FY 2019 Young Astronauts Program

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A. Program Description: The U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section in Moscow (PAS Moscow) invites proposal submissions for a cooperative agreement to implement the FY 2019 Young Astronauts Program.  Conceived in 2018 and originally managed by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, the Young Astronaut Program provides an opportunity for English-speaking Russian secondary school students or recent high school graduates to travel to the United States to take part in STEM and science activities, learn about America’s legacy of space exploration, and gain a deeper understanding of current U.S.-Russian cooperation in space.  The grant recipient will work closely with Public Affairs and Cultural Affairs at Mission Russia to create a competitive selection process and identify participants and craft a roughly 2-week program (12-16 days) in the United States that highlights American and Russia space collaboration and teaches competitive market skills in math and science.  The grantee will propose an innovative selection process and be prepared to process and manage individual or team submissions. The program also emphasizes English language learning, and English language competency is a major component of the selection process. The grantee through this grant will support the travel and logistics for winning individuals or teams to participate in activities in America that focus on U.S. aerospace history, as well as engaging the participants in a week of STEM-related space activities (such as a space or rocket camp). The Young Astronauts Program proactively promotes a broader understanding of U.S. history while also promoting innovation, shared values, teamwork, and English language learning . The grantee will be responsible for managing and implementing all rounds of the 2nd Young Astronauts Program.  The grantee should design an application process for the fall of 2019 or spring of 2020 that tests student interest in science and aerospace fields, critical thinking, English language, and leadership ability.  Applications can be done online through written or video submissions, or through in-person competitions (make-a-thons etc.)  Semi-finalists must be interviewed by a panel of English and science experts to gauge their motivation, maturity, and English language ability.  The grantee, through this grant, should support secondary school students and chaperones to travel to the United States to participate in a week-long aerospace camp, visit prominent aerospace sites of historical interest, and engage in American cultural activities.  The grantee convenes a selection committee that chooses participants for the program.  The grantee must design the summer 2020 program in the United States and support all travel and lodging logistics.  Participants on the tour learn about American history and capture their experiences through social media posts, and the grantee supports the production and editing of at least one video testimonial.

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