American Language Center English Language and Cultural Program | PA 17001

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17001

The American Language Center English Language and Cultural Program is a U.S. Mission to Jordan cooperative agreement designed to keep the American Language Center (ALC) in Amman running as a high-visibility American Space and a hub for direct, in-person engagement with Jordanians, especially young people. The award supports the day-to-day operation of a tuition-based English program built on the ALCs existing curriculum, while also expanding and formalizing a steady calendar of cultural activities that introduce participants to U.S. culture, values, and society and create space for dialogue. The opportunity sits under the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) American Spaces network (about 700 locations worldwide) and is grounded in the Fulbright-Hays Act (Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961), which frames the overall purpose as strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people ties.

At its core, the recipient organization is expected to provide the full operational backbone for the center: staffing, administrative capacity, program delivery, supplies, technology infrastructure, technical support, marketing, and compliance with U.S. Embassy security requirements. While the organization should be capable of running the English-language program without constant direct supervision, this is explicitly a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Embassy in Amman (Public Affairs Section) remains substantially involved in major decisions. The Embassy will approve staff, guide key themes and program direction, approve the monthly events calendar, advise on curriculum and cultural programming, provide guidance on film licensing, and coordinate security consultation through the Regional Security Office. Embassy public affairs staff and a Regional Public Engagement Specialist may also support training and help integrate innovative programming into the space.

Program delivery has two main pillars. First is English instruction: the operator must run at least 18 English classes per session using the established ALC curriculum and associated materials and online resources, with classes capped at 16 students. The program is designed to be financially sustained largely through tuition revenue, with course fees set in consultation with the Embassy and expected to cover most operating costs; the solicitation notes that per-session revenues from English courses should, on average, exceed 50,000 (currency not specified in the text). The second pillar is cultural and engagement programming. The operator must continue the ALCs ongoing monthly book club, monthly film club, and weekly language exchange pairing native English and native Arabic speakers, plus add 2 to 3 other cultural events each month. These events are meant to be visible to the public through an advertised calendar and are encouraged to be low-cost and volunteer-supported when possible, with examples like interactive discussions, film screenings, open mic nights, virtual exchanges or video conferences, alumni workshops, and thematic talks connected to issues of interest to Jordanians and U.S. public diplomacy priorities.

A key feature of this opportunity is that the ALC premises will also serve as a platform for U.S. Embassy-run programming and partner activities. The Embassy anticipates 5 to 10 Embassy-sponsored cultural events per month hosted at the grantees facility, plus at least three days per month devoted to EducationUSA advising activities (group and individual sessions) delivered using Embassy advising staff. The operator is responsible for the logistical and operational support that makes these events work on the ground, including room setup, equipment readiness, and general coordination aligned with Embassy guidance.

Staffing expectations are fairly specific. Applicants must propose a recruiting and hiring plan (subject to Embassy approval) that yields sufficient qualified local teachers, generally envisioned as at least five teachers, two teacher or activity coordinators (for functions like testing, social media, and supplemental activities in addition to teaching), and one to two administrative support staff (full- or part-time). Teachers are expected to carry 3 to 4 classes per term. Experience in the United States is described as helpful but not required. The grantee is the legal employer for locally hired staff and must implement transparent and fair employment practices consistent with Jordanian law, including proper contracts, timely tax and social security deductions, and clear communication that U.S. Government funding does not exempt employees from local taxes and does not confer U.S. Government employment status or benefits.

On the facilities and resource side, the proposal must show how the applicant will procure and maintain the supplies and services needed to operate a modern American Space language center. This includes internet and IT support, software and equipment maintenance, the ALC website and social media, communications, classroom and event technology (laptops, projectors, SmartBoards, A/V), physical and digital information resources, marketing materials and signage, and contracted services such as cleaning, repairs, labor for event setup, and basic amenities like drinking water delivery. The Embassy may provide some equipment from existing inventory on a loan basis, especially for major technology items or specific events, but the grantee is still responsible for overall functionality, cleanliness, and upkeep.

Reporting and ongoing management are built into the award. The operator must provide weekly updates on attendance and submit a monthly report on operations and programs to the Public Affairs Section. They must also actively manage the centers social media presence, market the ALC to target audiences, and ensure the space remains clean, well-run, and compliant with security standards set by the Embassy.

Funding is capped at $140,000 total for one cooperative agreement (CFDA 19.021), with proposals above that ceiling unlikely to be competitive. The period of performance is 12 months, renewable, with an anticipated start around mid-July 2017, and a goal of launching a new English session by July 15, 2017 (dates reflect the original posting timeline). The Embassy reserves the right to adjust budgets and negotiate program design based on needs and funding availability. Funds can cover program and administrative costs consistent with the solicitation, and applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget aligned to SF-424A categories, including clear cost calculations and an accompanying budget narrative.

Eligibility is aimed at capable nonprofit operators and higher-education institutions, including U.S. 501(c)(3) entities and Jordanian organizations officially registered as a nonprofit or not-for-profit company. Applications must be submitted through the required federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B) and must include an executive summary, a narrative (up to 10 pages) addressing vision, staffing, activities, monitoring, evaluation, institutional capacity, and a work plan, plus attachments such as a calendar of activities, resumes of key personnel, and a detailed Excel budget. The overall expectation is a professionally managed, locally staffed center that delivers consistent English instruction, a lively schedule of cultural engagement, and reliable operational support for a steady stream of Embassy and partner programming.

• The U.S. Mission to Jordan in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "American Language Center English Language and Cultural Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.021.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-03-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-04-20. (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 $140,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for PA 17001

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