U.S. Embassy Bridgetown: EducationUSA Eastern Caribbean Regional Advising Program
🏛 U.S. Mission to Barbados
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and eligible entities working in the Eastern Caribbean region. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to hire and manage a part-time regional education adviser based in Barbados. Organizations should have experience in international education advising, regional outreach, or higher education partnerships.
The program operates from Barbados and serves prospective students across the Eastern Caribbean (including countries like Grenada, St. Lucia, and Dominica). Funding supports staffing, webinar delivery, virtual advising platforms, and partnership development with U.S. and regional universities.
Activities include hosting monthly webinar series, providing individual and group advising, managing social media outreach, and organizing college fairs and educational events throughout the region.
Program description
The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Bridgetown announces an open competition to implement a two-year EducationUSA Regional Advising Program based in Barbados to expand access to U.S. higher education opportunities across the Eastern Caribbean through comprehensive virtual and in-person advising services.
The part-time adviser will deliver monthly webinar series targeting prospective students, virtual outreach programs providing individual and cohort advising for students and parents, and partnership development with at least 15 U.S. universities and regional institutions. The adviser will also assist in developing social media strategies on the Eastern Caribbean EducationUSA page and support key activities including college fairs and educational events.
Project Goals and Objectives
Expand access to U.S. higher education for Eastern Caribbean youth by establishing comprehensive, professional regional advising services that strengthen people-to-people ties and advance democratic values throughout the Caribbean.
Objective 1: Deliver at least 24 monthly webinars over the two-year program period, reaching a minimum of 1,000 unique participants (prospective students, parents, and educators) with comprehensive information about U.S. higher education pathways, application processes, and financial aid opportunities, with at least 50% of participants reporting increased knowledge and confidence in navigating U.S. college applications.
Objective 2: Provide individualized and cohort-based virtual advising services to at least 400 prospective students and their families over two years, resulting in at least 200 students submitting complete applications to U.S. universities and at least 100 students successfully enrolling in U.S. higher education institutions, representing measurable growth beyond the current regional baseline of 1,500 annual students.
Objective 3: Establish formal partnerships with at least 15 U.S. universities and regional educational insti
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative with objectives, activities, and evaluation plan
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capacity statement (staffing, infrastructure)
- Letters of commitment from U.S. and regional university partners
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status or equivalent organizational documentation
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. Mission to Barbados
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.022 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$570,002
-
$550,000
-
$500,000
-
$500,000
-
$425,000
-
$315,177
-
$290,000
-
$269,061
-
$268,500
-
$250,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.022). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $9,943,397 | |
| 2025 | $9,943,397 | |
| 2026 est. | $9,943,397 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S.-based nonprofits, universities, and educational institutions with experience in international education or higher education advising. Organizations must be able to establish and manage regional operations in Barbados.
What is the funding amount and project duration?
Awards range from $20,000 to $24,500 for a two-year project. This is a cooperative agreement requiring active partnership with the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown.
What activities does this grant support?
Monthly webinars, virtual advising services to students and families, social media management, university partnerships, and college fair coordination. The focus is expanding U.S. higher education access across the Eastern Caribbean.
What are the key performance targets?
Deliver 24+ webinars reaching 1,000+ unique participants, provide advising to 400+ students, achieve 200+ completed applications, and enroll 100+ students in U.S. universities over two years.
When is the deadline and can I reapply if rejected?
Deadline is July 24, 2026. The grant description does not specify reapplication policies; contact the Embassy Bridgetown for guidance on future competition cycles.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's existing networks in the Caribbean and experience managing international advising programs. Strong regional connections strengthen competitiveness.
- Detail your staffing plan clearly, including the adviser's qualifications, time commitment, and reporting structure. This small grant requires efficient resource allocation.
- Propose specific, measurable metrics for webinar attendance, student advising caseloads, and university partnerships. The grant emphasizes concrete enrollment outcomes.
- Build genuine partnerships with U.S. universities before submitting. Letters of commitment from 15+ institutions demonstrate feasibility and strengthen your proposal.
- Plan your budget tightly. With a $24,500 total, allocate funds carefully to personnel, technology platforms, and regional outreach while maintaining administrative efficiency.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the operational complexity of managing a two-year program across multiple Caribbean islands. Lack of realistic partnership commitments with U.S. universities before application.
Proposing vague or unmeasurable advising outcomes. Reviewers expect specific enrollment numbers, not general statements about "increased awareness."
Budgeting insufficient resources for technology platforms and virtual advising infrastructure needed to serve geographically dispersed students effectively.
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