Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: East Timor and South Pacific Scholarship Programs, 9420-9425 [05-3698]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 37 (Friday, February 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9420-9425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3698]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5002]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: East Timor and South Pacific Scholarship Programs

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/EAP-05-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Application Deadline: April 14, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Academic Programs of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition to 
administer the United States-East Timor (USET) Scholarship Program and 
the United States-South Pacific (USSP) Scholarship Program. Eligible 
applicants may submit a proposal to administer one or both of the 
scholarship programs. Public and private non-profit organizations 
meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to organize and carry out 
academic exchange program activities for students from East Timor and 
the sovereign island nations of the South Pacific (eligible nations are 
listed below in the Overview section). The grantee(s) will be 
responsible for all aspects of the programs, including publicity and 
recruitment of applicants; merit-based competitive selection; placement 
of students at an accredited U.S. academic institution; student travel 
to the U.S.; orientation; up to four years of U.S. degree study at the 
bachelor's or master's level; enrichment programming; advising, 
monitoring and support; pre-return activities; evaluation; and follow-
up with program alumni. The duration of the grant(s) will be up to five 
years, beginning in Summer 2005. The Conference Report accompanying the 
FY-2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 108-447) earmarks 
$500,000 to support the U.S.-East Timor Scholarship Program and 
$500,000 to support the U.S.-South Pacific Scholarship Program.

[[Page 9421]]

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: In response to Public Law 103-236, which directed the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to provide 
scholarships to students from East Timor and from the sovereign island 
nations of the South Pacific region, ECA created the USET Scholarship 
Program and the USSP Scholarship Program for academic study at 
accredited colleges and universities in the United States.
    United States--East Timor Scholarship Program Overview: The goal of 
the USET Scholarship Program is to identify and support undergraduate 
level study at accredited higher education institutions in the United 
States for a select cadre of academically talented East Timorese who 
are expected to assume future leadership roles in East Timor's 
development. As East Timor makes the transition to independence and 
democratic government, it is essential to develop the human resource 
capacity of the East Timorese people, especially in fields such as 
agricultural science, business, communications, economics, education, 
environmental science, international relations, political science, and 
psychology. The eligible academic fields of study were selected to 
emphasize the areas of critical development need in East Timor.
    USET scholarships are typically offered for four years total 
including up to one year of English language and pre-academic training 
followed by up to three years for the completion of the undergraduate 
degree in designated fields. In almost all cases, USET students will 
have undergraduate credits for transfer from their home institutions.
    United States--South Pacific Scholarship Program Overview: The USSP 
Scholarship Program was established by the United States Congress to 
provide opportunities for U.S. study to students from South Pacific 
nations in fields important for the region's future development. Public 
Law 103-236 authorized academic scholarships to qualified students from 
the sovereign island nations of the South Pacific region to pursue 
undergraduate and graduate study at institutions of higher education in 
the United States.
    This program supports increased mutual understanding between the 
people of the U.S. and those of the South Pacific Islands. Students 
from the following nations are eligible to apply for these 
scholarships: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, 
Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
    Fields of study under the program are based on recommendations from 
Department of State regional bureau representatives and Public Affairs 
Sections (PAS) at U.S. embassies abroad and have included public 
administration, journalism, education, environmental studies, 
agriculture, political science, business and other fields. The grantee 
organization should arrange for the students' enrollment at accredited 
U.S. institutions of higher education where a full liberal arts 
curriculum (including social sciences, humanities and sciences) is 
available. Students selected for these scholarships enroll in four-year 
undergraduate degree programs, or in master's degree programs. The 
latter have generally involved one year of preparatory U.S. study 
followed by up to two years of formal master's degree study.
    The requirements for administration of this program are outlined in 
further detail in this document and in the Program Objectives, Goals 
and Implementation (POGI) document. The proposal should respond to each 
item in the POGI.
    In a cooperative agreement, the Bureau is substantially involved in 
program activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. Bureau 
activities and responsibilities for this program include:
    (1) Participation in the design and direction of program 
activities;
    (2) Approval of key personnel;
    (3) Approval and input on program timelines and agendas;
    (4) Guidance in execution of all program components;
    (5) Review and approval of all program publicity and recruitment 
materials;
    (6) Participation in student interview and selection panels;
    (7) Review of selection decisions prior to offer of award;
    (8) Consultation on and approval of academic placement assignments;
    (9) Approval of changes to students' proposed academic field or 
institution;
    (10) Approval of decisions related to special circumstances or 
problems throughout duration of program;
    (11) Assistance with SEVIS-related issues;
    (12) Assistance with participant emergencies;
    (13) Liaison with relevant U.S. Embassies and country desk officers 
at the State Department.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    The Bureau's level of involvement in this program is listed under 
number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $1 million.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1-2.
    Anticipated Project Start Date: June 2005, pending availability of 
funds.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 2010.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
the Bureau's intent to renew the grant(s) 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 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 grant agreement. Cost 
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, the grantee 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

[[Page 9422]]

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.

III.3 Other Eligibility Requirements

    Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than 
four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited 
to $60,000 in Bureau funding. The Bureau anticipates awarding one grant 
in an amount up to $1 million, or two grants of up to $500,000 each, to 
support program and administrative costs required to implement the 
exchange program(s). 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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete Federal Register 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 East Asia and Pacific Programs Branch, ECA/A/E/
EAP, Room 208, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, phone: (202) 453-8102, fax: (202) 453-8107, e-
mail: mcmahonmp@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please 
refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/EAP-05-01 located at 
the top of this announcement when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document, which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Matthew McMahon and refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number ECA/A/E/EAP-05-01 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 https://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm. Please 
read all information before downloading.

IV.3 Content and Form of Submission

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and 10 copies of the application should be sent 
per the instructions under IV.3e. ``Submission Dates and Times 
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 https://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 and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. 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 is placing renewed emphasis 
on the secure and proper administration of 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 
part 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 forms, 
recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements. The Grantee 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 https://
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) 401-9810. 
Fax: (202) 401-9809. Please refer to Solicitation Package for further 
information.
    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

[[Page 9423]]

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):
    Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange experience.
    Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
profession or home 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.
    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 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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: i.e. sustainability, overall 
program management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any 
other requirements etc.
    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. In addition, the proposal must include a comprehensive 
budget narrative demonstrating how costs were derived. The budget 
format should break out costs on a year-by-year basis. If applying to 
administer both the USET and USSP programs, the applicant's budget 
proposal should include a budget summary page that breaks out program 
and administrative costs assigned to each program. The total amount of 
funding requested from ECA may not exceed $1 million, if applying to 
administer both the USET and USSP programs, or $500,000, if applying to 
administer one of the two programs. At this level of funding, 
applicants are encouraged to budget for at least ten (10) students for 
degree study, i.e., at least five (5) each under the USET and USSP 
programs. The number of participants that the organization proposes to 
sponsor should be clearly stated. ECA reserves the right to reduce, 
revise or increase the proposed budget in accordance with funding 
availability and the needs of the program. There must be a summary 
budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program 
budgets.
    IV.3e.2 Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Publicity, recruitment, selection, placement and communication 
with applicants and participants.
    (2) Travel for student participants between home and program 
location.
    (3) Tuition and fees, stipends for living costs, book allowances, 
and other necessary maintenance costs and expenses for the students.
    (4) Advising and monitoring of students.
    (5) Academic and cultural support and enrichment activities.
    (6) Pre-return activities and evaluation.
    (7) Staff and administrative expenses to carry out the program 
activities. Administrative and overhead costs should be as low as 
possible.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f Submission Dates and Times: Application Deadline Date: April 
14, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: In light of recent events and heightened 
security measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally 
recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, 
Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.) 
and be shipped no later than the above deadline. The 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. 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. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of application. Delivery 
of proposal packages may not be made via local courier service or in 
person for this competition. Faxed documents will not

[[Page 9424]]

be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above will 
be considered. Applications may not be submitted electronically at this 
time.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package.

    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 10 copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E/EAP-05-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    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.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 
cooperative agreements 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) Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the program goals 
and mission. Proposals should demonstrate understanding of the 
participating nations and of the needs of students from the region(s) 
as related to the program goals.
    (2) Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above. Each component of the program should be addressed.
    (3) Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should explain how 
objectives will be met through specific activities to be carried out in 
the U.S., and in East Timor and/or the South Pacific region.
    (4) Multiplier effect/impact: Programs should strengthen long-term 
mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and 
establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages. 
Anticipated results of the program in East Timor and/or the South 
Pacific region as well as in the U.S. should be addressed.
    (5) Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive support for 
the Bureau's policy on diversity. To the full extent possible, 
scholarship recipients for this program should be representative of 
diversity in the following categories: country of origin/residence 
within country(ies); gender; ethnic community of origin within 
country(ies), where relevant; urban and rural regions (with emphasis on 
outreach beyond capital cities); and proposed fields of study within 
the general parameters outlined in this solicitation. Proposals should 
explain what efforts will be undertaken to achieve these goals. The 
U.S. study and enrichment programs should also incorporate and 
demonstrate the diversity of the American people, regions and culture.
    (6) Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program 
goals. Proposal should explain how the grantee organization will meet 
the requirements of students on this specific program. Proposals should 
describe the applicant's knowledge of, or prior experience with, 
students from East Timor, and/or the South Pacific nations, and/or 
other developing countries.
    (7) Institution's Record/Ability: 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 Grant 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    (8) Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau-supported programs are not isolated events.
    (9) Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the program's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus a 
description of a methodology that will link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended. The grantee will be expected to 
submit quarterly program reports.
    (10) Cost-effectiveness and Cost-sharing: The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. Proposals should maximize 
cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as 
institutional direct funding contributions. Budget estimates should be 
as accurate as possible over the full period of the grant.

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 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.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 
Nonprofit Organizations.''
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles for 
Educational Institutions.''

[[Page 9425]]

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: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants, and https://
exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.

VI.3 Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus two copies of 
the following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) Quarterly financial and program reports, the latter of which 
should include record and analysis of program activities from that 
period.
    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 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.4 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 questions about this announcement, contact: Matthew McMahon, 
Program Officer, East Asia and Pacific Programs Branch (ECA/A/E/EAP), 
Room 208, ECA/A/E/EAP-05-01, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, phone: (202) 453-8102, fax: (202) 
453-8107, e-mail: mcmahonmp@state.gov.
    Individual students interested in applying for either the USET or 
USSP scholarship should not contact the Office of Academic Programs. 
Instead they should visit the following Web site for more information 
on the current programs: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/edu-sp.asp.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/EAP-05-01.
    Please read the complete Federal Register 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: February 15, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-3698 Filed 2-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P