FY26BRAPDS0001 Strengthening Strategic Partnerships through Expert Engagement

Executive Summary The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil, through the Public Diplomacy Section, announce an open competition to implement the U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program in Brazil. This initiative aims to strengthen connections between Brazil and the United States by promoting knowledge exchange, professional collaboration, and shared learning. The program will bring American specialists to engage with Brazilian institutions and professionals from the public, private, and academic sectors. Activities will focus on U.S. priority areas such as energy, innovation, freedom of expression, public safety, technology, and commercial development, encouraging dialogue and the exchange of practical expertise. Programming may include lectures, workshops, seminars, and training activities designed to share knowledge, build skills, and support collaboration. These engagements aim to foster meaningful connections, support informed decision-making, and create opportunities for Americans and Brazilian partners. Subject to the availability of funds, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil expect to issue one award of up to $250,000. Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to implement nationwide programming and deliver clear, results-oriented activities. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives Brazil and the United States have a long history of strong economic ties, innovation, and connections between people and institutions. As one of the largest economies in the world, Brazil plays an important role in areas such as technology, energy, and global trade. This program will directly connect U.S experts and specialists with Brazilian audiences, leaders, and entities across these key sectors to create meaningful relationships and mutually beneficial growth opportunities. In total, the program should support approximately 15 to 30 in person and virtual activities across different regions of Brazil. Programming may include lectures, workshops, seminars, and training sessions focused on areas such as energy, innovation, technology, freedom of expression, commercial diplomacy, and public safety. The goal is to provide practical insights, support informed decision making, and encourage the adoption of U.S. approaches across sectors. By creating opportunities for dialogue and learning, the program aims to strengthen professional connections, expand access to expertise, and support ongoing collaboration between U.S. Brazilian partners. These activities are designed to generate practical outcomes, reinforce institutional relationships, and create lasting opportunities for cooperation. Project Goal The goal of this program is sustained collaboration between Brazil and the United States in areas such as commercial development, freedom of expression, public safety, innovation and technology, policy and regulatory views, and exchange of best practices. The initiative aims to support knowledge sharing, strengthen connections, and create opportunities for engagement across sectors. Applicants are invited to design programs that connect American specialists with Brazilian institutions and professionals to facilitate dialogue, share experiences, and support informed decision making. Activities should be practical, results oriented, and demonstrate potential to generate measurable outcomes and ongoing collaboration. Speaker & Specialist Program Applicant Information Session The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil will conduct a virtual Pre-Application Information Session for prospective applicants on June 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Brasília time. The session will provide an overview of the funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, and application submission process. Participants will also have the opportunity to submit questions regarding the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Registration is required to participate. https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/1819aee0-b4ab-41f0-9781-9cd4b5dcc667@66cf5074-5afe-48d1-a691-a12b2121f44b

Executive Summary The U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Embassy/RELO Office in Brasília, Brazil announces an open competition to implement a 2-3 week exchange program to secondary and/or higher education English teachers who teach in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The preliminary start date for this professional development program is October 1, 2026, and one award is anticipated as a result of this NOFO. However, should both parties consider the results of this exchange to be positive – and also subject to availability of funds – we may agree to renew this NOFO for up to two additional years. We are seeking for proposals for the development and implementation of a two-three-week exchange opportunity for up to 30 Brazilian English teachers who focus on English taught in the STEM fields. This will be followed by a two-week online course two months after they return to Brazil. This online portion shall focus on topics dealt during their exchange, so that participants continue with the development/implementation of the action plan started when they were in the U.S. The face-to-face interaction of the project must include (but is not limited to) the following: • school visits (those that work with speakers of other languages/ESL teaching shall be included); • classroom observation – learning through observation; • opportunities to co-teach with a local teacher; • student-centered activities; • cultural excursions designed to enhance the participants’ knowledge of U.S. culture and values; • social activities to expose participants to the American way of life; • a home hospitality dinner. Grounded in the frameworks of Content-Based Instruction (CBI) and bilingualism, the classes should move beyond general pedagogy and address the unique linguistic demands of technical disciplines. Classes should focus on innovative best practices for teacher English as a foreign language and assessment must be included. Other general activities shall: • prioritize English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) and CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) ensuring teachers can effectively bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and language acquisition. • Explore innovation in assessment by using data-driven assessment tools specifically designed for technical English, focusing on “English as an International Language” to facilitate scientific collaboration with U.S. researchers. • Examine the cognitive and systemic aspects of bilingualism within a STEM context, preparing the teachers to manage classrooms where English is the primary vehicle for technical content. • Develop leadership skills that will enable participants to share knowledge gained in the program with colleagues through workshops or professional presentations in their local communities. • Enhance understanding of the U.S. and international cultures through their professional interactions between U.S. and other ESL/EFL educators; • Develop a professional development plan, including an assessment component with measurable objectives, for the dissemination of best practices uniquely suited to each participant’s local EFL context. Organizers/coordinators of the program shall also provide: • Orientation to the community and program activities (e.g., program itinerary, host community overview, transportation, medical care, places of worship, dietary needs, technology access, etc.); • Meetings with school principals, course coordinators and/or educators, community programs or teachers’ associations focusing on bilingualism, English as the Medium of Instruction, and/or Content Based Instruction, as well as on the Teaching of English as a Second/Foreign Language, also discussing its impact in the local community.