Opportunity Information: Apply for 72026321RFA00004
The Teacher Excellence Initiative is a USAID-funded education opportunity in Egypt designed to strengthen how Egyptian public universities prepare primary school teachers. The core goal is to make teacher preparation more practical, relevant, and aligned with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MOETE) reform agenda, so that both current and future teachers are better equipped to raise student learning outcomes. Rather than focusing only on theory or coursework, the initiative emphasizes practice-based, experiential teaching approaches that can be applied directly in real classrooms and teacher training settings.
The program is organized around three main results. First, it aims to ensure that pre-service teachers enrolled in undergraduate programs at Faculties of Education graduate with the skills and knowledge to use experiential, practice-based methods in their teaching. Second, it targets in-service teachers who are pursuing postgraduate programs at Faculties of Education, with the expectation that they will also adopt and apply these hands-on instructional methods in their classrooms. Third, it seeks to improve the joint capacity of key national education bodies, specifically MOETE, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), and the Supreme Council of Universities, so they can plan, manage, and adapt teacher education more effectively together. This third component highlights that the initiative is not only about improving individual teacher skills, but also about strengthening the coordination and governance that shapes teacher education across institutions.
Collaboration with the Government of Egypt is built into the design. The activity is expected to be implemented in partnership with MOETE, MOHESR, and other relevant government stakeholders, supporting MOETE's broader teacher professional development strategy and helping ensure reforms are adopted, institutionalized, and sustained. In addition, two cross-cutting themes are meant to run through all parts of the program: building stronger linkages between U.S. and Egyptian universities, and using technology to enhance teaching and learning within Faculties of Education. In practice, this signals an emphasis on international academic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and modern instructional tools as part of upgrading teacher preparation systems.
Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by USAID Egypt (USAID-Cairo) under the Agency for International Development. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means USAID anticipates substantial involvement during implementation compared with a standard grant. The funding opportunity number is 72026321RFA00004, the CFDA number is 98.001, and the activity category is education. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types may apply, subject to any limits that may appear in the full eligibility section of the official notice.
In terms of scale and competition, USAID anticipated making a single award, with an award ceiling of $49,500,000. The opportunity was created on August 19, 2021, with an original closing date of October 18, 2021. Overall, the initiative is framed as a large, system-oriented investment intended to reshape teacher preparation in Egyptian public universities, improve classroom practice for both new and current teachers, and strengthen the government institutions responsible for steering teacher education reform.Apply for 72026321RFA00004
- The Agency for International Development, Egypt USAID-Cairo in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Teacher Excellence Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 19, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 18, 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 $49,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Teacher Excellence Initiative (USAID Egypt) - FAQs
What is the Teacher Excellence Initiative?
The Teacher Excellence Initiative is a USAID-funded education opportunity in Egypt focused on strengthening how Egyptian public universities prepare primary school teachers. It is designed to make teacher preparation more practical, relevant, and aligned with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MOETE) reform agenda, with the aim of improving student learning outcomes.
What problem or gap is this initiative trying to address?
The initiative is intended to move teacher preparation beyond theory-heavy training by emphasizing practice-based, experiential teaching approaches that can be applied directly in real classrooms and in teacher training settings.
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The opportunity is funded by USAID, specifically USAID Egypt (USAID-Cairo), under the Agency for International Development.
Where is the initiative focused geographically?
Based on the description provided, the initiative is focused on Egypt, particularly within Egyptian public universities and their Faculties of Education.
What is the core goal of the Teacher Excellence Initiative?
The core goal is to improve teacher preparation so that current and future primary school teachers are better equipped to raise student learning outcomes, through practical and experiential teaching methods aligned with MOETE reforms.
What are the three main results the initiative is organized around?
The initiative is organized around three results: (1) ensuring pre-service teachers in undergraduate programs at Faculties of Education graduate with skills to use experiential, practice-based methods; (2) ensuring in-service teachers pursuing postgraduate programs adopt and apply hands-on instructional methods in their classrooms; and (3) improving the joint capacity of MOETE, MOHESR, and the Supreme Council of Universities to plan, manage, and adapt teacher education more effectively together.
Who are the primary beneficiaries among teachers?
The initiative targets both pre-service teachers enrolled in undergraduate programs at Faculties of Education and in-service teachers who are pursuing postgraduate programs at Faculties of Education.
What does "pre-service teachers" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this opportunity, pre-service teachers are those enrolled in undergraduate programs at Faculties of Education who are preparing to become primary school teachers.
What does "in-service teachers" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this opportunity, in-service teachers are current teachers who are pursuing postgraduate programs at Faculties of Education and are expected to apply practice-based methods in their classrooms.
Which government entities are specifically named as key partners?
The opportunity explicitly names MOETE (Ministry of Education and Technical Education), MOHESR (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research), and the Supreme Council of Universities as key national education bodies involved in the initiative.
Is the initiative only about improving individual teacher skills?
No. In addition to improving teacher practice for pre-service and in-service teachers, the initiative includes a system-level component focused on strengthening coordination, planning, management, and governance among MOETE, MOHESR, and the Supreme Council of Universities.
How is collaboration with the Government of Egypt reflected in the program design?
The activity is expected to be implemented in partnership with MOETE, MOHESR, and other relevant government stakeholders. It is designed to support MOETE's broader teacher professional development strategy and help ensure reforms are adopted, institutionalized, and sustained.
What teaching approaches does the initiative emphasize?
The initiative emphasizes experiential, practice-based approaches to teaching, focusing on methods that can be used directly in real classrooms and teacher training environments.
What does it mean that the initiative is aligned with the MOETE reform agenda?
It means the initiative is designed to support and reinforce MOETE's education reform priorities, particularly by ensuring teacher preparation is practical and relevant and by supporting MOETE's broader professional development strategy.
What are the cross-cutting themes that run through the program?
Two cross-cutting themes are intended to run through all parts of the program: (1) strengthening linkages between U.S. and Egyptian universities, and (2) using technology to enhance teaching and learning within Faculties of Education.
What does the initiative say about U.S.-Egyptian university linkages?
The description signals an emphasis on international academic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and stronger institutional connections between U.S. and Egyptian universities as part of upgrading teacher preparation systems.
How is technology expected to be used in this initiative?
The opportunity indicates that technology should be used to enhance teaching and learning within Faculties of Education, pointing to an interest in modern instructional tools as part of improving teacher preparation.
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
It typically means USAID anticipates substantial involvement during implementation compared with a standard grant, based on how the opportunity describes the cooperative agreement structure.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. The notice describes it as a discretionary funding opportunity issued by USAID Egypt (USAID-Cairo).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 72026321RFA00004.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 98.001.
What is the activity category?
The activity category is education.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types may apply, subject to any limits that may appear in the full eligibility section of the official notice.
How many awards was USAID expecting to make?
USAID anticipated making a single award.
What is the maximum (ceiling) amount of funding mentioned?
The award ceiling is $49,500,000.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 19, 2021.
What was the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date was October 18, 2021.
Is this initiative positioned as a small pilot or a large investment?
It is framed as a large, system-oriented investment intended to reshape teacher preparation in Egyptian public universities and strengthen government institutions responsible for teacher education reform.
What kinds of institutions within universities are directly mentioned?
The description repeatedly references Faculties of Education as the core university units involved in preparing both pre-service (undergraduate) and in-service (postgraduate) teachers.
What is the expected long-term outcome described for the education system?
The initiative is intended to improve classroom practice for both new and current teachers, strengthen the institutions that steer teacher education reform, and ultimately raise student learning outcomes.
How does the initiative connect teacher preparation to classroom outcomes?
By emphasizing practical, experiential methods that teachers can apply in real classrooms, the initiative aims to better equip teachers to improve instruction, which is described as a pathway to raising student learning outcomes.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Program
Previous opportunity: Inglés.Yes! - English Language Scholarships in Ciudadela Andrés Ibañez, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 72026321RFA00004
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (72026321RFA00004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Improving Girls’ Education Activity (IGEA) Apply for 72039121RFA00003 Funding Number: 72039121RFA00003 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Continuity of Learning Apply for 72052121RFA00003 Funding Number: 72052121RFA00003 Agency: Agency for International Development, Haiti USAID-Port Au Prince Category: Education Funding Amount: $23,100,000 |
| Digital Journalism in the South Pacific Region Apply for PAS NEWZEALAND 2021 08 Funding Number: PAS NEWZEALAND 2021 08 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to New Zealand Category: Education Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| MUREP Aerospace High-Volume Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management Cooperative Agreement (MUREP High Volume) Apply for NNH21ZHA004N Funding Number: NNH21ZHA004N Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY21-Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Education and Enforcement Program Apply for FR OLS 21 001 Funding Number: FR OLS 21 001 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT - Federal Railroad Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Project to Support America’s Families and Educators (Project SAFE) Grant Program Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184N Apply for ED GRANTS 092021 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 092021 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Reading Champions Apply for 7200AA19AP00007 11 Funding Number: 7200AA19AP00007 11 Agency: Agency for International Development, Kenya USAID-Nairobi Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,950,000 |
| Bridge to Middle School Activity Apply for 72060822RFA00001 Funding Number: 72060822RFA00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Morocco USAID-Rabat Category: Education Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity Apply for 72016722RFA00002 Funding Number: 72016722RFA00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Kosovo USAID-Pristina Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Program (HEP): Center of Educational Excellence for Black Teachers Program at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (CEEBT program), Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.116V Apply for ED GRANTS 102921 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 102921 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,980,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Program (HEP): Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116Y Apply for ED GRANTS 102921 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 102921 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $990,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Centers for International Business Education (CIBE) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.220A Apply for ED GRANTS 110121 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 110121 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| USAID/Djibouti Early Childhood Education Activity Apply for RFI 603 21 00001 Funding Number: RFI 603 21 00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Ethiopia USAID-Addis Ababa Category: Education Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| English Access Microscholarship Program Apply for DOS NBO PDS FY22 001 Funding Number: DOS NBO PDS FY22 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya Category: Education Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Program (HEP): Modeling and Simulation Program (MSP), Assistance Listing Number 84.116S Apply for ED GRANTS 110521 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 110521 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,155,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Program (HEP): Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116N Apply for ED GRANTS 110521 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 110521 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $990,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Higher Education Program (HEP): Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development RPED) Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116W Apply for ED GRANTS 110521 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 110521 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,237,500 |
| USAID/Djibouti Youth Employment Activity Apply for RFI 603 21 000002 Funding Number: RFI 603 21 000002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Ethiopia USAID-Addis Ababa Category: Education Funding Amount: $16,000,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Long-Term Project Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.022B Apply for ED GRANTS 111221 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 111221 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): International Foreign Language Education (IFLE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Short-Term Project Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.021A Apply for ED GRANTS 111221 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 111221 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $180,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "72026321RFA00004", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.