Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Summer Institute for German Student Leaders in Education, 5697-5703 [E6-1414]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5697-5703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1414]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5293]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Summer Institute for German Student Leaders in 
Education

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/EUR-06-05.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:
    Key Dates: July 17, 2006-March 16, 2007.
    Application Deadline: March 17, 2006.
    Summary: The Office of Academic Exchange Programs, European and 
Eurasian Programs Branch (ECA/A/E/EUR), announces an open competition 
for a Summer Institute for German Student Leaders in Education. 
Accredited U.S. post-secondary educational institutions may submit 
proposals to provide a six-week integrated and uniquely designed 
program that offers intensive English and focuses on pedagogy and U.S. 
and cultural studies for one group of up to ten (10) German advanced 
undergraduate students in education, representing diverse sectors, 
particularly immigrant populations, from multiple German universities. 
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (the Bureau) anticipates 
providing one assistance award to support this program.

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: The goal of the Summer Institute for German Student 
Leaders in Education is to provide young Germans from diverse 
backgrounds, especially immigrant communities in Germany, and multiple 
German universities, who are underrepresented in the Fulbright Program 
and other traditional exchanges, with the opportunity to learn about 
the United States, and to become familiar with American pedagogical 
philosophy and techniques. During the program, the students, who are 
expected to become teachers in Germany following their graduation from 
university, will become familiar with U.S. campus life, meet a variety 
of U.S. citizens and have a valuable cultural experience. U.S. 
institutions of higher education having experience in teacher training/
assessment may apply to develop, administer, and provide follow-up to 
the six-week summer program.
    Guidelines: The program should be designed to support the following 
specific activities/components:
    (a) A two-week intensive English program to strengthen the 
participants' language abilities before undertaking the academic 
program.
    (b) A four-week academic program that will enhance teaching skills 
and methodology in various subject fields as its main objective. The 
program should emphasize American pedagogical practices, the U.S. 
higher educational system, and the role of teaching in U.S. history and 
civil society.
    (c) Structured cultural activities planned within the six-week 
program to facilitate interaction among the German participants, U.S. 
students, faculty, administrators, and the local community, including 
through hands-

[[Page 5698]]

on community service, to promote mutual understanding between the 
people of the United States and the people of Germany.
    (d) Two highly qualified U.S. mentors/escorts who exhibit cultural 
sensitivity and an understanding of the program's objectives, and who 
should accompany the student participants throughout the entire 
program. These mentors/escorts will take on the role of cultural 
interpreters and help the participants to network with other students 
and the community at large. The mentors/escorts must actively 
participate in classroom sessions, reside with students in dormitories 
or other accommodations, direct cultural and recreational activities 
during weekends, and escort students during the educational travel 
component.
    (e) The creation of a website and a listserv to facilitate follow-
on mentoring/participant networking concerning final project 
implementation and to continue a dialog on ideas developed during the 
institute.
    (f) Assistance to participants while in the U.S. to select, 
purchase and ship professional materials to use in follow-on activities 
in their home country.
    (g) One post-institute alumni workshop that will take place in 
Germany in coordination with the German Fulbright Commission.
    The first two weeks of the academic program should focus on 
intensive English. The following four-week program should include 
lectures as well as group discussions and exercises focusing on topics 
such as classroom techniques and pedagogical, teaching and learning 
theory and practice. In addition, the institute should include an 
introduction to the history, evolution and role of education in U.S. 
society, history, culture, and literature, and the importance of civil 
society, critical thinking, and citizen participation. The institute 
should incorporate a focus on contemporary American life.
    Applicant organizations should take into account that the 
participants may have limited knowledge of the United States and 
varying degrees of experience in expressing their opinions in a 
classroom environment, and should tailor their proposed curriculum and 
classroom activities accordingly. The host institution will be required 
to develop a program that provides ample time and opportunity for 
discussion and interaction, not simply standard lectures or broad 
survey reading assignments. Local site visits to primary and/or 
secondary schools, other colleges, and research institutions should be 
part of the academic program.
    The program should also include opportunities for participants to 
meet American citizens from a variety of ethnic, religious, and socio-
economic backgrounds. The host institution should make a special effort 
to provide opportunities for the participants to interact with their 
peers in the United States on a regular basis, and to speak to 
appropriate student and civic groups about their experiences and life 
in their home countries.
    Pending availability of FY 2006 funds, the institute activities 
should begin on or about July 17, 2006 with follow-up activities to end 
before December 15, 2006.
    Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to the 
Solicitation Package for further information.
    Program Administration: All Summer Institute programming and 
administrative logistics, management of the intensive English and 
academic programs, field trips, and on-site arrangements will be the 
responsibility of the grantee organization. The grantee organization is 
also responsible for arrangements for lodging, food, maintenance and 
local travel for participants while in the U.S. The grantee 
organization should balance cost-effectiveness in accommodations and 
meal plans with flexibility for differing diets and individual needs of 
the participants while in the U.S. Single rooms or housing in 
residential suites, which offer privacy, are preferable.
    The Fulbright Commission in Germany will handle the cost of 
ticketing for international travel.
    The project will provide each participant with a supplemental book 
allowance of $200 per person. The grantee organization should assist 
participants in selection, acquisition and shipment of materials to 
Germany. The grantee organization should also arrange for institutional 
or publishers' discounts for participants, as possible.
    Proposals should describe the available health care system and the 
plan to provide health care access to institute participants. The 
Department of State will provide limited health insurance coverage to 
all participants.
    Participant Selection: Participants will be selected by the Bureau 
based on nominations from the German Fulbright Commission. Minimum 
qualifications for all participants will be (1) adequate proficiency in 
English to allow full participation in and benefit from the program, 
(2) enrollment in programs at German universities that lead to teaching 
degrees, (3) high level of academic achievement, as indicated by 
academic grades, awards, and teacher recommendations, and (4) 
demonstration of a commitment to community and university activities in 
Germany.
    Participants will enter the United States on J-visas, using DS-2019 
forms issued by the Office of Academic Programs, European and Eurasian 
Programs Branch, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/E/
EUR).
    Orientation: The grantee organization will provide general pre-
departure orientation materials for all participants prior to their 
travel to the United States. This material might include a tentative 
program outline with suggested goals and objectives, relevant 
background information about the U.S. institution and individuals 
involved in the project, and information concerning arrival in the host 
city, local housing, climate, and available services at the host 
institution.
    Needs Assessment: The applicant organization should conduct an 
initial needs assessment of participants and upon their arrival in the 
U.S. be prepared to adjust program emphasis as necessary to respond to 
participants' needs.
    Cooperative Agreement: In a cooperative agreement, ECA/A/E/EUR is 
substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine 
grant monitoring. Office activities and responsibilities for this 
program are as follows:
     Participants will be selected by the ECA/A/E/EUR based on 
nominations from the German Fulbright Commission.
     Participants will enter the United States on J-visas, 
using DS-2019 forms issued by the ECA/A/E/EUR.
     The German Fulbright Commission will arrange participants' 
international travel.
     ECA/A/E/EUR will facilitate sending pre-arrival 
orientation materials electronically to participants via the German 
Fulbright Commission.
    ECA/A/E/EUR will provide the host institution with participants' 
curricula vitae and travel itineraries and will be available to offer 
guidance throughout the institute.
    Proposal Contents: Applicant organizations should submit a complete 
and thorough proposal describing the program in a convincing and 
comprehensive manner. Since there is no opportunity for applicants to 
meet with reviewing officials, the proposal should respond to the 
criteria set forth in the solicitation and other guidelines as clearly 
as possible.
    The proposal should address succinctly, but completely, the 
elements described below and must follow all format requirements. The 
proposal should include the following items:

[[Page 5699]]

TAB A--SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''

TAB B--Executive Summary

    In one double-space page, provide the following information about 
the project:
    1. Name of organization/participating institutions
    2. Beginning and ending dates of the program
    3. Proposed theme
    4. Nature of activity
    5. Funding level requested from the Bureau, total program cost, 
total cost sharing from the applicant and other sources
    6. Scope and goals: Include (a) the number and description of 
participants; (b) describe the wider audience benefiting from the 
program (overall impact); (c) geographic diversity of program, both in 
the U.S. and overseas; (d) fields covered; and (e) anticipated results 
(short and long term).

TAB C--Narrative and Calendar of Activities

    In 20 pages provide a detailed description of the project 
addressing the areas listed below.
    1. Vision (statement of need, objectives, goals, benefits)
    2. Participating Organizations
    3. Program Activities (orientation, intensive English, academic 
component, cultural program, participant monitoring)
    4. Program Evaluation
    5. Follow-on activities and visit to home work site(s) of selected 
participants
    6. Project Management
    7. Work Plan/Time Frame
    Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document 
for technical format and instructions.

TAB D--Budget Submission

    The cost to the Bureau for the Summer Institute for German Student 
Leaders in Education should not exceed $85,000. The budget should be 
developed for 10 participants.
    Please see Section IV.3e and the Guidelines for Assistance Award 
Proposals and Budget Guidelines in Proposal Submission Instructions 
(PSI) in regard to a Summary Budget and a detailed Line-Item Budget. 
Use notes where further explanation of line items is required to 
clarify how the figures were derived.

TAB E--Letters of Endorsement and Resum[eacute]s

    Resum[eacute]s of all program staff should be included in the 
submission. No resume should exceed two pages.

TAB F-SF-424B ``Assurances--Nonconstruction Programs''

    First time applicant organizations and organizations which have not 
received an assistance award (grant or cooperative agreement) from the 
Bureau during the past three (3) years, must submit as an attachment to 
this form the following: (a) One copy of their Charter or Articles of 
Incorporation; (b) a list of the current Board of Directors: and (c) 
current financial statements.
    Include other attachments, if applicable.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in 
this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: $85,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $85,000
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, May 19, 
2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: March 16, 2007.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit 
organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code 
section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this 
competition. However, the Bureau 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, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
that are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110 (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

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. ECA anticipates awarding one grant, in an 
amount up to $85,000 to support program and administrative costs 
required to implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations 
with less than four years'-experience in conducting international 
exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: Please read the complete announcement before sending 
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with 
applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

IV.1. Contact Information To Request an Application Package

    Please contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Senior Program Manager Ilo-Mai Harding at Room 246, U.S. Department of 
State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Tel: (202) 
453-8522; Fax: (202) 453-8520; or E-mail address: hardingim@state.gov 
to request a Solicitation Package. Please specify Ilo-Mai Harding and 
refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/EUR-06-05 located at 
the top of this announcement when making your request.
    Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained 
from www.grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f. for further information.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document that 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.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

    The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's 
website at https://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm, or from 
the

[[Page 5700]]

Grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov.
    Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The application should be sent per the instructions under 
IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and Methods of Submission'' 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 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, 
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
    ECA will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants 
in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at 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) 203-5029. 
FAX: (202) 453-8640.
    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 physical 
challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the 
advancement of this principle both in program administration and in 
program content. Please refer to the review criteria under the 
``Support for Diversity'' section for specific suggestions on 
incorporating diversity into your proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides 
that ``in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in 
countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the 
Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for 
participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of 
such countries.'' Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of 
the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in 
the selection process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these 
goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation. Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes 
to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the grantee 
will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key 
evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning 
as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the 
program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in 
which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan 
should include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as 
well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and

[[Page 5701]]

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 overall program management, 
staffing and coordination with ECA/A/E/EUR. ECA/A/E/EUR considers 
program management, staffing and coordination with the Department of 
State essential elements of your program. Please give sufficient 
attention to these elements in your proposal. Please refer to the 
Technical Eligibility Requirements in the Solicitation package for 
specific guidelines.
    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. Awards may not exceed $85,000. There must be a summary 
budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program 
budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification. 
Proposals should try to maximize cost sharing in all facets of the 
program and to stimulate U.S. private sector, including foundation and 
corporate, support. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for 
the entire program. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or 
increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of the program 
and availability of U.S. government funding.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    1. Instructional costs (for example: instructors' salaries, 
honoraria for outside speakers, educational course materials);
    2. Lodging, meals, and incidentals for participants;
    3. Expenses associated with cultural activities planned for the 
group of participants (for example: tickets, transportation);
    4. Administrative costs as necessary;
    5. U.S. ground transportation costs to U.S. appointments, meetings 
and to/from airports. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for 
complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3e.3. Divide the line-item budget into Program and 
Administration sections. The line-item budget should include and 
elaborate on the categories listed below.
    Program Costs: The applicant may choose to itemize academic program 
costs or set a fee per participant.
    The following may be included as itemized instruction costs:
    a. Honoraria and per diem for outside speakers, if any. List names 
and amounts.
    b. Film and video rentals, educational materials, curricular needs 
(i.e. texts, course packs for classes) as needed.
    If the applicant chooses to budget instruction costs as a fee per 
participant, please state what services are provided within that fee, 
and only actual costs incurred are chargeable to the award.
    Clearly indicate the unit cost for each item listed below:
    1. Lodging. Housing may be in graduate dormitories, faculty 
residence, or other, as appropriate. Single rooms preferred.
    2. Meals. Meals may be provided through cash subsistence payments 
to participants, cafeteria meal plans, or a combination of both. If 
using a meal plan exclusively, show clearly how the cost of meals will 
be covered if participants travel away from campus or campus cafeterias 
are closed.
    3. Incidentals allowance. Include an incidentals allowance of $10 
per person per day for full number of days of the Summer Institute at 
the host institution.
    4. Supplemental book allowance of $200 per person.
    5. Return shipping allowance $150 per person.
    6. Lodging, meals and incidentals allowances for participants who 
must arrive before the institute formally begins and/or depart after 
the institute formally ends, due to airline schedules in their home 
countries.

    Note: Per Diem rate for lodging and meals may not exceed 
published U.S. government allowance rates for the site of the 
institute. Applicants may use per diem rates that are lower than 
official government rates.

    Cultural activities and other program costs may include the 
following:
    1. Cultural activities: Entrance fees, overnight lodging, and meals 
not previously listed.
    2. Costs for cultural and educational tour: include participant 
lodging (double rooms are acceptable); meals for participants.
    3. Transportation: Ground transportation for group cultural and 
educational activities; ground transportation for airport arrivals and 
departures. Note: The German Fulbright Commission will provide round-
trip international air tickets (from the home country to the institute 
site and return to the home country) for participants. The cost of 
airline travel for participants should not be included in the budget.
    4. Per diem (or lodging and subsistence) and travel for grantee 
escort staff for overnight cultural activities in the institute's home 
region. Note: Per Diem rate for lodging and meals may not exceed 
published U.S. government allowance rates for the site of the 
institute. Applicants may use per diem rates that are lower than 
official government rates.
    5. Costs associated with post-institute implementation/evaluation 
site visit to Germany.
    Administration Costs should include the following:
    A. Staff requirements.
    B. Benefits.
    C. Other directly administrative expenses.
    D. Indirect expenses.
    Please review carefully the Guidelines for Assistance Award 
Proposals and Budget Guidelines in Proposal Submission Instructions 
(PSI) for descriptions and limitations for each type of administrative 
cost.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
    Application Deadline Date: March 17, 2006.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/E/EUR-06-05.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    (1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2) electronically through https://www.grants.gov.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above

[[Page 5702]]

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.
    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''.


    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and eight 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/EUR-06-05, Program Management, ECA/EX/
PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
IV.3f.2--Submitting Electronic Applications
    Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically 
through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation 
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the 
system. Please follow the instructions available in the ``Get Started'' 
portion of the site (https://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.) of the closing date to 
ensure that their entire applications have been uploaded to the 
grants.gov site. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of 
the application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the 
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible.
    Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon 
the successful submission of an application. ECA will not notify you 
upon receipt of electronic applications.
    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 
assistance awards 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 conceptualization and planning: Proposals 
should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission of mutual understanding as well as adherence to all 
guidelines, goals and objectives described in the RFGP. The proposal 
should demonstrate effective use of community and regional resources to 
enhance the cultural and educational experiences of the participants. A 
relevant work plan and detailed calendar should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity.
    2. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve a substantive 
academic program and effective cross-cultural communication with U.S. 
students. 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. The proposal should show evidence of strong on-site 
administrative capabilities with specific discussion of how logistical 
arrangements will be undertaken.
    3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Program administrators 
should strive for diversity among institute staff, university students, 
the host community who interact with participants, and the cultural 
component of the program.
    5. 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.
    6. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives are recommended.
    7. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
    8. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.

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

[[Page 5703]]

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.''
    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 websites for additional information: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants., 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 a 
final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the 
expiration of the award.
    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 workdays prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Ilo-Mai Harding, 
European and Eurasian Programs Branch, ECA/A/E/EUR, Room 246, ECA/A/E/
EUR-06-05, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, Tel: (202) 453-8522; Fax: (202) 453-8520; or E-
mail address: hardingim@state.gov. All correspondence with the Bureau 
concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/A/
E/EUR-06-05.
    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: January 26, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E6-1414 Filed 2-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P