Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Gilman International Scholarship Program, 67192-67197 [E6-19595]

Download as PDF sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 67192 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices (1) Victor Moscoso, July 26, 2002, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami), Case #: 01–966–CR– SEITZ/001. (2) Romolo Martinez, February 5, 2004, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami), Case #: 1:02– 20923–001–CR–MOORE. (3) Stephen Jorgensen, January 15, 2001, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami), Case #: 1:00CR00998–001. (4) Gerald Morey, August 11, 2003, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami), Case #: 1:02–20923– 001–CR–MOORE. (5) Ziad Jamil Gammoh (a.k.a. Al Gammoh; a.k.a. Jamil Gammoh; a.k.a. Ziad Al Gammoh; a.k.a. Ziad Al J Gammoh; a.k.a. Ziad Jamil Salem, Gammoh; a.k.a. Ziad Al J Gammon; a.k.a. Ziad Al Jamil; a.k.a, Al Jamil Ziad), November 7, 2005, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Case #: SA CR04–97 DOC. (6) Naji Antoine Abi Khalil, February 2, 2006, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, Case # 4:05CR00200–01, (7) Martin Armando Arredondo-Meza, January 25, 2006, U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, Case #: 7:05CR00754–001. (8) Tomer Grinberg, April 24, 2006, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Foley Square), Case # 04cr573–02, (9) Kwan Chun Chan (a.k.a. Jenny Chan), May 4, 2006, U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, Case # 05–660– 01. (10) Xiu Ling Chen (a.k.a. Linda Chen), May 4, 2006, U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, Case # 05–659– 01. (11) Hao Li Chen (a.k.a. Ali Chan), May 4, 2006, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, Case # 05–658–01. (12) Xu Weibo (a.k.a. Kevin Xu), May 4, 2006, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, Case # 05–657–01. (13) George Charles Budenz, II, July 17, 2006, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, Case # 05CR01863–LAB. (14) Richard Tobey, June 26, 2006, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, Case # 05CR1462–LAB. (15) Kellen Lamon Johnson, June 1, 2006, U.S. District Court, District of Montana, Case # CR 05–170–GF–SHE– 03. (16) Dwain Rouse, June 12, 2006, U.S. District Court, District of Montana, Case # CR 05–170–GF–SHE–01. (17) Erika Jardine (a.k.a. Eriklynn Pattie Jardine; a.k.a. Erika Pattie Jardine), February 22, 2006, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Case # CR–2005–446. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 (18) Kal Nelson Aviation, Inc., August 9, 2006, U.S. District Court, Central, District of California, Case # CR05–1158. (19) Ko-Suen Moo, July 24, 2006, U.S. District Court, Southern District of, Florida, Case # 06–200006–CR– GRAHAM. (20) Michael P. Murphy Surplus Materials Inc., May 16, 2006, U.S. District, Court, Southern District of California, Case # 06CR0209–BTM. As noted above, at the end of the three-year period following the date of conviction, the above named persons/ entities remain debarred unless export privileges are reinstated. Debarred persons are generally ineligible to participate in activity regulated under the ITAR (see e.g., sections 120.1(c) and (d), 127.1(c) and 127.11(a)). Also, under Section 127.1(c) of the ITAR, any person who has knowledge that an other persons is subject to debarment or is otherwise ineligible may not, without disclosure to and written approve from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, participate, directly or indirectly, in any export in which such ineligible person may benefit therefrom or in which he has a direct or indirect interest. This notice is provided for purposes of making the public aware that the persons listed above are prohibited from participating directly or indirectly in activities regulated by the ITAR, including any brokering activities and in any export from or temporary import into the United States of defense articles, related technical data, or defense services in all situations covered by the ITAR. Specific case information may be obtained from the Office of the Clerk for the U.S. District Courts mentioned above and by citing the court case number where provided. Dated: November 2, 2006. Stephen D. Mull, Acting Assistant Secretary for PoliticalMilitary Affairs, Department of State. [FR Doc. E6–19609 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–25–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 5616] Key Dates Application Deadline: February 2, 2007. Executive Summary: The Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition to administer the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals for the purpose of administering a scholarship program for academic study by Americans outside the United States. Funding Opportunity Description Authority Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Public Law 87– 256, 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 This program provides grants to enable U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such foreign study is intended to expand understanding of other countries and cultures among U.S. students, expose citizens of other countries to Americans from diverse backgrounds, and better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Gilman International Scholarship Program Announcement Type: New Grant. Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/ A/S/A–07–10. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.425. History Since the program’s inception in 2001, nearly 2,000 Gilman scholars from more than 500 U.S. colleges and universities have studied in 94 countries around the world. Overview It is anticipated that, pending appropriation of funds, this grant will provide an assistance award of PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices approximately $3,918,000 for the purpose of recruiting, selecting, and issuing grants of up to $5,000 to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements listed below toward the cost of up to one academic year of undergraduate study abroad. Supplements for study of critical need languages will also be provided. The intent of the authorizing legislation for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is to broaden the U.S. student population that participates in study abroad by focusing on those students who might not otherwise study outside the U.S. due to financial constraints. The Bureau also seeks to encourage participating students and their institutions to choose non-traditional study-abroad locations, to study languages, and to help underrepresented U.S. institutions offer and promote study-abroad opportunities for their students. These objectives should be addressed in grant proposals. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Guidelines Upon receipt of grant notification, the administering organization should be prepared to announce the program, solicit applications, and award scholarships to U.S. students to begin overseas study as soon as possible. Student Eligibility To apply for a scholarship, an applicant must: • Be a citizen of the United States. Permanent residents of the United States are not eligible. • Be an undergraduate student in good standing at an institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions). • Be a recipient of Federal Pell Grant funding during the academic term of his/her application. • Be applying to, or accepted for, a study abroad program eligible for credit from the student’s home institution. Proof of program acceptance is required for final award disbursement. • Not be proposing to study in a country currently under a Travel Warning issued by the United States Department of State or in Cuba. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. To find a list of these countries, please see https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/ tw/tw_1764.html. Recruitment, Application, and Selection 1. The grantee organization shall publicize the scholarship competition to accredited institutions of higher VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 education in the United States. This can be achieved through direct contacts with institutions and through participation in major education conferences and events. Emphasis shall be on reaching out to a diverse range of institutions and programs within those institutions. 2. The selection process shall be carried out through a committee that includes representatives of a diverse mix of accredited institutions of higher education in the United States. 3. In ranking eligible applicants for scholarships, consideration should be given to academic excellence, financial need, diversity of the applicant pool, fields of study, proposed destination, plans for language study, and type and location of home institution. Preference should be given to applicants with no previous study abroad experience. Reporting After fall and spring selection panels, the grantee organization will submit reports on the number of applicants, the number of participants selected, the names of the institutions of higher education in the United States that applicants and awardees were attending at the time of application, the names of institutions sponsoring the study programs abroad, the names and locations of the institutions of higher education outside the United States that participants attend during their study program abroad, and the fields of study of the participants. Because diversity is an important program goal, the grantee should attempt to collect age, ethnic, gender, and disability data from scholarship applicants and recipients, while respecting Federal guidelines on the solicitation of such information. The grantee shall also provide program information and data to be included in the program’s annual end-of-year report to Congress. Additionally, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may request other periodic and ad hoc reports. This may include separate breakdowns for students studying in regions or countries of strategic interest and students studying critical need languages. II. Award Information Type of Award: Grant. Fiscal Year Funds: 2007. Approximate Total Funding: $3,918,000. Approximate Number of Awards: 1. Approximate Average Award: $3,918,000. Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, April 1, 2007. Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2008. PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67193 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, the grantee must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as a 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 the grantee does 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 of approximately $3,918,000, 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 Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff may E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 67194 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices 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 Coleen Gatehouse, Office of Global Educational Programs, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, U.S. Department of State, SA–44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel 202–453–8887, fax 202–453–8890, to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/A–07–10 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 Coleen Gatehouse and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/A–07–10 located at the top of this announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 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 7 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 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 Please note: The following is being communicated for informational purposes only and does not directly apply to this solicitation or program. 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. 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. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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, socioeconomic 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 E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices 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. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 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 shortterm 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 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.3e. Please take the following information into consideration when preparing your budget: IV.3e.1. Budget Guidelines Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification. Applicants should budget the maximum possible amount for scholarships and keep administrative and overhead costs to a minimum. IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following: 1. Administrative: Salaries and benefits and other direct administrative expenses such as postage, phone, printing and office supplies. 2. Program: Participant expenses, which may include institutional fees, travel expenses, tuition; expenses related to review panels, including travel and per-diem. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions. IV.3.f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission: Application Deadline Date: February 2, 2007. Reference Number: ECA/A/S/A–07– 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 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67195 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 7 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/A–07–10, 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). Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov. Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the submission process through Grants.gov. E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 67196 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support, Contact Center Phone: 800–518–4726, Business Hours: Monday—Friday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern Time, E-mail: support@grants.gov. Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible. 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. It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via the Grants.gov Web portal to ensure that proposals have been received by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program. V. Application Review Information sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES V.1. Review Process The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State’s Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau’s Grants Officer. Review Criteria Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation: 1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau’s mission. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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 wrapup sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up activities). 6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program’s goals. 7. Institution’s Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. 8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau supported programs are not isolated events. 9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the 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 for linking outcomes to original project objectives is recommended. 10. 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. 11. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 institutional direct funding contributions. 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 Nonprofit 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 two copies of the following reports: 1. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award; 2. Quarterly program and financial reports which describe activities E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 223 / Monday, November 20, 2006 / Notices undertaken during the reporting period and explain costs incurred under each item presented in the Grant 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. VII. Agency Contacts For questions about this announcement, contact: Coleen Gatehouse, Educational Information and Resources Branch, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, ECA/A/S/A–07–10, U.S. Department of State, SA–44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel: 202–453–8887, fax: 202–453–8890, gatehousecn@state.gov. All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/A– 07–10. 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 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 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: November 13, 2006. C. Miller Crouch, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State. [FR Doc. E6–19595 Filed 11–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–05–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:10 Nov 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 5615] No FEAR Act Notice SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of 5 CFR 724.202, (‘‘Notice obligations’’), the U.S. Department of State hereby publishes this No FEAR Act Notice. The purpose of the Notice is to inform Department employees, former employees, and applicants for employment of the rights and protections available under Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws. This Notice follows the model language provided by the Office of Personnel Management in the Final Rule, Implementation of Title II of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002—Notification & Training (71 FR 41095). Any questions regarding this notice should be directed to Janice F. Caramanica, Senior Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Department of State, Office of Civil Rights (S/OCR), 2201 C Street, NW., Room 7428, Washington, DC 20520– 7428, phone (202) 647–9295, fax (202) 647–4969, e-mail caramanicajf@state.gov. On May 15, 2002, Congress enacted the ‘‘Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002,’’ which is now known as the No FEAR Act. One purpose of the Act is to ‘‘require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.’’ Public Law 107–174, Summary. In support of this purpose, Congress found that ‘‘agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.’’ Public Law 107–174, Title I, General Provisions, section 101(1). The Act also requires this agency to provide this notice to Federal employees, former Federal employees and applicants for Federal employment to inform you of the rights and protections available to you under Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws. Antidiscrimination Laws A Federal agency cannot discriminate against an employee or applicant with respect to the terms, conditions or privileges of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or political affiliation. Discrimination on these bases is prohibited by one or more of the following statutes: 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1), 29 U.S.C. 206(d), 29 U.S.C. 631, 29 U.S.C. 633a, 29 U.S.C. 791 and 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16. PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67197 If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, you must contact an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action, or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 calendar days of the effective date of the action, before you can file a formal complaint of discrimination with your agency. See, e.g., 29 CFR part 1614 and the Office of Civil Rights Web site at https:// www.state.gov/s/ocr. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, you must either contact an EEO counselor as noted above or give notice of intent to sue to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action. If you are alleging discrimination based on marital status or political affiliation, you may file a written complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) (see contact information below). In the alternative (or in some cases, in addition), you may pursue a discrimination complaint by filing a grievance through your agency’s administrative or negotiated grievance procedures, if such procedures apply and are available. Whistleblower Protection Laws A Federal employee with authority to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve any personnel action must not use that authority to take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action against an employee or applicant because of disclosure of information by that individual that is reasonably believed to evidence violations of law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, unless disclosure of such information is specifically required by Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. Retaliation against an employee or applicant for making a protected disclosure is prohibited by 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(8). If you believe that you have been the victim of whistleblower retaliation, you may file a written complaint (Form OSC–11) with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel at 1730 M Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036–4505 or online through the OSC Web site—https://www.osc.gov. E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67192-67197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19595]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5616]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Gilman International Scholarship Program

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/A-07-10.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.425.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline: February 2, 2007.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Global Educational Programs of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open 
competition to administer the Benjamin A. Gilman International 
Scholarship Program. Public and private non-profit organizations 
meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals for the purpose of administering 
a scholarship program for academic study by Americans outside the 
United States.

Funding Opportunity Description

Authority

    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, 
Public Law 87-256, 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

    This program provides grants to enable U.S. citizen undergraduate 
students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. 
Such foreign study is intended to expand understanding of other 
countries and cultures among U.S. students, expose citizens of other 
countries to Americans from diverse backgrounds, and better prepare 
U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global 
economy.

History

    Since the program's inception in 2001, nearly 2,000 Gilman scholars 
from more than 500 U.S. colleges and universities have studied in 94 
countries around the world.

Overview

    It is anticipated that, pending appropriation of funds, this grant 
will provide an assistance award of

[[Page 67193]]

approximately $3,918,000 for the purpose of recruiting, selecting, and 
issuing grants of up to $5,000 to individuals who meet the eligibility 
requirements listed below toward the cost of up to one academic year of 
undergraduate study abroad. Supplements for study of critical need 
languages will also be provided.
    The intent of the authorizing legislation for the Benjamin A. 
Gilman International Scholarship Program is to broaden the U.S. student 
population that participates in study abroad by focusing on those 
students who might not otherwise study outside the U.S. due to 
financial constraints.
    The Bureau also seeks to encourage participating students and their 
institutions to choose non-traditional study-abroad locations, to study 
languages, and to help under-represented U.S. institutions offer and 
promote study-abroad opportunities for their students. These objectives 
should be addressed in grant proposals.

Guidelines

    Upon receipt of grant notification, the administering organization 
should be prepared to announce the program, solicit applications, and 
award scholarships to U.S. students to begin overseas study as soon as 
possible.

Student Eligibility

    To apply for a scholarship, an applicant must:
     Be a citizen of the United States. Permanent residents of 
the United States are not eligible.
     Be an undergraduate student in good standing at an 
institution of higher education in the United States (including both 
two-year and four-year institutions).
     Be a recipient of Federal Pell Grant funding during the 
academic term of his/her application.
     Be applying to, or accepted for, a study abroad program 
eligible for credit from the student's home institution. Proof of 
program acceptance is required for final award disbursement.
     Not be proposing to study in a country currently under a 
Travel Warning issued by the United States Department of State or in 
Cuba. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends 
that Americans avoid a certain country. To find a list of these 
countries, please see https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/
tw_1764.html.

Recruitment, Application, and Selection

    1. The grantee organization shall publicize the scholarship 
competition to accredited institutions of higher education in the 
United States. This can be achieved through direct contacts with 
institutions and through participation in major education conferences 
and events. Emphasis shall be on reaching out to a diverse range of 
institutions and programs within those institutions.
    2. The selection process shall be carried out through a committee 
that includes representatives of a diverse mix of accredited 
institutions of higher education in the United States.
    3. In ranking eligible applicants for scholarships, consideration 
should be given to academic excellence, financial need, diversity of 
the applicant pool, fields of study, proposed destination, plans for 
language study, and type and location of home institution. Preference 
should be given to applicants with no previous study abroad experience.

Reporting

    After fall and spring selection panels, the grantee organization 
will submit reports on the number of applicants, the number of 
participants selected, the names of the institutions of higher 
education in the United States that applicants and awardees were 
attending at the time of application, the names of institutions 
sponsoring the study programs abroad, the names and locations of the 
institutions of higher education outside the United States that 
participants attend during their study program abroad, and the fields 
of study of the participants. Because diversity is an important program 
goal, the grantee should attempt to collect age, ethnic, gender, and 
disability data from scholarship applicants and recipients, while 
respecting Federal guidelines on the solicitation of such information. 
The grantee shall also provide program information and data to be 
included in the program's annual end-of-year report to Congress. 
Additionally, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may 
request other periodic and ad hoc reports. This may include separate 
breakdowns for students studying in regions or countries of strategic 
interest and students studying critical need languages.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2007.
    Approximate Total Funding: $3,918,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $3,918,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, April 1, 
2007.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 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 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, the grantee must maintain written records to support 
all costs which are claimed as a 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 the grantee does 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 of approximately $3,918,000, 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 Federal Register announcement 
before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP 
deadline has passed, Bureau staff may

[[Page 67194]]

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 Coleen Gatehouse, Office of Global Educational 
Programs, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel 202-453-8887, fax 202-453-8890, 
to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/A-07-10 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 Coleen Gatehouse and refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/A-07-10 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 7 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

    Please note: The following is being communicated for 
informational purposes only and does not directly apply to this 
solicitation or program. 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.


    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.
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

[[Page 67195]]

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.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
IV.3e.1. Budget Guidelines
    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification. Applicants should 
budget the maximum possible amount for scholarships and keep 
administrative and overhead costs to a minimum.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    1. Administrative: Salaries and benefits and other direct 
administrative expenses such as postage, phone, printing and office 
supplies.
    2. Program: Participant expenses, which may include institutional 
fees, travel expenses, tuition; expenses related to review panels, 
including travel and per-diem.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3.f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: February 2, 2007.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/S/A-07-10.
    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 7 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/A-07-10, 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).
    Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could 
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate 
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP 
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov. Once 
registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the 
application and the speed of your internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to 
begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

[[Page 67196]]

    Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and 
submission to: Grants.gov Customer Support, Contact Center Phone: 800-
518-4726, Business Hours: Monday--Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time, 
E-mail: support@grants.gov.
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC time of 
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been 
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above 
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the 
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the 
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible. 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.
    It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via 
the Grants.gov Web portal to ensure that proposals have been received 
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for 
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public 
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will 
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by 
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for 
cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission.
    2. Program planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program's 
goals.
    7. Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grants 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the 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 for linking outcomes to original project 
objectives is recommended.
    10. 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.
    11. Cost-sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.

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#articleI.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus two copies of 
the following reports:
    1. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    2. Quarterly program and financial reports which describe 
activities

[[Page 67197]]

undertaken during the reporting period and explain costs incurred under 
each item presented in the Grant 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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Coleen Gatehouse, 
Educational Information and Resources Branch, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, ECA/
A/S/A-07-10, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, tel: 202-453-8887, fax: 202-453-8890, 
gatehousecn@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/A-07-10.
    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: November 13, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E6-19595 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P
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