English Language Fellows Program
🏛 U.S. Mission to Egypt
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations with expertise managing international personnel programs. Eligible applicants include educational organizations, NGOs, human resources firms, and institutions experienced in personnel management, visa facilitation, and financial administration. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of Egyptian regulatory requirements and capacity to support American professionals abroad. The program seeks a primary administrative partner to place and support two English Language Fellows in Egypt for 28 months.
The selected organization will recruit, vet, and select Fellows in coordination with U.S. Embassy Cairo. Financial management responsibilities include salary disbursement, housing allowances, and expense reimbursement. The provider must facilitate visa issuance, work permits, housing arrangements, and local orientation.
Organizations must ensure compliance with U.S. government regulations and Egyptian labor laws. Responsive logistical support with rapid problem-solving (48-hour resolution) is required. Regular communication with Embassy staff and Fellows is essential to program success.
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Program description
The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Cairo announces an open competition to identify a qualified provider organization to support the placement and administration of two English Language Fellows (ELFs) in Egypt for a 28-month program period. This program addresses a critical operational need: the successful implementation of the English Language Fellows program requires an international or local partner with expertise in human resources management, visa facilitation, financial administration, and logistical support to ensure Fellows can focus on their educational mission while receiving comprehensive administrative support throughout their assignment.
The English Language Fellows program brings American English language teaching professionals to Egypt to work with local institutions, train Egyptian English teachers, develop curriculum, and strengthen English language education capacity. These Fellows serve as cultural ambassadors while providing technical expertise in modern TESOL methodologies, educational technology, and professional development. The success of this program depends on seamless administrative support that allows Fellows to maximize their impact on Egyptian educators and students.
The selected provider organization will serve as the primary administrative partner responsible for: (1) recruiting, vetting, and selecting two qualified American English Language Fellows in coordination with U.S. Embassy Cairo; (2) managing all financial aspects including monthly salary disbursement, housing allowance payments, and reimbursement for approved expenses; (3) facilitating visa issuance and work permit processes in coordination with Egyptian authorities and Embassy staff; (4) providing ongoing logistical support including housing arrangements, local orientation, and problem-solving assistance; (5) ensuring compliance with U.S. government regulations, Egyptian labor laws, and program requirements; and (6) maintaining regular communication with Embassy staff and Fellows to address issues promptly and ensure program success.
This program directly advances the Trump Administration’s core foreign policy objectives by making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous through strategic educational partnerships. By building English language capacity in Egypt through American expertise, the program creates lasting partnerships that facilitate trade, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding—all essential components of a prosperous and secure bilateral relationship in a strategically vital region. The Fellows program represents a cost-effective model for projecting American values and expertise while building sustainable institutional capacity in partner nations.
Eligible applicants include educational organizations, non-governmental organizations, human resources firms, and institutions with demonstrated experience in personnel management, visa facilitation, financial administration, and support services for international professionals. The selected organization must have the knowledge of local regulatory requirements, and capacity to provide responsive support to American professionals working in the Egyptian context.
Success will be measured through: timely recruitment and placement of two qualified Fellows (both Fellows in-country and working within 60 days of program start), effective financial management (100% on-time salary and allowance payments with accurate expense reimbursement), successful visa facilitation (all required permits obtained within regulatory timeframes), responsive logistical support (housing secured, orientation provided, issues resolved within 48 hours), and overall Fellow satisfaction (90% of Fellows rating provider support as “good” or “excellent” in end-of-program evaluations).
This strategic partnership will enable the English Language Fellows program to achieve maximum impact on Egypt’s English language education sector while ensuring American professionals receive the administrative support necessary to succeed in their educational mission. The provider organization will serve as a critical bridge between U.S. government priorities, American Fellows’ needs, and Egyptian institutional requirements.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (personnel management experience)
- Financial management systems documentation
- Proof of knowledge of Egyptian regulatory requirements
- Letters of reference or past performance examples
- Visa facilitation and logistical support plan
Program contact
- 👤 Sally Wissa Grantor
- 📧 soudanhe@state.gov
- 📞 01286677779
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?
Educational organizations, NGOs, human resources firms, and institutions with experience in personnel management, visa facilitation, and financial administration. Applicants must understand Egyptian regulatory requirements and support international professionals.
What is the award amount and project duration?
Awards range from $100,000 to $480,000. The program period is 28 months for placing and supporting two English Language Fellows.
What are the main responsibilities of the selected organization?
Recruit and vet two Fellows, manage finances (salaries, allowances, expenses), facilitate visas and work permits, provide housing and orientation, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain regular Embassy communication.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is July 8, 2026. This is a fixed deadline with no rolling acceptance.
What makes a competitive application?
Demonstrate strong experience with international personnel administration, proven financial management systems, knowledge of Egyptian labor laws, and capacity for rapid logistical support and problem-solving.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's track record managing international professionals and visa processes. Provide specific examples of successful placements and timely permit processing.
- Detail your financial management systems and controls. Show how you ensure accurate, on-time salary and allowance payments with clear audit trails.
- Demonstrate deep knowledge of Egyptian labor laws and regulatory requirements. Include letters of reference from Egyptian government contacts or past partners.
- Outline your housing and orientation protocols. Explain how you'll secure housing within tight timeframes and resolve issues within 48 hours.
- Show how you'll maintain strong communication with both Embassy staff and Fellows. Include templates for regular status reports and issue escalation procedures.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating visa and work permit complexity in Egypt. Applicants often lack specific examples of regulatory compliance or past successful placements in similar contexts.
Weak financial management documentation. Failing to demonstrate proven accounting systems, internal controls, or on-time payment performance history.
Vague logistical support plans. Proposals lacking concrete timelines, local partnerships, or 48-hour problem-resolution protocols will be less competitive.
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