Advancing English Proficiency Through Sign Language

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Mozambique of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations or individuals to submit applications to carry out a program to provide English Language Lessons for young Mozambicans who communicate in Mozambican Sign Language only. Proposals should envision lessons in a hybrid format. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Mozambique Program Objectives: The objective of the program is to teach English Language to young Mozambicans who are deaf, have a speech impairment, and communicate mostly in Mozambican Sign Language. Increasing access to inclusive English language learning will increase opportunities for economic empowerment, expanding educational and employment opportunities. By the end of the program, students should be capable to read and write in English, communicate with native English speakers using Sign Language, and be able to successfully participate in a fast-paced program or educational environment that is provided in English outside of Mozambique. The students should have enough understanding of the English Language that will allow them to apply for schools, scholarships, and exchange opportunities in the United States. The application should detail what materials and equipment will be used, detailed methodology that will be adopted for lessons, and links to any websites or platforms that may serve as instruments for the teachers or students lessons. Applicants that intend to partner with an American expert, institution or use materials from an American organization or platform should include the information on the application. All Public Diplomacy funded programs must include an American element or connection with an American expert, organization, institution, or the use of American Sign Language. Certificates to students that successfully complete the program must be awarded at the end. Proposals should envision a hybrid methodology so as to broaden the reach of the program. The U.S. Embassy will assist in reaching out to audiences via our social media pages during the recruitment phase. Participants and Audiences: Young Mozambicans varying from ages 14 – 18 years old, gender diversity should be taken into consideration. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 01 awards Award amounts: $20,000.00 Total available funding: $20,000.00 Type of Funding: FY23 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated programs start date: October 01, 2023 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). The U.S. Embassy will be substantially involved in the advertising phase of the project through the use of Embassy’s social media platforms, recruitment selection phase and certification phase. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less. Applicants should detail duration of modules. Subject to the availability of funding, the program may be extended beyond this period.