Empowering English Educators

The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Cairo is soliciting proposals to implement a comprehensive teacher training program designed to enhance the professional capacity of up to 200 Egyptian university English language instructors, lecturers, and teaching assistants nationwide. The initiative, titled “Empowering English Educators” under solicitation PDS-CAIRO-003-FY26, aligns with broader U.S. foreign policy objectives by promoting American cultural values, strengthening the U.S.-Egypt partnership, and advancing English language education through modern pedagogical approaches, including the integration of artificial intelligence in language instruction. The program includes a one-week intensive TESOL training covering critical thinking, classroom management, inclusive instruction, and 21st-century professional skills, with an explicit focus on equipping educators to leverage AI tools effectively in their teaching. The project will also establish a sustainable graduate Community of Practice to maintain momentum beyond the active training period. Proposals must demonstrate organizational capacity, detailed project planning, a reasonable and justified budget, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, and a clear strategy for sustainability, with awards determined through a trade-off process weighted toward technical merit over price. The maximum award amount is $200,000, with a required project duration of five to six months beginning October 1, 2026, and performance entirely within Egypt. applicants must be non-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society groups, or governmental institutions with active SAM.gov registration, a Unique Entity Identifier, and, if applicable, proof of non-profit status. Key personnel resumes, letters of partnership, and, if claiming indirect costs, a NICRA must be submitted. Proposals cannot exceed 20 pages with additional one-page limits on resumes and partnership letters. All submissions must be sent via email to SoudanHE@state.gov by 11:59 PM Cairo Time on August 7, 2026. Award recipients are subject to stringent compliance, including U.S. Department of State branding mandates, adherence to 2 CFR regulations, audit readiness, risk-based financial oversight, and quarterly reporting. High-risk awardees may face enhanced scrutiny including monthly narrative reports, quarterly financial submissions, and the withholding of up to 10% of the award until final deliverables are accepted. Recipients must also complete DS-4184 forms for key individuals as part of a mandatory Risk Analysis Management vetting process and ensure full compliance with relevant Executive Orders on trafficking, drug-free workplaces, and prohibited dealings.