Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Community College Summit Initiative Program, 36862-36867 [E6-10196]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36862-36867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10196]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5458]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Community College Summit Initiative Program

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: (ECA/A/S/U-06-10).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 1, 2006.
    Executive Summary: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
(ECA) announces an open competition for assistance awards to administer 
the Community College Summit Initiative Program, which will support 
international undergraduate students at accredited U.S. community 
colleges. The Bureau is launching this initiative to build on the 
achievements of the U.S. University Presidents Summit on International 
Education that was convened by the Secretary of State and the Secretary 
of Education in January 2006. The Program will provide quality 
educational programs, professional development, employment skills and a 
first-hand understanding of American society to underserved, non-elite 
international students, particularly women and students in their early/
mid-twenties from selected priority countries who already have work 
experience. Projected participating countries include Brazil, Egypt, 
Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Turkey. Community college 
consortia or associations of community colleges meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c) may submit proposals 
to cooperate with the Bureau in the administration and implementation 
of the 2006 Community College Summit Initiative Program. The total 
amount of funding available for all program and administrative costs 
will be $3 million. Applicants may apply to administer the entire 
program or a portion thereof, proportionate to the program being 
proposed. Please indicate the number of participants that can be 
accommodated at the funding level for which you are applying, based on 
detailed calculations of program and administrative costs. In order to 
maximize the number of international student participants under this 
program, it is the Bureau's expectation that significant institutional 
and private sector funding and cost sharing will be made available by 
cooperating institutions to help defray the cost of the scholarships.

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

[[Page 36863]]

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 Community College Summit Initiative Program will demonstrate 
abroad the U.S. commitment to education for all by providing access to 
educational opportunities for a broader sector of international 
students. The Bureau hopes to engage the community college sector in 
the United States to increase the number of international students 
enrolled at U.S. community colleges, and to reinforce community college 
efforts to build international ties. U.S. community colleges can make a 
unique contribution to international educational exchange by 
demonstrating the flexibility and relevance of American higher 
education and the manner in which community colleges provide quality 
technical and first-level professional education to vital sectors of 
society that are essential for nations to move forward economically and 
politically. They can also provide a model of lower-cost community-
based higher education that offers wide access to skills development to 
broad sectors of the population for existing jobs.
    International students selected for academic study at accredited 
U.S. community colleges under this new initiative will receive 
educational opportunities, professional development, and an exposure to 
American society which will enable them to return home with unique 
skills and experience with which to contribute to the growth and 
development of their countries' societies. Upon return, these students 
will be able to enter the skilled work force and fill important needs 
in their home countries.

Guidelines

    Applicant institutions are requested to submit a narrative 
outlining a comprehensive strategy for the administration and program 
implementation of the Community College Summit Initiative Program 
including the identification of accredited U.S. community colleges to 
host students in clusters based on one or more of the fields of study 
that are listed in the following section; the merit-based competitive 
selection of students based on the nomination of candidates by U.S. 
embassies and Fulbright commissions abroad for final approval by ECA; 
development and dissemination of pre-departure orientation materials; 
organization of post-arrival orientation programming; identification 
and placement of students, as needed, in pre-academic intensive English 
programs; placement of students for up to two years of U.S. study which 
may lead to an Associate Degree; enrichment programming; advising, 
monitoring and supporting participants; evaluation; and follow-up with 
program alumni. Applicants may apply for the entire program or to host 
one or more of the field-specific clusters.
    We anticipate that students from each of the following six 
countries will be part of the program: Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, 
Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey. The budget should provide funding 
for round-trip travel, pre-academic intensive English language 
training, tuition, books, and living costs as well as costs for program 
administration. Cost sharing is expected from cooperating institutions 
and the private sector.
    For each field of study, students should be clustered at one or 
more colleges with a strong program of instruction in the field. The 
colleges may offer certificate programs, one-year programs, or two-year 
Associate Degree programs. Those proposals that focus most resources on 
more costly two-year programs should demonstrate significant levels of 
cost-sharing. Students should be placed in one of the following fields:
     Business Management and Administration.
     Tourism and Hospitality Management.
     Health Professions including Nursing.
     Media.
     Information Technology.
     Security and Public Safety.
     Engineering Science.
    Pre-departure orientation materials and on-campus arrival 
orientation programs should be provided. Intensive English language 
training should be provided, preferably at the host institution, to 
those students who lack adequate English to function effectively in the 
U.S. classroom as evidenced by standardized test scores. Pre-arrival 
distance learning and in-country English training options may also be 
proposed. Host institutions should plan for practical training and 
service learning opportunities for participating students. Proposals 
should explain how students will be provided with enrichment 
activities, including creative ideas for exposing students to American 
institutions, society and culture. Proposals might include such 
activities as volunteer work and student presentations to college 
classes, local schools and the community, matching students with a 
local host family, and attendance at educational and cultural events 
with a U.S. focus. The proposal should demonstrate depth of experience 
in conducting international education programs.
    Programs and projects must conform with the Bureau requirements and 
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package, which includes the 
Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP), the Project Objectives, Goals and 
Implementation (POGI) and the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI).
    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 other 
materials;
    (6) Approval of candidate review committee members and 
participation in student selection panels;
    (7) Approval of host campuses;
    (8) Final selection of participating students;
    (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, Fulbright commissions 
and country desk officers at the State Department.
    Pending availability of funds, grants should begin on or around 
November 1, 2006 and will run through December 31, 2009. Grants will 
include both the administrative and program portions of the program 
such as: selection, placement, and monitoring of students possibly 
beginning intensive pre-academic English training in the Spring of 
2007; selection, placement and monitoring of all students (including 
intensive English students) starting academic programs in Fall 2007; 
the preparation of pre-departure orientation materials and the 
organization of on-campus orientation programs for students; oversight 
and monitoring of

[[Page 36864]]

Practical Training and Service Learning opportunities for students; 
evaluation of all aspects of the program; and the administration of a 
creative program of follow-up support and coordination with program 
alumni.

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, carried over to 2007 for obligation.
    Approximate Total Funding: $3,000,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One or more.
    Approximate Average Award: Up to $3,000,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: November 1, 2006, pending availability of 
funds.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 31, 2009.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to provide up to two additional grants to successful 
institutions for subsequent cohorts of students in addition to those 
covered by the initial award.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by 
consortia of accredited U.S. community colleges, or associations 
representing community colleges meeting the provisions described in 
Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3). Consortia must 
designate a lead institution to receive the grant award.
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
strongly encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost 
sharing and funding in support of its programs. Cost sharing at a 
significant level will be required for arrangements that include study 
leading to the two-year Associate Degree.
    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: Bureau grant guidelines 
require that organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau 
funding.

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/U, 
Room 349, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547; telephone 202-453-8862; fax 202-453-8890; e-mail 
johnsonML3@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/A/S/U-06-10) 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 Bureau Program Officer Michelle Johnson and refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/A/S/U-06-10) 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 original and eight copies 
of the application should be sent per the instructions under IV.3f. 
``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.

[[Page 36865]]

    The Grantee will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to 
participants in this program. If the grantee organization or consortia 
member applying for this award does not have authority to issue DS-2019 
forms, the organization should confer with the program officer 
designated in this RFGP.
    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 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 in your proposal your plans for: Overall program 
management, staffing, coordination with ECA and with community colleges 
enrolling clusters of students, intensive English language training and 
orientation, and practical learning and service opportunities for 
students. Please provide a staffing plan which outlines the 
responsibilities of each staff person and explains which staff members 
will be accountable for each program responsibility.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
complete program or a portion of the program. The total funding 
available for this program is $3,000,000 for both program and 
administrative costs. Applicants may apply to administer a total budget 
of less than $3,000,000, proportionate to the program being requested. 
Please indicate clearly the number of students to be funded and the 
budget total for both administrative and program costs. Applicant 
institutions must present 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.

[[Page 36866]]

    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program and additional budget 
guidance are outlined in detail in the POGI document.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: Friday, September 1, 2006.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/S/U-06-10.
    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 Reference Number in 
Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    IV.3f.1.--Submitting Printed Applications: Applications must be 
shipped no later than the above deadline. Delivery services used by 
applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping identification and 
tracking systems that may be accessed via the Internet and delivery 
people who are identifiable by commonly recognized uniforms and 
delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or before the above deadline 
but received at ECA more than seven days after the deadline will be 
ineligible for further consideration under this competition. Proposals 
shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for 
consideration under this competition. ECA will not notify you upon 
receipt of application. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure 
that each package is marked with a legible tracking number and to 
monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the Internet. Delivery of proposal 
packages may not be made via local courier service or in person for 
this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. 
Only proposals submitted as stated above will be considered.


    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure 
to include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it 
in an envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.


    The original and ten 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/U-06-10, 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 
Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for its(their) review.
    IV.3f.2.--Submitting Electronic Applications:
    Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically 
through Grants.gov (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.), Washington, DC time 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 sections 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. Program Management and Planning: Your proposal narrative should 
exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission as well as the objectives of the Community College 
Summit Initiative Program. Proposals should demonstrate an 
understanding of the participating world regions and of the needs of 
students from the region(s) as related to the program goals. A detailed 
agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity for students placed in field-
related clusters. The agenda and plan should adhere to the program 
overview and guidelines described above.
    2. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how institutions will meet the Community College Summit 
Initiative Program's objectives and plan and should address each 
program component.
    3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposals should strengthen long-term 
mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and 
individual linkages. The proposed strategy should maximize the 
Program's potential to maintain community college links with alumni 
abroad.
    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, academic programs, and follow-up 
activities). The applicant should clearly demonstrate how it will 
select, place, monitor and maintain contact with scholarship recipients 
representative of the diversity underserved, non-elite populations, 
especially women and older students with work experience from the six 
targeted countries. The U.S. study and enrichment programs should also 
incorporate and demonstrate the diversity of the American people, 
regions and cultures.
    5. Institutional Capacity and Ability: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program's goals. Proposals should describe the applicant's 
knowledge of, or prior experience with, students from the designated 
six countries, and the applicant's experience in training

[[Page 36867]]

students in the targeted subject fields. Proposals should demonstrate 
an institutional record of successful exchange programs involving the 
hosting of international students, including responsible fiscal 
management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past 
Bureau grants. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    6. 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. Activities should 
include tracking and maintaining updated lists of all alumni and 
facilitating follow-up activities with alumni, including electronic 
list serves.
    7. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan and 
methodology to evaluate the programs degree of success in meeting 
program objectives, 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. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is 
concluded, or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
    8. Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Sharing: The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be 
necessary and appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost sharing 
through institutional direct funding contributions and private sector 
support. Budget estimates should be as accurate as possible over the 
full period of the grant.

VI. Award Administration Information

    VI.1a. Award Notices: Final awards cannot be made until funds have 
been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal 
Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive an Assistance 
Award Document (AAD) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the 
original grant proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) 
shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient 
and the U.S. Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants 
Officer, and mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified 
in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this 
competition.
    VI.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#artic1eI.

    VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy 
original plus one copy of the following reports: Quarterly financial 
reports; annual program reports for the first and second year of the 
agreement; and 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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Michelle Johnson, 
Office of Global Educational Programs, ECA/A/S/U, Room 349, ECA/A/S/U-
06-10, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, telephone 202-453-8862, fax 202-453-8891, e-mail 
JohnsonML3@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/U-06-10.
    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: June 22, 2006.
Dina Habib Powell,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
 [FR Doc. E6-10196 Filed 6-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P