Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA ECAAS 16 008
The FY 2016 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program is a discretionary funding opportunity announced by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically through its Office of Global Educational Programs. The program is designed to bring international participants to the United States for an intensive, academic-year program hosted at accredited U.S. community colleges. Its central purpose is twofold: first, to help participants from underserved and underrepresented communities build practical technical and professional skills that can translate into stronger employment prospects and community impact when they return home; and second, to deepen participants' understanding of the United States through direct educational and cultural exposure in an American community college setting.
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient would be expected to work in close partnership with ECA rather than operating entirely independently. The applying organization is expected to coordinate and support the delivery of the program through community college campuses, ensuring that participants receive the academic training and professional development intended by the initiative, while also facilitating the broader exchange experience that strengthens mutual understanding. The announcement notes that applicants may submit a proposal to cooperate with ECA under one of two paths, identified as Option A or Option B, indicating there are at least two implementation approaches available under the same competition (the notice does not provide the details of those options in the excerpt provided, but it makes clear applicants must choose one).
Eligible applicants include U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The program also allows "other" eligible entities as listed in the funding notice, but the description emphasizes organizations that represent consortia of accredited U.S. community colleges or other combinations of accredited community college campuses. In practical terms, the competition is aimed at organizations capable of organizing a multi-campus community college partnership or otherwise demonstrating they can place and support international participants across accredited community college environments.
A key compliance point in the solicitation is the strict limitation on submissions: an applicant may submit only one proposal, and that single proposal must be for either Option A or Option B. If the same applicant submits multiple proposals, the notice states that all submissions from that applicant will be deemed ineligible and will not move forward in the review process. That makes internal coordination essential for any organization considering applying, particularly those with multiple campuses or affiliates that might otherwise attempt separate submissions.
The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number ECA ECAAS 16 008 and is associated with CFDA number 19.009. The agency lists an award ceiling of $5,200,000. The original closing date for submissions is November 16, 2015, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of September 16, 2015. Overall, the announcement frames the CCI Program as a large-scale international exchange and workforce-oriented academic initiative centered on community colleges, targeting participants who may not otherwise have access to comparable educational and professional development opportunities, while advancing ECA's broader public diplomacy and educational exchange goals.Apply for ECA ECAAS 16 008
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2016 Community College Initiative Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.009.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2015-09-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2015-11-16. (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 $5,200,000.00 in funding.
- 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, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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FY 2016 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program - FAQs
1) What is the FY 2016 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program?
The FY 2016 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Office of Global Educational Programs. It supports an intensive, academic-year program that brings international participants to the United States to study at accredited U.S. community colleges.
2) What is the main purpose of the CCI Program?
The program has two central goals: (1) help participants from underserved and underrepresented communities build practical technical and professional skills that can improve employment prospects and community impact when they return home, and (2) deepen participants' understanding of the United States through direct educational and cultural exposure in a U.S. community college setting.
3) What kind of funding instrument is this opportunity?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means the selected recipient is expected to work in close partnership with ECA, rather than operating fully independently.
4) What is expected of the selected recipient organization?
The applying organization is expected to coordinate and support delivery of the program through community college campuses. This includes ensuring participants receive the intended academic training and professional development, and facilitating the broader exchange experience aimed at strengthening mutual understanding.
5) Who is the sponsoring federal agency and which office is responsible?
The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of State. The opportunity is issued by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), specifically through its Office of Global Educational Programs.
6) Who are the participants the program is designed to serve?
The program is designed for international participants, with an emphasis on individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities who may not otherwise have access to comparable educational and professional development opportunities.
7) Where does the program take place?
The program takes place in the United States at accredited U.S. community colleges, with participants hosted in a community college setting for an intensive academic-year experience.
8) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: (1) U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, (2) private institutions of higher education, and (3) nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The notice also allows "other" eligible entities as listed in the funding notice.
9) Are community college consortia specifically encouraged or expected?
Yes. The description emphasizes organizations that represent consortia of accredited U.S. community colleges or other combinations of accredited community college campuses, reflecting a program model that can place and support international participants across multiple community college environments.
10) Are applicants required to choose between different implementation approaches?
Yes. Applicants may submit a proposal under one of two paths: Option A or Option B. The excerpt does not include the details of these options, but it clearly states applicants must choose one option when submitting.
11) Can an organization submit proposals for both Option A and Option B?
No. An applicant may submit only one proposal total, and that single proposal must be for either Option A or Option B.
12) What happens if an applicant submits more than one proposal?
If the same applicant submits multiple proposals, the notice states that all submissions from that applicant will be deemed ineligible and will not move forward in the review process.
13) Why is internal coordination important for applicants?
Because only one proposal is allowed per applicant (and it must be either Option A or Option B), organizations with multiple campuses, affiliates, or internal units need to coordinate so they do not inadvertently submit multiple applications and become ineligible.
14) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is ECA ECAAS 16 008.
15) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.009.
16) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The agency lists an award ceiling of $5,200,000.
17) What was the original submission deadline?
The original closing date for submissions is November 16, 2015.
18) When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of September 16, 2015.
19) What is the overall program theme or focus?
The announcement frames the CCI Program as a large-scale international exchange and workforce-oriented academic initiative centered on community colleges, designed to build practical skills while advancing educational and cultural exchange goals.
20) Does the program emphasize cultural exchange in addition to academics?
Yes. Beyond academic and professional development, the program is intended to deepen participants' understanding of the United States through educational and cultural exposure in an American community college environment.
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