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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): "Study in the U.S." Grant (ND NOFO 21 103)

What is the "Study in the U.S." grant opportunity?

The "Study in the U.S." grant (Funding Opportunity Number: ND NOFO 21 103) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to India initiative intended to increase interest among Indian students in choosing the United States for higher education by using short, engaging videos featuring Indian students studying at U.S. universities or recent graduates.

What is the main goal of this grant?

The main goal is to influence Indian students who are considering studying abroad (but have not chosen a destination country yet) to choose the United States, by improving the credibility, quality, and reach of the information they see during their decision-making process.

Who is the target audience for the project activities?

The target audience is Indian students who are considering studying abroad and are still deciding which country to choose, with a specific focus on reaching students through youth-oriented social media where they already spend time.

What problem is this project trying to address?

The opportunity description notes that many prospective students rely on third-party study abroad consultants and informal online sources instead of official advising channels, which can lead to incomplete, misleading, or inaccurate information, including confusion about admissions expectations and U.S. visa policies. The project aims to counter this by using authentic peer-to-peer student voices that feel current and trustworthy.

What is the core deliverable expected under this grant?

A key deliverable is the production and organization of a curated library of short-form videos featuring Indian students currently studying at U.S. universities or who have recently graduated.

What kind of video content is expected?

The videos are expected to combine motivational, story-driven content with practical, how-to style guidance relevant to prospective applicants, using first-hand experiences to communicate both inspiration and actionable information.

What topics or messages should the videos highlight about U.S. higher education?

The opportunity emphasizes highlighting the benefits of U.S. higher education, including interactive learning, strong research opportunities, practical career-oriented curricula, access to cutting-edge technology, global networks, and strong outcomes for graduates.

Do the videos need to address the role of Indian students on U.S. campuses?

Yes. The description indicates the videos are also meant to reflect how Indian students contribute to U.S. campuses and to broader U.S.-India ties through cultural exchange, innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.

How is the video content expected to be distributed and promoted?

Distribution and outreach are described as just as important as production. The library of short videos 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.

Why does the project emphasize short-form, mobile-friendly videos?

The strategy is designed to match modern viewing habits: short, shareable clips that can spread through feeds and recommendations, allowing students to absorb guidance without having to search for long explanations on formal websites.

Is collaboration with U.S. universities expected?

Yes. 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.

Why is diversity across campuses and regions important for this project?

The structure is intended to capture a wide range of academic fields, student experiences, and institutional types, making the overall library more representative and persuasive to a broad audience of prospective students.

What type of grant is this?

This is described as a discretionary grant in the education activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

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.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $150,000.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The opportunity indicates that one award was expected to be made.

When was the opportunity posted?

The posting was created on July 12, 2021.

What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date listed was August 11, 2021.

What is the intended timeline for promotional outreach on social media?

The description calls for sustained promotion of the video content over roughly three to six months on a youth-oriented social media platform.

Is this program connected to official advising channels like EducationUSA?

The announcement references EducationUSA advising centers operating across India and notes that students often do not rely on official advising. The project uses student stories to provide credible, realistic information in a format students are more likely to consume.

What is the overall approach of the program in simple terms?

It is 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 encourage more Indian students to select the United States as their study destination.