Why dot-EDU?
dot-EDU helps Missions implement programs that utilize:
- Online learning
- Interactive multimedia instructional materials in national and indigenous languages
- Digital production and editing of educational mass media
- Distance learning through CD-ROM, internet and broadcast media
- Innovative workforce development applications for students, adults and out-of-school youth
- Teacher resource and media production centers
- Community access to learning at school-based telecenters and ICT resource centers
- Internet/ICT applications for teaching and learning in countries dealing with civil unrest, natural disasters and HIV/AIDS
These learning technologies represent just a few capabilities offered with dot-EDU. Each Associate Award is customized according to the needs and context of the Mission and its local partners.
Key Advantages of the dot-EDU Mechanism for USAID Missions:
- The dot-EDU mechanism is pre-competed. Mission staff work with EDC and dot-EDU partners without RFPs or bidding processes
- EDC and other dot-EDU grantees meet directly with Missions in-country to develop program descriptions
- Resources of 30 + private and non-profit organizations with expertise in media, digital technologies and learning systems
What is the step-by-step process to set up an Associate Award?
- Contact Stephen Tournas (stournas@usaid.gov), Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for dot-EDU
- EDC staff visit Mission, draft program description together
- Completed program description and preliminary budget sent back to Mission from EDC
- Mission sends EDC a formal RFP using program description language and requests appropriate resource partner participation
- EDC sends comments and detailed budget back to Mission, including sub-grants to resource partners if applicable
- Mission sends comments, and final budget is negotiated
- The Associate Award is then made official through Stephen Tournas, CTO for dot-EDU
