USAID is seeking applications for the Higher Education Scholarships Phase Two (HES-II) program through a cooperative agreement. The initiative forms part of the Higher Education Advancement and Development (HEAD) project, which aims to strengthen higher education institutions and expand educational opportunities that contribute to economic stability and prosperity.
About the HES-II Program
The Higher Education Scholarships Phase Two (HES-II) program is one activity under USAID’s Higher Education Advancement and Development (HEAD) project.
According to the provided source, the purpose of the HEAD project is to improve the effectiveness of educational institutions in order to enhance Lebanon’s economic stability and prosperity through stronger higher education institutions and expanded skills development opportunities.
Program Summary
| Program | USAID Higher Education Scholarships Phase Two (HES-II) |
|---|---|
| Organization | United States Agency for International Development (USAID) |
| Program Type | Cooperative Agreement |
| Project | Higher Education Advancement and Development (HEAD) |
| Focus Area | Higher Education Scholarships |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Duration | Up to 9 Years |
| Funding | Up to US$30 million per award (subject to funding availability) |
Program Components
The HES-II initiative consists of two scholarship components.
1. University Scholarship Program – Phase Nine (USP9)
The University Scholarship Program (USP9) supports meritorious but financially disadvantaged Lebanese secondary school graduates by providing full scholarship coverage for undergraduate studies at eligible local not-for-profit universities.
The program seeks to increase students’ job readiness while supporting Lebanon’s long-term political, economic, and social development.
2. Refugee Scholarship Support – Phase II (RSS-II)
The Refugee Scholarship Support (RSS-II) component provides scholarships to refugees legally residing in Lebanon to complete undergraduate degree programs at eligible local not-for-profit universities.
According to the source, USAID will maintain substantial involvement throughout the activity, including standardizing scholarship selection criteria and conditions for maintaining scholarship support.
Funding Information
According to the provided information:
- USAID intends to award two cooperative agreements.
- Each award is expected to receive US$29.8 million, subject to funding availability.
- USAID may provide an additional US$200,000 per award, bringing the total estimated funding to up to US$30 million per award.
- The anticipated implementation period is up to nine years.
Eligibility Criteria
According to the source, eligibility for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is restricted to:
- Not-for-profit educational institutions in Lebanon.
- Institutions that meet standards comparable to those required for American accreditation.
USAID also welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received USAID financial assistance.
Program Objectives
The HES-II program aims to:
- Improve the effectiveness of higher education institutions.
- Expand access to quality higher education.
- Strengthen workforce skills.
- Increase job readiness among scholarship recipients.
- Support Lebanon’s long-term economic, political, and social development.
Benefits
According to the provided information, the program supports:
- Full undergraduate scholarship coverage for eligible students under the University Scholarship Program.
- Undergraduate scholarship opportunities for eligible refugees residing in Lebanon.
- Stronger higher education institutions.
- Enhanced skills development and employment readiness.
- Long-term educational and economic development initiatives.
How to Apply
Step 1
Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and determine whether your institution meets the eligibility requirements.
Step 2
Prepare the required application materials in accordance with the funding announcement.
Step 3
Submit the application through the official USAID funding process before the specified deadline.
Step 4
Monitor communications regarding the review and award process.
The provided source references the official funding opportunity on Grants.gov for additional application information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HES-II?
HES-II (Higher Education Scholarships Phase Two) is a USAID-funded initiative under the Higher Education Advancement and Development (HEAD) project that supports higher education scholarship programs in Lebanon.
Who benefits from the scholarship programs?
The initiative supports financially disadvantaged Lebanese secondary school graduates and refugees legally residing in Lebanon through undergraduate scholarship opportunities.
Who can apply for the cooperative agreement?
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit educational institutions in Lebanon that meet standards comparable to American accreditation requirements.
How much funding is available?
USAID intends to provide up to US$29.8 million per award, with the possibility of increasing funding to US$30 million per award, subject to funding availability.
Does USAID accept first-time applicants?
Yes. The funding opportunity welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received USAID financial assistance.
Conclusion
The USAID Higher Education Scholarships Phase Two (HES-II) initiative is designed to expand access to quality higher education while strengthening educational institutions and supporting workforce development in Lebanon. Through substantial long-term investment, the program provides scholarship opportunities for financially disadvantaged Lebanese students and eligible refugees while helping improve the effectiveness of the country’s higher education sector. Eligible educational institutions are encouraged to review the official funding announcement and submit their applications through the designated USAID process.
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