Lincoln Scholarship Program FY2023, Year 4 Annual Report

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The program's primary objective is to provide scholarships to outstanding students from Myanmar to pursue higher education in the United States. The program's structure is designed to support the academic and professional development of its participants. The Lincoln Scholars undergo a rigorous selection process, which includes a written application, panel interviews, and a review of their academic records. Once selected, the scholars are provided with a comprehensive orientation program, which includes pre-academic training, English language proficiency testing, and placement in a suitable university program. The program's thematic areas of focus include graduated scholar program and university experience, baseline and Dunning-Kruger effect, leadership and conflict resolution, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and networking, professional development, and understanding of the United States. The program's monitoring and evaluation activities are designed to track the progress of its participants and assess the program's overall impact. In Year 4, the program achieved significant results, including a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. The program also reported a 60% increase in yield improvements among demonstration plots established in 15 communities. The program's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts resulted in higher adoption rates among women-headed households, representing 38% of participants. The program's implementation details include a range of activities, including cohort departures to the United States, post-arrival orientation, and support for settling into university life. The program also conducted a series of monitoring and evaluation activities, including quarterly progress reports and annual reports. The program's challenges and solutions are documented in the report, highlighting areas for improvement and lessons learned. The program's geographic focus is on Myanmar, with a specific emphasis on promoting educational and professional development among young leaders from the country. The program's timeframes are from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, with a total award amount of $28,000,000. The program's recommendations for the next reporting period include cohort 5 pre-academic training, campus visits, re-entry workshop for December graduates, and updating the LSP website and implementing a social media strategy. The program's monitoring and evaluation activities are designed to track the progress of its participants and assess the program's overall impact. The program's results are presented in a monitoring and evaluation table, which highlights key indicators and targets. The program's quarterly progress report update provides a detailed overview of the program's activities and achievements during the fourth quarter of 2023. The program's highlights include the departure of cohort 4 to the United States, post-arrival orientation, and support for settling into university life. The program also conducted a series of outreach and recruitment activities for cohort 5, including phase 4 in-person panel interviews and results. The program's deliverables completed include a range of activities, including monitoring and evaluation, challenges and solutions, and sub-recipient activities. The program's priorities for the next reporting period include cohort 5 pre-academic training, campus visits, re-entry workshop for December graduates, and updating the LSP website and implementing a social media strategy. The program's environmental compliance reporting is also a key priority, with a focus on ensuring that the program's activities are environmentally sustainable and compliant with relevant regulations.