[Federal Register: December 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 237)]
[Notices]
[Page 65819-65829]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11de09-99]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6837]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: Open Competition for the Professional Fellows Program
Announcement Type: New Grant.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C-10-01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: February 26, 2010.
Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/PE/C) announces an open
competition for grants to conduct a Professional Fellows Program in
Africa, East Asia, Europe, the Near East, North Africa, South Central
Asia and the Western Hemisphere.
U.S. public and non-profit 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 Professional Fellows
Program. The goals of the program, which encompass both bureau and
programmatic goals, are to: (1) Provide foreign participants from
eligible countries the opportunity for professional development through
four- to eight-week internships in the U.S.; (2) provide U.S.
participants the opportunity to take part in reciprocal fellowships
and/or to share their professional expertise with counterparts in
eligible countries; (3) promote mutual understanding and partnerships
between key professional groups in the United States and counterpart
groups in eligible countries. Proposed projects should be two-way
exchanges involving participants from both the U.S. and foreign
countries.
Projects should take place over the course of one to two years and
target current or potential professional leaders who will effect
positive change in their communities. Specific themes for consideration
under this competition include: Climate change, education to
employment, food security, global health, and legislative development.
Eligible countries and guidance for each theme are provided in Section
I.7 below. Proposals that target themes and countries not specifically
authorized in this Request for Grant Proposals will be considered
technically ineligible.
Applicants may submit only one proposal under this competition. If
multiple proposals are received from the same applicant, all
submissions will be declared technically ineligible and receive no
further consideration in the review process. No guarantee is made or
implied that grants will be awarded in all themes or for all countries
listed.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
I.1. 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.
I.2. Purpose and Program Description
The Professional Fellows Program is a two-way exchange involving
current or potential professional leaders from both the U.S. and
foreign countries who will effect positive change in their communities.
Professional Fellows will be focused in the following areas: Climate
Change, Education to Employment, Food Security, Global Health, and
Legislative Development.
I.3. Participants
For the purposes of this program, ``participants'' are defined as
those who travel under grant funding from their country of origin to a
designated exchange country. It is acceptable for there to be more
foreign participants than American participants under this program
model, but applicants are encouraged to include approximately the same
number of Americans to emphasize that this program is reciprocal in
nature. Foreign participants should be selected through a merit-based,
competitive process. They should be up-and-coming and mid-level
professionals with experience relevant to one of the specific themes.
They should have good interpersonal and communication skills including
a command of both oral and written English that will allow them to
function effectively and independently in a wide variety of private,
public, and professional settings in the U.S. Participants should also
have demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment to or
participation in a wider program including alumni projects/affairs.
U.S. participants may include individuals who act as hosts for the
foreign participants who come to the United States, as well as
professionals from government and civil society organizations with
expertise relevant to the project focus. While U.S. participants are
not required to have foreign language ability or previous country-
specific experience, it is highly recommended.
Applicants should strive to maximize the number of participants and
the length of the U.S.-based program given funding levels. Therefore,
applicants who engage public and private partners for programming
support, and employ other creative techniques to increase or stretch
funding dollars will be deemed more competitive than those that do not,
under the cost effectiveness and cost-sharing review criteria.
[[Page 65820]]
I.4. Partner Organizations
Applicants must identify the U.S.-based and foreign-based
organizations and individuals with whom they are proposing to
collaborate and describe previous cooperative activities, if any.
Successful proposals will include qualified and established partner
organizations/offices in each of the regions where participants are
being recruited. Also, proposals must demonstrate capacity in the U.S.
to secure relevant placements for foreign participants; proposals that
include this information--especially with letters of commitment from
possible U.S.-based host organizations--will be deemed more
competitive.
I.5. Project Activities
Successful grant applicants must fully demonstrate a capacity to
achieve the following key activities:
I.5a. Recruit Foreign Participants
The recipients of this award will recruit and select qualified
individuals throughout the target country(ies) for both spring and fall
Fellowships. The foreign participants should be selected, with the
knowledge and participation of the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the
relevant U.S. Embassy, through a merit-based, competitive process. An
in-country or regional partner organization(s)/offices is required to
coordinate screening, selecting, and preparing participants prior to
departure for the United States including a formal pre-departure
orientation program.
I.5b. Facilitate the Visa Process
Working with ECA and PAS for the U.S. visas and directly with the
embassy of the partner country for its visas. ECA will issue the DS-
2019 forms required for J visas; see Section IV.3d.1 for additional
information related to the administration of J visa programs.
I.5c. Arrange all round-trip international travel, complying with
the Fly America Act, and domestic travel arrangements for the
participants.
I.5d. Conduct U.S. Fellowships
The recipients of this award will be responsible for implementing
fellowships from four to eight weeks in the United States for foreign
participants. Fellows will be placed within relevant, reputable,
legally recognized U.S. organizations where they will gain hands-on
experience that will enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities in
their professional field, and provide the opportunity to establish
relationships with U.S. professional counterparts for on-going
collaboration. The grantee should also strive to include cultural
enrichment activities as an integral part of the fellowship experience.
Such activities could include outings to museums, historic sites,
sporting events, cultural exhibits, local school or community events,
volunteering and other opportunities to experience American culture and
diversity. Short-term homestays to give participants a personal
experience of how typical Americans live are highly desirable. The
grantee may want to engage with a partner or sub-grantee to arrange for
the internship placement.
I.5e. Conduct an Overseas Program for U.S. Participants
The recipients of this award will conduct an overseas program where
U.S. participants, selected for their relevant professional expertise,
will travel for two to three weeks to conduct on-site consultancies and
joint programming with foreign participants and their colleagues, and,
if appropriate or feasible, reciprocal fellowships to share their
professional expertise and learn from their counterparts. The overseas
program should be designed to engage a broad audience beyond the
original foreign participants. Proposals must show a convincing plan to
work with a community-based partner overseas to engage a wide range of
people and to sustain the program benefits beyond the period of the
grant.
I.5f. Conduct a Second Round of U.S. Fellowships and Overseas Programs
Engaging a new group of participants, the recipients of this award
will conduct a second round of fellowships and overseas programs of a
similar nature as described above.
I.5g. Conduct Orientation and the Professional Fellows Congress
The grantee will also be responsible for conducting a thorough
orientation for foreign participants upon their arrival in the United
States. At the end of each round of foreign fellowships, a Fellows
Congress will be held at the U.S. Department of State. Grantees will
work closely with the Office of Citizen Exchanges and other grantee
organizations to coordinate this event. Grantees will be responsible
for providing transportation, lodging, per diem and miscellaneous
expenses for all program fellows under their aegis for a minimum of
three days in Washington, DC.
I.5h. Monitor, Evaluate, and Report on Project
The Bureau places high importance on monitoring and evaluation as a
means of ensuring and measuring a project's success. Proposals must
include a detailed monitoring and evaluation plan that assesses the
impact of the project. Please refer to section IV.3d.3. Project
Monitoring and Evaluation below.
I.5i. Carry Out Follow-Up Activities
The recipients of this award will develop enhancement activities
that reinforce program goals after the participants' return to their
home country. This includes informing participants of the Bureau's
Alumni program, facilitating their enrollment, and encouraging their
on-going participation. Please refer to the PSI for additional
information on Alumni, Outreach, and Engagement.
I.5j. Manage all financial aspects of the project, including
participant costs and transparent arrangements of sub-grant
relationships with partner organizations, if applicable.
I.5k. Design and implement an evaluation plan that assesses the
impact of the project.
I.6. Projected Timeline
ECA envisions the approximate dates of the Professional Fellows
program to be as follows:
September 2010-January 2011: Recruitment and selection of
foreign participants and securing U.S.-based hosts and host sites.
March-May 2011: Travel to the United States by [frac12] of
all the foreign participants to U.S. for orientation and placement at
internship sites for a four to eight week program.
May 2011: Travel by the foreign participants to
Washington, DC at/towards the end of their U.S.-based program for a
two-day enrichment program.
June-September 2011: The U.S. participants who were
involved in the spring 2011 hosting will travel overseas for
approximately two weeks of programming.
October-December 2011: Travel to the United States by the
remaining [frac12] of all the foreign participants to the U.S. for
orientation and placement at internship sites for a four to eight week
program.
November-December 2011: Travel by the remaining foreign
participants to Washington, DC at/towards the end of their U.S.-based
program for a two-day program.
January-May 2012: The U.S. participants who were involved
in the fall 2010 hosting will travel overseas for approximately two
week program.
[[Page 65821]]
I.7. Themes
Specific grant awards will be made for Professional Fellows to be
carried out in the following themes and countries:
I.7a. Climate Change Fellows
The Climate Change Fellows program is designed to engage
professionals actively involved in exploring the science, impact,
adaptation, and actions related to climate change. Participants could
include environmental and social scientists, climatologists,
ecologists, government officials, disaster responders, community
leaders, activists, educators, and NGO workers. Participants will be
provided hands-on experience with government agencies, disaster
response organizations, NGOs, and advocacy groups in the U.S.
addressing the impact of climate change. The Bureau is particularly
interested in receiving proposals that promote education and
communication campaigns to rural and urban communities most vulnerable
to climate risks. For example, a Climate Change Fellows program could
foster civic education programs that help students identify
environmental problems related to climate change and then work with
local officials and non-governmental organizations to find solutions
while also providing lessons in free speech, coalition-building and
democracy.
I.7a.1. East Asia and Pacific (EAP)
Countries: Proposal with participants from at least four of the
following six countries: Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and
New Zealand.
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6071, e-mail:
meieraw2@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving
approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7a.2. Western Hemisphere (WHA)
Countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Belize may also be considered, but only in combination
with at least one of the following other countries: Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Program Contact: Carol Herrera, tel: (202) 632-6054, e-mail:
herreraca1@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving
approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7b. Education to Employment Fellows
The Education to Employment Fellows program is designed to engage
professionals who are actively involved, in formal or informal
settings, in teaching, mentoring, and influencing youth by providing
them the guidance, education, training, and skills needed to find
meaningful and gainful employment and to become responsible and
contributing members of society. Most will be active in the education
sector, particularly with educational programs and youth programs
geared towards the development of new jobs and employment-based
outcomes, such as vocational programs, community colleges,
universities, and non-governmental organizations that work with youth.
The Education to Employment Fellows program will provide professionals
(teachers, youth leaders, community activists who work with youth,
university administrators, and staff of NGOs who teach/mentor/influence
youth) from identified countries with hands-on experience with the U.S.
educational system and aspects of civil society that are geared towards
job creation and employment outcomes through fellowships in NGOs,
organizations involved in educational reform efforts, local school
districts, universities, or educational policy-making bodies across the
U.S.
I.7b.1. Near East/North Africa (NEA)
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian
Authority, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and the countries of the Arabian Gulf.
Multi-country project proposals are encouraged; however, single-country
proposals will also be considered.
Program Contact: Thomas Johnston, tel: (202) 632-6056, e-mail:
johnstontj@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving
approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7b.2. East Asia and Pacific (EAP)
Countries: For East Asia and Pacific, proposals for the Education
to Employment Fellows program should be specifically focused on
connections between universities in the U.S. and East Asia, and should
recruit foreign participants from at least five of the following ASEAN
countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6071, e-mail:
meieraw2@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving
approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7b.3. Ngwang Choephel Fellows Program
Countries: Ngwang Choephel Fellows Program: Proposals for the
Tibetan Autonomous Region or Tibetan areas of China should be designed
to carry out a two-way Professional Fellows program under the Education
to Employment theme as described. It is expected that there will only
be one cycle of fellowships under this program, as opposed to the two
cycles described in the Professional Fellows program overview. The
employment outcomes on which the proposals focus could, for example,
include economic activity related to cultural preservation and eco-
tourism. Proposals should incorporate alternate plans into their
narrative in anticipation of any difficulties of participants traveling
to or from the Tibetan Autonomous Region or the Tibetan areas of China.
Program Contact: Linn[eacute]a Allison, tel: (202) 632-6060, e-
mail: AllisonLE@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Awards for Ngwang Choephel Fellows Program:
$200,000-$225,000 for a program involving approximately 20-30
participants.
I.7c. Food Security Fellows
The Food Security Fellows program will focus on political, social,
and economic factors affecting food security, but not technical
factors. The Food Security Fellows program is designed to engage
professionals who are actively involved with facets of food production,
delivery, education, and advocacy efforts. Participants should include
one or more of the following:
Agricultural experts and officials who develop and
implement plans to improve food production and equitable distribution,
without environmental degradation.
Nutritionists and dietitians who educate people about food
needs and the worth of different foods.
Community leaders who promote the development of community
gardens and farmers' markets.
Media professionals who educate the public about food
through writings, radio, television, or the Internet to promote food
safety and storage, good nutrition, and information on food
availability.
National, regional, and local policymakers who are dealing
with legislative and regulatory aspects of food production and
distribution, including land management.
I.7c.1. Sub-Saharan Africa (AF)
Countries: Proposals should involve both Kenya and Uganda.
Program Contact: Jim Ogul, tel: (202) 632-6055, e-mail:
ogulje@state.gov.
[[Page 65822]]
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving
approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7d. Global Health Fellows
The Global Health Fellows program is designed to engage
professionals who are actively involved in health care for marginalized
populations at the grassroots level, particularly with a focus on
maternal and child health. Participants could include nurses, public
health officials, paramedics, and midwives, as well as health-focused
community leaders, activists, educators, NGO workers, and media
specialists. Participants will be provided hands-on experience in
public health organizations and advocacy groups in the U.S. that serve
disadvantaged urban and rural communities. The Bureau is particularly
interested in receiving proposals focused on public health strategies
and communication that incorporate media and specifically radio, to
educate women and children in such areas as reproductive health,
nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation. This program is not designed to
include medical training.
I.7d.1. Sub-Saharan Africa (AF)
Countries: Proposals should involve both Malawi and Zambia.
Program Contact: Curt Huff, tel: (202) 632-6053, e-mail:
huffce@state.gov.
I.7d.2. Near East/North Africa (NEA)
Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian
Authority, Syria, and Yemen. Multi-country project proposals are
encouraged; however, single-country proposals will also be considered.
Program Contact: Thomas Johnston, tel: (202) 632-6056, e-mail:
johnstontj@state.gov.
I.7d.3. Western Hemisphere (WHA)
Countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama,
and Trinidad and Tobago.
Belize may also be considered, but only in combination
with at least one of the following other countries: Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
For proposals involving Haiti or the Dominican Republic,
projects that combine work in both countries are encouraged.
Program Contact: Carol Herrera, tel: (202) 632-6054, e-mail:
herreraca1@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving
approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7e. Legislative Fellows
The Legislative Fellows Program is designed to strengthen
understanding of the U.S. legislative process and enhance appreciation
of the role of civic society and its engagement in the political
process. The Legislative Fellows Program will provide professionals
from identified countries with hands-on exposure to the U.S. political
process through fellowships in U.S. Congressional offices (including
state/district offices), state legislatures, city councils/local
government bodies, and advocacy organizations across the U.S. The
program will also involve U.S. participants who will be selected from
staff members at the various fellowship sites who will act as primary
host/mentors to the foreign fellows during their U.S.-based program.
After the fellowships are completed, these U.S. staff members will
travel overseas to the fellows' home countries to continue their
engagement by participating in joint outreach activities, engaging the
local media, and on-site consultancies and presentations to wider
audiences. Participants should have demonstrated leadership abilities
and a commitment to or participation in the political process or
policy-making through involvement in civic education activities,
citizen advocacy groups, political campaigns, political parties, or
election monitoring. U.S. participants will be staff members of the
U.S. Congress, state legislatures, city councils/local governments, and
advocacy groups who act as hosts for foreign participants during the
inbound portion of the program.
I.7e.1. Europe (EUR)
Countries: Georgia, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. All four countries
must be included in the proposal with the following distribution: 40%
of the foreign participants must be recruited from Russia. 20% of the
participants must be recruited from Ukraine, 20% must be recruited from
Georgia, and 20% from Turkey. Placements may be considered at the
Federal, regional or local level and should be consistent with the
participant's professional experience. Placements with advocacy
organizations involved with the legislative process, (particularly
those dealing with climate change, women's and children's health, and
food security issues) are also eligible.
Approximate Grant Award: $800,000 to $1,000,000 for a program
involving approximately 90 to 100 total participants.
Program Contact: Linn[eacute]a Allison, tel: (202) 632-6060, e-
mail: AllisonLE@state.gov.
I.7e.2. South and Central Asia (SCA)
Countries: Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
and Tajikistan. All six countries must be included in the proposal with
roughly the same number of participants coming from each. Placements
may be considered at the Federal, regional or local level and should be
consistent with the participant's professional experience. Placements
with advocacy organizations involved with the legislative process,
(particularly those dealing with climate change, women's and children's
health, and food security issues) are also eligible.
Approximate Grant Award: $800,000 to $1,000,000 for a program
involving approximately 90 to 100 total participants.
Program Contact: Brent Beemer, tel: (202) 632-6067, e-mail:
BeemerBT@state.gov.
I.8. What to Include in Your Proposal
I.8a. Executive Summary
The Executive Summary should be one-page in length and include the
project title, the goals of the project, the target countries, the
names of all partner organizations responsible for program
implementation, the numbers of participants, both foreign and American,
and the number of proposed exchanges and approximate dates.
I.8b. Proposal Narrative
In 20, double-spaced pages the narrative should include:
I.8b.1. Project Goals, Objectives, Anticipated Outcomes
A clear, succinct statement of project goals, objectives and
anticipated outcomes that responds to Bureau goals as listed in this
RFGP. Objectives should be described in specific, measurable, and
realistic terms that are achievable within the scope of the project,
both in terms of time and funding. Specify the project's broader
objectives in terms of bureau and overarching program outcomes. Then
delineate the project's main objectives (no more than five) and
outcomes you expect as a result of your project's activities. For each
outcome, please state the time frame for achievement. They should be
guided by one or more of the following questions. (Please see section
III.3d.3. Project Monitoring and Evaluation for assistance in
identifying and defining outcomes.)
[[Page 65823]]
1. What specifically will participants, U.S. and foreign, learn as
a result of this project?
2. What new attitudes will participants, U.S. and foreign, develop,
or what new ideas will they encounter as a result of this project?
3. How will the participants' behavior change as a result of this
project? What new actions will they take?
4. Will participants be a catalyst for change in their schools,
work-places, communities, or institutions? How so?
Proposals that clearly delineate salient objectives in measurable
terms and plan activities in a sequence that will progressively lead to
achieving those objectives, will be considered more competitive.
I.8b.2. Background Information on Implementing Organizations
Information on all organizations and staff involved in the
implementation of the project including the mission, relevant expertise
in the project theme and country(ies), past activities and
accomplishments, on-going and planned activities not including the
proposed project. Previous grants received from the Bureau should be
listed by office (Citizen Exchanges, International Visitors, Academic
Exchanges, etc.) project name, countries, year, and amount.
I.8b.3. Roles and Responsibilities
A clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of all
partner organizations in terms of project logistics, management, and
oversight. Letters of agreement and/or sub award agreements with
accompanying budgets should be included under Tab E of the submission.
I.8b.4. Project Management Plan
A simple project management plan for the two-year life of the
project that lists, in table form, dates, items (major events or
tasks), and the person or group responsible.
I.8b.5. Support of Diversity
A description on how the Bureau's policy on Support of Diversity
will be integrated into the project. Please refer to guidance in PSI
under ``Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines.''
I.8b.6. Post-Grant Plan
A post-grant plan that demonstrates how the grantee and
participants will collaborate and communicate after the ECA-funded
grant has concluded.
I.8b.7. Evaluation Plan
An evaluation plan that follows the guidance provided in this RFGP.
Please refer to section III.3d.3. ``Project Evaluation'' below.
Detailed evaluation plans that put the narrative over the 20-page limit
and sample surveys or other evaluation tools may be included in TAB E.
I.8b.8. Budget.
Please refer to section IV.3e. Budget Submission in this document
and the PSI for guidance on preparing your budget.
I.8b.9. Working with the Public Affairs Section
An acknowledgement to consult closely with the Public Affairs
Section of the U.S. Embassy in the relevant country(ies) to develop
plans for project implementation, to select project participants, and
to invite representatives of the Embassy(ies) and/or consulate(s) to
participate in program sessions or site visits.
I.8b.10. Acknowledging ECA's Financial Support
An acknowledgement to follow guidance in the PSI entitled
``Acknowledgement of ECA's Financial Support and Use of the Department
Seal''.
I.8b.11. Alumni Outreach
An acknowledgement to comply with ``ECA's General Policy Guidance
on Alumni Outreach/Follow-on and Engagement'' provided in the PSI.
I.8c Attachments
I.8c.1. Resumes
Resumes of principal staff of all partner organizations involved in
the implementation of the project should be included in TAB E.
I.8c.2. Letters of Commitment and/or Letters of Support
Letters of commitment or support from partner organizations partner
institutions should demonstrate a capacity to arrange and conduct U.S.
and overseas activities and should also be included in TAB E.
I.8c.3. Program Materials
Materials that advance program design and implementation should be
included in TAB E. These could include:
1. Draft agendas of professional workshops, conferences and
seminars including pre-departure, orientation and final conference
activities.
2. Draft application and recruitment materials
3. Draft selection and interview materials
4. Outline of proposed alumni programming
5. Sample evaluation and survey instruments
6. Timeline for program implementation
7. Program promotional materials
I.8c.4. Unsolicited Documents
Attachments that do not directly address the proposed project or
explicitly demonstrate relevant past performance (i.e., generic
organization brochures, pamphlets, unsolicited reports) are
discouraged.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2010.
Approximate Total Funding: $5,200,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 10-15.
Approximate Average Award: $400,000-$500,000, except Legislative
Fellows grants which will average $800,000-$1,000,000.
Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 1,
2010.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: August 31, 2012.
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 USC 501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds
There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this
competition. However, the Bureau 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 cost-sharing as stipulated in its
proposal and later included in an approved 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
which 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.
[[Page 65824]]
III.3. Four Years of Exchange Experience
Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than
four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited
to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making awards in an
amount from $300,000 and higher to support program and administrative
costs required to implement the programs in this RFGP. 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 maximum levels of cost-
sharing and funding in support of its programs.
III.4. Technical Eligibility
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.
Eligible applicants may not submit more than one proposal
under this competition.
An applicant organization is defined by the DUNS number of
the organization and by the signature of the authorized representative
contained on the ``Application for Federal Assistance Form'' (SF-424)
submitted under this competition.
Eligible applicants may only propose working with the
countries and themes listed under each of the themes of this RFGP.
No funding is available to send U.S. citizens exclusively
to conferences or conference type seminars overseas; nor is funding
available for bringing foreign nationals exclusively to conferences or
to routine professional association meetings in the United States.
Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI)
document for additional requirements.
IV. Application and Submission Information
Note: Please read the complete Solicitation Package before
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. All applicants are
strongly encouraged to consult with the Washington, DC-based State
Department contact for the themes/regions listed in this
solicitation. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to consult
with Public Affairs Officers at U.S. Embassies in relevant countries
as they develop proposals responding to this RFGP. Once the RFGP
deadline has passed, Bureau and Embassy staff may not discuss this
competition with applicants until the proposal review process has
been completed.
IV.1. Contact Information to Request a Solicitation Package
Please contact David Gustafson in the Office of Citizen Exchanges,
ECA/PE/C, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 3rd Floor, 2200 C St., NW.,
Washington, DC 20522-0503, ph: (202) 632-6083, GustafsonDP@state.gov to
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number ECA/PE/C-10-01 located at the top of this announcement when
making your request. An electronic solicitation package may be obtained
from http://www.grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f for further
information.
IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via the Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's
Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/ 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 Solicitation Package includes both the Request for Grant
Proposals (RFGP) and the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI)
document, which consists of required application forms, and standard
guidelines for proposal preparation. Applicants should assure that
proposals respond to guidance provided in both documents.
IV.3a. DUNS Number
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, go to 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. Proposal Components
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. Non-Profit Status and Documentation
You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of
application.
Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for ECA
federal assistance awards must include in their application the
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers,
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation).
In fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information
in one of the following ways:
(1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return
of Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of
relevant portions of this form.
(2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information
above in the format of their choice.
In addition to final program reporting requirements, award
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as
the one-page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and
Budget on its USASpending.gov Web site as part of ECA's FFATA reporting
requirements.
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. Additional 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 62,
which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa
program). Under the terms of 22 CFR 62, organizations receiving awards
(either a grant or cooperative agreement) under this RFGP will be third
parties ``cooperating with or assisting the sponsor in the conduct of
the sponsor's
[[Page 65825]]
program.'' The actions of recipient organizations shall be ``imputed to
the sponsor in evaluating the sponsor's compliance with'' 22 CFR 62.
Therefore, the Bureau expects that any organization receiving an award
under this competition will render all assistance necessary to enable
the Bureau to fully comply with 22 CFR 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 recipient 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 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, recordkeeping,
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:/
/travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html or from: United
States Department of State, Office of Exchange Coordination and
Designation, (ECA/EC/D), SA-5, Floor C2, Department of State,
Washington, DC 20522-0582.
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. Project Monitoring and Evaluation
This section of the RFGP amplifies the direction given in section I
above on proposal framework, which calls for the delineation of
objectives and planning for baseline, short term and long term outcome
measurement. Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the
project's success, both as the activities unfold, at the end of the
project and beyond. The Bureau recommends that each proposal include a
draft survey questionnaire or other instruments 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 project, learning as a result of the project, changes in
behavior as a result of the project, and effects of the project 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 intended outcomes at the outset of a project. 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). (Note the
call for measurements at the baseline and for short term and longer-
term outcomes.) 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 and to the Bureau goals.
Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish
between project 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 emphasis 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 impact):
1. Participant satisfaction with the project 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
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 each 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 (e.g., surveys, interviews, tests, 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 project reports. All
data collected,
[[Page 65826]]
including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained
for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon request.
IV.3e. Budget Submission
Please follow the guidelines in this section and consult the PSI
when preparing the budget submission.
IV.3e.1. Form SF-424A
Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs'' along with a comprehensive budget for the
entire program. 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. The budget submission
should be accompanied by a budget narrative that explains anything that
is not readily apparent from the budget.
IV.3e.2. Allowable Costs
Allowable costs for the program include the following:
IV.3e.2a. Travel. International and domestic airfare; airline
baggage and seat fees; 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.
IV.3e.2b. 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?contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=17943.
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
IV.3e.2c. Interpreters. We anticipate that all participants coming
to the U.S. on this program will have command of both oral and written
English that will allow them to function effectively and independently
in a wide variety of private, public, and professional settings in the
U.S. However, if special circumstances warrant the use of
interpretation, ECA strongly encourages applicants to hire their own
locally based interpreters but 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.
IV.3e.2d. 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.
IV.3e.2e. 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.
IV.3e.2f. Room rental. The rental of meeting space should not
exceed $250 per day. Any rates that exceed this amount should be cost
shared.
IV.3e.2g. 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.
IV.3e.2h. 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.
IV.3e.2i. 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.''
IV.3e.2j. 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.
IV.3e.2k. 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.
IV.3e.2l. 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.
IV.3e.2m. 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.
IV.3e.2n. 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 also include in the
administrative portion of your budget plans to travel to Washington,
DC, to meet with your program officer within the first 45 days after
the grant has been awarded.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods Of Submission
Application Deadline Date: February 26, 2010.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C-10-01.
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., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne
[[Page 65827]]
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 eight (8) copies of the application should be sent
to: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-10-01,
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC
20522-0504.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the
proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on CD-ROM. As
appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to
Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for its(their)
review.
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 eight (8) copies of the application should be sent
to: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-10-01,
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC
20522-0504.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the
proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on CD-ROM. As
appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to U.S.
Embassy Public Affairs Section(s) for 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 Note: Due to Recovery Act related opportunities, there
has been a higher than usual volume of grant proposals submitted
through Grants.gov. Potential applicants are advised that the
increased volume may affect the grants.gov proposal submission
process. As stated in this RFGP, ECA bears no responsibility for
applicant timeliness of submission or data errors resulting from
transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via
Grants.gov.
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. In
addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can
take up to two business days. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you
not wait until the application deadline to begin the submission process
through Grants.gov. The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive
information on all phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including
an extensive section on frequently asked questions, located under the
``For Applicants'' section of the Web site. ECA strongly recommends
that all potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov Web
site, well in advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov
system. ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from
transmission or conversion processes. 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.
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
[[Page 65828]]
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 assistance award grants resides
with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
V.2 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:
V.2a. Quality of Program Idea
Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and
relevance to the Bureau's mission.
V.2b. Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives
Program objectives should be stated clearly and should reflect the
applicant's expertise in the subject area and region. Objectives should
respond to the topics in this announcement and should relate to the
current conditions in the target country/countries. A detailed agenda
and relevant work plan should explain how objectives will be achieved
and should include a timetable for completion of major tasks.
The substance of workshops, internships, seminars and/or consulting
should be described in detail. Sample schedules should be outlined.
Responsibilities of proposed in-country partners should be clearly
described. A discussion of how the applicant intends to address
language issues should be included, if needed.
V.2c. Institutional Capacity and Track Record
Proposals should include (1) The institution's mission and date of
establishment; (2) detailed information about proposed in-country
partner(s) and the history of the partnership; (3) an outline of prior
awards--U.S. government and/or private support received for the target
theme/country/region; and (4) descriptions of experienced staff members
who will implement the program. The proposal should reflect the
institution's expertise in the subject area and knowledge of the
conditions in the target country/countries. Proposals should
demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs,
including 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. Proposed
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and
appropriate to achieve the program's goals. The Bureau strongly
encourages applicants to submit letters of support from proposed in-
country partners.
V.2d. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing
Overhead and administrative costs in the proposal budget, including
salaries, honoraria and subcontracts for services, should be kept to a
minimum. Proposals in which the administrative costs do not exceed 25%
of the total requested ECA grant funds will be more competitive (see
IV.3e.2 14 for clarification on this). Applicants are strongly
encouraged to cost share a portion of overhead and administrative
expenses. Cost-sharing, including contributions from the applicant,
proposed in-country partner(s), and other sources should be included in
the budget request. Proposal budgets that do not reflect cost sharing
will be deemed not competitive on this criterion.
V.2e. 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). Applicants should refer to the Bureau's Diversity, Freedom
and Democracy Guidelines in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI).
V.2f. Follow-on Activities
Applicants should provide a plan to conduct activities after the
Bureau-funded project has concluded in order to ensure that Bureau-
supported programs are not isolated events. Funds for all post-grant
activities must be in the form of contributions from the applicant or
sources outside of the Bureau. Costs for these activities must not
appear in the proposal budget, but should be outlined in the narrative.
V.2g. Program Evaluation
Proposals should include a detailed plan to evaluate the program.
Program objectives should target clearly defined results in
quantitative terms. Competitive evaluation plans will describe how
applicant organizations would measure these results, and proposals
should include draft data collection instruments (surveys,
questionnaires, etc.) in Tab E.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. 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 a Federal Assistance Award (FAA)
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with
subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding
authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The
FAA 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.2. Additional Requirements for the Palestinian Authority, West Bank,
and Gaza
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
Thomas Johnston, Tel. (202) 632-6056; e-mail: JohnstonTJ@state.gov
for additional information.
VI.3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
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
Nonprofit Organizations.''
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.
[[Page 65829]]
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_circulars/
http://fa.statebuy.state.gov
VI.4. Reporting Requirements
You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one electronic
copy of the following reports:
VI.4a. Final Reports
A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the
expiration of the award;
VI.4b. One-page Report
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.
VI.4c. SF-PPR
A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet should be
submitted with all program reports.
VI.4d. Quarterly Reports
Quarterly program and financial reports should be submitted for the
duration of the program. For program reports, award recipients will be
required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the
Bureau. (Please refer to section IV.3.d.3, ``Program Monitoring and
Evaluation'') 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. All reports must be sent to
the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program Officer listed in the final
assistance award document.
VI.5. Additional Program Data Requirements
VI.5a. Data on Program Participants and Activities
Award recipients 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. At a
minimum, the data must include the following: Name, address, contact
information and biographic sketch of all persons who travel
internationally on funds provided by the agreement or who benefit from
the award funding but do not travel.
VI.5b. Travel
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 questions about this announcement, contact: Carol Herrera,
Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, U.S. Department of State, SA-5,
3rd Floor, 2200 C St., NW., Washington, DC 20522-0503, ph. tel: (202)
632-6054, e-mail: herreraca1@state.gov. All correspondence with the
Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number
ECA/PE/C-10-01.
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.4
above.
Dated: December 1, 2009
Maura M. Pally,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S.
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E9-29538 Filed 12-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P