Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: 2007 Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South Africa, 67696-67702 [E6-19810]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67696-67702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19810]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5619]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: 2007 Summer Institute for English Language Educators 
from South Africa

Announcement Type: New Grant.

[[Page 67697]]

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/AF-07-01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000

    DATES:
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2007.
    Executive Summary: The African Programs Branch, Office of Academic 
Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces an open competition for the 2007 Summer Institute for English 
Language Educators from South Africa. Accredited, post-secondary 
educational institutions meeting the provisions described in Internal 
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to 
provide a six-week training program for approximately 28 English 
language educators from South Africa. Subject to availability of funds, 
one grant will be awarded to conduct the 2007 Institute.

I. 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: American institutions of higher education having an 
acknowledged reputation in the field of English as a Second Language 
(ESL) and in curriculum design may apply to develop and deliver a six-
week summer program for approximately twenty-eight English language 
educators from South Africa. The Summer Institute should be programmed 
to encompass about 45 days and should begin on or about June 11, 2007. 
A variation in start date, up to one week beyond June 11, 2007, will be 
considered if it is necessitated by the host institution's academic 
calendar. The first five weeks of the program will consist of academic 
coursework specializing in project-based ESL materials development and 
teaching methodology focusing on three theme-based areas: HIV-AIDS, 
Civic Education and Civil Society, and Economics/Entrepreneurship. The 
Institute will include instruction in classroom management and 
curriculum design to support these ESL theme-based projects at the 
secondary and tertiary levels. The host institution, with the help of 
participants, will develop a website featuring program information and 
resource materials. The sixth week will consist of an escorted cultural 
and educational visit to Washington DC.
    From primary grade four, English is the medium of instruction and 
assessment in all subjects for most South African students. For the 
majority of students and teachers, however, English is a second or 
third language. Academic literacy in English is a major obstacle to 
quality education in South Africa. Given the need to teach theme-based 
English across the South African curriculum, English language educators 
are key personnel for quality learning.
    Presently, there exists a severe shortage of skilled classroom 
educators. South African teachers need to produce and deliver 
culturally appropriate and pedagogically sound content-based materials 
in a multi-cultural setting.
    The 2007 Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South 
Africa will provide participants with intensive training in the 
fundamentals of theme-based ESL materials development and classroom 
methodology, continuous assessment, multicultural, multilingual 
classroom management, and lesson and course design. These four areas 
are critical in South Africa where teachers are attempting to implement 
a new curriculum in a context of educational transformation and 
Outcomes Based Education (OBE). The Summer Institute will also provide 
structured exposure to the culture and diversity of the U.S.
    The program should maintain a relative balance among discussion 
sessions, lectures and collaborative workshops. Lengthy lectures should 
be kept to a minimum. Participants should be given ample opportunity to 
work together and learn from each other as well as from their American 
instructors. Given the project-based orientation exploring the themes 
of HIV-AIDS, Civic Education and Civil Society, and Economics/
Entrepreneurship, participants will be able to share not only content 
but relevant ESL materials with their colleagues and home institutions. 
Participants will receive a book allowance.
    Few participants will have visited the United States previously. In 
view of this, an initial orientation to the host institution community 
and a brief introduction to U.S. society and education should be an 
integral part of the Institute and should be held on the first two to 
three days of the program.
    Program Design: Applicants should design a two-part program:
    (1) A five-week academic program supporting South Africa's goal of 
education transformation through the delivery of intensive training in 
theme-based materials development, teaching methodology, continuous 
assessment and curriculum design for Outcomes Based Education (OBE) and 
ESL learning at the secondary and tertiary levels. Division of the 
group into 3-4 manageable project teams, each with a selected thematic 
focus and each targeting the particular needs of the secondary and 
tertiary levels is essential. Training should be sensitive to any 
special needs of the South African participants.
    (2) A one-week escorted visit to Washington, DC, planned, arranged, 
and conducted by the Institute Program Director and principal Institute 
staff. The Washington program should be seen as an integral part of the 
Summer Institute, complementing and reinforcing both the academic and 
thematic content. This escorted visit should take place at the end of 
the Institute. Programming in Washington will include a half-day 
briefing session at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
United States Department of State. Additionally, visits to such 
organizations as TESOL headquarters, major academic institutions in the 
area with TESOL and adult education ESL programs, as well as 
organizations and groups working in the thematic areas of the program 
(HIV/AIDS, Civic Education and Civil Society, and Economics/
Entrepreneurship) should be included. A visit to the Embassy of South 
Africa should also be planned. Proposals may include cultural and 
educational visits en route to Washington, if such stops contribute to 
program quality and are cost-effective. The participants will return to 
South Africa at the conclusion of the Washington program.
    Specific areas to address in the Institute are:
    (1) Preparation of pre-and/or in-service teacher training modules 
and workshops designed by participants for delivery to specific 
audiences of teachers and colleagues upon their return to South Africa.
    (2) ESL materials development and teaching methodology with an 
emphasis on theme-based ESL instruction. Thematic issues should include 
HIV-AIDS and Health, Civic Education and Civil Society (with special 
attention to human rights and gender issues), and

[[Page 67698]]

Economics/Entrepreneurship. Materials should include literary texts as 
well as other authentic materials. Techniques for continuous assessment 
should also be addressed.
    (3) Classroom management with special reference to teaching in 
large, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic classrooms.
    (4) Introduction to Action Research as an aid to professional 
development and more reflective and responsive teaching practices.
    (5) Education Technology:
    (a) Introduction and/or enrichment of knowledge of computer-based 
word processing and appropriate software for participants who lack 
these skills. Introduction to computer networks for ESL professionals.
    (b) Introduction and/or enrichment of knowledge of e-mail, usenet 
and the World Wide Web as pedagogic and research tools.
    (c) Introduction to Power Point and other applications that 
participants can use with learners and with colleagues in teacher 
training sessions when they return to South Africa.
    (6) Visits to:
    (a) Local institutions and organizations related to thematic areas, 
including Junior Achievement programs.
    (b) On-going ESL classes at the host institution, other 
universities, and in local educational or community centers, providing 
participants with opportunities to observe ESL methodology, materials, 
and multi-cultural classrooms featuring content-based language learning 
across the curriculum.
    (7) Involvement of participants in American culture through 
community/cultural activities. This should include interaction with 
Americans from a variety of backgrounds. In this regard, the Institute 
should incorporate cultural features such as field trips to places of 
local interest; homestays with families in the area (with teachers and 
other educators if possible), and events that will bring the 
participants into contact with Americans from a variety of backgrounds.
    (8) Formative evaluation and adjustment of program components 
accordingly, as well as summative evaluation of the entire Institute 
upon its completion.
    (9) Selection and purchase of books and materials that support the 
goals and content of the program. Shipment of the same materials at the 
end of the Institute to the participants' South African addresses.
    In accordance with the objectives of the Summer Institute, 
participants will concentrate on their thematic projects. However, the 
academic program should provide time for interaction with American 
students, faculty, and school administrators, and the local community 
to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States 
and South Africa.
    Participants:
    Participants, to be selected by the Public Affairs Section of the 
U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, will be South African educators involved with 
English as a second language (ESL) teaching and teacher training. The 
selected participants will be drawn from public and private sectors 
including the national and provincial departments of education, teacher 
resource centers, non-governmental organizations, university 
departments of education and teacher training colleges. Minimum 
qualification for all participants will be a university degree in 
English or Education. Recruitment will concentrate on English language 
classroom teachers at intermediate phase levels (grades 4-6), and 
university and Department of Education officials actively involved with 
intermediate phase teacher training, and curriculum and materials 
development. Depending upon availability of funds, approximately 28 
participants from South Africa will participate in the Institute.
    Program Elements:
    The proposal should be designed to support the following specific 
activities:
    1. Pre-program communication among participants and the U.S. 
institution to facilitate an exchange of ideas developed for the 
Institute. Communication should be e-mail based.
    2. Creation of a Web site identifying the program goals/syllabus 
and on-going participant thematic projects. The site should be a 
dynamic resource, with weekly updates during the duration of the 
program, and regular updates in South Africa following program 
completion. The Web site should display each of the three completed 
theme-based projects. The participants should develop site content, 
while site construction and Internet hosting should be provided by the 
grantee institution. All Institute participants should receive a CD-ROM 
of their Web site creation.
    3. A five-week academic program comprising coursework on

--Topic-specific ESL theme-based materials development and teaching 
methodology with a focus on academic literacy (writing and reading, 
including ESL remedial reading and reading recovery instruction);
--Effective in-service and pre-service teacher training sessions 
featuring the skills and knowledge gained on the program to enable 
participants to conduct workshops upon return to South Africa;
--Theory and practice of continuous assessment;
--Action Research design and practice for professional development and 
better teaching and learning;
--Use of software applications such as Power Point, and Internet and 
Web resources for materials development and teacher training.

    4. Cultural activities facilitating interaction among the South 
African participants, American students, faculty, and administrators 
and the local community to promote mutual understanding between the 
people of the United States and the people of South Africa, planned 
within the five-week academic program.
    5. A one-week, escorted, cultural and educational visit to 
Washington, DC, complementing and reinforcing the academic material. 
The visit will be planned, arranged and conducted by the Institute 
Program Director and staff.
    6. Follow-on communication among participants and the U.S. 
institution to continue exchanges of ideas developed during the 
Institute.
    7. Selection, purchase and shipment of books and materials for 
participants' use in follow-on activities and training projects in 
South Africa.
    Orientation:
    The host institution should plan to conduct either a pre-program 
needs assessment if time allows, or a needs assessment upon the arrival 
of the participants. The Institute Director should be prepared to 
adjust program emphasis as necessary to respond to participants' 
professional concerns.
    The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy, Pretoria, will hold 
a pre-departure orientation for all participants in South Africa. The 
grantee institution will be expected to provide general orientation 
materials for this meeting. This material might include a tentative 
program outline with suggested goals and objectives, relevant 
background information about the U.S. institutions and individuals 
involved in the project, and information about the local housing, 
climate, and available services.
    Program Administration:
    All Summer Institute programming and administrative logistics, 
management of the academic program and the educational tour, and on-
site arrangements will be the responsibility of the grantee 
institution. The grantee institution is responsible for arrangements 
for lodging, food, maintenance and local travel for

[[Page 67699]]

participants while at the host institution and in Washington, DC. The 
grantee institution should strive to balance cost-effectiveness in 
accommodations and meal plans with flexibility for differing diets and 
personal habits among the participants. Single rooms or housing in 
residential suites, which offer privacy, are preferable.
    The Bureau will provide the grantee institution with participants' 
curricula vitae and travel itineraries and will be available to offer 
guidance throughout the Institute. The Bureau will arrange 
participants' international travel. The participants will arrive 
directly at the Institute site from their home countries. It is 
expected that the Institute program staff will make arrangements to 
have participants met upon arrival at the airport nearest the host 
institution. Departures will be from Washington, DC. Participants will 
be given international roundtrip tickets, which will include the leg 
from the host institution to Washington, DC, if necessary.
    The Institute staff will plan for ground transportation to and from 
Washington area airports.
    Proposals should describe the available health care system and the 
plan to provide health care access to Institute participants. The 
Department of State will provide limited health insurance coverage to 
all participants. The host institution will be responsible for 
enrolling the participants in the insurance program with materials 
supplied by the Department.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2007.
    Approximate Total Funding: $200,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $200,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, April 1, 
2007.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: July 21, 2007.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew this grant for two additional fiscal years, 
before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by 
accredited, post-secondary educational institutions meeting the 
provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 
501(c)(3).
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost 
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal Government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
    III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements:
    (a) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding one 
grant, in an amount up to $200,000 to support program and 
administrative costs required to implement this exchange program. 
Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this 
competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels 
of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

IV. Application and Submission Information

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


    IV.1 Contact Information to Request an Application Package: Please 
contact the African Programs Branch, ECA/A/E/AF, Room 232, U.S. 
Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
tel: (202) 453-8119 and fax (202) 453-8121, e-mail: gilpinvr@state.gov 
to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding 
Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/AF-07-01 located at the top of this 
announcement when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    Please specify Bureau Program Officer, Valerie Gilpin and refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/AF-07-01 located at the top of 
this announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.
    IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via the Internet:
    The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's 
Web site at https://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm, or 
from the Grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov. Please read all 
information before downloading.
    IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be 
submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and 
Methods of Submission'' section below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document 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

[[Page 67700]]

Educational and Cultural Affairs is placing renewed emphasis on the 
secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs 
and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all regulations governing the 
J visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the applicant's 
capacity to meet all requirements governing the administration of the 
Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, including the 
oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, 
screening and selection of program participants, provision of pre-
arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of 
participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, recordkeeping, 
reporting and other requirements.
    ECA will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants 
in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at https://
exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD-SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547; Telephone: (202) 203-5029; 
FAX: (202) 453-8640.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
    IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines. Pursuant to 
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, 
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and 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 are 
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. 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.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Instructional costs (for example: instructors' salaries, 
honoraria for outside speakers, educational course materials);
    (2) Lodging, meals, and incidentals for participants;
    (3) Expenses associated with cultural activities planned for the 
group of

[[Page 67701]]

participants (for example: tickets, transportation);
    (4) Administrative costs as necessary.
    (5) U.S. ground transportation costs to U.S. appointments, meetings 
and to/from airports.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline And Methods Of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: Friday, February 2, 2007.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/E/AF-07-01.
    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 8 copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E/AF-07-01, 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 at the U.S. embassy for its 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 (http:/
/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.
    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 grants 
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/plan: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission. Proposals should demonstrate effective use of community and 
regional resources to enhance the cultural and educational experiences 
of participants. A detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives. 
Proposals should show substantive program activities and must adhere to 
the program guidelines described above.
    2. Institutional Capacity: 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. Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program's goals.
    3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term

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mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and 
establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the 
applicant's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity. Program administrators should strive for diversity among 
Institute staff, university students, and the host communities which 
interact with participants.
    5. Evaluation and Follow-on Activities: Proposals should include a 
plan to evaluate the program's success, both as the activities unfold 
and at the end of the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus description of a methodology to link outcomes to 
original project objectives is recommended. Proposals should provide a 
plan for continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring 
that Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    6. 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 other private sector support as well as institutional direct 
funding contributions. Homestays are not allowed as a grant-funded or 
cost-sharing item.

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: 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: Valerie Gilpin, 
African Programs Branch, ECA/A/E/AF, Room 232, Reference Number ECA/A/
E/AF-07-01, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, tel: (202) 453-8119 and fax (202) 453-8121, e-
mail: gilpinvr@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/AF-07-01.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may 
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an award commitment 
on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements per section VI.3 
above.

     Dated: November 16, 2006.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E6-19810 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P