The 2020 Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) for Undergraduate Students is a current funding opportunity put out by the U.S. Embassy Baghdad under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) DOS-Baghdad-PD-2019-008. The program, which will be awarded competitively and is contingent on availability of funds, will engage approximately 100 Iraqi undergraduate university students aged 18-24 with at least one academic year of study remaining in programming in both Iraq and the United States with the goal of fostering the next generation of Iraqi leaders by exposing Iraqi undergraduate students to U.S. society and culture and providing them with skills development in leadership, civic education and responsibility, diversity awareness and tolerance, and civil engagement.
The 100 undergraduate participants will be selected through a merit-based, transparent, and open competition in which leadership capacity and English proficiency can be demonstrated. The centerpiece of the program will be a four-week program in the United States that includes placement in a thematic university summer program as well as significant interaction with American youth, civic organizations and among the participants themselves.
Meridian is seeking a partner with a presence on the ground in Iraq to assist with in-country activities, including virtual and in-person marketing of the program to universities and other youth organizations across the country, assistance with panel interviews for approximately 400 semi-finalists in multiple locations, assistance with participant travel to Baghdad or Erbil for U.S. visa interviews, assistance conducting a per-departure orientation as well as other logistical support related to travel to the US, and assistance with logistics for an Alumni Networking Event following the U.S.-based exchange. Meridian and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad will be substantially involved in all program activities related to recruitment, selection, and logistics.
Qualified Iraq-based organizations or individuals would like to be considered as an in-country partner for IYLEP Undergraduate should carefully review the information enclosed detailing proposal requirements and submit a complete proposal and required documents no later than Monday, April 10, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time by email to proposals@meridian.org. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application using the online form provided. Click here to view the online application form.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to register their interest with the Meridian team at proposals@meridian.org to receive updates on this competition. Questions regarding the RFP may be directed to the same email address. Questions should not be submitted by phone.
