Exchange Program: Integrating Emerging and Innovative Technology in the English Language Classroom

Location:	District of Columbia
Posted:	Nov 18, 2025
Due:	Jan 8, 2026
Agency:	FHI 360
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services U - Education and Training Services
Solicitation No:	FY21-RFA-02_RFA_02
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Exchange Program: Integrating Emerging and Innovative Technology in the English Language Classroom
RFA No.: FY21-RFA-02_RFA_02

Issue date: 17 Nov, 2025
Closing date: 8 Jan, 2026

Solicitation file(s):
RFA Integrating Emerging and Innovative Technology (215 KB)
Attachment 1_Application Checklist, Application Template, & Minimum Required Standards (87 KB)
Attachment 2_Application Cover Sheet (31 KB)
Attachment 3 Budget Template wCostShare (54 KB)

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Request for Applications (RFA)

Exchange Program: Integrating Emerging and Innovative Technology

in the English Language Classroom

This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L) under the English Access

Scholarship Program

Applications Due: January 8, 2026

Questions Due: December 11, 2025

Responses to Questions posted on/about: December 18, 2025

Email for submissions: accessexchanges@fhi360.org

________________________________________________________________________________

SOLICITATION FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS

THIS REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA) IS THE EXCLUSIVE, CONFIDENTIAL,

PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL (FHI 360). IT MAY

NOT BE COPIED, TRANSMITTED, OR DISCLOSED BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE

EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF FHI 360. BY ACCEPTING A COPY HEREOF, RECIPIENT

AGREES TO USE THE RFA (AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS) SOLEY FOR

RESPONDING TO THIS RFA, AND DESTROY THE RFA (AND ANY RELATED

DOCUMENTS) UPON YOUR DECISION NOT TO RESPOND TO THIS RFA.

________________________________________________________________________________

About the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of

English Language Programs (ECA/A/L)

The Office of English Language Programs in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational

and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) engages English Language (EL) learners and educators abroad by

funding and monitoring U.S. Embassy-sponsored EL programs that support curriculum and materials

development projects, facilitate teacher training workshops, and advise foreign ministries of

education, universities, and NGOs. The programs, overseen by Regional English Language Officers

(RELOs) abroad and Program Officers in Washington D.C., foster mutual understanding, strengthen

teaching and language skills, develop critical thinking capabilities, and convey balanced and accurate

information about the United States. The Office of English Language Programs runs multiple

educational exchange programs focused on EL teaching and learning. These English Language

programs include: the Fellows Program, the Virtual Educator (VE) Program, the Specialists Program,

the English Access Scholarship (Access) Program, and the Online Professional English Network

(OPEN) Program. In addition, the office actively engages teachers and students on Facebook,

YouTube, and the AmericanEnglish.state.gov website.

About FHI 360

FHI 360 is a global organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people

everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. FHI 360 has spent more

than 50 years developing bold solutions to global challenges and creating measurable results. FHI

360 works to address the complex challenges of human development with a unique mix of

multidisciplinary and integrated solutions. Its areas of practice include health, education, democracy

and governance, economic opportunity, nutrition and food security, and humanitarian response.

Purpose

FHI 360 invites applications from accredited U.S. universities and colleges to host a two-week

exchange program for international English as a Foreign Language (EFL) educators, including

teachers, teacher trainers, and curriculum or content developers in K-12 and higher education settings

who have experience or a strong interest in educational technology. The program offers international

EL educators the opportunity to engage in professional development to enhance their knowledge and

skills around a theme related to EL teaching and learning through the exchange experience and

sharing of knowledge and expertise with American education professionals.

This professional development program seeks to strengthen international EFL educators’ expertise in

using emerging and innovative technologies to enhance instruction in the English language

classroom. The exchange program must offer participants direct experience in a university/college

setting with access to campus resources and the opportunity for forging potential international

partnerships with faculty members and the university/college.

This exchange program is funded by ECA/A/L through a cooperative agreement with FHI 360 under

the Access Program. In issuing this Request for Applications (RFA), FHI 360 anticipates awarding

sub-agreement(s) of up to $65,000 to U.S. university(s) for administration costs to host approximately

twenty-six (26) participants. Applicants are required to include cost-share and in-kind contributions

to build upon program funding, with a minimum of $4,000 included in the total budget.

To this end, FHI 360 is issuing this RFA that consists of:

 RFA document

 Application Checklist, Application Template, and Minimum Required Standards

(Attachment 1)

 Application Cover Sheet (Attachment 2)

 Budget Template (Attachment 3)

Interested institutions should electronically submit a complete proposal to FHI 360 at

accessexchanges@fhi360.org no later than January 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST.

I. Program Description

A. Overview

Participants will take part in an intensive professional development program focused on the theme of

incorporating educational technology tools into the English language classroom. The participants will

be international EFL educators, including teachers, teacher trainers, and curriculum or content

developers in K-12 and higher education settings who have experience or a strong interest in

educational technology. Participants will represent different countries and contexts from around the

world and will be recruited and nominated by Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) based

at U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world.

The program is designed to deepen international EFL educators’ understanding of how emerging and

innovative American technologies can empower both themselves and their language learners. It will

equip educators with the skills and knowledge to effectively integrate digital tools into their

classrooms to enhance language acquisition and foster 21st-century skills, including, collaboration,

communication, creativity, and critical thinking.

The program will also address the ethical implications of using educational technology, such as data

privacy and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in language learning. Participants will also

gain hands-on experience with a range of ways to continuously learn about, evaluate, and adapt

educational technology to their home country’s contexts and use these tools to design learner-centered

English language instruction and analyze student learning data.

B. Program Dates

The program shall be two weeks (14 days) in length from June 12 - 25, 2026, taking into

consideration holidays and the possibility to visit in-session classroom settings. Travel days are

additional to the 14 program days (arrival on June 11 and departure on June 26). The program should

include one rest day for the participants in the middle of the two-week period.

*Note: Following the completion of the university-organized exchange program, the participants will

travel to Orlando, Florida to attend a program organized in conjunction with the 2026 International

Society for Technology in Education Convention. This program will be organized separately by FHI

360 and its local partner organization.

II. Program Guidelines

The applicant must use the attached Application Checklist, Application Template, and

Minimum Required Standards and should address all the items below, providing detailed

descriptions.

The application should be organized in the order listed below in a single PDF document with the

exception of the application cover sheet (Attachment 2) and the detailed budget (Attachment 3),

which should be submitted in the excel template provided.

1. Application Cover Page (Attachment 2)

2. Program Narrative (Not to exceed 10 pages, double spaced)

 Vision

 Organizational capability statement

 Description of the exchange program

A. Academic Workshops

B. Site Visits

C. Cultural Activities

D. Participant Support and Logistical Arrangements

3. Number of Program Hours (A description using the proposal template)

4. Program Calendar

5. Program Outline for each day with activities, description, time allocation, learning objectives,

materials, and resources

6. Staff and Program Management Plan that defines the roles and responsibilities of staff (max.

2 pages)

7. Curriculum Vitae for key staff - program management team and faculty (no more than 2 pages

each)

8. Letter(s) of Commitment from the institution that offers leadership support to the application

9. Budget Narrative

10. Fringe Benefits Rate Documentation and Indirect Rate Documentation (e.g., NICRA)

11. Detailed budget (Attachment 3)

This exchange program is sponsored by the ECA/A/L. The host institution should notify all

participants, presenters and stakeholders involved in this role explicitly to provide maximum

transparency. Where possible and appropriate, resources offered in the sessions should include

materials from the Office of English Language Programs (americanenglish.state.gov).

This exchange should incorporate site visits within the host community, intercultural dialogue with

American peers or students, and opportunities for participants to present on their home countries to

enhance their learning, as well as deepen their understanding of U.S. history and culture and

Americans’ understanding of their cultures.

All aspects of the exchange should be delivered using the adult-learner model and incorporate EFL

content and opportunities to discuss U.S. history and culture throughout the entire program. The

content should meet a minimum English language proficiency level of intermediate (B1) with the

understanding that participants’ language skill level will vary.

Applicants should demonstrate flexibility in programming to accommodate a range of religious and

cultural needs as well as disabilities and outline a plan to accommodate participants with these needs.

Participants of this program should be active learners and gain knowledge and skills through hands-

on approaches and activities. Applications should encompass activities that address strategies for

incorporating subject matter into all learning environments.

Exchange Program Design

The two-week exchange program outline should include a thoughtful and strategic integration of

academic workshops, site visits, cultural activities, and participant support/logistical arrangement

using the following elements as a guide:

A. Academic Workshops

 Provision of academic workshops to include between 20 and 30 total hours over the

exchange.

 The topics and activities for the academic workshops must include but are not limited to:

o Evaluating, curating, and adapting emerging technologies in order to meet varied

language proficiencies, student needs, and educational contexts, including

technology-enabled methods of differentiating instruction and tech tools that are

accessible in all learning environments.

o Using technology as a tool to foster student autonomy, leadership, and critical

thinking. Participants will explore ways to prepare students to use Artificial

Intelligence and other American tech tools in positive, safe, and ethical ways.

o Crafting authentic, real-world learning experiences where technology provides

students with enhanced access to authentic language input and tasks, helping them

engage with English in meaningful, and practical contexts. These experiences will

also support students’ development of critical thinking skills and digital literacy,

empowering them to use English effectively while navigating and analyzing

information in technology-driven world.

o Promoting student communication skills by allowing students to display learning

in non-traditional digital formats that integrate writing, speaking and creativity

skills, such as via podcasts, blogs/vlogs, audiovisual creations, etc.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

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Exchange Program: Integrating Emerging and Innovative Technology in the English Language Classroom

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See also