English Access Microscholarship Program (Access)

Program Overview

The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access gives participants English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects. Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States.

Since its inception in 2004, approximately 95,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program, which is funded by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program has been active in Uzbekistan since 2007, and is supported through both the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs as well as the U.S. Embassy Tashkent. American Councils currently administers Access across 16 of 18 active sites in Uzbekistan.

The Uzbekistan English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides talented youth from low-income or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds foundational skills in English language and digital literacy as well as knowledge of American culture. During the two-year program, students participate in after-school classes, intensive sessions, and enhancement activities designed to foster their knowledge and skills. Recent-program alumni also have had the opportunity to participate in an all-Uzbekistan summer camp for Access alumni held in July 2023.

The Access Program is currently active in the following cities across Uzbekistan:

 Andijan Region: Andijan, Buston

Ferghana Region: Ferghana, Mindonobod

Namangan Region: Namangan, Norin

Tashkent Region: Angren, Chirchiq, Tashkent*

Jizzakh Region: Jizzakh*

Samarkand Region: Samarkand

Kashkadarya Region: Karshi

Bukhara Region: Bukhara, Gala Osiyo

Khorezm Region: Urgench, Kushkupir

Karakalpakstan: Nukus, Khojeli

American Councils administers 16 of 18 active Access sites on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent. Sites marked with a * are administered directly by the U.S. Embassy Tashkent.

Eligibility

The Access program seeks to recruit highly-motivated students with demonstrated need to participate in the two-year program. Students must be at least 13 and no older than 16 in order to complete the two year program, and exhibit a strong interest in learning about English and American culture through the program. All prospective students must complete an online application and interview at the outset of the two-year program cycle to determine whether they will be selected to participate in the program. Students interested in participating in the program should contact American Councils and/or their local coordinator to help determine their eligibility. Recruitment for the 2022-2024 and 2023-2025 program cycles is currently closed.

Access also seeks to recruit highly-motivated teachers to support the program as teachers and local coordinators. Those interested in supporting the program as teachers or coordinators should reach out to American Councils using the contact information provided on this page.