[Federal Register: April 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 70)]
[Notices]
[Page 19556-19565]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10ap08-107]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6172]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: Arts Exchanges on International Issues Announcement
Type: New Grants
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-08-43.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: May 22, 2008.
Executive Summary: The Cultural Programs Division of the Office of
Citizen Exchanges, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for grants to implement programs that
utilize the arts to engage civil society--particularly youth and
diverse and underserved populations--and that foster linkages and build
partnerships between U.S. and overseas non-profit arts and cultural
organizations, and local communities. These international arts exchange
projects will encourage democracy building by demonstrating
opportunities for freedom of thought and expression and by underscoring
the importance of empowerment in an open society. The Bureau
anticipates that approximately 1,250,000 will be available to support
this competition. ECA/PE/C/CU expects to fund approximately two to four
projects under this competition in FY-2008. Public and non-profit arts
and cultural organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal
Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals that
support the goals of the Arts Exchanges on International Issues
Program. As applicable, programs should include two-way exchanges of
participants from the U.S. and foreign countries.
Proposed projects should transform institutional and individual
understanding of key international, arts and/or cultural issues, foster
dialogue, develop professional expertise and develop leadership
capacity. Through these people-to-people exchanges, the Bureau seeks to
reach out to young people, counter negative perceptions, promote good
governance, contribute to conflict prevention and management, and build
respect for cultural expression and identity in the world. Projects
should be structured to encourage American professionals and their
international counterparts in eligible countries to develop a common
dialogue for dealing with shared challenges and concerns. The Bureau is
especially interested in engaging socially and economically diverse
groups that may not have had extensive contact with counterpart
institutions in the United States.
Applicants may only submit one proposal under this open
competition. An applicant may not include in its project proposal
countries not eligible under each specific theme as designated in the
RFGP. Proposals that contain countries that are not listed under each
theme in the RFGP will be considered technically ineligible, and will
not receive further consideration in the review process.
For this competition, all eligible organizations must demonstrate a
minimum of five years' experience successfully conducting international
arts exchange programs that involved the exchange of participants.
The Bureau is interested in receiving proposals from organizations
with a strong interest, thematic expertise, institutional commitment
and a successful track-record in conducting international exchanges. We
welcome proposals from organizations that have not previously received
ECA funding. Organizations that have the expertise, interest and
institutional commitment but lack the required experience of conducting
exchanges may wish to consider developing proposals based on consortia-
type relationships with more experienced, eligible organizations.
Please note that for these proposals, the role of each organization
must be clearly defined and any sub-granting agreements must be
included in the proposal submission.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the
program above is provided through legislation.
Purpose: This grant competition is based on the premise that
people-to-people exchanges encourage and strengthen understanding of
democratic values and nurture the cultural and social growth of
societies. Under this premise, the Bureau seeks proposals for projects
in which U.S. visual artists and arts educators work with their
counterparts overseas to create mutually beneficial and self-sustaining
partnerships between cultural
[[Page 19557]]
organizations and/or professional communities. Proposals that show
strong prospects for enhancing existing long-term collaborations or
establishing new collaborative efforts among participating
organizations. Proposals with a finished product will be deemed more
competitive under the program planning criterion listed below.
The two project themes for which the Bureau will accept proposals
under this competition are as follows: (1) Mixed Visual Artistic
Mediums: Cultural Exchange Between American Indigenous and Minority
Artists and Indigenous and Afro-Latino Artists from Latin and Central
America; and (2) Mixed Visual Artistic Mediums: Cultural Exchange
Between American Women Artists and Women Artists from Africa and/or the
Middle East.
Under this grant program, U.S. non-profit organizations will
conduct projects in cooperation with the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Cultural Programs Division on the themes listed
above, with their counterparts in the world regions described under
each project theme. Interested applicants will need to read each of the
following theme descriptions below in order to determine the eligible
counties of exchange for each theme. No guarantee is made or implied
that grants will be awarded in both themes and in all targeted
countries.
In addition to describing extensive expertise in the specific
thematic area, proposals should reflect a practical understanding of
global issues, and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, political,
economic and social differences in the specific world regions in which
the exchange project will occur. Special attention should be given to
describing the applicant organization's experience with planning and
implementing people-to-people international cultural exchange projects.
Applicants should outline their project team's capacity for
successfully implementing projects of this nature and provide a
detailed sample program and time line to illustrate planning capacity
and ability to achieve program objectives. Applicants must identify all
U.S. and foreign partner organizations and/or venues with whom they are
proposing to collaborate, and describe previous cooperative projects in
the section on ``Institutional Capacity.'' For this competition,
applicants must include in their proposal supporting materials or
documentation that demonstrates a minimum of five years' experience in
conducting international arts exchange programs. Proposals must include
references with name and contact information for other assistance
awards the applicant has received in the event the Bureau chooses to be
in touch directly.
U.S. Embassy Involvement: Before submitting a proposal, applicants
are strongly encouraged to consult with the Bureau's Cultural Programs
Division in Washington, DC--for the themes/regions listed in this
solicitation. It is important that the proposal narrative clearly state
the applicant's commitment to consult closely with the Public Affairs
Section of the U.S. Embassy in the relevant country(ies) to develop
plans for project implementation and to select project participants.
Proposals should also acknowledge U.S. Embassy involvement in the final
selection of all participants. Applicants should state their
willingness to invite representatives of the Embassy(ies) and/or
consulate(s) to participate in program sessions or site visits.
For the 2008 Arts Exchanges on International Issues Program, U.S.
non-profit organizations may submit grant proposals for either one of
the two project themes and countries of exchange that are listed below.
Please note that for additional information about this grant
competition, a contact program officer is listed under each of the
following two themes:
1. Mixed Visual Artistic Mediums
Two-way cultural exchange between American indigenous and minority
artists and indigenous and Afro-Latino artists from countries in Latin
and Central America.
Program Contact: E.J. Montgomery, tel: (202) 203-7520, e-mail:
montgomeryEJ@state.gov with copy to: bensonMN@state.gov.
Project Goals:
ECA seeks programs that will bring together emerging foreign and
U.S. indigenous and Afro-Latino professional artists to address common
issues facing them and express their reactions to these issues through
multiple, mixed artistic media. The program should focus on the
challenges faced by minorities in the modern world and how minority
artists can use art for self-expression and as a way to engage others
in the community to address challenges facing minorities. The program
should also help the artists develop a deeper understanding of
themselves as artists and as opinion shapers and community leaders.
Issues to be examined/explored include: identity, diversity,
educational opportunities, role of indigenous and Afro-Latino
minorities within a multi-ethnic society, minorities as artists,
censorship, and artistic/professional development. The program should
explore similarities and unique qualities of members of minority
populations and focus on how art can be used to promote tolerance and
respect for diversity.
Participants:
Participants (foreign and U.S.) should be emerging indigenous and
Afro-Latino artists from the U.S. and selected countries in Latin and
Central America whose artistic disciplines include photography,
painting, mural art, textile & fiber art, or small sculpture. They
should have demonstrated a commitment to their profession as well as to
positively influencing their communities, particularly other minorities
and youth. A diverse mix of participants from a variety of countries in
Latin and Central America is desired.
Participant Selection:
Foreign participants will be nominated in two ways: By the
Department of State through a call for nominations from U.S. Embassies
and posts, and; by the grantee organization, which will utilize its own
network of contacts overseas (including museums, minority organizations
and artistic associations) and its own resources (such as visiting U.S.
artists) to make a concurrent call for nominations. The American
participants will be selected via a competitive process that will
include an open call for applications in the U.S. All participant
applications will be reviewed by a panel organized and convoked by the
grantee organization and consisting of artists and art professionals,
and an ECA representative as an observer. Procedures for the nomination
and for selection of participants and panel members must be detailed in
the proposal. ECA will review and approve nominees (foreign and U.S.)
prior to and following panel consideration, in consultation with posts.
Eligible Countries:
ECA is particularly interested in projects in the following
countries: Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Peru and
Nicaragua.
Successful programs will achieve the following:
--Provide participants with a deeper understanding of issues facing
minorities in Latin and Central America and in the U.S. This may
include the role and identity of minorities in their particular
cultures and how this affects their ability to reach the desired level
of professional and personal development. The program should also
develop and explore tools that will permit participants to address
these issues.
--Provide participants an understanding of how international cultural
[[Page 19558]]
exchange and networking can positively influence their lives and those
of others and provide them the tools to accomplish successful
networking.
--Provide participants with an appreciation and a greater understanding
and respect for diverse cultures--focusing specifically on U.S. society
and culture. Provide them a greater understanding of the similarities,
including shared values between the U.S. and the foreign country(ies).
--Enhance participant leadership capacity and their ability to initiate
and support follow-on activities in their home countries intended to
empower other minorities.
--Provide a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and develop enduring
professional ties between U.S. and foreign artists.
Successful applicants must fully demonstrate a capacity to achieve
the following:
(1) Work jointly with foreign and U.S. partners and/or contacts to
design, develop, and execute a multi-lingual, multi-regional,
international program of exchanges, professional development, artistic
enrichment and cross-cultural dialogue that achieves the goals
described above.
(2) Identify, screen, recruit and select approximately 10 to 16
indigenous and Afro-Latino artists from specified countries in Latin
and Central America (at least 2 participants from each country) and
between 5-8 artists from the U.S. fitting the above description.
(3) Provide a sound infrastructure for coordination and
implementation of the entire program. This refers to both substantive
and administrative components of the program, including but not limited
to: fellowship and workshops content and organization, travel, housing,
orientation, visa applications, and language interpretation. Successful
applicants will also have U.S. and/or Latin and Central America
partners able and willing to provide cost-sharing (including in-kind)
in order to cover program costs.
(4) Design, build and implement intensive one- to two-week visual
arts programs in the foreign countries and three- to four-week visual
arts programs in the U.S. that will achieve program objectives.
(5) Develop enhancement activities and opportunities that reinforce
program goals after the participants return to their home countries.
Follow-on components could be public presentations by program
participants.
Possible Program Model:
1. In the first phase of the program selected American visual
artists will travel to Latin and Central America for a one- to two-week
program to meet with counterparts and to conduct workshops with young
emerging artists in the selected countries. The program should include
visits to local universities and visual arts or other cultural partner
institutions as well as events that engage broader audiences of
minorities and youth from diverse and underserved populations. Through
this interaction, the U.S. grantee will identify artists from the
region as possible candidates for the U.S.-based program. Concurrently,
overseas posts will also be making nominations. Final selection of
foreign participants will then be made as described above.
2. In phase two of the program, the selected foreign artists will
travel to the U.S. to participate in a three- to- four week
collaborative visual arts program with their American counterparts. The
program should provide an overview of the role of minorities in the
selected participant countries and the U.S. and the visual art
techniques and traditions used by them to express identity. It should
provide an opportunity for analysis, exploration and dialogue. It
should include workshops and master classes that explore the role of
art in self-expression and identity, underscore the importance of
education for minorities, and inform about the resources available to
artists. Participants should also have the opportunity to visit places
of cultural interest in the visual arts field where they can interact
with other artists. Through visits to community centers and other
social venues, they should also have been provided an opportunity to
engage broader audiences from diverse and underserved populations.
3. In phase three of the program, grantee organizes a public
exhibition of the collaborative work or individual pieces produced by
the participants during their fellowship that reflect themes about
minorities and identity explored through the fellowship.
4. In phase four, the foreign participants return to their
countries. Follow-on components to the program could be a virtual
exhibit on the website of the work done by the artists during their
fellowship and the opportunity to continue to network with other artist
participants and engage the local communities.
5. This model cycle would be repeated, with the expectation that
the grantee will seek to involve first cycle participants in some
elements of the second year's program.
2. Mixed Visual Artistic Mediums
Two-way cultural exchange between American Women artists and Women
artists from countries in the Middle East and/or Africa.
Program Contact: E.J. Montgomery, tel: (202) 203-7520, e-mail:
montgomeryEJ@state.gov with copy to bensonMN@state.gov.
Project Goals:
ECA seeks programs that will bring together emerging foreign and
U.S. professional women artists to address common issues facing women
as expressed through multiple, mixed artistic media. The program should
focus on the challenges faced by women in the modern world and how
female artists can use art for self-expression and as a way to engage
others in the community to address challenges facing them. The program
should also help the artists develop a deeper understanding of
themselves as artists and as opinion shapers and community leaders.
Issues to be examined/ explored include: identity, censorship, equal
rights, educational opportunities, violence against women, the roles of
women in society, women as artists, and artistic/professional
development. The program should focus on how art can promote tolerance
and respect for women.
Participants:
Participants should be emerging women artists from the U.S. and
selected countries in the Middle East and/or Africa whose artistic
disciplines include photography, painting, mural art, textile and fiber
art, or small sculpture. They should have demonstrated a commitment to
their profession as well as to positively influencing their
communities, particularly other women and youth. A diverse mix of
participants from a variety of countries in the Middle East and/or
Africa regions is suggested.
Participant Selection:
Foreign participants will be nominated in two ways: By ECA through
a call for nominations from U.S. Embassies and posts, and; by the
grantee organization, which will utilize its own network of contacts
overseas (including museums, minority organizations and artistic
associations) and its own resources (such as visiting U.S. artists) to
make a concurrent call for nominations. The American participants will
be selected via a competitive process that includes an open call for
applications in the U.S. All participant applications will be reviewed
by a panel organized and convoked by the grantee organization and
consisting of artists and art professionals, and an ECA representative
as an observer.
[[Page 19559]]
Procedures for the nomination and for selection of participants and
panel members must be detailed in the proposal. ECA will review and
approve nominees (foreign and U.S.) prior to and following panel
consideration in consultation with posts.
Eligible Countries
ECA seeks projects in the Middle East and/or Africa.
Successful programs will achieve the following:
--Provide participants a deeper understanding of issues facing women in
the Middle East and/or Africa and in the U.S. This may include the role
and identity of women in their particular cultures and how this affects
their ability to reach the desired level of professional and personal
development. The program should also develop and explore tools that
will permit participants to address these issues.
--Provide participants an understanding of how international cultural
exchange and networking can positively influence their lives and those
of others and provide them the tools to accomplish successful
networking.
--Provide participants with an appreciation and a greater understanding
and respect for diverse cultures--focusing specifically on U.S. society
and culture. Provide them a greater understanding of the similarities,
including shared values between the U.S. and the foreign country(ies).
--Enhance participant leadership capacity and their ability to initiate
and support follow-on activities in their home countries intended to
empower other women.
--Provide a platform for cross cultural dialogue and for developing
enduring professional ties between U.S. and foreign artists.
Successful applicants must fully demonstrate a capacity to achieve
the following:
(1) Work jointly with foreign and U.S. partners and contacts to
design, develop, and execute a multi-lingual, multi-regional,
international program of exchanges, professional development, artistic
enrichment and cross-cultural dialogue that achieves the goals
described above.
(2) Identify, screen, recruit and select approximately 10 to 16
women throughout countries in the Middle East and/or Africa (at least 2
participants from each country) and between 5-8 artists from the U.S.
fitting the above description.
(3) Provide a sound infrastructure for coordination and
implementation of the entire program. This refers to both substantive
and administrative components of the program, including but not limited
to: Fellowship and workshop content and organization, travel, housing,
orientation, visa applications, and language interpretation. Successful
applicants will also have partners in the U.S. and/or Middle East and
Africa that are able and willing to provide cost-sharing (including in-
kind) in order to cover program costs.
(4) Design, build and implement intensive one- to two-week visual
arts programs in the foreign countries and three- to four-week visual
arts programs in the U.S. that will achieve program objectives.
(5) Develop enhancement activities and opportunities that reinforce
program goals after the participants return to their home countries.
Follow-on components could be public presentations by program
participants.
Possible Program Model:
1. In the first phase of the program selected American visual
artists will travel to the Middle East and/or Africa for a one- to two-
week program to meet with counterparts and to conduct workshops with
young emerging artists in the selected countries. The program should
include visits to local universities and visual arts partner
institutions as well as events that engage broader audiences of women
and youth from diverse and underserved populations. At this time the
U.S. grantee and the Middle Eastern and African partners will identify
women from the region to participate in the U.S. based program.
Concurrently, overseas posts will also be making nominations. Final
selection of foreign participants will then be made as described above.
2. In phase two of the program, the selected foreign artists will
travel to the U.S. for a three- to four-week program to participate in
collaborative visual arts projects with their American counterparts.
The program should provide an overview of the role of women in the
selected participant countries and the U.S. and the visual art
techniques and traditions used by them to express identity. It should
provide an opportunity for analysis, exploration and dialogue. It
should include workshops and master classes that explore the role of
art in self-expression and identity, underscore the importance of
education for women and inform about the resources available to
artists. Participants should also have the opportunity to visit places
of cultural interest in the visual arts field where they can interact
with other artists. Through visits to community centers and other
social venues, they should also have been provided an opportunity to
engage broader audiences from diverse and underserved populations.
3. In phase three of the program, the grantee organizes a public
program to include an exhibition of the collaborative work or
individual pieces produced by the participants during their fellowship
that reflect themes about women and their identity explored through the
fellowship.
4. In phase four the foreign participants return to their
countries. Follow-on components to the program could be a virtual
exhibit on the website of the work done by the women during their
fellowship and the opportunity to continue to network with other artist
participants and engage the local communities.
5. This model cycle would be repeated, with the expectation that
the grantee will seek to involve first cycle participants in some
elements of the second year's program.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2008.
Approximate Total Funding: $1,250,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 2-4 awards.
Approximate Average Award: $450,000.
Floor of Award Range: $200,000.
Ceiling of Award Range: $600,000.
Anticipated Award Date: August 15, 2008.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: August 30, 2010.
Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years,
before openly competing it again.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau
strongly encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost
sharing and funding in support of its programs.
When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the
applicant must provide the amount of
[[Page 19560]]
cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an
approved grant agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable
direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written
records to support all costs that are claimed as your contribution, as
well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are
subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-
kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110,
(Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost Sharing and Matching. In the event you do
not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the
approved budget, ECA's contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
Organizations that provide no cost-sharing will be deemed not
competitive under the Cost Effectiveness and Cost-Sharing Review
criterion.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements:
(a.) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. Under this competition, ECA
anticipates awarding grants in the range of $200,000-$600,000.
Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in
conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this
competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to provide the maximum
levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
(b.) Technical Eligibility: In addition to the requirements
outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) technical format
instructions document, all proposals must comply with the following or
they will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible
and given no further consideration in the review process.
1. The Office does not support proposals limited to conferences or
seminars (i.e., one- to fourteen-day programs with plenary sessions,
main speakers, panels and passive audiences). It will support
conferences only when they are a small part of a larger project in
duration that is receiving Bureau funding from this competition.
2. No funding is available exclusively to send U.S. citizens to
conferences or conference-type seminars overseas; nor is funding
available for bringing foreign nationals to conferences or to routine
professional association meetings in the United States.
3. The Office of Citizen Exchanges does not support academic
research or faculty or student fellowships.
4. Proposals for projects involving countries/regions, themes and/
or artistic disciplines not listed in the RFGP will be deemed
technically ineligible. Please carefully read the eligible countries
listed under each theme.
5. No funding is available to send individual artists, arts
educators, filmmakers and/or amateur arts groups to perform or study
overseas.
The Arts Exchanges on International Issues Program is solely
intended to support the international exchange work of non-profit
organizations. Our grant program is not open to amateur or community-
based visual artists. Individuals are not eligible to apply for funding
of their own work. While our program emphasizes outreach to youth, all
exchange participants must be at least 21 years of age.
IV. Application and Submission Information
Note: Please read the complete announcement before sending
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with
applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.
IV.1. Contact Information to Request an Application Package:
Please contact the LaFaye Proctor, Cultural Programs Division, ECA/
PE/C/CU, Room 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20547, phone number: (202) 203-7488; e-mail:
ProctorLM@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to
the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/CU-08-43 located at the top of
this announcement when making your request. Alternatively, an
electronic application package may be obtained from grants.gov. Please
see section IV.3f for further information.
The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission
Instruction (PSI) document, which consists of required application
forms and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
Please specify the program theme and program officer listed under
each theme and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/CU-08-
43 located at the top of this announcement on all other inquiries and
correspondence.
IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet: The entire
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's Web site at
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm, or from the
Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.
Please read all information before downloading.
IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be
submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and
Methods of Submission'' section below.
IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities.
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application
package.
IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal
narrative and budget.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document for additional
formatting and technical requirements.
IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of
application.
Please note: Effective March 14, 2008, all applicants for ECA
federal assistance awards must include with their application, a
copy of page 5, Part V-A, ``Current Officers, Directors, Trustees,
and Key Employees'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) Form 990, ``Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.''
If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not received a
grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three years, or
if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS within
the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation to
verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically
ineligible.
IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information
when preparing your proposal narrative:
IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa. The
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically important
emphases on the security and proper administration of the Exchange
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all
regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should
demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing
the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22
CFR 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants,
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants,
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of
[[Page 19561]]
forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
ECA will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants
in this program.
A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://
exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office
of Exchange Coordination and Designation,ECA/EC/ECD-SA-44, Room 734,
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 203-5029,
Fax: (202) 453-8640.
Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
IV.3d.1. Adherence To All Regulations Governing the J Visa
The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange
program covered by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the
``Responsible Officer'' for the program under the terms of 22 CFR part
62, which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J
visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, organizations
receiving grants under this RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating
with or assisting the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's
program.'' The actions of grantee program organizations shall be
``imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the sponsor's compliance with''
22 CFR part 62. Therefore, the Bureau expects that any organization
receiving a grant under this competition will render all assistance
necessary to enable the Bureau to fully comply with 22 CFR part 62 et
seq.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically
important emphases on the secure and proper administration of Exchange
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by grantee program
organizations and program participants to all regulations governing the
J visa program status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in
writing that the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting
all requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor
Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62. If your organization has experience
as a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should
discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.,
including the oversight of their Responsible Officers and Alternate
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants,
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants,
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms,
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for
issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://
exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office
of Exchange Coordination and Designation,ECA/EC/ECD-SA-44, Room 734,
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 203-5029,
Fax: (202) 453-8640.
IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic
status, and disabilities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere
to the advancement of this principle both in program administration and
in program content. Please refer to the review criteria under the
``Support for Diversity' section for specific suggestions on
incorporating diversity into your proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides
that ``in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in
countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the
Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for
participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of
such countries.'' Public Law 106--113 requires that the governments of
the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in
the selection process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these
goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation
Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program.
The Bureau recommends that your proposal include a draft survey
questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects
that the grantee will track participants or partners and be able to
respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the
program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a
result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions
(institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The
evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual
understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast,
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes,
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in
increasing order of importance):
1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange
experience.
2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude,
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community
members, and others.
4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and
[[Page 19562]]
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational
improvements.
Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example,
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.
Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e.,
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction]
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All
data collected, including survey responses and contact information,
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the
Bureau upon request.
IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration
when preparing your budget:
IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the
entire program. Budget requests may not be less than $200,000 and may
not exceed $625,000. There must be a summary budget as well as
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets.
Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component,
phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
1. Travel. International and domestic airfare; visas; transit
costs; ground transportation costs. Please note that all air travel
must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. There is no charge for
J-1 visas for participants in Bureau sponsored programs.
2. Per Diem. For U.S.-based programming, organizations should use
the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities.
Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at: http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/
gsa/ep/contentView.do?programId=9704&channelId=-
15943&ooid=16365&contentId=17943&pageTypeId=8203&contentType=GSA_
BASIC&programPage=%2Fep%2Fprogram%2FgsaBasic.jsp&P=MTT.
ECA requests applicants to budget realistic costs that reflect the
local economy and do not exceed Federal per diem rates. Foreign per
diem rates can be accessed at: http://aoprals.state.gov/
content.asp?content--id=184&menu&--id=78.
3. Interpreters. For U.S.-based activities, ECA strongly encourages
applicants to hire their own locally based interpreters. However,
applicants may ask ECA to assign State Department interpreters. One
interpreter is typically needed for every four participants who require
interpretation. When an applicant proposes to use State Department
interpreters, the following expenses should be included in the budget:
Published Federal per diem rates (both ``lodging'' and ``M&IE'') and
``home-program-home'' transportation in the amount of $400 per
interpreter. Salary expenses for State Department interpreters will be
covered by the Bureau and should not be part of an applicant's proposed
budget. Bureau funds cannot support interpreters who accompany
delegations from their home country or travel internationally.
4. Book and Cultural Allowances. Foreign participants are entitled
to a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per person, plus a book
allowance of $50. Interpreters should be reimbursed up to $150 for
expenses when they escort participants to cultural events. U.S. program
staff, trainers or participants are not eligible to receive these
benefits.
5. Consultants. Consultants may be used to provide specialized
expertise or to make presentations. Honoraria rates should not exceed
$250 per day. Organizations are encouraged to cost-share rates that
would exceed that figure. Subcontracting organizations may also be
employed, in which case the written agreement between the prospective
grantee and sub-grantee should be included in the proposal. Such sub-
grants should detail the division of responsibilities and proposed
costs, and subcontracts should be itemized in the budget.
6. Room rental. The rental of meeting space should not exceed $250
per day. Any rates that exceed this amount should be cost shared.
7. Materials. Proposals may contain costs to purchase, develop and
translate materials for participants. Costs for high quality
translation of materials should be anticipated and included in the
budget. Grantee organizations should expect to submit a copy of all
program materials to ECA, and ECA support should be acknowledged on all
materials developed with its funding.
8. Equipment. Applicants may propose to use grant funds to purchase
equipment, such as computers and printers; these costs should be
justified in the budget narrative. Costs for furniture are not allowed.
9. Working meal. Normally, no more than one working meal may be
provided during the program. Per capita costs may not exceed $15-$25
for lunch and $20-$35 for dinner, excluding room rental. The number of
invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a factor of
two-to-one. When setting up a budget, interpreters should be considered
``participants.''
10. Return travel allowance. A return travel allowance of $70 for
each foreign participant may be included in the budget. This allowance
would cover incidental expenses incurred during international travel.
11. Health Insurance. Foreign participants will be covered during
their participation in the program by the ECA-sponsored Accident and
Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE), for which the grantee must
enroll them. Details of that policy can be provided by the contact
officers identified in this solicitation. The premium is paid by ECA
and should not be included in the grant proposal budget. However,
applicants are permitted to include costs for travel insurance for U.S.
participants in the budget.
12. Wire transfer fees. When necessary, applicants may include
costs to transfer funds to partner organizations overseas. Grantees are
urged to research applicable taxes that may be imposed on these
transfers by host governments.
13. In-country travel costs for visa processing purposes. Given the
requirements associated with obtaining J-1 visas for ECA-supported
participants, applicants should include costs for any travel associated
with visa interviews or DS-2019 pick-up.
14. Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective
administration of the program may include salaries for grantee
organization employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs
per detailed instructions in the Application Package. While there is no
rigid ratio of administrative to program costs, proposals in which the
administrative costs do not exceed 25% of the total requested ECA grant
funds will be more competitive under the cost effectiveness and cost
sharing criterion, per item V.1 below. Proposals should show strong
administrative cost sharing contributions from the applicant, the in-
country partner and other sources.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
[[Page 19563]]
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
Application Deadline Date: Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-08-43.
Methods of Submission:
Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
(1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S.
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
(2) Electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed Applications
Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline.
Delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized
shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed via
the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by commonly
recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or
before the above deadline but received at ECA more than seven days
after the deadline will be ineligible for further consideration under
this competition. Proposals shipped after the established deadlines are
ineligible for consideration under this competition. ECA will not
notify you upon receipt of application. It is each applicant's
responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible
tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the
Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local
courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will
not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above
will be considered.
Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it
in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.
The original and 9 copies of the application should be sent to:
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/CU-08-43, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'', ``Proposal Narrative'' and ``Budget'' sections
of the proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on a PC-
formatted disk. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to
the appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for
its (their) review.
IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic Applications
Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically
through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the
system. Please follow the instructions available in the `Get Started'
portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the
size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the
application deadline to begin the submission process through
Grants.gov.
Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and
submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support, Contact Center Phone: 800-
518-4726, Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. eastern time, E-
mail: support@grants.gov.
Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.
Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify you
upon receipt of electronic applications.
It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via
the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
Optional--IV.3f.3. You may also state here any limitations on the
number of applications that an applicant may submit and make it clear
whether the limitation is on the submitting organization, individual
program director or both.
IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order
12372 does not apply to this program.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Review Process
The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility.
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible
proposals will be reviewed by the program office as well as the Public
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review.
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant
assistance awards resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives: Detailed
agenda and relevant work plan must explain how objectives will be
achieved and must include a timetable for completion of major tasks.
Program objectives should be clearly described and should reflect the
applicant's expertise in the artistic discipline and geographic world
region featured in your project. The proposal should include
documentation of artistic merit and quality through sources such as
published reviews and letters of recommendation from experts in the
artistic discipline featured in your project. However, work samples are
not requested and cannot be evaluated by the Bureau.
2. Multiplier Effect/Impact: Proposed programs should strengthen
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual
linkages. Proposals must describe your plans for project
sustainability, and for furthering the programs and partnerships beyond
the conclusion of a possible ECA grant.
[[Page 19564]]
3. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials
and follow-up activities).
4. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or
project's goals. Proposal should reflect the institution's expertise in
the thematic area the proposal addresses, as well as knowledge of the
conditions in the specific regions abroad. Proposals should include (1)
the institution's mission and date of establishment; (2) an outline of
prior awards--U.S. government and/or private support received for tours
abroad; (3) resumes of experienced staff members who will be part of
the team implementing the program, and; (4) all other documentation
requested herein.
5. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of at least five years of international planning
and implementation in the thematic area the proposal addresses. This
includes demonstrating responsible fiscal management and full
compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as
determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new
applicants. Proposals must include references with name and contact
information for other assistance awards the applicant has received in
the event the Bureau chooses to be in touch directly.
6. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus
description of a methodology used to link outcomes to original project
objectives is requested.
7. Cost-effectiveness and Cost-sharing: The overhead and
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be
necessary and appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing
through other private sector support as well as institutional direct
funding contributions.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1a. Award Notices:
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.
Successful applicants will receive an Assistance Award Document (AAD)
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the original grant
proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the
only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S.
Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and
mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the
application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this
competition.
VI.1b. The following additional requirements apply to this project:
A critical component of the Administration's Iran policy is the
support for indigenous Iranian voices. President Bush himself has
pledged this support and the State Department has made the awarding of
grants for this purpose a key component of its Iran policy. As a
condition of licensing these activities, the Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) has requested the Department of State to follow certain
procedures to effectuate the goals of Sections 481(b), 531(a), 571,
582, and 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended); 18
U.S.C. 2339A and 2339B; Executive Order 13224; and Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 6. These licensing conditions mandate that the
Department conduct a vetting of potential Iran grantees and sub-
grantees for counter-terrorism purposes. To conduct this vetting the
Department will collect information from grantees and sub-grantees
regarding the identity and background of their key employees and Boards
of Directors.
Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of Iran complies
with requirements, please contact the Office's Iran Policy
Coordinator, Lea Perez at (202) 453-8181 for additional information.
All awards made under this competition must be executed according
to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance to the
Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. Organizations
must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before entering into
any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian organizations or
institutions.
Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact
program officer Jill Staggs, (202) 203-7500, e-mail:
staggsjj@state.gov for additional information.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:
Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements
include the following:
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles
for NonprofitOrganizations.''
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles
for Educational Institutions.''
OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian
Governments''.
OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and
Non-profit Organizations
Please reference the following Web sites for additional
information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants. http://
exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements:
You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the
following reports:
(1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after
the expiration of the award;
(2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting
requirements;
(3) Quarterly program and financial reports showing activities
carried out, expenses incurred the calendar quarter and any changes to
the project time line.
Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports.
(Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions
(IV.3.d.3)) above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.
All data collected, including survey responses and contact
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three
[[Page 19565]]
years and provided to the Bureau upon request.
All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.
Program Data Requirements:
Organizations awarded grants will be required to maintain specific
data on program participants and activities in an electronically
accessible database format that can be shared with the Bureau as
required. As a minimum, the data must include the following:
(1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.
(2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be
received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to
the official opening of the activity.
VII. Agency Contacts
For general questions about this announcement, contact: Program
Officer Evangeline Montgomery, Cultural Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/CU,
Room 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20547, (202) 203-7520, e-mail: montgomeryEJ@state.gov,
copy to bensonMN@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the Arts Exchanges on International Issues Program and ECA/
PE/C/CU-08-43.
Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or
submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff
may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal
review process has been completed.
VIII. Other Information
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment
on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3
above.
Dated: April 3, 2008.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8-7624 Filed 4-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P