Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0009199
The FY 2023 BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund is a U.S. Department of State opportunity, run through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and specifically administered by the Office of Private Sector Exchange (BridgeUSA). It is set up as an open competition to select one organization to administer a scholarship program that supports international participation in STEM-focused academic and professional exchange pathways. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the selected recipient will carry out the project with substantial involvement and oversight from the U.S. government partner during implementation, rather than operating entirely independently.
Funding for this competition is projected at about $260,000 as the maximum award amount, with one award expected. The notice explains that the funding is contingent on the availability of FY 2022 recovery funds that are being carried over and obligated in FY 2023, meaning the program is tied to specific carryover funds rather than a guaranteed new appropriation stream. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, and the CFDA (assistance listing) number is 19.451.
The core purpose is to provide roughly 50 STEM scholarships for foreign university students, scholars, and professionals. A central program design requirement is regional balance: the scholarship recipients should be evenly distributed across three geographic regions, Africa (AF), East Asia and Pacific (EAP), and the Western Hemisphere (WHA). The program is intended to operate in both academic and professional categories, indicating support could span from university-linked learning or research experiences to more professionally oriented training or placements, consistent with BridgeUSA exchange programming structures.
A major thematic requirement is that proposals must include a climate change focus. The announcement makes clear that the scholarship fund is not simply about general STEM mobility; it is meant to build capacity and collaboration around climate-related challenges where STEM expertise is essential. Applicants are expected to shape scholarship activities around shared, cross-continental STEM priorities connected to climate impacts and adaptation. The examples provided in the notice highlight the types of work the program is meant to advance: improving understanding of climate systems, developing precision agricultural capabilities, enhancing risk assessment tools, and increasing societal resilience to catastrophic natural or human-induced disasters. Taken together, these examples signal an emphasis on practical, applied STEM outcomes that can strengthen preparedness, mitigation, and adaptation across different regions.
Another defining feature is the expectation of U.S. partnership collaboration. Proposals should incorporate collaboration with U.S. institutions that work in relevant STEM fields, suggesting that successful applicants will not only fund scholarships but also build structured institutional relationships that can host, mentor, train, or otherwise support participants. This partnership element implies the program is designed to create networks and sustained cooperation, not just one-off scholarship awards, and it aligns with ECA’s broader public diplomacy and exchange goals of building long-term professional and academic ties.
Eligibility is geared toward U.S.-based organizations that can demonstrate capacity to manage an international scholarship and exchange-style program. Eligible applicants include U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (including nonprofits that are not higher education institutions). The announcement also lists an “Others” category with additional eligibility clarification referenced in the full notice, which typically means there may be specific conditions or exceptions spelled out in the complete announcement text.
Key administrative details in the source information include the funding opportunity number SFOP0009199, an original posting date (creation date) of September 16, 2022, and an original closing date of November 14, 2022. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a single-award, climate-focused STEM scholarship administration project under BridgeUSA, aimed at supporting about 50 international participants across three priority regions while strengthening collaborative ties with U.S. STEM institutions and advancing applied work in climate systems, agriculture, risk tools, and disaster resilience.Apply for SFOP0009199
- The Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2023 BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.451.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 16, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 14, 2022. (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 $260,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: FY 2023 BridgeUSA Africa Polytechnic Collaboration Initiative
Previous opportunity: Request for Information on the Department of Energy’s Critical Materials Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercialization Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SFOP0009199
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SFOP0009199) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| PEPFAR Small Grants Program POL/ECON, U.S. Embassy Yaounde Apply for AFYDE PSGCLM GR POLECON 2022 Funding Number: AFYDE PSGCLM GR POLECON 2022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Cameroon Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY 2023 BridgeUSA Africa Polytechnic Collaboration Initiative Apply for SFOP0009212 Funding Number: SFOP0009212 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY2023 BridgeUSA Journalism and Rule of Law Scholarship Program Apply for SFOP0009210 Funding Number: SFOP0009210 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Supporting the Syrian Political Process Apply for SFOP0009213 Funding Number: SFOP0009213 Agency: Department of State, Assistance Coordination Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| USAID/Peru and South America Regional (SAR) Locally Led Development Initiative Apply for 72052722APS00001 Funding Number: 72052722APS00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Peru USAID-Lima Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,500,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Malta Public Notice for Statements of Interest Apply for 4216 23 001 Funding Number: 4216 23 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malta Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| 2023 TIP Office Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership Cote d'Ivoire - Prevalence Study Apply for SFOP0009217 Funding Number: SFOP0009217 Agency: Department of State, Office to Monitor-Combat Trafficking in Persons Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Supporting Civil Society in Syria Apply for SFOP0009221 Funding Number: SFOP0009221 Agency: Department of State, Assistance Coordination Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Grants Program Apply for AFCP 2023 GP Funding Number: AFCP 2023 GP Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2023 Call for Proposals Apply for PAS BGI FY23 03 Funding Number: PAS BGI FY23 03 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Barbados Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Annual Program Statement Apply for PDS APS FY23 01 Funding Number: PDS APS FY23 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bulgaria Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Bratislava PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS SVK FY2023 01 Funding Number: PAS SVK FY2023 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovakia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $24,999 |
| Media Integrity and Resilience in Armenia Activity Apply for 72011123RFA00001 Funding Number: 72011123RFA00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Armenia USAID-Yerevan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| From Protocol to Practice: A Bridge to Global Action on Forced Labor, Phase II (The Bridge Project II) Apply for NOI ILAB 22 08 Funding Number: NOI ILAB 22 08 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Rangoon Public Affairs Small Grants Competition Apply for 23 MMR NOFO 01 Funding Number: 23 MMR NOFO 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Myanmar Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $99,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo - PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS SANTODOMINGO FY23 01 Funding Number: PAS SANTODOMINGO FY23 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| 2023 U.S. Exchange Programs Logistics Management Apply for PAS ZAF FY23 01 Funding Number: PAS ZAF FY23 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Africa Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| DRL FY22 Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement Round 2 Apply for SFOP0009225 Funding Number: SFOP0009225 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| U.S. Mission New Zealand PDS Annual Program Statement Apply for PDS NEWZEALAND 2023 01 Funding Number: PDS NEWZEALAND 2023 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to New Zealand Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Academy for Women Entrepreneurs 2023 Apply for AF MWI FY23 01 Funding Number: AF MWI FY23 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SFOP0009199", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.