Opportunity Information: Apply for SAU90023CA0020
The Youth and Education Exchange is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Vienna funding opportunity (NOFO) that supports a tailored exchange program for young Austrians focused on understanding the United States through the lens of contemporary politics, media, democratic values, diversity, and the challenge of disinformation. The Embassy is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to design and run a program that strengthens media literacy and gives participants a practical, first-hand look at how American political life and civic institutions function, especially in a time when misinformation and polarization can distort public understanding. The overall intent is to deepen Austrian participants understanding of the United States, reduce stereotypes, and build long-term people-to-people connections that benefit the Austrian-American relationship.
The program is envisioned as a compact hybrid model running roughly from September 2023 through December 2024, with a virtual pre-program phase and in-person components in Austria and the United States. The target group is 10 to 15 Austrian university students and young professionals, ages 21 to 28, who reside permanently in Austria and show clear leadership potential. A core expectation is that participants do more than listen to lectures: they should engage in interactive, hands-on learning in a local U.S. community. This can include structured meetings with stakeholders, discussions, site visits, cultural and social events, and other practical experiences that show how different elements of U.S. political life connect, such as elections, institutions, civil society, and the media environment.
Substantively, proposals need to address several required themes: U.S. culture and shared values, democratic resilience, diversity, disinformation, and the contemporary American political and media landscape. Participants are expected to interact with policy experts, media professionals, and academics and students in both Austria and the United States, helping them compare perspectives and build professional networks. The Embassy also requires a strong post-program component, meaning the recipient must plan for sustained alumni engagement, mentoring, and follow-on support so the exchange produces lasting impact rather than ending when travel is over. Applicants must also define specific and measurable outputs and outcomes, aligning monitoring and evaluation with the project design.
Funding is expected to support one award, with an estimated budget range of $100,000 to $120,000 (with $120,000 stated as the ceiling and subject to availability of funds). The performance period can be 12 to 24 months, and proposed programs must be completed within 24 months or less. The anticipated start date is September 15, 2023, and the application deadline is July 31, 2023. Funding comes from FY23 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy funds under Assistance Listing 19.040.
A key operational detail is that the award will be a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. This means the U.S. Embassy Vienna expects substantial involvement in implementation, specifically including participant selection and approval of the program structure and the content of the U.S. portion of the exchange. At the same time, the Embassy signals flexibility in program models, giving applicants room to propose the format and activities they believe will best meet the objectives, so long as required elements are clearly addressed.
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations) as well as public and private educational institutions, including higher education institutions. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required at a specific percentage; however, the Embassy notes that more competitive proposals will often include cost sharing in cash or in-kind to expand participation or strengthen programming. Applicants must be able to document any cost share contributions with proper records consistent with federal requirements. Finally, organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov to be eligible for an award.Apply for SAU90023CA0020
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Austria in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Youth and Education Exchange" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 13, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2023. (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 $120,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Youth and Education Exchange (U.S. Embassy Vienna)
1) What is the Youth and Education Exchange funding opportunity?
The Youth and Education Exchange is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Vienna. It funds a tailored exchange program for young Austrians to better understand the United States through contemporary politics, media, democratic values, diversity, and the challenge of disinformation, with an emphasis on practical learning and long-term people-to-people connections.
2) What is the main goal of this program?
The overall intent is to deepen Austrian participants' understanding of the United States, reduce stereotypes, strengthen media literacy, and build durable Austrian-American connections. The program is meant to give participants a first-hand look at how American political life and civic institutions function, especially in an environment where misinformation and polarization can shape public understanding.
3) Who is this program designed for (the participant target group)?
The target group is 10 to 15 Austrian university students and young professionals who are ages 21 to 28, reside permanently in Austria, and show clear leadership potential.
4) How many participants are expected to take part?
The program is expected to serve a cohort of 10 to 15 participants.
5) What is the program format and timeline?
The program is envisioned as a compact hybrid model running roughly from September 2023 through December 2024. It includes a virtual pre-program phase and in-person components in Austria and the United States.
6) What types of activities are expected during the exchange?
The Embassy expects participants to engage in interactive, hands-on learning rather than only attending lectures. Suggested components include structured meetings with stakeholders, discussions, site visits, cultural and social events, and other practical experiences in a local U.S. community that illustrate how elections, institutions, civil society, and the media environment connect in real life.
7) What subject areas or themes must proposals address?
Proposals must address required themes including: U.S. culture and shared values, democratic resilience, diversity, disinformation, and the contemporary American political and media landscape.
8) Are participants expected to meet with specific kinds of professionals?
Yes. Participants are expected to interact with policy experts, media professionals, and academics and students in both Austria and the United States. The exchange should help participants compare perspectives and build professional networks.
9) Is there a required post-program or alumni component?
Yes. The Embassy requires a strong post-program component. The recipient must plan for sustained alumni engagement, mentoring, and follow-on support so the impact continues beyond the travel portion of the program.
10) What does the Embassy mean by measurable outputs and outcomes?
Applicants are expected to define specific and measurable outputs and outcomes, and align monitoring and evaluation with the project design. This means proposals should clearly describe what will be delivered (outputs) and what changes or results are expected (outcomes), and how those will be tracked.
11) How much funding is available under this opportunity?
Funding is expected to support one award. The estimated budget range is $100,000 to $120,000, with $120,000 stated as the funding ceiling and subject to availability of funds.
12) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy expects to make one award under this NOFO.
13) What is the performance period for the award?
The performance period may be 12 to 24 months. Proposed programs must be completed within 24 months or less.
14) What are the key dates (start date and application deadline)?
The anticipated start date is September 15, 2023. The application deadline is July 31, 2023.
15) What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This award will be a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. A cooperative agreement indicates substantial involvement by the U.S. Embassy Vienna in implementation.
16) What does "substantial involvement" by the Embassy mean in practice?
Based on the NOFO description, the Embassy's involvement specifically includes participant selection and approval of the program structure and the content of the U.S. portion of the exchange.
17) How much flexibility do applicants have in designing the program?
The Embassy signals flexibility in program models and gives applicants room to propose the format and activities they believe will best meet the objectives, as long as the required elements and themes are clearly addressed.
18) Who is eligible to apply for this funding?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations) and public and private educational institutions, including higher education institutions.
19) Is cost sharing required?
Cost sharing is encouraged but not required at a specific percentage. The Embassy notes that more competitive proposals will often include cost sharing, either cash or in-kind, to expand participation or strengthen programming.
20) If an applicant includes cost sharing, what documentation is needed?
Applicants must be able to document any cost share contributions with proper records consistent with federal requirements.
21) What registration requirements apply to applicant organizations?
To be eligible for an award, organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov.
22) What federal funding source supports this program?
Funding comes from FY23 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy funds under Assistance Listing 19.040.
23) Where will the program take place?
The program includes in-person components in Austria and in the United States, along with a virtual pre-program phase.
24) What is the expectation for the U.S. portion of the exchange?
A core expectation is that participants gain a practical, first-hand look at American political and civic life in a local U.S. community. The Embassy also expects to approve the structure and content of the U.S. portion as part of its cooperative agreement role.
25) What is the intended longer-term impact of the exchange?
The exchange is designed to produce lasting impact by deepening understanding of the United States, reducing stereotypes, improving media literacy, building professional networks, and supporting long-term Austrian-American people-to-people relationships through alumni engagement and mentoring after the program ends.
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