three-week, U.S.-based youth leadership program for the FY 2022 base year for 60 youth and adult mentors from the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Exchange activities will focus on civic education, leadership, diversity, and community engagement and address ways youth can unite around common goals and lead inclusive change in their communities. Individual or small group follow-on projects in the home communities of the exchange alumni will complete the program. Please see the full announcement for additional information.

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. OJJDP supports a wide range of mentoring initiatives aimed at preventing and responding to youth delinquency and victimization. Under this solicitation, the successful applicant will continue to operate the OJJDP National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC) with the goal of enhancing the capacity of mentoring organizations to develop, implement, and expand effective mentoring practices across the nation.

The U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that limited funding is available through the Embassy’s Public Affairs grants program to support activities that promote U.S.-Saudi bilateral relations in the following priority area: Empowering women and youth in Saudi Arabia through sports. This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Eligibility is limited to those who qualify to receive U.S. grants and have the ability to develop and implement their proposed programs in Saudi Arabia within the timeframe indicated on their applications. The U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia and the Department of State encourage organizations that have not previously received international program funding from the U.S. government to apply. Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following subject areas: sports business or academic programming, sports management and entrepreneurship, sports training, sports entrepreneurship training, building sports-related institution-to-institution partnerships. The U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia requests proposals for projects aimed at empowering women and youth in Saudi Arabia through sports. While a wide range of project proposals will be considered, successful projects will incorporate many of the following elements: A clearly defined project objective, with specific supporting goals and quantifiable project milestones. A focus on sports programming that complements, rather than competes with, programs already active in Saudi Arabia by reaching currently underserved populations, working in areas where little training is currently offered, or addressing important topics underrepresented in current programs. For example, priority will be given to proposals that include participants from outside of the major cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran/Damman) and/or that focus on sports disciplines such as (but not limited to) soccer, basketball, motorsports, American football, or other sports where Saudi women and youth are traditionally underrepresented. The creation, strengthening, or expansion of a women’s sports or sports federations network that encourages and facilitates the transfer of skills and sharing of resources between members. The expansion and the creation of a diverse group of certified referees and coaches in different sports disciplines with a priority on training and certifying women referees. A mentorship program that aims to accelerate initial success in women/girl-focused Saudi sports federations by pairing them with related, successful sports federations in the United States in an organized and sustainable fashion. A sustainable strategic plan to provide program participants with knowledge or skills of lasting value and application beyond the term of the project. Use of traditional and innovative educational programs and networking tools in the pursuit of broader goals such as empowering women, economic development, job creation, understanding the value of diversity, sports business development, acquisition of sports leadership skills, etc. An integrated project messaging/media plan designed to amplify the reach of key program messages to Saudi participants who do not participate in the program. An innovative approach that highlights American expertise or U.S.-Saudi partnerships and creates/strengthens networks between Americans and Saudis. All project proposals must meet the eligibility criteria and carefully follow the instructions in the document containing the full Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Related Documents tab.

Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2021. Purpose of Program: In awarding the research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. In awarding research training grant programs, IES aims to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant education and special education research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners. Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing four research competitions through two of its centers: The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing two competitions--one competition in each of the following areas: education research training and using longitudinal data to support State education policymaking. The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is announcing two competitions—one competition in each of the following areas: special education research and special education research training. NCSER Competitions For the Early Career Development and Mentoring Program under the Research Training Programs in Special Education (ALN 84.324B), applicants must be an institution of higher education in the United States and its territories. For the Early Career Mentoring Program under the Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences (ALN 84.305B), applicants must be a minority-serving institution of higher education located in the territorial United States. For the Methods Training in Data Science for Education Researchers program (ALN 84.305B), applicants must have the ability and capacity to conduct training in data science methods and be located in the territorial United States. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324B.

This FOA is for STEM education programs and activities, which is formal or informal education that is primarily focused on physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, social sciences, and mathematics disciplines, topics, or issues (including environmental science education or stewardship).STEM education programs and activities that could be supported by this FOA include one or more of the following as the primary objective:• Develop learners’ knowledge, skill, or interest in STEM.• Attract students to pursue certifications, licenses, or degrees (two-year degrees through post-doctoral degrees) or careers in STEM fields.• Provide growth and research opportunities for post-secondary, college and graduate students in STEM fields, such as working with researchers or conducting research that is primarily intended to further education.• Improve mentor/educator (K-12 pre-service or in-service, post-secondary, and informal) quality in STEM areas.• Improve or expand the capacity of institutions to promote or foster STEM fields.This FOA will not consider applications for research, with the exception of those whose primary purpose is intended to further education (as described in third bullet above) and that are not expected to generate intellectual property. Efforts for research, including those supporting STEM, should be submitted under the current fiscal year Long Range BAA.Please see full text of the announcement for additional details.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. Embassy Vienna Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: Youth and Education Exchange Funding Opportunity Number: SAU90023CA0020 Deadline for Applications: July 31, 2023 Assistance Listing Number: 19.040 Total Amount Available: $100,000-$120,000 pending availability of funds A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Vienna of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to promote and foster U.S. culture, shared values, and diversity, with a specific focus on the contemporary American political and media landscape, among young Austrian students. Please follow all instructions below. As there is a growing need for improving media literacy and strengthening young Austrians’ understanding of the contemporary American political and media landscape, U.S. Embassy Vienna invites proposals for a Youth and Education Exchange to be carried out between September 2023 and December 2024. In times of increasing discord and misinformation, this program promises to contribute to coming generations of Austrian leaders’ understanding of the United States. Priority Region: None Program Objectives: This exchange program will focus on U.S. culture, shared values, disinformation, diversity, and the contemporary American political and media landscape. The goal is to reinforce the power of shared democratic values, provide a first-hand look at the U.S. political process, and enhance people-to-people ties between young Austrians and Americans. In times of increasing discord and misinformation, this program contributes to a closer connection between future generations of Austrian and American leaders and enhances Austrian participants’ understanding of the United States. The program will reduce stereotypes and produce informed young Austrians who can act as citizen ambassadors, thus benefiting the Austrian-American relationship in the years ahead. The program will provide an exchange experience focused on U.S. culture, shared values, disinformation, diversity, and the contemporary American political and media landscape. The goal is to reinforce the power of Western democratic values, provide a first-hand look at the U.S. political process and the role of civil society, while increasing people-to-people ties. As this will be a cooperative agreement, U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement in this effort including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy is providing maximum flexibility for applicant organizations to offer program models that effectively meet the overall goals of the program. In addition to those listed above, required elements of the program are as follows: - Participants should learn about the essential elements of contemporary American political life and how these elements inter-relate. Participants should have the opportunity to experience these elements in a local U.S. community through interactive, hands-on training, which might include, for example: formal presentations, meetings with stakeholders, discussions, and cultural or social events. - Participants should have interaction with policy experts, media professionals, and academics and students in both countries. - The program should include elements for post-program engagement with the Austrian participants that include mentoring and supporting participants as alumni of this program. - The recipient will identify specific and measurable outputs and outcomes based on the project specifications provided in the solicitation. Additional program goals include: - Promote future Austrian leaders’ awareness of the American political process and the resilience of U.S. democracy - Encourage identification of the United States as a destination for future academic, business, or other partnerships, and ongoing education. - Foster professional and personal ties with participants and U.S. citizens in the local community. - Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Austria. Participants and Audiences: Target audience and participants are 10-15 Austrian university students and young professionals, between age 21 and 28 and residing permanently in Austria, with demonstrated leadership capacity to participate in a tailored and compact hybrid (with a virtual pre-program phase) program in Austria and the United States, focusing on education and leadership. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $120,000 Total available funding: $120,000 (pending availability of funds) Type of Funding: FY23 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2023 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less. Optional: The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: · Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations · Public and private educational institutions 2. Cost Sharing or Matching U.S. Embassy Vienna encourages cost-sharing, which may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition, but a very competitive application will include cost sharing that allows for more participants. The recipient of an assistance award must maintain written records to support all allowable costs which are claimed as its contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110 (Revised), Subpart C (23) “Cost-sharing or Matching,” and should be described in the proposal. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information.

Goal of the TOT program is to enhance quality of general education through improving PSTE programs and professional capacity of in-service teachers and teacher educators. This program will be a complementary effort to existing USAID funded “Educating the Future Activity” program while also providing an additional element of exchange visit and a study tour. The TOT will seek to deliver an intensive hands-on training (both in person and webinars) for teacher educators/university faculty in curriculum development, modern teaching methods, student assessment, etc. The program will also help to explore the concept of teacher leadership, as well as the skills and dispositions necessary for this role beginning at the pre-service level. A new course in teacher leadership will be developed and introduced in close cooperation with local teacher educators. TOT will entail establishing or improving a practicum program for pre-service teachers, developing strong linkages between PSTE institutions and local schools. TOT envisages exchanges in both directions – a combination of trips to the United States – a two-week robust study tour for eight Georgian participants (pre-service and in-service teachers) and trips to Georgia of American partners, who will be engaged in active trainings on specific topics mentioned above and identified additionally in consultation with PDS and TOT participants. The study tour will bring Georgian delegation to U.S. based universities to share best practices on how pre-service teacher education is delivered, how curriculum is constructed, how partnerships are established with schools, and how quality control mechanisms are enforced. Moreover, visits to American universities are meant to raise the profile of the visiting fellows so that the effectiveness of their future contribution to their respective communities is further enhanced. TOT activities will be implemented in two universities in Georgia – one Tbilisi-based and one located in a region. TOT program objectives include the following: · Enhance professional capacity of teacher educators and provide them with practical strategies to accommodate change in their teaching practices and in the content of their programs; · Design and introduce a new course/s in instructional leadership/curriculum development. · Develop a strategy/marketing campaign to address the problem of poor student recruitment policy - PSTE programs face a challenge of attracting motivated and capable students interested in STEM (over the course of the years, the demand for the STEM teachers is rising, however the universities fail to attract students) students from rural areas, male students. · Establish models of efficient practicums in pre-service programs. · Creating a network of program alumni throughout Georgia who can later develop joint efforts to solve the problems they collectively face. Following topics/activities (the list can be further expanded) may be supported: a) Trainings/webinars/workshops on how to: · Develop a curriculum/design a new course. · Identify and address gaps in students’ learning. · Help pre-service teachers transition from student to teacher. · Observe and provide constructive feedback to pre-service teaching during practicum and microteaching · Conduct analysis and assessment to improve instruction. b) Develop a mentorship program (international partners) that connects pre-service and leadership faculty with successful school leaders to learn from their experiences. c) Provide opportunities for pre-service and leadership faculty to attend conferences or other professional development opportunities (both distance learning or in person opportunities) to learn about current trends and best practices in education. d) Develop (non-financial) incentives for schools to host practicums for schools to gain recognition for their contributions. Learn from best international practices of such incentives. c) Provide training to pre-service faculty on effective practicum design and implementation

ONDCP’s Juvenile and Family Court Judiciary Education on Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder Cooperative Agreement supports training and education that helps educate juvenile and family court judges and the entire justice system about the science of addiction, substance use, and substance use disorder, and how substance use and substance use disorder is impacted by the legal system. The President’s priority is to enhance public safety by providing those who have engaged in criminal activity with greater opportunities to lead productive lives by addressing a range of issues, including mental health, vocational training, job creation, after-school programming, substance use, and mentoring through evidence-based rehabilitation programs. ONDCP seeks to reduce drug use and its consequences through evidence-based practices, and this cooperative agreement will apply these principles to the criminal justice system. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to: (1) educate and train juvenile and family court judges to improve adherence to best practices, (2) decrease justice costs and recidivism, and (3) increase awareness of the science of addiction, substance use, and substance use disorder among the judiciary. The cooperative agreement recipient shall: • Engage judges and former judges to provide peer-to-peer educational opportunities. • Use expert practitioners in the fields engaged in the science of addiction, criminal justice, and healthcare. • Provide in-person training, online training, and jurisdiction-specific technical assistance to a variety of demographically composed areas at the state, local, and Tribal levels. • Include ONDCP policy priorities in the development and execution of training and educational programs: o Applying a comprehensive approach to addressing substance use and substance use disorders, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. o Diversion programming with evidence-based and comprehensive case management, treatment for substance use disorders, recovery and other necessary services. All portions of the application must reflect these objectives and subject matter areas.

Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: In awarding the research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. In awarding research training grant programs, IES aims to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant education and special education research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners. Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing four research competitions through two of its centers: The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing one competition in the following area: education research. The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is announcing three competitions—one competition in each of the following areas: special education research, special education research training, and special education research and development center. NCER Competition The Education Research Competition (ALN 84.305A). Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one of the following topics: • Career and Technical Education. • Civics Education and Social Studies. • Cognition and Student Learning. • Early Learning Programs and Policies. • Improving Education Systems. • Literacy. • Policies, Practices, and Programs to Support English Learners. • Postsecondary and Adult Education. • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education. • Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Context for Teaching and Learning. • Teaching, Teachers, and the Education Workforce. NCSER Competitions The Special Education Research Competition (ALN 84.324A). Under this competition, NCSER encourages a broad range of research, including studies that may have more than one research focus (such as reading and behavior) and may focus broadly on students with disabilities or on a particular disability (such as autism spectrum disorders). The range of research supported through this program includes, but is not limited to, programs to improve child development and school readiness; academic and/or behavioral interventions; instructional practices and/or professional development programs for teachers and other school-based personnel; strategies for improving the family support and engagement critical to the success of students with disabilities; policies and systems-level interventions and programs to address school finance, school-community collaborations, or school structures that affect educational progress for students with disabilities; transition from secondary school to postsecondary education, career, and/or independent living; as well as access to, persistence in, and completion of postsecondary education. The Research Training Programs in Special Education Competition (ALN 84.324B). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address Early Career Development and Mentoring. Special Education Research and Development Center (R&D Center) (ALN 84.324C). Under this competition, NCSER will consider applications that address Research and Development Center on the K-12 Special Education Teacher Workforce. Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the opportunity to comment on matters relating to grants. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq. . Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324B.