U.S. Companies and Pakistani Universities Partner for Better Employability of Pakistani Youth | SCAISB 24 AW 004 01302024

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of State Public Diplomacy Grants Program opportunity, issued through the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore. It will fund one program (via a cooperative agreement) focused on improving the employability of Pakistani youth by strengthening how universities in Punjab teach market-relevant skills, especially in eCommerce and IT-related areas.

What is the main goal of the funded program?

The goal is to create longer-term employability impact by upgrading university curricula and academic capacity, so students graduate with skills aligned to what employers currently need. The program is meant to build a sustainable bridge between industry skill requirements (including those of American business and technology companies) and what universities teach.

Is the program focused on job placement for individual students?

No. A key requirement is that the project must be framed as an academic-sector strengthening initiative rather than a job placement effort. The emphasis is on improving curricula, faculty engagement, and institutional teaching and learning approaches, not placing individuals into jobs.

What kinds of fields or sectors are emphasized?

The opportunity highlights eCommerce and IT-related fields, with an emphasis on market-relevant, job-ready competencies connected to needs identified by U.S. business and technology companies.

How does the opportunity propose connecting U.S. companies and Pakistani universities?

The expected approach begins by engaging U.S. companies (especially business and tech) to identify current human resource gaps in eCommerce and IT that could realistically be filled by skilled international employees. In parallel, the program assesses and documents skills gaps among Pakistani university graduates. Findings from both streams then inform curriculum design and updates at universities in Punjab.

What are the expected program activities or components?

While applicants may propose their own design, the described concept implies a structured process that could include employer consultations, skills mapping, skills-gap assessments, curriculum development workshops, faculty engagement, and creation of updated course content aligned with current employer needs.

How many universities are expected to be involved?

The selected grantee is expected to work directly with faculty at ten universities in Punjab to design or update curricula so students graduate with more current, job-relevant competencies.

What will success likely be measured by?

Success is likely to be judged by academic and institutional outputs such as needs assessments completed, university partnerships formed, curricula created or modernized, and institutional adoption of improved teaching and learning approaches, rather than by job placement metrics like numbers of students hired.

What is the maximum funding available?

The award ceiling is $500,000.

How many awards will be made?

Only one award is expected.

What type of award mechanism is being used?

The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates closer collaboration and oversight by the funder compared to a standard grant.

Who is the issuing agency?

The issuing agency is the U.S. Mission to Pakistan, through the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, under the U.S. Department of State.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is SCAISB 24 AW 004 01302024.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 19.501.

What was the original application deadline listed?

The original application deadline listed is April 4, 2024.

Who is eligible to apply as the prime recipient?

Eligibility is limited to non-profit applicants. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based organizations, civil society or non-governmental organizations, and public or private educational institutions, as long as they are not for-profit.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

No. For-profit entities are explicitly ineligible to apply as the prime recipient.

Can a for-profit organization participate in any way?

Yes, potentially. While for-profit entities cannot be the prime recipient, the prime recipient may sub-contract with other entities as part of implementation. If subcontracting is used, proposals must clearly define responsibilities and roles for each participating entity.

Can multiple organizations apply together as co-leads?

No. Only one non-profit, non-governmental organization can serve as the main award recipient. Partnerships may be included, but they need to be structured with a single lead applicant responsible for the overall project and compliance.

If partnering, what must the proposal include?

If subcontracting or partnering is used, the proposal should clearly define the responsibilities and roles of each participating entity, and make clear that one eligible non-profit applicant is the lead recipient accountable for the project.

What is the geographic focus of the university work?

The program is focused on universities in Punjab, with direct faculty engagement at ten universities in that province.

What is the underlying theory of change behind this opportunity?

The concept is that updating curricula and strengthening university capacity to teach market-relevant skills will create sustainable improvements in graduate employability over time, because universities will be better positioned to keep pace with changes in the digital economy and evolving employer needs.