Study in the U.S. | ND NOFO 21 103

Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 21 103

The "Study in the U.S." grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: ND NOFO 21 103) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to India initiative designed to increase interest among Indian students in choosing the United States for higher education. The core idea is straightforward: create a curated library of short, engaging videos featuring Indian students who are currently studying at U.S. universities or who have recently graduated, and use those first-hand stories to communicate both inspiration and practical guidance. The project is meant to reach Indian students who are considering studying abroad but have not yet decided on a destination country, with the specific aim of nudging that decision toward the United States.

The grant focuses on using peer-to-peer credibility to counter the reality that many prospective students rely on third-party study abroad sources rather than official advising channels. Even though EducationUSA advising centers operate across India, the announcement notes that students often turn to consultants and informal online sources that may provide incomplete, misleading, or inaccurate information, including confusion around admissions expectations and U.S. visa policies. By centering authentic student voices, the program aims to deliver relatable content that feels trustworthy, current, and realistic about what studying and living in the United States is actually like.

A key deliverable is the production and organization of a library of short-form videos that highlight the benefits of U.S. higher education. The content is expected to mix motivational, story-driven elements with practical, how-to style information relevant to applicants. The opportunity description emphasizes advantages such as interactive learning, strong research opportunities, practical career-oriented curricula, access to cutting-edge technology, global networks, and strong outcomes for graduates. In addition to promoting the value of U.S. universities, the videos are also meant to reflect how Indian students contribute to U.S. campuses and broader U.S.-India ties through cultural exchange, innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.

Distribution and outreach are as important as production. The video content is intended to be promoted for a sustained period of roughly three to six months on a youth-oriented social media platform, with Instagram given as an example. The underlying strategy is to meet the target audience where they already spend time, and to package information in a format that matches modern viewing habits: short, mobile-friendly, shareable clips that can spread through feeds and recommendations rather than requiring students to seek out long explanations on formal websites.

Operationally, the project anticipates collaboration with U.S. universities and their student recruitment units, along with other student networks and associations across the United States, to source participants and gather content from diverse campuses and regions. This structure is intended to help the project capture a wide range of academic fields, student experiences, and institutional types, making the overall library more representative and broadly persuasive. The stated end goal is measurable in intent even if not quantified in the short description: increase the number of Indian students who choose the United States as their study destination by improving the quality, credibility, and reach of information they see during the decision-making stage.

In terms of the grant mechanics, this is a discretionary grant in the education activity category (CFDA 19.040). Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions), and individuals. The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $150,000 and expected to make one award. The posting was created July 12, 2021, with an original closing date of August 11, 2021. Overall, the program is essentially a targeted, social-media-based public diplomacy and outreach campaign built around authentic Indian student testimonials, designed to improve understanding of U.S. higher education and influence destination choice in favor of the United States.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Study in the U.S." and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 12, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 11, 2021. (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 $150,000.00 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, Individuals.

Apply for ND NOFO 21 103

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