Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS 19 CA 009
The FY 2019 Young Astronauts Program (Funding Opportunity Number DOSRUS 19 CA 009) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia initiative run through the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, specifically the Public Affairs Section (PAS Moscow). It offers funding through a cooperative agreement to select one implementing organization to design and run the second iteration of the Young Astronauts Program, first conceived in 2018. The overall purpose is to give English-speaking Russian secondary school students or recent high school graduates a structured opportunity to travel to the United States for an intensive STEM-focused experience tied to aerospace and space exploration, while also deepening participants' understanding of American history and the ongoing areas of U.S.-Russian cooperation in space.
At the center of the grant is the requirement that the awardee build and manage a competitive, merit-based selection process in Russia and then deliver a roughly two-week U.S. program (about 12 to 16 days). The selection process is expected to be thoughtfully designed and innovative, with the ability to handle applications from individuals and/or teams. The Embassy indicates that applications may be collected online through written or video submissions, or through live, in-person competitions such as make-a-thons. Selection criteria are meant to go beyond basic academic achievement and should intentionally test student interest in science and aerospace fields, critical thinking, leadership potential, maturity, and English language ability. English language learning is not a side benefit but a major program theme, and English proficiency is described as a central component of how finalists are chosen. Semi-finalists must be interviewed by a panel that includes English and science experts to assess motivation and readiness.
The implementation responsibilities extend well beyond recruitment. The grantee is expected to work closely with Public Affairs and Cultural Affairs staff at Mission Russia to finalize the selection approach, convene a selection committee, and coordinate all phases of the program from outreach through post-program deliverables. Once participants are chosen, the grantee must organize and fund travel and logistics for the winning individuals or teams and accompanying chaperones. In the United States, the program must include a week of STEM-oriented space activities, such as a space camp or rocket camp experience, paired with visits to prominent U.S. aerospace sites of historical significance. The itinerary should also incorporate broader cultural activities that help participants better understand the United States, its history, and its legacy of space exploration, while reinforcing themes like innovation, teamwork, shared values, and market-relevant math and science skills.
The opportunity also includes a public-facing storytelling component. Participants are expected to document and share their experiences, including through social media posts during the program, and the grantee must support the production and editing of at least one video testimonial. The expectation is that these outputs help amplify the program's impact beyond the travelers themselves by showcasing educational outcomes, intercultural engagement, and the practical relevance of STEM learning in an international context.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning the U.S. government anticipates active involvement and coordination during implementation rather than a completely hands-off grant. The award ceiling is $150,000, with one expected award. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions). The opportunity was created on April 30, 2019, with an original closing date of July 15, 2019. The CFDA number listed is 19.040, and the activity category is associated with humanities/cultural affairs programming, reflecting the program's dual emphasis on STEM education and public diplomacy objectives.Apply for DOSRUS 19 CA 009
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2019 Young Astronauts Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 30, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2019. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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FY 2019 Young Astronauts Program (DOSRUS 19 CA 009) - FAQs
1) What is the FY 2019 Young Astronauts Program grant opportunity?
The FY 2019 Young Astronauts Program (Funding Opportunity Number DOSRUS 19 CA 009) is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia initiative managed through the U.S. Embassy in Moscow (Public Affairs Section, PAS Moscow). It provides funding via a cooperative agreement to select one implementing organization to design and run the second iteration of the Young Astronauts Program (originally conceived in 2018).
2) What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is designed to give English-speaking Russian secondary school students or recent high school graduates a structured opportunity to travel to the United States for an intensive STEM experience focused on aerospace and space exploration. It also aims to deepen participants' understanding of American history and highlight ongoing areas of U.S.-Russian cooperation in space.
3) What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism. That means the U.S. government anticipates active involvement and coordination during implementation, rather than providing funding with minimal engagement.
4) How many awards are expected and what is the maximum award amount?
One award is expected. The award ceiling is $150,000.
5) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Public and state controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions)
6) Who is the intended participant audience for the program?
The intended participants are English-speaking Russian secondary school students or recent high school graduates.
7) What is the required program length in the United States?
The U.S. portion of the program is expected to be roughly two weeks long, described as about 12 to 16 days.
8) What are the key responsibilities of the implementing organization?
The implementing organization is expected to design and manage a competitive, merit-based selection process in Russia and then deliver the U.S. program. Responsibilities also include coordinating all phases from outreach and recruitment through post-program deliverables, working closely with PAS Moscow and Cultural Affairs staff, and managing travel and logistics for participants and accompanying chaperones.
9) What does the selection process in Russia need to include?
The awardee must build and manage a competitive, merit-based selection process. The Embassy expects the process to be thoughtfully designed and innovative, and capable of handling applications from individuals and/or teams.
10) What kinds of application or competition formats are allowed for selecting participants?
The opportunity indicates that applications may be collected online through written or video submissions, or through live, in-person competitions such as make-a-thons.
11) What participant qualities should the selection criteria evaluate?
Selection criteria are expected to go beyond academic achievement and intentionally test interest in science and aerospace fields, critical thinking, leadership potential, maturity, and English language ability.
12) How important is English proficiency in the selection process?
English language learning is described as a major program theme, not a secondary benefit. English proficiency is identified as a central component of finalist selection.
13) Are interviews required as part of the selection process?
Yes. Semi-finalists must be interviewed by a panel that includes English and science experts to assess motivation and readiness.
14) What role does the U.S. Embassy in Moscow play during implementation?
The grantee is expected to work closely with Public Affairs and Cultural Affairs staff at Mission Russia to finalize the selection approach, convene a selection committee, and coordinate program phases from outreach through post-program deliverables.
15) What types of activities must the U.S. itinerary include?
The program must include a week of STEM-oriented space activities, such as a space camp or rocket camp experience, along with visits to prominent U.S. aerospace sites of historical significance.
16) Does the program need to include cultural or history components in addition to STEM?
Yes. The itinerary should incorporate broader cultural activities that help participants better understand the United States, its history, and its legacy of space exploration.
17) What themes should be reinforced during the program?
The program is expected to reinforce themes such as innovation, teamwork, shared values, and market-relevant math and science skills, while connecting STEM learning to an international and intercultural context.
18) Who is responsible for travel and logistics costs for participants?
The grantee is expected to organize and fund travel and logistics for the winning individuals or teams and accompanying chaperones.
19) Are teams allowed, or only individual applicants?
The selection process is expected to be able to handle applications from individuals and/or teams.
20) Is there a storytelling or public communications requirement?
Yes. Participants are expected to document and share their experiences, including through social media posts during the program. In addition, the grantee must support the production and editing of at least one video testimonial.
21) What is the purpose of the social media and video testimonial outputs?
These outputs are intended to amplify the program's impact beyond the travelers themselves by showcasing educational outcomes, intercultural engagement, and the practical relevance of STEM learning in an international context.
22) When was this funding opportunity created and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on April 30, 2019. The original closing date was July 15, 2019.
23) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.040.
24) What activity category is associated with this opportunity?
The activity category is associated with humanities/cultural affairs programming, reflecting the program's dual emphasis on STEM education and public diplomacy objectives.
25) What makes this the "second iteration" of the program?
This award is intended to support the second iteration of the Young Astronauts Program, which was first conceived in 2018.
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