English Language Teaching and Learning Program | TASHKENT PDS FY26 003

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): English Language Teaching and Learning Program (U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan)

1) What is the English Language Teaching and Learning Program?

This is a competitive U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run through the U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan. It supports projects that provide mostly in-person, specialized English language teacher training and direct English instruction to students and early-career professionals in Uzbekistan.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The program is designed to build practical, sector-specific English capacity in Uzbekistan, especially in fields that matter for expanding U.S.-Uzbek engagement and advancing U.S. commercial and strategic interests. The intent is to improve functional English skills that participants can use in real professional settings.

3) Why is this program being offered (what need is it addressing)?

The opportunity is framed around a skills gap in Uzbekistan: there are not enough highly proficient English teachers to deliver functional English that is tailored to professional contexts. As a result, many professionals have limited access to English instruction that matches the vocabulary, communication styles, and workplace scenarios they actually face. The program aims to address that gap.

4) Who are the intended participants or beneficiaries?

The notice emphasizes two primary participant groups: (1) English teachers who need specialized training to teach job-relevant English more effectively, and (2) learners, specifically students and early-career professionals, who need direct English instruction connected to their professional fields.

5) What types of activities does the program support?

Supported projects are expected to include mostly in-person activities that combine specialized English language teacher training with direct English instruction for students and early-career professionals. Activities are expected to produce measurable improvements in English proficiency, especially within priority sectors.

6) Does the program prioritize in-person or virtual/remote programming?

The notice emphasizes that most activities should be delivered in person. Proposals that rely heavily on remote delivery may be less aligned with the stated intent of the opportunity.

7) What sectors are explicitly identified as priorities?

The notice names the following priority sectors: space; critical minerals and rare earths; energy; high technology; business and trade; agriculture; media; and security.

8) Is the program only about general English, or does it require specialized/sector-specific English?

The central idea is specialized, sector-specific English capacity. The opportunity highlights the need for functional English tailored to professional contexts, including the vocabulary, communication styles, and workplace scenarios participants encounter in their fields.

9) What outcomes are applicants expected to achieve?

Funded projects should be designed to produce measurable improvements in English proficiency among target participants, particularly within the priority sectors. In addition to language gains, activities are expected to build participants knowledge of American culture and an entrepreneurial mindset.

10) What does it mean that awards will be made as cooperative agreements?

A cooperative agreement typically means the Department of State expects to be more engaged during implementation than it would be under a standard grant. The relationship generally includes coordination and ongoing communication during the project period.

11) How long can a funded project run?

Projects must run no longer than two years.

12) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $500,000.

13) How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency anticipates making up to three awards.

14) Who is eligible to apply as a prime applicant?

Eligible applicants are limited to not-for-profit organizations (including NGOs, civil society groups, and think tanks), as well as public international organizations and governmental institutions.

15) Are for-profit entities eligible to apply?

No. For-profit entities are explicitly ineligible to apply as prime recipients, even if they otherwise resemble eligible categories.

16) Can an applicant include partners, subcontractors, or other entities in the proposal?

Yes. Applicants may include subcontractors, but the proposal must clearly define what each entity will do.

17) Are there restrictions on who can be the prime award recipient?

Yes. The notice states that only one nonprofit, non-governmental organization may serve as the prime award recipient.

18) Why does the notice mention the difference between a subcontractor and a subrecipient?

The announcement points applicants to federal guidance at 2 CFR 200.331 for clarity on the difference between a subcontractor and a subrecipient. This distinction matters for how partners are structured, monitored, and reported within the project.

19) What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number is TASHKENT PDS FY26 003.

20) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 19.022.

21) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is August 17, 2026.

22) What is the overall strategic rationale described in the notice?

The notice links the program to expanding U.S.-Uzbek engagement and advancing U.S. commercial and strategic interests by building English capacity in sectors that are considered important to those goals. The program also aims to prepare participants to communicate and operate in U.S.-linked professional environments, use English-language resources, and collaborate more directly with Americans.