FY 2025 Community College Initiative Program

The FY 2025 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), through its Office of Global Educational Programs. The purpose of this grant opportunity is to fund a cooperative agreement with a U.S.-based organization to administer and implement the CCI Program, which supports foreign students from strategically important regions in gaining technical and professional skills through U.S. community colleges. The program aims to enhance U.S. security and economic ties by fostering global engagement and equipping emerging leaders with tools to contribute to economic growth and stability in their home countries. The total funding available is approximately $3,937,500, with an anticipated single award. The CCI Program targets foreign students from approximately 15 countries across all six world regions, prioritizing participants from areas vulnerable to radicalization or illegal immigration. These students, who typically have some prior work experience or vocational education, are selected via U.S. embassies or Fulbright Commissions. Selected participants study for one semester or up to one academic year at accredited U.S. community colleges. Core program components include academic coursework, professional internships, service learning, leadership development, cultural exchange, and English language training. Eligible academic fields include Agriculture, Applied Engineering, Business and Entrepreneurship, Creative Economy and Media, Early Childhood Education, and Information Technology. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include U.S. not-for-profit organizations and accredited public or private educational institutions, particularly those representing a consortium of community colleges. Applicants must demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges and must submit one proposal only. Key submission requirements include a SF-424 form, executive summary, narrative, budget documentation (including SF-424A), and a budget narrative. All submissions must be completed through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on August 4, 2025. The evaluation criteria include the quality and feasibility of the program idea, institutional capacity and track record, the strength of program planning, potential impact and multiplier effect, performance monitoring and evaluation, and cost-effectiveness with cost-sharing incentives. Proposals must clearly detail how they will manage the recruitment, placement, orientation, and support of around 100 international participants. There is no mandatory cost-sharing requirement, but it is encouraged. The awardee will also be responsible for program-wide tasks including pre-departure coordination, virtual programming, CCI-wide branding, monitoring and evaluation, alumni engagement, and reporting through the MyGrants system. Program monitoring must include both quantitative and qualitative assessments using the ECA’s MODE Framework. Proposals should demonstrate flexibility to deliver programming in virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats. For inquiries, applicants may contact Matt Sacco, Program Officer at the U.S. Department of State, Office of Global Educational Programs. He can be reached at SaccoMJ@state.gov or by phone at 202-975-3074. The anticipated award date is August 25, 2025, and the program performance period is between 12 to 36 months. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

Submit only one proposal per organization; include strong evidence of institutional capacity; demonstrate four years of exchange experience; adhere to strict formatting and submission deadlines