Establish a school in your area

The North African Academy allocates funds and educational resources and materials to partnering civil society organizations in Africa with the purpose of establishing cost-free schools for children and youth (6-17 years old), with a focus on teaching English, artificial intelligence and robotics using hand-on experiential learning methods. The schools will be operated by the local organizations under the supervision of the Academy.

These funds are allocated in the form of grants following a rigorous process that includes 6 steps: Application process, Pre award review, Award allocation, Performance assessment, and Auditing.  The purpose of this rigorous process to ensure that foreign expenditures or grants are not diverted to support other non-charitable and non-educational activities.

I. Application Process

1-    The Academy publishes on its website a Request for Proposal that outlines eligibility criteria and application material, process, and timeline. 

2-    Eligible organization are African civil society organizations that are non-profit, non-partisan, tax-exempt that accept the Academy's program and policy, including cost-free educational services. 

3-    The applications will be reviewed and to candidates will be selected based on the following review criteria:

·      Current and previous activities of the applicant organization,

·      Letters of partnerships from local businesses,

·      Availability of teaching space and educators.

II. Pre-award review

Pre-grant inquiries are an important part of our review process. All applicant organizations should include in their application packet the following documents: 

• Certificate and Articles of incorporation,

• Tax-exempt status letter,

• Financial report,

• Annual activity report,

• Document demonstrating the availability of adequate classrooms and teaching space that meet regulatory requirements,

• Letters from at least two educators willing to teach English and Artificial intelligence/robotics with their resumes,

• Letters of partnerships/sponsorships from local businesses to show local financial or in-kind support that will supplement the grant,

• Links to the applicant organization social media, demonstrating a history of public outreach, activities, and interactions.

Although exhaustive, these documents ensure that the partnering organization is: 

• legitimate, nonprofit, no partisan and tax-exempt

• currently active with a history of public involvement and interactions

• capable of implementing the educational program and achieve the assigned goals.

• supported by local businesses and communities.

In addition, the Academy will conduct a background check on partnering organizations and their members, including on the OFAC List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons to ensure compliance with US and international requirements, including respecting requirements in the host country.

III. Award allocation

Award notifications are sent by email. The Academy is expected to award 1-3 new grants per year depending on available funds. Grants are renewable annually based on availability of funds, performance and compliance with relevant policy and guidelines. The awards are executed by signing relevant agreements.

IV. Performance assessment

Performance assessment includes requiring biannual financial and operational reports.

 V. Auditing

Auditing will be performed through analysis and verification of financial reports and through annual site visits by members of the North African Academy.