Project Information

Bid Title

RFA #103425-03-23-2026-001 English for STEM Professionals Course

Issuing Agency

FHI 360

Location

District of Columbia

Published Date

Mar 23, 2026

Closing Date

Jun 5, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

103425-03-23-2026-001_RFA_02

Original Source

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Project Description

RFA #103425-03-23-2026-001 English for STEM Professionals Course
RFA No.: 103425-03-23-2026-001_RFA_02

Issue date: 23 Mar, 2026
Closing date: 5 Jun, 2026

Solicitation file(s):
1. FY26 OPEN RFA 103425-03-23-2026-001 OPEN English for STEM Professionals RFA 03.23.26.pdf (508 KB)
2. FY26 OPEN RFA 103425-03-23-2026-001 OPEN English for STEM Professionals Attachment A Submission Instructions 03.23.26.pdf (340 KB)
3. FY26 OPEN RFA 103425-03-23-2026-001 OPEN English for STEM Professionals Attachment B Cover Sheet 03.23.26.pdf (475 KB)
4. FY26 OPEN RFA 103425-03-23-2026-001 English for STEM Professionals Attachment C Budget 03.23.26.xlsx (85 KB)

Attachment Preview

Request for Application (RFA)

Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Online Course Development and Delivery:

English for STEM Professionals

RFA #:

Issued on:

For:

Estimated

Period of

Performance:

Application

Deadline:

FY26-103425-03-23-2026-001

March 23, 2026

Development and delivery of an online, university-level Massive Open

Online Course (MOOC) on English for STEM Professionals

August 31, 2026 – December 19, 2026

June 5, 2026

___________________________________________________________________

FHI 360 Brief Background:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people

everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. FHI 360 serves more than

50 countries around the world.

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Table of Contents

Background ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 3

Description .................................................................................................................................................... 3

Course Development .................................................................................................................................... 5

Course Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Guidelines and Standards ......................................................................................................................... 7

Course Development Process ................................................................................................................... 7

Intellectual Property ................................................................................................................................. 7

Technical Requirements............................................................................................................................ 8

Course Design ........................................................................................................................................... 9

Course Delivery ......................................................................................................................................... 9

Period of Performance................................................................................................................................10

Statement of Work (SOW) and Deliverables .............................................................................................. 10

Budget ......................................................................................................................................................... 11

Instructions to Applicants ........................................................................................................................... 12

Submission Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 12

Cost Application ...................................................................................................................................... 12

Eligibility .................................................................................................................................................. 13

Criteria/Qualifications for Evaluation ..................................................................................................... 14

Terms and Conditions ................................................................................................................................. 15

Attachments................................................................................................................................................ 17

2

Background

The Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department

of State with funding from the U.S. government and administered by FHI 360. OPEN is a program

of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs in the Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). OPEN leverages U.S. educational technology to engage

English language teachers, learners and professionals worldwide through free online courses and

learning materials. OPEN’s virtual learning resources are developed in partnership with U.S.

institutions and experts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), educational

technology and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) topics that promote workforce development.

Access to these resources provides educational and economic opportunities to learners in their

home countries, enhancing local educational infrastructures, improving teaching capacities, and

building a variety of professional skills.

Note to Applicants

Thank you for your interest in working with the OPEN Program. Please read this RFA and

associated documents and templates carefully to ensure that you understand all application

requirements and submit any requests for clarification by April 3, 2026. You should also review

this best practices document with tips for responding to the RFA requirements. Applications that

do not respond to the specific requirements and submission instructions included in this RFA and

attachments will be disqualified. Please note that organizations must be based in the United

States to be eligible.

Purpose

OPEN offers a variety of online professional development opportunities to non-native English-

speaking teachers and other learners worldwide. FHI 360 is soliciting applications for an

accredited, U.S.-based university or academic institution with expertise and demonstrated

proficiency in TESOL to develop a five-module asynchronous MOOC on the topic of English for

STEM Professionals. Please see the OPEN website for more information about MOOCs. The

MOOC will be open for participation to an unlimited number of non-native English-speaking

participants around the world over a period of twelve weeks with unlimited open enrollment.

The selected applicant will provide facilitation and content support throughout the twelve weeks

the MOOC is open, and FHI 360 will provide technical support.

This project supports the goal and objectives of the OPEN Program to offer English for Specific

Purposes (ESP) courses for professionals, giving them the opportunity to engage in a distance-

learning program using the latest educational technology and providing them with direct access

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to U.S. ESP experts with whom they would not normally have the opportunity to interact. It also

supports the U.S. Department of State’s public diplomacy goals by leveraging America’s unique

convening power to bring together strategic partners to advance U.S. interests, embracing

educational technology as the method of communication. By showcasing American

achievements in STEM, this project will reinforce America’s leadership role while building new

networks of relationships between U.S.-based experts and international participants. The project

exports American expertise in technology and fosters self-reliant growth for developing nations

through a workforce development opportunity for STEM professionals. This project contributes

to the U.S. economy and strengthens U.S. educational institutions through a competitively

awarded grant to a U.S.-based university or academic institution to develop and deliver content

that advances Administration priorities among rising leaders, students and foreign publics

worldwide. Further, this project supports mutual collaboration and resource sharing between

U.S.-based experts and participants that:

• Increases understanding of U.S. priorities and perspectives;

• Increases the impact that participants and alumni have on their home communities /

countries, thereby multiplying the effect of the program;

• Creates markets for American products and ideas;

• Strengthens engagement among participants, alumni, beneficiaries, and institutions;

and

• Strengthens personal, professional, and technical abilities and aptitudes of participants

and beneficiaries.

Description

English for STEM Professionals will be a five-module self-paced MOOC designed for a global

audience of English language learners and professionals who want to build the language skills

needed to understand, discuss, and communicate about contemporary science and technology.

Using accessible texts, videos, and guided practice tasks, the course will introduce STEM

professionals, aspiring professionals, and students pursuing STEM careers to key STEM concepts

and systems while developing core English grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills at a

B1 level.

The course will use examples from emerging and applied STEM fields, such as artificial

intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, space and aerospace technologies, and

advanced manufacturing to provide meaningful contexts for language practice. Participants will

practice describing processes and systems, explaining cause-and-effect relationships, comparing

technologies, making suggestions, and discussing future developments in STEM.

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Throughout the course, participants will also gain exposure to a range of STEM-related roles and

career pathways, helping them connect language learning to real-world applications in

education, research, and industry. The course will emphasize clear explanation, comprehension

of technical information, and participation in basic academic or professional discussions,

preparing participants to engage more confidently with STEM topics in English.

Course Development

Please note that FHI 360 will provide an orientation module for learners that will precede this

course’s content modules. The orientation module introduces the OPEN Program, how to use the

Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), strategies for successful online learning, American

academic culture, and how to get support during the course. Applicants should not propose

developing orientation content.

Course Objectives

The selected applicant will be responsible for developing module objectives that support the

following overall course objectives. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Use core STEM-related vocabulary to describe scientific and technological systems and

processes in clear, basic terms.

• Use comparative adjectives to explain differences between scientific or technological

concepts, such as different systems, tools, or approaches used in STEM.

• Use the present progressive and simple cause-and-effect language, including basic linking

words such as “because” and “so”, to explain how scientific or technological systems

work.

• Use intensifiers and simple linking words such as “but” and “however” to describe the

impacts or effects of technologies or scientific developments in clear, basic terms.

• Use modal verbs of suggestion to talk about possible solutions or approaches in STEM

contexts, such as design choices or system improvements.

• Use modal verbs of future probability to talk about new technologies, innovation, and

collaboration in STEM fields, including areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology,

and quantum technologies.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541930Translation and Interpretation Services
• NAICS 611430Professional and Management Development Training
• NAICS 611699All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction
• NAICS 611710Educational Support Services

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