Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), 24895-24901 [E6-6357]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 81 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24895-24901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6357]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5396]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

    Request for Grant Proposals: U.S-French Teachers-in-Training 
Program
    Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/X-06-12.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000

    Application Deadline: May 31, 2006.
    Executive Summary: The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch in the 
Office of Global Educational Programs of the U.S. Department of State's 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/S/X) announces an 
open competition for the U.S.-French Teachers-in-Training Program. 
Accredited, U.S. post-secondary educational institutions meeting the 
provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 
501(c)(3) may submit proposals to administer a three-month teacher 
exchange program for U.S. and French pre-service teachers. Post-
secondary educational institutions may apply independently or in a 
consortium with other post-secondary institutions. The program will 
provide approximately 30-35 French pre-service teachers, who are 
expected to serve socio-economically disadvantaged students in France, 
with a three-to-four week orientation to American history, culture and 
society, provided through professional

[[Page 24896]]

development seminars in an academic setting, and a two-month practical 
component, provided through practice teaching experience under the 
guidance of experienced mentor teachers at a U.S. school. Interested 
institutions should document strong contacts with local school 
districts in the United States in order to provide the practical 
student-teaching component for French pre-service teachers and a 
demonstrated ability to conduct a substantive seminar in an academic 
setting. The program will also provide a reciprocal program for U.S. 
pre-service teachers. In cooperation with the French Ministry of 
Education, with support from the Franco-American Commission for 
Educational Exchange (Fulbright Commission), the cooperating 
institution will recruit and select 30-35 U.S. pre-service or in-
service teachers, and provide a pre-departure orientation and short-
term French language training. The French partners will arrange an in-
country orientation and a three-month student teaching internship for 
U.S. teachers. The total grant award for all program and administrative 
expenses will be approximately $350,000.

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

Overview
    I.2a. Program Goals:
    1. Contribute to mutual understanding between France, a key U.S. 
partner and ally, and the United States.
    2. Provide French teachers in training, especially those who plan 
to teach in diverse schools, a better understanding of U.S. society, 
history, and culture.
    3. Provide opportunities for students in French schools to learn 
first hand about U.S. society, history and culture from young American 
future teachers.
    4. Expose U.S. student teachers to greater understanding of another 
culture and society.
    5. Provide opportunities for schools in France and in the United 
States to develop long-lasting ties and to share educational best 
practices, including strategies for teaching in multi-cultural 
classrooms.
    In the long-term, this program is expected to assist French and 
American educators as they prepare students to live in an increasingly 
interdependent world.
    I.2b. French participants: French participants will be in their 
final year of post-baccalaureate training at one of six schools of 
education (Instituts Universitaires de Formation de Maitres): 
Orl[eacute]ans-Tours, Champagne-Ardenne, Paris, Midi-
Pyr[eacute]n[eacute]es, Versailles, and Alsace. They will be in their 
first year of practice teaching and will be expected to pass their 
final practical examination in France in early June 2007. It is 
anticipated that all participants, early in their careers, will teach 
in schools that serve economically disadvantaged and/or diverse socio-
economic sectors. The French Ministry of Education and the U.S. Embassy 
in France, with support from the Fulbright Commission, will recruit and 
select these students.
    I.2c. U.S. participants: U.S. participants will be education 
students at the undergraduate or graduate level who are ready to begin 
student teaching. The cooperating institution will recruit and select 
U.S. participants in coordination with the Fulbright Teacher Exchange 
Branch, the U.S. Embassy in France and the French Ministry of 
Education. The French partners will organize an orientation in France 
with input from the cooperating institution and will place participants 
in teaching internships in French schools. Participants will teach in 
or conduct outreach activities in a variety of schools, including those 
in ``priority education areas,'' which are defined in terms of socio-
economic backgrounds. Most U.S. participants will student teach in 
schools where U.S. history, geography and related subjects are taught 
and where English is used in the classroom. While fluency in French is 
not required, those teachers with some facility in the French language 
will be given preference. U.S. participants must reflect the diversity 
of American society (including, but not limited to geographic, gender, 
racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity).
    I.2d. Guidelines:
    The cooperating institution should conduct a short planning visit 
to France to consult with representatives from the U.S. Embassy, the 
French Ministry of Education, the Fulbright Commission, and local 
educators. Based on assessments made during this planning visit, the 
cooperating institution will develop a detailed schedule and curriculum 
for the U.S.-based program and will discuss with French partners the 
development of the program for U.S. participants. The cooperating 
institution, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, should 
develop a process to assist French participants in receiving official 
recognition for their exchange, as well as a process for American 
participants to receive academic credit through the U.S. host 
institution.
    I.2e. Program components for French participants:
     Pre-departure orientation (2-4 days): The U.S. Embassy in 
France, in collaboration with the Fulbright Commission, will organize 
an orientation with substantial input and participation from the 
cooperating institution. The orientation will provide information about 
the program, the program's goals, and expectations of participants. At 
the orientation, organizers will seek input from the participants about 
the needs of local teachers, review comparative teaching practices, and 
address issues about participants' stay in the U.S.
     U.S.-based seminar (3-4 weeks or the equivalent): The 
cooperating institution should design and conduct an academically sound 
seminar on U.S. history, culture and society to complement the school-
based training. The seminar should have a strong contemporary focus and 
provide an introduction to the U.S. education system, American culture, 
including a cross-cultural adjustment seminar, and the U.S. government 
as it relates to education. It should include a basic introduction to 
American life and customs, particularly common practices in U.S. 
schools and efforts to eliminate educational inequity. While U.S. 
teaching methodology should not be the primary focus of this component, 
participants should be exposed to current issues in the U.S. including: 
federalism, diversity, the role of religion, politics, U.S. history, 
mass media, economics, literature, and fine arts.
     Site visits to schools (2-3 days or the equivalent): 
School visits should expose participants to different levels and types 
of schools (public, private,

[[Page 24897]]

charter, rural, inner city, ethnically and socio-economically diverse).
     Internships in high schools (maximum 8 weeks): French 
teachers should be placed in small groups (5-10 people) at local 
schools, paired with experienced U.S. teachers whose academic 
specialization matches their own. Internship activities should immerse 
student teachers actively in the American classroom environment and may 
include: observing a variety of classroom activities (active classroom, 
group projects, etc.); working individually with a mentor teacher on 
curriculum development; and team teaching. French teachers must spend 
at least six hours per week conducting classes independently.
     Exposure to local school governance: Teachers should 
attend faculty, board of education, and PTA meetings.
     Final debriefing (1-2 days): Student teachers will share 
what they have observed and learned, perhaps through presentations they 
make to each other within the group. The debriefing will also offer a 
framework for integrating the training and its objectives into 
participants' previous background, and promote strategies for them to 
share their knowledge with professional counterparts and their own 
students on their return.
     Curriculum development project: By the end of the program, 
the student teachers should complete a project incorporating an idea or 
concept that they will put into practice when they begin teaching.
     Cultural experiences: The project should provide 
opportunities for participants to interact with the local community and 
non-school-based groups, including home stays, to experience activities 
reflecting the diversity of American society, and to make presentations 
to local schools or community groups about French society and culture.
     Washington program (2-3 days): The participants should 
travel to Washington for a professional and cultural program to include 
meetings with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the 
French Embassy, and Department of Education representatives.
    I.2.f. Cooperating institution's responsibilities for French 
student teachers:
     Plan and implement the exchange program, including both 
the academic and practical components.
     Identify school districts to host groups for internships 
(schools should submit a brief proposal outlining their interest, 
understanding of goals, examples of best practices, and commitment to 
mentoring). School districts should be within driving distance of the 
host university (and/or its partner universities). Schools should 
designate an experienced mentor teacher to oversee the day-to-day 
activities of the participants.
     Assist with pre-departure orientation in France, conduct 
debriefing.
     Prepare DS-2019 forms.
     Administer logistics for French participants: 
transportation to local schools and training sites, enrollment in 
Bureau health insurance program, U.S. government forms--DS-2019, tax, 
social security, etc.
     Arrange for housing, which should include a home stay for 
at least some portion of the exchange visit;
    I.2g. Cooperating institution's responsibilities for U.S. student 
teachers:
     Selection: Design application forms and publicity 
materials, recruit, and select U.S. participants in coordination with 
the Office of Global Educational Programs.
     Pre-departure orientation (two to three days): Provide 
introduction to French society and culture, including diversity issues, 
government and education system and a cross-cultural adjustment 
seminar. Establish guidelines and expectations for U.S. participants.
     Short-term language training in the U.S. (three to four 
weeks or equivalent): Depending on the language level of U.S. 
participants, provide an introduction to French vocabulary related to 
schools and education. Training may be conducted using distance 
education technology.
     Travel of U.S. participants: Purchase airline tickets and 
enrollment in Bureau health insurance for U.S. grantees.
    I.2.h. General Responsibilities:
     Coordinate with various partners, including the U.S. 
Embassy in France, the French Ministry of Education, the Fulbright 
Commission, and the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch in the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs regarding all activities, reporting 
and evaluation. The proposal should address mechanisms for 
communication and coordination;
     Monitor and evaluate the program;
     Administer all financial aspects of the program and comply 
with reporting requirements;
     Plan follow-on activities with host schools and 
participants.
    Please note that international tickets for French participants will 
be arranged and funded by the French Ministry of Education. French 
participants will receive a stipend from the French Ministry of 
Education and will be responsible for their own meals and incidental 
expenses.
    A strong proposal will address follow-on activities in conjunction 
with the Fulbright Commission and host schools in the United States and 
France to increase future impact and participant support.
    The agreement will begin on, or about, September 1, 2006 and the 
cooperating institution should complete all exchange activities by June 
30, 2008. The program for French teachers should be from January to 
March 2007. The U.S. group may be planned for spring or fall 2007. 
Please refer to additional program specific guidelines in the Project 
Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document. Programs must 
comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to the Solicitation 
Package for further information.
    In a cooperative agreement, ECA/A/S/X will be substantially 
involved in the program activities mentioned above and beyond routine 
grant monitoring. ECA/A/S/X activities and responsibilities for this 
program are as follows:
     Formulation of program policy;
     Clearing texts and program guidelines for publication;
     In cooperation with U.S. Embassy and Fulbright Commission, 
oversee selection of U.S. participants;
     Oversight of the content for all orientations as well as 
review and approval of program schedules;

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: New Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of 
involvement in this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 06.
    Approximate Total Funding: $350,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: Pending availability of funds, $350,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: June 30, 2008.
    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 agreement for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by accredited, post-secondary 
educational

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institutions 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 
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.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    (a) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding one 
grant, in an amount up to $350,000 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. 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 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 Office of Global Educational Programs, ECA/A/S/
X, Room 349, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, tel. (202) 453-8897, fax (202) 453-8890, or e-
mail Mosleypj@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer 
to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/X 06-12 located at the top of 
this announcement when making your request. Alternatively, an 
electronic application package may be obtained from grants.gov. Please 
see section IV.3f for further information.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    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 ECA/A/S/X Program Officer Catharine Cashner and 
refer to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/A/S/X 06-12) 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, or 
from the 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 submitted per the instructions under 
IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and Methods of Submission'' section 
below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access 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 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. 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) 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,

[[Page 24899]]

religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content.
    Please refer to the review criteria under the ``Support for 
Diversity'' section for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity 
into your proposal. Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out 
programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people 
do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such 
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' 
Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation
    Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's 
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. 
The Bureau recommends that your proposal include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects 
that the grantee will track participants or partners and be able to 
respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the 
program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a 
result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions 
(institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The 
evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual 
understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
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/S/X. ECA/A/S/X considers program 
management, staffing and coordination with the Department of State 
essential elements of your program. Please be sure to give sufficient 
attention to these elements in your proposal. Please refer to the 
Technical Eligibility Requirements and the POGI in the Solicitation 
package for specific guidelines. 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. The budget should not exceed $350,000 for program and 
administrative costs. There must be a summary budget as well as 
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. 
Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, 
phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) International Travel.
    (2) Costs for U.S. Competition.
    (3) U.S. Ground Transportation.
    (4) Orientation and Professional Development Seminar (instruction, 
materials, logistics).
    (5) Host schools (administrative costs).
    (6) Participant lodging and per diem.
    (7) Cultural Activities.
    (8) Book Allowance/Shipping.
    (9) Grantee Administrative Costs.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
    Application Deadline Date: May 31, 2006.
    Reference No: ECA/A/S/X-06-12.
    Explanation of Deadlines:
IV.3f.1. 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.

[[Page 24900]]

    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.2. 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 copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/S/X-06-04, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the 
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 
proposal in text (.txt) format on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will 
provide these files electronically to the appropriate Public Affairs 
Sections at the U.S. embassies for their review.
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 application has 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 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 resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive expertise in professional development for 
student teachers and logistical capacity. The agenda and plan should 
illustrate effective use of community and regional resources to enhance 
participants' educational and cultural experiences.
    2. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    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 between U.S. and French schools.
    4. 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) both in the United States and in France.
    5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    6. 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 Grants 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    7. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity ensuring that Bureau supported programs 
are not isolated events.
    8. 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 is recommended.
    9. Cost-effectiveness/cost sharing: The overhead and administrative 
components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be 
kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and 
appropriate.
    Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector 
support, as well as institutional direct funding contributions.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1.a. 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

[[Page 24901]]

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.''
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. https://
exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the 
following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) Annual program report for the first year of the agreement.
    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. Optional 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: Catharine Cashner, 
ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, ECA/A/S/X 06-12, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel. (202) 453-8880, fax 
(202)453-8890.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/X 06-12.
    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: April 21, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E6-6357 Filed 4-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P