The United States Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) announces a Request for Applications (RFA) to support a summer leadership program for Cuban youth with up to $1,212,000 in FY 2013 Economic Support Funds, subject to availability of funding, for a project period of

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approximately two years.

The anticipated start date for this activity is September 30, 2014, with one award anticipated as a result of this RFA.

WHA invites U.

S.

non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, or an equivalent official status, and public and private institutions of higher education to submit proposals to accomplish the following:
This funding will support a summer program for Cuban high school students focusing on leadership development, civic education principles, and the structure of democratic organizations ranging from national governments to local NGOs and student advocacy groups.

Through an open competition, WHA will select an organization that will develop a 3-4 week program in which Cuban youth will travel to the United States to participate in youth-appropriate leadership activities and workshops and will stay with American families for part of the program.

WHA anticipates a total of 75-100 participants over two years.

The program will be conducted in Spanish.

To maximize the cultural and linguistic benefit for the Cuban students, WHA strongly encourages applicants to consider the demographic and geographic diversity of the US in project planning.

The program for the first group students would begin in summer 201 5.