FY2021, Q2 Progress Report: Lincoln Scholarship Program

The program began on August 28, 2019, and is set to conclude on August 27, 2024, with a total award amount of $19,000,000. The program's primary objective is to provide educational opportunities to Burmese students, with a focus on conflict resolution and leadership development. The program is divided into three cohorts, with each cohort consisting of 20 students. The students undergo a rigorous selection process, which includes English language preparation, GRE general test retaking, and group mentoring sessions. Cohort 1, which began in August 2019, has made significant progress in its academic placement. The students have completed their pre-academic training and are currently enrolled in various universities in the United States. The cohort has also participated in several professional development activities, including the Foundations of Conflict Resolution Course and the Leadership Blueprint Workshop. Cohort 2, which began in January 2020, is currently undergoing pre-academic training. The students have completed their English language preparation and are preparing to take the GRE general test. The cohort has also participated in group mentoring sessions and is preparing for academic placement. Cohort 3 is currently in the preparation phase, with the program team working on outreach and recruitment efforts. The team has revised the approach for managing the application process and has prepared a detailed timeline for outreach and recruitment. The program has also established an alumni network research component, which aims to track the progress of alumni and assess the program's impact. The program's social media strategy is also being implemented, with the launch of a Facebook page to engage with stakeholders and promote the program's activities. Monitoring and evaluation activities are ongoing, with the program team tracking progress against key performance indicators. The team has also conducted field visits to monitor program implementation and has prepared expenditure summaries and environmental compliance reports. The program's priorities for the next reporting period include completing Cohort 2's pre-academic training, facilitating Cohort 2's visa process and departure planning, and implementing Cohort 1's Foundations of Conflict Course and Summer Conflict Resolution and Leadership Workshop. The program team will also continue to work on outreach and recruitment efforts for Cohort 3 and implement the social media strategy.