Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: National Security Language Initiative-Youth Program (NSLI-Y), 19565-19574 [E8-7630]
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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.
Program Data Requirements:
Organizations awarded grants will be
required to maintain specific data on
program participants and activities in an
electronically accessible database format
that can be shared with the Bureau as
required. As a minimum, the data must
include the following:
(1) Name, address, contact
information and biographic sketch of all
persons who travel internationally on
funds provided by the grant or who
benefit from the grant funding but do
not travel.
(2) Itineraries of international and
domestic travel, providing dates of
travel and cities in which any exchange
experiences take place. Final schedules
for in-country and U.S. activities must
be received by the ECA Program Officer
at least three work days prior to the
official opening of the activity.
VII. Agency Contacts
For general questions about this
announcement, contact: Program Officer
Evangeline Montgomery, Cultural
Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/CU,
Room 568, U.S. Department of State,
SA–44, 301 4th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20547, (202) 203–7520,
e-mail: montgomeryEJ@state.gov, copy
to bensonMN@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau
concerning this RFGP should reference
the Arts Exchanges on International
Issues Program and ECA/PE/C/CU–08–
43.
Please read the complete
announcement before sending inquiries
or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP
deadline has passed, Bureau staff may
not discuss this competition with
applicants until the proposal review
process has been completed.
VIII. Other Information
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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
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evaluation requirements per section VI.3
above.
Dated: April 3, 2008.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8–7624 Filed 4–9–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6173]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant
Proposals: National Security Language
Initiative—Youth Program (NSLI–Y)
Announcement Type: New
Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/
PE/C/PY–08–39.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 00.000.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: June 5, 2008.
Executive Summary: The Office of
Citizen Exchange Programs of the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs announces an open competition
for projects in support of the National
Security Language Initiative (NSLI) to
provide short, medium, and/or longterm foreign language instruction and
cultural immersion programs overseas
for American high school students and
those who have just graduated. Public
and private non-profit organizations, or
consortia of such organizations meeting
the provisions described in Internal
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C.
501(c)(3), may submit proposals to
implement these programs in countries
where the following target languages are
widely spoken: Arabic, Chinese, Korean,
Russian, Turkish, Indic, and Farsi.
Programs will be designed for U.S.
citizens aged 15 to 18 at the start of the
program who are either currently
enrolled in high school or have just
graduated. These programs should offer
at least 550 U.S. high school students
structured classroom instruction and
less formal interactive learning
opportunities through a comprehensive
exchange experience that primarily
emphasizes language learning. The
program is designed to develop
additional language study opportunities
for U.S. students. Proposals from
applicant organizations should clearly
indicate the building of new, additional
institutional language-teaching capacity
overseas for these programs. ECA plans
to award a single grant for the
recruitment and administration of all
NSLI–Y programs in all world regions.
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19565
The Bureau expects that most
students will be placed in host families,
but will consider alternative housing
arrangements, such as dormitories.
Alternative arrangements must include
adult resident daily supervision and be
combined with brief home stays. In
either case, the student must be ensured
his or her own bed. The exchange
programs will take place between
January 2009 and December 2010, and
we anticipate that recruitment and
planning will begin during the summer/
early fall of 2008. The program builds
on two years of short (summer-only)
intensive language programs in Arabic
and Chinese conducted in 2006 and
2007. Information on these programs is
available at the NSLI Youth Web site:
https://www.exchanges.state.gov/
education/citizens/students/programs/
nsli.htm.
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
The Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs (ECA) is supporting the
participation of American high school
students in intensive, substantive
foreign language study to further
strengthen national security and
prosperity in the 21st century as part of
the National Security Language
Initiative (NSLI), launched by President
Bush in January 2006.
Foreign language skills are essential to
engaging foreign governments and
peoples, especially in critical world
regions, to promote understanding and
convey respect for other cultures.
Americans will use these skills to
support the nation’s foreign affairs
priorities, its economic competitiveness,
and its educational institutions as they
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prepare future citizens for full
engagement in the global environment.
The broad NSLI initiative focuses
resources on improving language
learning for U.S. citizens across the
educational spectrum and emphasizes
the need to achieve mastery of critical
languages. NSLI–Y programs support
the participation of American high
school students and those who have just
graduated in intensive, substantive
educational exchange programs that will
promote language learning, as well as
engage the successor generation in a
dialogue for greater understanding.
The goals of the NSLI–Y program are:
• To improve the ability of Americans
to engage with the people of Arabic,
Turkish, Indic, Farsi, Russian, Korean,
and Chinese-speaking countries through
shared language;
• To develop a cadre of Americans
with advanced linguistic skills and
related cultural understanding who are
able to advance international dialogue,
promote the security of the United
States, compete effectively in the global
economy; and
• To provide a tangible incentive for
the learning and use of foreign
languages by developing additional
overseas language study opportunities
for U.S. high school students; and
• To spark a lifetime interest in
foreign cultures among American youth.
In order to achieve these goals, the
Bureau supports programs for American
high school students to gain and
improve language proficiency in Arabic,
Chinese, Korean, Russian, Indic, Farsi,
and Turkish. ECA plans to award a
single cooperative agreement for the
recruitment and administration of all
NSLI–Y programs in all world regions.
Organizations with expertise in one or
more of the indicated languages are
encouraged to seek partners in the other
languages to submit a single proposal.
Consortia must designate a lead
institution to receive the grant award.
Applicant organizations may submit
grant proposals requesting funds not
exceeding $7,400,000 to implement
these exchanges between January 2009
and December 2010. The applicant must
also propose to organize a sub-grant
competition so that individual
institutions or consortia such as schools,
school districts, non-profits, etc. may
compete to organize their own
independent language study abroad
programs.
Through these institutes, U.S. high
school students and those who have just
graduated from high school will
participate in short, medium, or
academic year programs abroad
beginning January 2009. Since there is
an emphasis on substantial progress in
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foreign language advancement,
applicant organizations should
concentrate most efforts on language
instruction and explain clearly the
utility and advantages of proposing each
type of program. The programs will
provide intensive language instruction
in a classroom setting, and should also
provide language-learning opportunities
through immersion in the cultural,
social, and educational life of the
partner country. Language study must
be the primary focus of the program,
and must offer a range of proficiencies:
beginning, intermediate and advanced.
The exchange program should also
expand the participants’ knowledge of
the host country’s history, culture, and
political system as these support
language learning.
Indicators of a successful program:
• Participants will demonstrate a
measurable improvement in language
skills verified through testing that
includes a baseline (entry) assessment, a
mid-term (in semester and year-long
programs especially) assessment, and a
final assessment. Assessment must
measure both colloquial and formal
language acquisition.
• Participants will demonstrate—for
example, through surveys, essays, focus
groups, or presentations—a deeper
understanding of the host country’s
culture, society, and institutions.
• Alumni will continue their foreign
language study and/or participate in
other exchanges to countries where the
target languages are spoken.
• Students and families from the host
country who engage with the U.S.
participants will demonstrate an interest
in learning more about the United
States.
Capacity of Administering Organization
U.S. applicant organizations or
consortia must have the necessary
capacity in the partner country or
countries to implement the program
through either their own offices or
partner institutions. Organizations may
demonstrate their organization’s direct
expertise, or they may partner with
other organizations to best respond to
the requirements outlined in the RFGP.
Organizations that opt to work in subgrant arrangements should clearly
outline all duties and responsibilities of
the partner organizations, ideally in the
form of sub-grant agreements and
accompanying budgets. The lead
institution may not host more than onethird of total exchange participants.
Organizations or consortia applying
for this cooperative agreement must
demonstrate their (or their partners’)
capacity for conducting projects of this
nature, focusing on five areas of
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competency: (1) Provision of program
support to American high school
students; (2) quality of language
instruction programs for the target
audience; and (3) age-appropriate
cultural programming; and (4) alumni
tracking and follow-upon language
acquisition; and (5) experience working
with individuals from the proposed host
countries. Applicant organizations must
clearly address the building of new and
increased institutional language study
capacity overseas, especially for high
school students.
Programs Models and Information
Proposals must include each of the
three following program models: Short
language institutes, semester, and
academic year study programs.
Intensive language institutes: Each
six- to eight-week program will focus on
language study and cultural immersion,
and will include four to six hours per
day of formal language instruction, plus
excursions, briefings and discussions on
key cultural issues. Institutes may be
offered in June/July 2009 and 2010;
organizations may propose other
timeframes with a justification.
Language institutes should also include
follow-on programs in a range of
successive proficiencies for returning
participants or those who have language
experience.
Semester programs: High school
juniors and seniors and those who have
just graduated. Semester (three to five
months) programs will focus on
language study and cultural immersion
and will include significant formal
language instruction, plus excursions,
briefings, and discussions on key
cultural issues. Programs may take place
in spring and fall semesters 2009, and
spring and fall semesters 2010.
Applicants are encouraged to explore
options for providing academic
coursework outside of the target
language so that high school students
are not disadvantaged when they return
to their U.S. school.
Academic year programs: These
programs will be limited to juniors and
seniors (and recent high school
graduates who begin the program
activities before their 19th birthday).
Academic year programs will focus on
language study and cultural immersion
and will include significant daily formal
language instruction, plus excursions,
briefings, and discussions on key
cultural issues. Applicants are
encouraged to explore options for
providing academic coursework outside
of the target language so that high
school students are not disadvantaged
when they return to their U.S. school.
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For All Program Models
While teaching conversational
vocabulary will be necessary to help
students cope with their immersion
setting, classes will also provide formal
instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and
pronunciation, and will cover speaking,
listening, reading, and writing.
All programs should also include a
secondary cultural immersion
component designed to reinforce
language learning with planned
excursions that give the students the
opportunity to participate in activities
designed to teach them about the
society, culture and history of the host
country. The program activities will
introduce the students to the
community as feasible and appropriate
and will include educational excursions
that serve to enhance the visitors’
understanding of contemporary society,
culture, media, political institutions,
ethnic diversity, history, and
environment of the region.
Cooperating organizations should
make every effort to identify American
students at all levels of language
competency—beginning, intermediate,
and advanced—for each language,
including heritage speakers. To the
fullest extent possible, grantees should
strive to place students of different
levels in each program model (summer,
semester and academic year).
Staff should be physically present and
available to support the participants
throughout the course of all programs.
Country and Language Information
The Bureau reserves the right to make
changes in eligible countries for
programming based on safety and
security concerns.
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For Arabic Programs
Applicant organizations should
present plans for approximately 75
participants in the language institutes,
30 participants for the semester
program, and 15 participants for the
academic year program. Arabic language
instruction should be available for three
levels of students at the beginning,
intermediate, and advanced level.
Approximately 1/3 of participants
should be at the intermediate and
advanced level; every effort should be
made to achieve a balance of programs
at the different instruction levels. The
program should describe a plan to test
all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of
instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels.
Classroom instruction should
emphasize Modern Standard Arabic
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with class time devoted also to
colloquial Arabic, so that students may
interact with host families and peers in
Arabic.
Applicant organizations should plan
to send students to a country in North
Africa, the Middle East, or the Gulf
region, with the exception of Algeria,
Iraq, Israel, Libya, Lebanon, Saudi
Arabia, and West Bank/Gaza. Any
proposal to place students in Syria is
limited to short-term study in Damascus
only, with a maximum of nine
participants. Applicant organizations
should include venues in Egypt,
Morocco, and Jordan.
For Chinese Programs
Applicant organizations should
present plans for approximately 75
participants in the language institutes,
30 participants for the semester
program, and 15 participants for the
academic year program. Chinese
language instruction should be available
for three levels of students: beginner,
intermediate and advanced.
Approximately 1/3 of the participants
should be at the intermediate and
advanced level. The program should
describe a plan to test all students prior
to placement to determine the
appropriate level of instruction. The
proposed program should make explicit
accommodation for learners of varying
skill levels.
Students should study Mandarin in
class and through informal study and
interaction with their host community.
Teaching materials used in the program
should be available in both simplified
and traditional character versions. The
Hanyu pinyin romanization system
should be used.
Applicant organizations should plan
to send students to the People’s
Republic of China (mainland China) or
Taiwan for study.
For Farsi Programs
Applicant organizations should
present plans for approximately 15
participants in an intensive language
institute only (NOT for semester or
academic year programs). Farsi language
instruction should be available for three
levels of students: beginning,
intermediate, and advanced.
Approximately 1⁄3 of participants should
be at the intermediate and advanced
level. The program should devise a plan
to test all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of
instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels.
Formal instruction in written and
spoken Farsi must be offered. Students
should learn Farsi in class and through
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informal study and interaction with
their host community.
For Farsi, applicants may not plan to
send students to Iran, Afghanistan, or
Uzbekistan. Organizations may propose
sending students to any other country
with a significant Farsi-speaking
population, subject to approval by ECA
and the Mission in that country.
Programs in Tajikistan and the United
Arab Emirates will be given favorable
consideration under the review
criterion: institutional capacity.
For Indic Programs
Applicant organizations may submit a
proposal for up to ten participants for
intensive language institutes only (NOT
for semester or academic-year
programs). Instruction in Indic
languages should include Hindi, and
may also include Bengali, Punjabi, and
Urdu, subject to Embassy approval. The
program should devise a plan to test all
students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of
instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels,
including intermediate and advanced if
students place at those levels.
Students should learn the target
language in class and through informal
study and interaction with their host
community.
Applicant organizations should plan
to send students to New Delhi, India, or
to cities close to a U.S. mission, and
should consult with that mission.
For Korean Programs
Applicant organizations should
present plans for approximately 50
participants in the language institutes,
10 participants for the semester
program, and 10 participants for the
academic year program. Korean
language instruction should be available
for three levels of students: elementary,
intermediate, and advanced.
Approximately 1⁄2 of participants should
be at the intermediate and advanced
level. The program should devise a plan
to test all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of
instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels.
Students should learn Korean in class
and through informal study and
interaction with their host community.
The Hangeul alphabet system should be
used. Students should also be
introduced to NAKL.
Applicant organizations should plan
to send students to South Korea.
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For Russian Programs
Statement of Work
Applicant organizations should
present plans for approximately 75
participants in the language institutes,
25 participants for the semester
program, and ten participants for the
academic year program. Russian
language instruction should be available
for three levels of students: beginning,
intermediate, and advanced.
Approximately 1⁄2 of participants should
be at the intermediate and advanced
level. The program should devise a plan
to test all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of
instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels.
Students should learn Russian in
class and through informal study and
interaction with their host community.
Applicant organizations should plan
to send students to Russia. Applicants
are encouraged to propose programs
outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg,
in order to maximize opportunities for
language learning.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
The cooperating agency will recruit,
screen, and select US high school and
just-graduated students ages 15–18 at
the beginning of the program. Selected
participants should show strong
evidence of ability to succeed
academically in an intensive,
demanding language study program and
to adjust socially in an overseas
environment. Participants should
represent the diversity of the United
States. Diversity addresses differences of
religion, ethnicity, socio-economic
status, and physical abilities. Selected
students should also represent diversity
of geography, type of school, and a
balance between genders. Selected
students should demonstrate a strong
intention of continuing their language
study beyond the scholarship period
and applying their critical language
skills later in their academic careers.
The Bureau should be consulted
regarding the selection of candidates,
and will approve the selection of
finalists and alternates for the program.
Information about the program, along
with all accompanying application
materials, should be posted online.
Applicant organizations should propose
under Tab E a comprehensive outreach
plan to publicize and recruit for the
program at high schools and elsewhere
nationwide.
The Bureau requests that interested
students apply to the program through
an online application system. An
alternate paper-based application
should also be provided for those
candidates unable to apply online.
These paper-based applications,
however, must be entered into the
online system by cooperating
organization program staff. All
application materials should be
available in a sortable, searchable,
electronically accessible database format
that can be easily shared with the
Bureau upon request.
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For Turkish Programs
Applicant organizations should
present plans for approximately 50
participants in the intensive language
institute, 22 participants for the
semester program, and 5 participants for
the academic year program. Turkish
language instruction should be available
for three levels of students: beginning,
intermediate, and advanced.
Approximately 1⁄3 of participants should
be at the intermediate and advanced
level. The program should devise a plan
to test all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of
instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels.
Students should learn Turkish in
class and through informal study and
interaction with their host community.
Applicant organizations should plan
to send students to Turkey. If applicants
propose programs in Ankara and
Istanbul, they are encouraged to provide
excursions to other parts of the country.
Other cities close to a U.S. consulate
may be considered following
consultations with the mission.
The participant numbers outlined
above are approximate and intended as
suggestions only. The Bureau reserves
the right to amend or modify the list of
eligible countries and the target
numbers of participants should
conditions change in the host country.
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Orientations/Pre-Departure
Preparations
The administering organization will
facilitate medical screening and
clearance to ensure that students are
healthy and have immunizations
necessary for safe travel to the host
country. It will also develop a parental/
participant release form to be signed
before departure.
The administering organization will
organize a substantive, in-person, predeparture orientation for all students.
Working in consultation with ECA, the
organization should include in the
orientation a security briefing on the
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host country. The cooperating
organization may also need to work in
consultation with ECA and the U.S.
Embassy in the host country to arrange
an in-country security briefing to be
held by the Embassy’s Regional Security
Officer. The orientations will take place
in Washington, DC. The applicant
organization will provide a compelling
justification if they propose to host
these orientations in any other location.
Comprehensive information packets
will be provided to all orientation
participants. A sample of the contents of
these packets will be provided under
Tab E.
At the end of the exchange, the
cooperating agency will organize closing
workshops for the students prior to
departure from their host countries,
which will focus on summarizing the
experience, completing an evaluation,
language testing, developing plans for
activities at home, and preparing for reentry.
Project Activities for All Program
Models
Describe in sufficient detail the major
components of the program, including
project planning; publicity and
recruitment, including responding to
and management of a significant volume
of queries and applications; the host
venues; selection; orientations (U.S. and
overseas); assessment and testing;
language instruction; educational
enrichment activities; cultural activities;
participant monitoring, particularly host
families and living situations; reporting
to ECA of issues; and logistics.
The administering organization will
provide instruction in a target language
for U.S high school students who may
be beginning and/or intermediate/
advanced students of the language.
While teaching conversational language
skills will be necessary to help students
cope with their immersion setting,
classes should also provide formal
instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and
pronunciation, and will cover reading,
speaking, listening, and writing.
Instruction should provide a solid
foundation for future study of the
language.
During the exchange, the students
will also have the opportunity to
participate in activities designed to
teach them about community life,
citizen participation, and the culture
and history of the host country.
Activities will engage host country
peers as much as possible. The program
activities will introduce the students to
the community—its leaders and
institutions, the ways citizens
participate in local government and the
resolution of societal problems—and
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will include educational excursions that
serve to enhance the participants’
understanding of contemporary life
through study of the community’s
history, culture, media, political
institutions, ethnic diversity, and
environment. Embassy and Consular
personnel may pose limits or guidelines
on all aspects of the community and
outreach portions of the exchange.
Students will have opportunities for
volunteerism and community service,
and these activities should involve
interacting with host country peers.
Cooperating agencies will encourage
students to share their culture, lifestyle,
and traditions with local citizens
throughout their stay and especially
during International Education Week
(November 17–21). Enhancement
activities will increase and enhance
students’ appreciation of the importance
of tolerance and respect for the views,
beliefs, and practices of people from
other cultures. Enhancement activities
may include, but are not limited to,
integrated projects with host country
nationals, including foreign alumni of
ECA programs. The applicant will work
with ECA to develop strategies to
identify and work with these alumni.
Living Arrangements
Applicants should describe a plan to
provide students with qualified,
screened, and well-motivated host
families. With justification, proposals
may include reasonable living
allowances for the host families to cover
costs associated with hosting a student.
Living allowances will be reviewed and
approved on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must propose a standardized
screening process in the selection of
host families, and for consulting about
their proposed placement locations
(neighborhoods, regions) with the
Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of the U.S.
Embassy and with the Bureau of
Education and Cultural Affairs. Since
the purpose of the programs is to
provide an immersion experience for
the language learners and increase their
language skills, ECA strongly
recommends home stays with local
families for as much time during the
program as possible, balancing this with
time spent in a dormitory setting where
the participants may be more inclined to
speak English.
While full-time host family
placements are preferred, students may
be placed in a dormitory setting that
includes daily adult resident
supervision to ensure the security of
participants and that affords the
opportunity for visits with designated
and screened host families who can
offer brief home stays throughout the
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course of the exchange. In either case,
the student must be ensured his or her
own bed.
Programs should provide three meals
a day. While participants may receive
meal stipends for some meals, program
organizers should ensure that a majority
of meals are provided through
homestays, pre-paid board plans, group
meals, etc., to ensure that students are
eating properly.
With justification, applicants may
provide students with monthly stipends
adequate to cover necessary expenses.
Proposals may include a reasonable
living allowance to host families. The
amounts of any stipends or allowances
should be justified based on the host
country’s local economy.
Applicants must provide students
with a local representative on whom the
student may call for resolution of any
cultural, academic, or adjustment issue.
The person must be an English speaker
that is either American or a host country
national with significant experience
living in the United States. Students
should also be provided with an English
speaking emergency contact available at
any time, and with the means to
communicate with this person. In some
cases—and with proper justification—
cell phones may be issued to the
students for health and safety reasons.
Each program should have an adult
accompany the students on the
international flight, and an adult,
English speaking staff member must be
available in country to support the
participants during the course of the
program.
Assessment and Testing
Standardized pre- and post-institute
testing should be done to determine
participants’ language proficiency and
progress.
Pre- and post-testing should measure
the student’s advancement in language
learning. Applicants should describe
plans and instruments to measure
students’ increased language proficiency
due to participation in this program.
The data need to be analyzed and
reported by the cooperating agency to
ECA for the program, disaggregated by
institute.
Alumni Tracking and Follow-On
Activities
Alumni activities and tracking are
important parts of ECA exchange
programs. The applicant must provide a
plan of follow-up with alumni by email, through a website or weblog,
newsletter, listservs, and/or in person,
and should assist alumni in maintaining
connections with organizations and
individuals in the host country. The
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cooperating organization will be
expected to develop a plan to track the
activities of alumni and their continued
interest in studying the language.
The cooperating organization will be
strongly encouraged to coordinate with
ECA’s Global Connections and
Exchange Program (GCE) to facilitate
school connectivity between the schools
where the U.S. participants study, and
schools in the host countries. This type
of follow-on activity will increase the
competitiveness of proposal
submissions under the criterion:
Follow-on activities. Information about
the countries and specific programs can
be found at: https://exchanges.state.gov/
education/citizens/students/programs/
connections/.
As an element of follow-on activities,
cooperating organizations will be
expected to provide opportunities for
maintaining participants’ involvement
and interest in intercultural
communication. The cooperating agency
is strongly urged to outline how it will
creatively organize and financially
support alumni activities at a minimal
cost to ECA.
Publicity
The proposal must describe how these
programs will be publicized to media
outlets, including print, online, and
broadcast to reach the widest possible
audience of qualified students. The
cooperating agency will also work
closely with ECA to publicize the
successes of the students involved in
these institutes, as well as the National
Security Language Initiative as a whole.
Under Tab E, the applicant organization
should provide information on
successful media outreach campaigns it
has conducted in the past.
Institutional Grant Program
The applicant must also propose to
organize a sub-grant competition so that
individual institutions or consortia such
as colleges, schools, school districts,
non-profit organizations, etc. may
compete to organize their own
independent short-term (six to eight
week) language study abroad programs
for 10–20 high school students in a
critical language listed above.
Recipients of small grants would be
expected to conduct their own
recruitment, selection, orientation,
language study, and participant
monitoring and evaluations. Individual
student participants of these programs
should still use the EGOALS evaluation
system, should complete a common
online application, and should be
included in NSLI-Y alumni tracking and
other alumni programming. The
purpose of the small grants is to
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encourage the development of new or
beginning exchange programs and build
institutional language instruction
capacity and cultural understanding in
institutions in the United States and
overseas. All elements of this
competition will be developed in
collaboration with ECA/PE/C/Y and
with Embassies overseas. No less than
$1,500,000 should be set aside for this
purpose. ECA envisions 10–12 grants to
be awarded and at least 150 students to
travel through these small grant
programs.
Cooperative Agreement
In a cooperative agreement, ECA/PE/
C/PY is substantially involved in
program activities above and beyond
routine grant monitoring. ECA/PE/C/PY
activities and responsibilities for this
program are as follows:
(1) Review all print and online
materials (including, but not limited to,
those for recruitment and orientation)
regarding the institutes before
publication and dissemination. Review
does not include instructional materials,
though the Bureau does reserve the right
to request these materials as needed.
(2) Work with the cooperating agency
on a recruitment strategy.
(3) Work with the cooperating agency
to publicize the program, and the
National Security Language Initiative
(NSLI) as a whole, through various
media outlets.
(4) Review and approve application
forms.
(5) Participate in selection
committees.
(6) Confirm final selection of
principal and alternate candidates.
(7) Work with cooperating agency to
implement participant orientations.
(8) Review project activity schedules
for all programs.
(9) Be kept informed by the
cooperating agency of its progress at
each stage of the project’s
implementation through timely updates.
In addition to these updates, ECA
should be informed immediately of any
serious participant issues, including,
but not limited to health, safety, and
security issues.
(10) Provide Bureau-approved
evaluation surveys for completion by
participants after completion of
program.
(11) Provide substantive input on
alumni activities and follow-up events.
(12) Work with cooperating agency on
the recruitment, selection of grantees,
and the implementation of institutional
grants.
Note: All materials, publicity, and
correspondence related to the program must
acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau
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of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the
U.S. Department of State. The Bureau will
retain copyright use of and distribute
materials related to this program as it sees fit.
Funding
Grant funding will support costs
including for recruitment and selection
of participants, testing, orientation,
travel, tuition and maintenance costs,
educational enhancements, cultural and
social activities, alumni activities,
institutional grants, and administrative
costs. The cooperating agency should
budget for travel to Washington, DC to
review program parameters with ECA.
State Department Evaluation
Independently of the cooperating
organization, the Bureau’s Office of
Policy and Evaluation will also conduct
evaluations of the NSLI–Y program
through E–GOALS, its online system for
surveying program participants and
collecting data about program
performance.
E–GOALS system evaluations assist
ECA and its program grantees in
meeting the requirements of the
Government Performance Results Act
(GPRA) of 1993. This Act requires
federal agencies to measure the results
of their programs in meeting predetermined performance goals and
objectives.
All NSLI–Y program participants will
take three online surveys:
• Standardized pre-program surveys,
at the beginning of the program;
• Standardized post-program surveys,
at the end of the program; and
• Standardized follow-up surveys,
approximately six months to a year after
the conclusion of the program.
Further details on specific program
responsibilities can be found in the
Project Objectives, Goals, and
Implementation document. Interested
organizations should read the entire
Federal Register announcement prior to
preparing proposals. Please refer to the
Proposal Submission Instructions for
further information.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative
agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2008.
Approximate Total Funding: $7.4
million.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Anticipated Award Date: August 30,
2008.
Anticipated Project Completion Date:
December 30, 2010.
Additional Information: Pending
successful implementation of this
program and the availability of funds in
subsequent fiscal years, ECA reserves
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the right to renew the cooperative
agreement for two additional fiscal
years.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications
may be submitted by public and private
non-profit organizations meeting the
provisions described in Internal
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C.
501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds:
There is no minimum or maximum
percentage required for this
competition. However, the Bureau
encourages applicants to provide
maximum levels of cost sharing and
funding in support of its programs.
When cost sharing is offered, it is
understood and agreed that the
applicant must provide the amount of
cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal
and later included in an approved grant
agreement. Cost sharing may be in the
form of allowable direct or indirect
costs. For accountability, you must
maintain written records to support all
costs which are claimed as your
contribution, as well as costs to be paid
by the Federal government. Such
records are subject to audit. The basis
for determining the value of cash and
in-kind contributions must be in
accordance with OMB Circular A–110,
(Revised), Subpart C.23—Cost Sharing
and Matching. In the event you do not
provide the minimum amount of cost
sharing as stipulated in the approved
budget, ECA’s contribution will be
reduced in like proportion.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements
Bureau grant guidelines require that
organizations with less than four years
experience in conducting international
exchanges be limited to $60,000 in
Bureau funding. ECA anticipates
awarding a grant (or grants) in an
amount over $60,000 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.
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IV.1 Contact Information To Request an
Application Package
Please contact the Youth Programs
Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges
(ECA/PE/C/PY), room 568, U.S.
Department of State, SA–44, 301 4th
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547,
Telephone (202) 203–7502, Fax (202)
203–7529, or E-mail NowlinJR@state.gov
to request a Solicitation Package. Please
refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number (ECA/PE/C/PY–08–39) 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
Dan Neher or Catharine Cashner and
refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number (ECA/PE/C/PY–08–39) located
at the top of this announcement on all
other inquiries and correspondence.
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IV.2. To Download a Solicitation
Package Via Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may
be downloaded from the Bureau’s Web
site at https://exchanges.state.gov/
education/rfgps/menu.htm or from the
grants.gov Web site at https://
www.grants.gov. Please read all
information before downloading.
IV.3. Content and Form of Submission
Applicants must follow all
instructions in the Solicitation Package.
The original and eight copies of the
application should be sent per the
instructions under IV.3f. ‘‘Submission
Dates and Times section’’ below.
IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun
and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number to
apply for a grant or cooperative
agreement from the U.S. Government.
This number is a nine-digit
identification number, which uniquely
identifies business entities. Obtaining a
DUNS number is easy and there is no
charge. To obtain a DUNS number,
access https://
www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1–
866–705–5711. Please ensure that your
DUNS number is included in the
appropriate box of the SF–424 which is
part of the formal application package.
IV.3b. All proposals must contain an
executive summary, proposal narrative
and budget.
Please Refer to the Solicitation
Package. It contains the mandatory PSI
document for additional formatting and
technical requirements.
IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status
with the IRS at the time of application.
Please note: Effective March 14, 2008, all
applicants for ECA federal assistance awards
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must include with their application, a copy
of page 5, Part V–A, ‘‘Current Officers,
Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees’’ of
their most recent Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) Form 990, ‘‘Return of Organization
Exempt From Income Tax.’’ 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
While the students will not travel on
J–1 visas, which are for foreign
exchange visitors to the United States,
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs places critically important
emphasis on the security and proper
administration of the Exchange Visitor
(J visa) Programs and recipients and
sponsors responsibilities to all
regulations governing the J visa.
Therefore, proposals should
demonstrate the applicant’s plan to
meet all similar requirements as those
governing the administration of
Exchange Visitor Programs for students
coming to the U.S. as set forth in 22 CFR
part 62, for American participants
traveling abroad, including screening
and selection of program participants
and host families, provision of prearrival information and orientation to
participants, monitoring of participants,
proper maintenance and security of
forms, record-keeping, reporting and
other requirements.
Please refer to Solicitation Package for
further information. 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, 301
4th Street, SW., Room 734, 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,
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19571
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 cooperating
organization 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
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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.
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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
be deemed less competitive under the
present evaluation criteria.)
Cooperating organizations will be
required to provide reports analyzing
their evaluation findings to the Bureau
in their regular program reports. All
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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. The anticipated per person
cost for a six-to-eight-week program is
$8,000 to $10,000. For the semester-long
program, anticipated cost is $20,000.
For the academic year program, cost is
estimated at $30,000. There must be a
summary budget as well as breakdowns
reflecting both administrative and
program budgets. Applicants may
provide separate sub-budgets for each
program component, phase, location, or
activity to provide clarification.
Applicants should also provide copies
of any sub-grant agreements that would
be implemented under terms of this
award.
IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the
program include the following:
(1) Recruitment/selection;
(2) Preparation/orientation;
(3) Visas and associated costs;
(4) Travel;
(5) Institute costs, including language
instruction, program activities, and
monitoring;
(6) Room and board, as necessary;
(7) Reasonable living allowance for
host families;
(8) Follow-on activities, including
costs for school connectivity and alumni
tracking;
(9) Evaluation/Administration.
Maximum limits on grant funding are
as follows: Conference room rental
costs-$250 per day per room; Consultant
fees and honoraria-$250/day; Evaluation
costs-2% to 5% of the grant.
Please refer to the Solicitation
Package for complete budget guidelines
and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and
Methods of Submission
Application Deadline Date: June 5,
2008.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY–
08–39.
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–
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424 contained in the mandatory 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 eight copies of the
application should be sent to: U.S.
Department of State, SA–44, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, Ref.:
ECA/PE/C/PY–08–39, 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) or Microsoft Word format on
a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will
provide these files electronically to the
appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at
the U.S. embassies for their review.
IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic
Applications
Applicants have the option of
submitting proposals electronically
through Grants.gov (https://
www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation
packages are available at Grants.gov in
the ‘‘Find’’ portion of the system. Please
follow the instructions available in the
’Get Started’ portion of the site (https://
www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
Several of the steps in the Grants.gov
registration process could take several
weeks. Therefore, applicants should
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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
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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
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elements. Final funding decisions are at
the discretion of the Department of
State’s Assistant Secretary for
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final
technical authority for assistance
awards 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:
Proposals should exhibit originality,
substance, precision, and relevance to
the Bureau’s mission and the purposes
outlined in this solicitation. Proposals
should demonstrate how students
would be recruited, selected, monitored,
instructed in the target language, and
supported as alumni. The level of
creativity, resources, and effectiveness
will be primary factors for review.
Proposals should be clearly and
accurately written, with sufficient
relevant detail. Proposed programs
should deliver high quality language
instruction and strengthen long-term
mutual understanding, including
maximum sharing of information and
establishment of long-term institutional
and individual linkages. Proposals
should include creative ways to involve
students in their host communities.
2. Program planning: Proposals
should clearly demonstrate an
understanding of the program’s
objectives and how the organization will
achieve them. The Narrative should
address all of the items in the Statement
of Work and Guidelines described
above. A detailed agenda and relevant
work plan should demonstrate
organizational competency and
logistical capacity. Agenda and plan
should adhere to the program overview,
timetable and guidelines described in
this solicitation.
3. Support of Diversity: Proposals
should demonstrate substantive support
of the Bureau’s policy on diversity in all
program aspects including all
participants (exchange students and
hosts), sending and hosting
communities, orientation, and program
activities. Proposals should articulate a
diversity plan, not just a statement of
compliance.
4. Follow-on activities: Proposals
should provide a plan for continued
contact with returnees to ensure that
they are tracked over time, utilized and/
or organized as alumni, and provided
opportunities to reinforce the
knowledge and skills they acquired on
the exchange and share them with
others. Proposals should articulate
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19573
mechanisms to be used to foster ongoing
interaction through mechanisms like
ECA’s Global Connections program.
5. Institutional Record/Capacity:
Applicants must demonstrate a wellestablished infrastructure in the country
or countries with which they plan to
send high school students. Proposals for
a consortium must have clearly defined
roles for each partner organization and
a plan for monitoring the work of each
partner. Proposed personnel and
institutional resources should be
adequate and appropriate to achieve the
program’s goals. Proposals should
demonstrate the capacity of in-country
organizations to fully support and
ensure the safety and well-being of
participants throughout the duration of
their program. Submissions should also
demonstrate an understanding of the
complexities of the exchange
environment.
6. Program Evaluation: Successful
applicants will demonstrate clear
program goals and objectives as well as
strategies for monitoring student and
alumni progress. Proposals should
include a plan to evaluate the activity’s
success, both as the activities unfold
and at the end of the program.
Submission of a sample programspecific draft survey questionnaire, or
other technique, plus description of a
methodology to use to link outcomes to
original project objectives are highly
recommended. Applicants may describe
any experience conducting resultsoriented evaluations. Proposals should
indicate a language acquisition
assessment plan that includes a baseline
(entry) assessment, a mid-term (for
semester and year-long programs)
assessment, and a final assessment. The
cooperating organization will be
expected to submit quarterly reports
that include student and alumni
activities and progress. The final project
evaluation should provide qualitative
and quantitative data about the project’s
influence on the participants, including
their language gain and continuing
study of the target language, as well as
their surrounding communities.
7. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-Sharing:
The overhead and administrative
components of the proposal, including
salaries and honoraria, should be kept
as low as possible. All other items
should be necessary and appropriate.
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing
through institutional direct funding
contributions, as well as other private
sector support. Preference will be given
to organizations whose proposals
demonstrate a quality, cost-effective
program.
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 70 / Thursday, April 10, 2008 / Notices
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.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
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.) A concise, one-page final program
report summarizing program outcomes
no more than 90 days after the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:04 Apr 09, 2008
Jkt 214001
expiration of the award. This one-page
report will be transmitted to OMB, and
be made available to the public via
OMB’s USAspending.gov Web site—as
part of ECA’s Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act
(FFATA) reporting requirements.
(3.) Quarterly program and financial
reports that include information on the
progress made on the program plan and
program results to date.
Cooperating organizations will be
required to provide reports analyzing
their evaluation findings to the Bureau
in their regular program reports. Please
refer to IV. Application and Submission
Instructions (IV.3.d.3) above for Program
Monitoring and Evaluation information.
All data collected, including survey
responses and contact information, must
be maintained for a minimum of three
years and provided to the Bureau upon
request.
All reports must be sent to the ECA
Grants Officer and ECA Program Officer
listed in the final assistance award
document.
VI.4. Program Data Requirements
Organizations awarded grants will be
required to maintain specific data on
program participants and activities in an
electronically accessible database format
that can be shared with the Bureau as
required. As a minimum, the data must
include the following:
(1) Name, address, contact
information and biographic sketch of all
persons who travel internationally on
funds provided by the grant or who
benefit from the grant funding but do
not travel.
(2) Itineraries of international and
domestic travel, providing dates of
travel and cities in which any exchange
experiences take place. Final schedules
for in-country and U.S. activities must
be received by the ECA Program Officer
at least three work days prior to the
official opening of the activity.
VII. Agency Contacts
For questions about this
announcement, contact: Daniel Neher or
Catharine Cashner, Youth Programs
Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges,
Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, ECA/PE/C/PY–08–39, U.S.
Department of State, SA–44, 301 4th
Street, SW., Room 568, Washington, DC
20547, Telephone (202) 453–8173
(Daniel) or (202) 453–8152 (Catharine),
Fax (202) 203–7529, E-mail:
neherde@state.gov or
cashnerce@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau
concerning this RFGP should reference
the above title and number ECA/PE/C/
PY–08–39.
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Please read the complete Federal
Register announcement before sending
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once
the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau
staff may not discuss this competition
with applicants until the proposal
review process has been completed.
VIII. Other Information
Notice: The terms and conditions
published in this RFGP are binding and may
not be modified by any Bureau
representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Bureau that contradicts
published language will not be binding.
Issuance of the RFGP does not constitute an
award commitment on the part of the
Government. The Bureau reserves the right to
reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets
in accordance with the needs of the program
and the availability of funds. Awards made
will be subject to periodic reporting and
evaluation requirements per section VI.3
above.
Dated: April 3, 2008.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,Bureau
of Educational and Cultural
Affairs,Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8–7630 Filed 4–9–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6171]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant
Proposals: Youth Exchange and Study
(YES) Program
Announcement Type: New Grant.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/
PE/C/PY–08–27.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number: 00.000
Key Dates: September 1, 2008–
September 30, 2011.
Application Deadline: May 29, 2008.
Executive Summary: The Office of
Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
announces an open competition for
grants to support exchanges and
relationship building between high
school students from countries with
significant Muslim populations and
people of the United States. Public and
private non-profit organizations meeting
the provisions described in Internal
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C.
501(c)(3) and public institutions may
submit proposals to recruit and select
students and to carry out projects for an
academic year or semester of study in
the United States, incorporating themes
promoting civil society, leadership, and
mutual understanding.
E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 70 (Thursday, April 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19565-19574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7630]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 6173]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: National Security Language Initiative--Youth Program
(NSLI-Y)
Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-08-39.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: June 5, 2008.
Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchange Programs of the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open
competition for projects in support of the National Security Language
Initiative (NSLI) to provide short, medium, and/or long-term foreign
language instruction and cultural immersion programs overseas for
American high school students and those who have just graduated. Public
and private non-profit organizations, or consortia of such
organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code
section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3), may submit proposals to implement these
programs in countries where the following target languages are widely
spoken: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Turkish, Indic, and Farsi.
Programs will be designed for U.S. citizens aged 15 to 18 at the start
of the program who are either currently enrolled in high school or have
just graduated. These programs should offer at least 550 U.S. high
school students structured classroom instruction and less formal
interactive learning opportunities through a comprehensive exchange
experience that primarily emphasizes language learning. The program is
designed to develop additional language study opportunities for U.S.
students. Proposals from applicant organizations should clearly
indicate the building of new, additional institutional language-
teaching capacity overseas for these programs. ECA plans to award a
single grant for the recruitment and administration of all NSLI-Y
programs in all world regions.
The Bureau expects that most students will be placed in host
families, but will consider alternative housing arrangements, such as
dormitories. Alternative arrangements must include adult resident daily
supervision and be combined with brief home stays. In either case, the
student must be ensured his or her own bed. The exchange programs will
take place between January 2009 and December 2010, and we anticipate
that recruitment and planning will begin during the summer/early fall
of 2008. The program builds on two years of short (summer-only)
intensive language programs in Arabic and Chinese conducted in 2006 and
2007. Information on these programs is available at the NSLI Youth Web
site: https://www.exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/
programs/nsli.htm.
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
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is supporting
the participation of American high school students in intensive,
substantive foreign language study to further strengthen national
security and prosperity in the 21st century as part of the National
Security Language Initiative (NSLI), launched by President Bush in
January 2006.
Foreign language skills are essential to engaging foreign
governments and peoples, especially in critical world regions, to
promote understanding and convey respect for other cultures. Americans
will use these skills to support the nation's foreign affairs
priorities, its economic competitiveness, and its educational
institutions as they
[[Page 19566]]
prepare future citizens for full engagement in the global environment.
The broad NSLI initiative focuses resources on improving language
learning for U.S. citizens across the educational spectrum and
emphasizes the need to achieve mastery of critical languages. NSLI-Y
programs support the participation of American high school students and
those who have just graduated in intensive, substantive educational
exchange programs that will promote language learning, as well as
engage the successor generation in a dialogue for greater
understanding.
The goals of the NSLI-Y program are:
To improve the ability of Americans to engage with the
people of Arabic, Turkish, Indic, Farsi, Russian, Korean, and Chinese-
speaking countries through shared language;
To develop a cadre of Americans with advanced linguistic
skills and related cultural understanding who are able to advance
international dialogue, promote the security of the United States,
compete effectively in the global economy; and
To provide a tangible incentive for the learning and use
of foreign languages by developing additional overseas language study
opportunities for U.S. high school students; and
To spark a lifetime interest in foreign cultures among
American youth.
In order to achieve these goals, the Bureau supports programs for
American high school students to gain and improve language proficiency
in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Indic, Farsi, and Turkish. ECA
plans to award a single cooperative agreement for the recruitment and
administration of all NSLI-Y programs in all world regions.
Organizations with expertise in one or more of the indicated languages
are encouraged to seek partners in the other languages to submit a
single proposal. Consortia must designate a lead institution to receive
the grant award. Applicant organizations may submit grant proposals
requesting funds not exceeding $7,400,000 to implement these exchanges
between January 2009 and December 2010. The applicant must also propose
to organize a sub-grant competition so that individual institutions or
consortia such as schools, school districts, non-profits, etc. may
compete to organize their own independent language study abroad
programs.
Through these institutes, U.S. high school students and those who
have just graduated from high school will participate in short, medium,
or academic year programs abroad beginning January 2009. Since there is
an emphasis on substantial progress in foreign language advancement,
applicant organizations should concentrate most efforts on language
instruction and explain clearly the utility and advantages of proposing
each type of program. The programs will provide intensive language
instruction in a classroom setting, and should also provide language-
learning opportunities through immersion in the cultural, social, and
educational life of the partner country. Language study must be the
primary focus of the program, and must offer a range of proficiencies:
beginning, intermediate and advanced. The exchange program should also
expand the participants' knowledge of the host country's history,
culture, and political system as these support language learning.
Indicators of a successful program:
Participants will demonstrate a measurable improvement in
language skills verified through testing that includes a baseline
(entry) assessment, a mid-term (in semester and year-long programs
especially) assessment, and a final assessment. Assessment must measure
both colloquial and formal language acquisition.
Participants will demonstrate--for example, through
surveys, essays, focus groups, or presentations--a deeper understanding
of the host country's culture, society, and institutions.
Alumni will continue their foreign language study and/or
participate in other exchanges to countries where the target languages
are spoken.
Students and families from the host country who engage
with the U.S. participants will demonstrate an interest in learning
more about the United States.
Capacity of Administering Organization
U.S. applicant organizations or consortia must have the necessary
capacity in the partner country or countries to implement the program
through either their own offices or partner institutions. Organizations
may demonstrate their organization's direct expertise, or they may
partner with other organizations to best respond to the requirements
outlined in the RFGP. Organizations that opt to work in sub-grant
arrangements should clearly outline all duties and responsibilities of
the partner organizations, ideally in the form of sub-grant agreements
and accompanying budgets. The lead institution may not host more than
one-third of total exchange participants.
Organizations or consortia applying for this cooperative agreement
must demonstrate their (or their partners') capacity for conducting
projects of this nature, focusing on five areas of competency: (1)
Provision of program support to American high school students; (2)
quality of language instruction programs for the target audience; and
(3) age-appropriate cultural programming; and (4) alumni tracking and
follow-upon language acquisition; and (5) experience working with
individuals from the proposed host countries. Applicant organizations
must clearly address the building of new and increased institutional
language study capacity overseas, especially for high school students.
Programs Models and Information
Proposals must include each of the three following program models:
Short language institutes, semester, and academic year study programs.
Intensive language institutes: Each six- to eight-week program will
focus on language study and cultural immersion, and will include four
to six hours per day of formal language instruction, plus excursions,
briefings and discussions on key cultural issues. Institutes may be
offered in June/July 2009 and 2010; organizations may propose other
timeframes with a justification. Language institutes should also
include follow-on programs in a range of successive proficiencies for
returning participants or those who have language experience.
Semester programs: High school juniors and seniors and those who
have just graduated. Semester (three to five months) programs will
focus on language study and cultural immersion and will include
significant formal language instruction, plus excursions, briefings,
and discussions on key cultural issues. Programs may take place in
spring and fall semesters 2009, and spring and fall semesters 2010.
Applicants are encouraged to explore options for providing academic
coursework outside of the target language so that high school students
are not disadvantaged when they return to their U.S. school.
Academic year programs: These programs will be limited to juniors
and seniors (and recent high school graduates who begin the program
activities before their 19th birthday). Academic year programs will
focus on language study and cultural immersion and will include
significant daily formal language instruction, plus excursions,
briefings, and discussions on key cultural issues. Applicants are
encouraged to explore options for providing academic coursework outside
of the target language so that high school students are not
disadvantaged when they return to their U.S. school.
[[Page 19567]]
For All Program Models
While teaching conversational vocabulary will be necessary to help
students cope with their immersion setting, classes will also provide
formal instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, and will
cover speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
All programs should also include a secondary cultural immersion
component designed to reinforce language learning with planned
excursions that give the students the opportunity to participate in
activities designed to teach them about the society, culture and
history of the host country. The program activities will introduce the
students to the community as feasible and appropriate and will include
educational excursions that serve to enhance the visitors'
understanding of contemporary society, culture, media, political
institutions, ethnic diversity, history, and environment of the region.
Cooperating organizations should make every effort to identify
American students at all levels of language competency--beginning,
intermediate, and advanced--for each language, including heritage
speakers. To the fullest extent possible, grantees should strive to
place students of different levels in each program model (summer,
semester and academic year).
Staff should be physically present and available to support the
participants throughout the course of all programs.
Country and Language Information
The Bureau reserves the right to make changes in eligible countries
for programming based on safety and security concerns.
For Arabic Programs
Applicant organizations should present plans for approximately 75
participants in the language institutes, 30 participants for the
semester program, and 15 participants for the academic year program.
Arabic language instruction should be available for three levels of
students at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced level.
Approximately 1/3 of participants should be at the intermediate and
advanced level; every effort should be made to achieve a balance of
programs at the different instruction levels. The program should
describe a plan to test all students prior to placement to determine
the appropriate level of instruction. The proposed program should make
explicit accommodation for learners of varying skill levels.
Classroom instruction should emphasize Modern Standard Arabic with
class time devoted also to colloquial Arabic, so that students may
interact with host families and peers in Arabic.
Applicant organizations should plan to send students to a country
in North Africa, the Middle East, or the Gulf region, with the
exception of Algeria, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and
West Bank/Gaza. Any proposal to place students in Syria is limited to
short-term study in Damascus only, with a maximum of nine participants.
Applicant organizations should include venues in Egypt, Morocco, and
Jordan.
For Chinese Programs
Applicant organizations should present plans for approximately 75
participants in the language institutes, 30 participants for the
semester program, and 15 participants for the academic year program.
Chinese language instruction should be available for three levels of
students: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Approximately 1/3 of the
participants should be at the intermediate and advanced level. The
program should describe a plan to test all students prior to placement
to determine the appropriate level of instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation for learners of varying skill
levels.
Students should study Mandarin in class and through informal study
and interaction with their host community. Teaching materials used in
the program should be available in both simplified and traditional
character versions. The Hanyu pinyin romanization system should be
used.
Applicant organizations should plan to send students to the
People's Republic of China (mainland China) or Taiwan for study.
For Farsi Programs
Applicant organizations should present plans for approximately 15
participants in an intensive language institute only (NOT for semester
or academic year programs). Farsi language instruction should be
available for three levels of students: beginning, intermediate, and
advanced. Approximately \1/3\ of participants should be at the
intermediate and advanced level. The program should devise a plan to
test all students prior to placement to determine the appropriate level
of instruction. The proposed program should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels.
Formal instruction in written and spoken Farsi must be offered.
Students should learn Farsi in class and through informal study and
interaction with their host community.
For Farsi, applicants may not plan to send students to Iran,
Afghanistan, or Uzbekistan. Organizations may propose sending students
to any other country with a significant Farsi-speaking population,
subject to approval by ECA and the Mission in that country. Programs in
Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates will be given favorable
consideration under the review criterion: institutional capacity.
For Indic Programs
Applicant organizations may submit a proposal for up to ten
participants for intensive language institutes only (NOT for semester
or academic-year programs). Instruction in Indic languages should
include Hindi, and may also include Bengali, Punjabi, and Urdu, subject
to Embassy approval. The program should devise a plan to test all
students prior to placement to determine the appropriate level of
instruction. The proposed program should make explicit accommodation
for learners of varying skill levels, including intermediate and
advanced if students place at those levels.
Students should learn the target language in class and through
informal study and interaction with their host community.
Applicant organizations should plan to send students to New Delhi,
India, or to cities close to a U.S. mission, and should consult with
that mission.
For Korean Programs
Applicant organizations should present plans for approximately 50
participants in the language institutes, 10 participants for the
semester program, and 10 participants for the academic year program.
Korean language instruction should be available for three levels of
students: elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Approximately \1/2\
of participants should be at the intermediate and advanced level. The
program should devise a plan to test all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation for learners of varying skill
levels.
Students should learn Korean in class and through informal study
and interaction with their host community. The Hangeul alphabet system
should be used. Students should also be introduced to NAKL.
Applicant organizations should plan to send students to South
Korea.
[[Page 19568]]
For Russian Programs
Applicant organizations should present plans for approximately 75
participants in the language institutes, 25 participants for the
semester program, and ten participants for the academic year program.
Russian language instruction should be available for three levels of
students: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Approximately \1/2\ of
participants should be at the intermediate and advanced level. The
program should devise a plan to test all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation for learners of varying skill
levels.
Students should learn Russian in class and through informal study
and interaction with their host community.
Applicant organizations should plan to send students to Russia.
Applicants are encouraged to propose programs outside of Moscow and St.
Petersburg, in order to maximize opportunities for language learning.
For Turkish Programs
Applicant organizations should present plans for approximately 50
participants in the intensive language institute, 22 participants for
the semester program, and 5 participants for the academic year program.
Turkish language instruction should be available for three levels of
students: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Approximately \1/3\ of
participants should be at the intermediate and advanced level. The
program should devise a plan to test all students prior to placement to
determine the appropriate level of instruction. The proposed program
should make explicit accommodation for learners of varying skill
levels.
Students should learn Turkish in class and through informal study
and interaction with their host community.
Applicant organizations should plan to send students to Turkey. If
applicants propose programs in Ankara and Istanbul, they are encouraged
to provide excursions to other parts of the country. Other cities close
to a U.S. consulate may be considered following consultations with the
mission.
The participant numbers outlined above are approximate and intended
as suggestions only. The Bureau reserves the right to amend or modify
the list of eligible countries and the target numbers of participants
should conditions change in the host country.
Statement of Work
Participant Recruitment and Selection
The cooperating agency will recruit, screen, and select US high
school and just-graduated students ages 15-18 at the beginning of the
program. Selected participants should show strong evidence of ability
to succeed academically in an intensive, demanding language study
program and to adjust socially in an overseas environment. Participants
should represent the diversity of the United States. Diversity
addresses differences of religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status,
and physical abilities. Selected students should also represent
diversity of geography, type of school, and a balance between genders.
Selected students should demonstrate a strong intention of continuing
their language study beyond the scholarship period and applying their
critical language skills later in their academic careers.
The Bureau should be consulted regarding the selection of
candidates, and will approve the selection of finalists and alternates
for the program.
Information about the program, along with all accompanying
application materials, should be posted online. Applicant organizations
should propose under Tab E a comprehensive outreach plan to publicize
and recruit for the program at high schools and elsewhere nationwide.
The Bureau requests that interested students apply to the program
through an online application system. An alternate paper-based
application should also be provided for those candidates unable to
apply online. These paper-based applications, however, must be entered
into the online system by cooperating organization program staff. All
application materials should be available in a sortable, searchable,
electronically accessible database format that can be easily shared
with the Bureau upon request.
Orientations/Pre-Departure Preparations
The administering organization will facilitate medical screening
and clearance to ensure that students are healthy and have
immunizations necessary for safe travel to the host country. It will
also develop a parental/participant release form to be signed before
departure.
The administering organization will organize a substantive, in-
person, pre-departure orientation for all students. Working in
consultation with ECA, the organization should include in the
orientation a security briefing on the host country. The cooperating
organization may also need to work in consultation with ECA and the
U.S. Embassy in the host country to arrange an in-country security
briefing to be held by the Embassy's Regional Security Officer. The
orientations will take place in Washington, DC. The applicant
organization will provide a compelling justification if they propose to
host these orientations in any other location. Comprehensive
information packets will be provided to all orientation participants. A
sample of the contents of these packets will be provided under Tab E.
At the end of the exchange, the cooperating agency will organize
closing workshops for the students prior to departure from their host
countries, which will focus on summarizing the experience, completing
an evaluation, language testing, developing plans for activities at
home, and preparing for re-entry.
Project Activities for All Program Models
Describe in sufficient detail the major components of the program,
including project planning; publicity and recruitment, including
responding to and management of a significant volume of queries and
applications; the host venues; selection; orientations (U.S. and
overseas); assessment and testing; language instruction; educational
enrichment activities; cultural activities; participant monitoring,
particularly host families and living situations; reporting to ECA of
issues; and logistics.
The administering organization will provide instruction in a target
language for U.S high school students who may be beginning and/or
intermediate/advanced students of the language. While teaching
conversational language skills will be necessary to help students cope
with their immersion setting, classes should also provide formal
instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, and will cover
reading, speaking, listening, and writing. Instruction should provide a
solid foundation for future study of the language.
During the exchange, the students will also have the opportunity to
participate in activities designed to teach them about community life,
citizen participation, and the culture and history of the host country.
Activities will engage host country peers as much as possible. The
program activities will introduce the students to the community--its
leaders and institutions, the ways citizens participate in local
government and the resolution of societal problems--and
[[Page 19569]]
will include educational excursions that serve to enhance the
participants' understanding of contemporary life through study of the
community's history, culture, media, political institutions, ethnic
diversity, and environment. Embassy and Consular personnel may pose
limits or guidelines on all aspects of the community and outreach
portions of the exchange.
Students will have opportunities for volunteerism and community
service, and these activities should involve interacting with host
country peers. Cooperating agencies will encourage students to share
their culture, lifestyle, and traditions with local citizens throughout
their stay and especially during International Education Week (November
17-21). Enhancement activities will increase and enhance students'
appreciation of the importance of tolerance and respect for the views,
beliefs, and practices of people from other cultures. Enhancement
activities may include, but are not limited to, integrated projects
with host country nationals, including foreign alumni of ECA programs.
The applicant will work with ECA to develop strategies to identify and
work with these alumni.
Living Arrangements
Applicants should describe a plan to provide students with
qualified, screened, and well-motivated host families. With
justification, proposals may include reasonable living allowances for
the host families to cover costs associated with hosting a student.
Living allowances will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case
basis. Applicants must propose a standardized screening process in the
selection of host families, and for consulting about their proposed
placement locations (neighborhoods, regions) with the Public Affairs
Sections (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy and with the Bureau of Education and
Cultural Affairs. Since the purpose of the programs is to provide an
immersion experience for the language learners and increase their
language skills, ECA strongly recommends home stays with local families
for as much time during the program as possible, balancing this with
time spent in a dormitory setting where the participants may be more
inclined to speak English.
While full-time host family placements are preferred, students may
be placed in a dormitory setting that includes daily adult resident
supervision to ensure the security of participants and that affords the
opportunity for visits with designated and screened host families who
can offer brief home stays throughout the course of the exchange. In
either case, the student must be ensured his or her own bed.
Programs should provide three meals a day. While participants may
receive meal stipends for some meals, program organizers should ensure
that a majority of meals are provided through homestays, pre-paid board
plans, group meals, etc., to ensure that students are eating properly.
With justification, applicants may provide students with monthly
stipends adequate to cover necessary expenses. Proposals may include a
reasonable living allowance to host families. The amounts of any
stipends or allowances should be justified based on the host country's
local economy.
Applicants must provide students with a local representative on
whom the student may call for resolution of any cultural, academic, or
adjustment issue. The person must be an English speaker that is either
American or a host country national with significant experience living
in the United States. Students should also be provided with an English
speaking emergency contact available at any time, and with the means to
communicate with this person. In some cases--and with proper
justification--cell phones may be issued to the students for health and
safety reasons.
Each program should have an adult accompany the students on the
international flight, and an adult, English speaking staff member must
be available in country to support the participants during the course
of the program.
Assessment and Testing
Standardized pre- and post-institute testing should be done to
determine participants' language proficiency and progress.
Pre- and post-testing should measure the student's advancement in
language learning. Applicants should describe plans and instruments to
measure students' increased language proficiency due to participation
in this program. The data need to be analyzed and reported by the
cooperating agency to ECA for the program, disaggregated by institute.
Alumni Tracking and Follow-On Activities
Alumni activities and tracking are important parts of ECA exchange
programs. The applicant must provide a plan of follow-up with alumni by
e-mail, through a website or weblog, newsletter, listservs, and/or in
person, and should assist alumni in maintaining connections with
organizations and individuals in the host country. The cooperating
organization will be expected to develop a plan to track the activities
of alumni and their continued interest in studying the language.
The cooperating organization will be strongly encouraged to
coordinate with ECA's Global Connections and Exchange Program (GCE) to
facilitate school connectivity between the schools where the U.S.
participants study, and schools in the host countries. This type of
follow-on activity will increase the competitiveness of proposal
submissions under the criterion: Follow-on activities. Information
about the countries and specific programs can be found at: https://
exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/programs/connections/.
As an element of follow-on activities, cooperating organizations
will be expected to provide opportunities for maintaining participants'
involvement and interest in intercultural communication. The
cooperating agency is strongly urged to outline how it will creatively
organize and financially support alumni activities at a minimal cost to
ECA.
Publicity
The proposal must describe how these programs will be publicized to
media outlets, including print, online, and broadcast to reach the
widest possible audience of qualified students. The cooperating agency
will also work closely with ECA to publicize the successes of the
students involved in these institutes, as well as the National Security
Language Initiative as a whole. Under Tab E, the applicant organization
should provide information on successful media outreach campaigns it
has conducted in the past.
Institutional Grant Program
The applicant must also propose to organize a sub-grant competition
so that individual institutions or consortia such as colleges, schools,
school districts, non-profit organizations, etc. may compete to
organize their own independent short-term (six to eight week) language
study abroad programs for 10-20 high school students in a critical
language listed above. Recipients of small grants would be expected to
conduct their own recruitment, selection, orientation, language study,
and participant monitoring and evaluations. Individual student
participants of these programs should still use the EGOALS evaluation
system, should complete a common online application, and should be
included in NSLI-Y alumni tracking and other alumni programming. The
purpose of the small grants is to
[[Page 19570]]
encourage the development of new or beginning exchange programs and
build institutional language instruction capacity and cultural
understanding in institutions in the United States and overseas. All
elements of this competition will be developed in collaboration with
ECA/PE/C/Y and with Embassies overseas. No less than $1,500,000 should
be set aside for this purpose. ECA envisions 10-12 grants to be awarded
and at least 150 students to travel through these small grant programs.
Cooperative Agreement
In a cooperative agreement, ECA/PE/C/PY is substantially involved
in program activities above and beyond routine grant monitoring. ECA/
PE/C/PY activities and responsibilities for this program are as
follows:
(1) Review all print and online materials (including, but not
limited to, those for recruitment and orientation) regarding the
institutes before publication and dissemination. Review does not
include instructional materials, though the Bureau does reserve the
right to request these materials as needed.
(2) Work with the cooperating agency on a recruitment strategy.
(3) Work with the cooperating agency to publicize the program, and
the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) as a whole, through
various media outlets.
(4) Review and approve application forms.
(5) Participate in selection committees.
(6) Confirm final selection of principal and alternate candidates.
(7) Work with cooperating agency to implement participant
orientations.
(8) Review project activity schedules for all programs.
(9) Be kept informed by the cooperating agency of its progress at
each stage of the project's implementation through timely updates. In
addition to these updates, ECA should be informed immediately of any
serious participant issues, including, but not limited to health,
safety, and security issues.
(10) Provide Bureau-approved evaluation surveys for completion by
participants after completion of program.
(11) Provide substantive input on alumni activities and follow-up
events.
(12) Work with cooperating agency on the recruitment, selection of
grantees, and the implementation of institutional grants.
Note: All materials, publicity, and correspondence related to
the program must acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.
The Bureau will retain copyright use of and distribute materials
related to this program as it sees fit.
Funding
Grant funding will support costs including for recruitment and
selection of participants, testing, orientation, travel, tuition and
maintenance costs, educational enhancements, cultural and social
activities, alumni activities, institutional grants, and administrative
costs. The cooperating agency should budget for travel to Washington,
DC to review program parameters with ECA.
State Department Evaluation
Independently of the cooperating organization, the Bureau's Office
of Policy and Evaluation will also conduct evaluations of the NSLI-Y
program through E-GOALS, its online system for surveying program
participants and collecting data about program performance.
E-GOALS system evaluations assist ECA and its program grantees in
meeting the requirements of the Government Performance Results Act
(GPRA) of 1993. This Act requires federal agencies to measure the
results of their programs in meeting pre-determined performance goals
and objectives.
All NSLI-Y program participants will take three online surveys:
Standardized pre-program surveys, at the beginning of the
program;
Standardized post-program surveys, at the end of the
program; and
Standardized follow-up surveys, approximately six months
to a year after the conclusion of the program.
Further details on specific program responsibilities can be found
in the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation document.
Interested organizations should read the entire Federal Register
announcement prior to preparing proposals. Please refer to the Proposal
Submission Instructions for further information.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2008.
Approximate Total Funding: $7.4 million.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Anticipated Award Date: August 30, 2008.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 30, 2010.
Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, ECA
reserves the right to renew the cooperative agreement for two
additional fiscal years.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and
funding in support of its programs.
When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements
Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than
four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited
to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates awarding a grant (or
grants) in an amount over $60,000 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.
[[Page 19571]]
IV.1 Contact Information To Request an Application Package
Please contact the Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen
Exchanges (ECA/PE/C/PY), room 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301
4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone (202) 203-7502, Fax
(202) 203-7529, or E-mail NowlinJR@state.gov to request a Solicitation
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/PE/C/PY-
08-39) 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 Dan Neher or Catharine
Cashner and refer to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/PE/C/PY-08-39)
located at the top of this announcement on all other inquiries and
correspondence.
IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's
Web site at https://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm or from
the grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov. Please read all
information before downloading.
IV.3. Content and Form of Submission
Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation
Package. The original and eight copies of the application should be
sent per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Submission Dates and Times
section'' below.
IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities.
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application
package.
IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal
narrative and budget.
Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory
PSI document for additional formatting and technical requirements.
IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of
application.
Please note: Effective March 14, 2008, all applicants for ECA
federal assistance awards must include with their application, a
copy of page 5, Part V-A, ``Current Officers, Directors, Trustees,
and Key Employees'' of their most recent Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) Form 990, ``Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.''
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
While the students will not travel on J-1 visas, which are for
foreign exchange visitors to the United States, the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically important emphasis
on the security and proper administration of the Exchange Visitor (J
visa) Programs and recipients and sponsors responsibilities to all
regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should
demonstrate the applicant's plan to meet all similar requirements as
those governing the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs for
students coming to the U.S. as set forth in 22 CFR part 62, for
American participants traveling abroad, including screening and
selection of program participants and host families, provision of pre-
arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of
participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping,
reporting and other requirements.
Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information. 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, 301 4th
Street, SW., Room 734, 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 cooperating organization 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
[[Page 19572]]
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.)
Cooperating organizations 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. The anticipated per person cost for a six-to-eight-week
program is $8,000 to $10,000. For the semester-long program,
anticipated cost is $20,000. For the academic year program, cost is
estimated at $30,000. There must be a summary budget as well as
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets.
Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component,
phase, location, or activity to provide clarification. Applicants
should also provide copies of any sub-grant agreements that would be
implemented under terms of this award.
IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
(1) Recruitment/selection;
(2) Preparation/orientation;
(3) Visas and associated costs;
(4) Travel;
(5) Institute costs, including language instruction, program
activities, and monitoring;
(6) Room and board, as necessary;
(7) Reasonable living allowance for host families;
(8) Follow-on activities, including costs for school connectivity
and alumni tracking;
(9) Evaluation/Administration.
Maximum limits on grant funding are as follows: Conference room
rental costs-$250 per day per room; Consultant fees and honoraria-$250/
day; Evaluation costs-2% to 5% of the grant.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
Application Deadline Date: June 5, 2008.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-08-39.
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 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 eight copies of the application should be sent to:
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY-08-39, 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) or Microsoft Word format on a PC-formatted
disk. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to the
appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassies for their
review.
IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic Applications
Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically
through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the
system. Please follow the instructions available in the 'Get Started'
portion of the site (https://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should
[[Page 19573]]
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
assistance awards 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: Proposals should exhibit
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's
mission and the purposes outlined in this solicitation. Proposals
should demonstrate how students would be recruited, selected,
monitored, instructed in the target language, and supported as alumni.
The level of creativity, resources, and effectiveness will be primary
factors for review. Proposals should be clearly and accurately written,
with sufficient relevant detail. Proposed programs should deliver high
quality language instruction and strengthen long-term mutual
understanding, including maximum sharing of information and
establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.
Proposals should include creative ways to involve students in their
host communities.
2. Program planning: Proposals should clearly demonstrate an
understanding of the program's objectives and how the organization will
achieve them. The Narrative should address all of the items in the
Statement of Work and Guidelines described above. A detailed agenda and
relevant work plan should demonstrate organizational competency and
logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to the program
overview, timetable and guidelines described in this solicitation.
3. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity in all program aspects
including all participants (exchange students and hosts), sending and
hosting communities, orientation, and program activities. Proposals
should articulate a diversity plan, not just a statement of compliance.
4. Follow-on activities: Proposals should provide a plan for
continued contact with returnees to ensure that they are tracked over
time, utilized and/or organized as alumni, and provided opportunities
to reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired on the exchange and
share them with others. Proposals should articulate mechanisms to be
used to foster ongoing interaction through mechanisms like ECA's Global
Connections program.
5. Institutional Record/Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate a
well-established infrastructure in the country or countries with which
they plan to send high school students. Proposals for a consortium must
have clearly defined roles for each partner organization and a plan for
monitoring the work of each partner. Proposed personnel and
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve
the program's goals. Proposals should demonstrate the capacity of in-
country organizations to fully support and ensure the safety and well-
being of participants throughout the duration of their program.
Submissions should also demonstrate an understanding of the
complexities of the exchange environment.
6. Program Evaluation: Successful applicants will demonstrate clear
program goals and objectives as well as strategies for monitoring
student and alumni progress. Proposals should include a plan to
evaluate the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at
the end of the program. Submission of a sample program-specific draft
survey questionnaire, or other technique, plus description of a
methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives are
highly recommended. Applicants may describe any experience conducting
results-oriented evaluations. Proposals should indicate a language
acquisition assessment plan that includes a baseline (entry)
assessment, a mid-term (for semester and year-long programs)
assessment, and a final assessment. The cooperating organization will
be expected to submit quarterly reports that include student and alumni
activities and progress. The final project evaluation should provide
qualitative and quantitative data about the project's influence on the
participants, including their language gain and continuing study of the
target language, as well as their surrounding communities.
7. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-Sharing: The overhead and administrative
components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be
kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and
appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
institutional direct funding contributions, as well as other private
sector support. Preference will be given to organizations whose
proposals demonstrate a quality, cost-effective program.
[[Page 19574]]
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.) A conc