Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: EducationUSA Advising Coordination and Support Program, 7725-7732 [E9-3533]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 32 (Thursday, February 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7725-7732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3533]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6530]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: EducationUSA Advising Coordination and Support Program

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement Funding.
    Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/A-10-03.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates: Program Start Date: October 1, 2009 (pending the 
availability of funds).
    Application Deadline: April 24, 2009.

[[Page 7726]]

    Executive Summary: The Educational Information and Resources Branch 
in the Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition 
for up to five assistance awards to administer components of the 
Office's EducationUSA Advising Coordination and Support Program in 
Fiscal Year 2010. Public and private non-profit organizations or 
consortia of eligible organizations meeting the provisions described in 
Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to 
cooperate with the Bureau in the administration of the EducationUSA 
Advising Coordination and Support Program as noted below.
    To facilitate effective communication between ECA's Educational 
Information and Resources Branch (ECA/A/S/A) and the organizations 
cooperating on this program, award recipients must have a Washington, 
DC presence. Applicants who do not currently have a Washington, DC 
presence must include in their proposals a detailed plan for 
establishing such a presence by October 1, 2009. The costs related to 
establishing such a presence must be borne by the award recipient. No 
such costs may be included in the budget submission in this proposal. 
The award recipient must have e-mail capability, access to Internet 
resources, and the ability to exchange data electronically with all 
partners involved in the EducationUSA Advising Coordination and Support 
Program.
    The goal of this program is to increase student mobility between 
the United States and other countries by providing support to 
EducationUSA, the network of overseas educational advising centers 
affiliated with the Department of State. EducationUSA centers operate 
in a wide variety of institutional settings around the world, including 
binational Fulbright Commissions, Public Affairs Sections of U.S. 
Embassies, independent binational centers, foreign universities, and 
the overseas offices of U.S. non-government organizations. The support 
of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for these centers 
varies by center and region, and ranges from support for educational 
resources and the professional development of advising staffs to, in a 
limited number of locations, direct support for office operations. In 
addition, all EducationUSA centers receive specialized, highly tailored 
advice from Bureau-supported regional and country educational advising 
coordinators who currently are based in fourteen locations in every 
world region.
    EducationUSA centers are catalysts for the enrollment in U.S. 
colleges and universities of students and scholars sponsored by the 
U.S. government and by other sponsors as well as students and scholars 
seeking U.S. study opportunities independently. The advising staffs at 
EducationUSA centers provide comprehensive, balanced advice about the 
complex range of higher educational opportunities in the United States 
to international students, parents, scholars, and foreign government 
officials. EducationUSA centers also assist U.S. institutions of higher 
education in their overseas outreach efforts. In addition, the 
EducationUSA network encourages study abroad by Americans and the 
development of study abroad opportunities by U.S. universities. The use 
of the EducationUSA logo is critical to the identity of the network. 
More information on the network and a current EducationUSA center list 
is located at https://www.educationusa.state.gov.
    Applicant organizations may submit proposals for the following 
components of the EducationUSA Advising Coordination and Support 
Program:

Component A: Regional and Country EducationUSA Advising Coordination

    One recipient organization will provide programmatic oversight, 
maintain channels of communication, organize professional development 
opportunities and provide logistical support and human resources 
services to regional and country advising coordinators as follows:
     Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REACs) based 
in Sub-Saharan Africa (two locations), Europe and Eurasia (two or more 
locations), East Asia and the Pacific (three locations including China, 
North Asia and Southeast Asia), North Africa and the Middle East, South 
and Central Asia (two or more locations, including India), and the 
Western Hemisphere (three locations, including Mexico, Brazil, and a 
country on the Pacific coast of South America). Applicant organizations 
may propose specific locations within the countries and regions 
specified above.
     Country Coordinators based in Brazil, China, Indonesia, 
Russia, and Vietnam. Applicant organizations may propose specific 
locations within these countries.
    The recipient organization will support the EducationUSA advising 
effort through coordinated outreach and marketing to international 
student audiences, on-going communication of substantive advice about 
educational issues to EducationUSA centers, and the innovative use of 
technology. The marketing effort should be coordinated by a full-time 
marketing coordinator whose responsibilities should include the 
coordination of updated online materials in key languages such as 
Persian, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese, 
Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia and Vietnamese. Other languages may be 
included based on consultation with ECA/A/S/A. The recipient 
organization will also ensure that the coordinators prepare and provide 
to the Bureau, U.S. embassies and Fulbright commissions annual 
assessments of current issues faced by EducationUSA advising centers 
with specific reference to regional trends in student mobility. 
Coordinators should also provide, for review and approval by ECA/A/S/A, 
periodic recommendations of reference materials, equipment, and 
professional development opportunities to meet the needs of 
EducationUSA centers and their advising staffs in the coordinators' 
countries or regions of responsibility. Additional information about 
Component A is provided in the Project Objectives, Goals and 
Implementation (POGI).

Component B: EducationUSA Center Advising Support

    One or more recipient organizations will provide operational 
support to EducationUSA advising centers in the following regions:
    (1) Eurasia/Central Asia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and 
Ukraine).
    (2) Middle East/North Africa (Egypt, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, 
Morocco, Oman, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank, and Yemen).
    (3) East Asia (China, Mongolia, Vietnam).
    (4) Western Hemisphere (Guatemala, Mexico).
    Although educational advising centers belonging to the EducationUSA 
network in countries and regions not listed above may not receive 
direct operational support from the Bureau under Component B of this 
program, all EducationUSA advising centers worldwide will be eligible 
for support from the Bureau for professional development, reference 
materials, equipment, outreach efforts, and coordinator support through 
Component A and other mechanisms.
    In addition, support for EducationUSA centers in Eurasia/Central 
Asia and the Middle East/North Africa includes administrative and 
program support for a program of Opportunity Scholarships. This program 
provides support to well qualified international students of limited

[[Page 7727]]

financial means to cover the up-front costs of applying for admission 
and financial aid, as well as the costs of visas and international 
travel. Proposals should address how the organization will engage 
educational advisers in the identification of candidates and how the 
administrative efforts in the affected advising centers will give 
priority to this initiative.
    Proposals for the Middle East/North Africa may include requests for 
support for online outreach to Iranians in English and Persian.
    Additional information about Component B, including a list of 
countries in which EducationUSA Centers are currently eligible to 
participate in the Opportunity scholarships program, is provided in the 
Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI).

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: Overall grant making authority for this program is 
contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. 
The purpose of the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United 
States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the 
United States and the people of other countries * * *; to strengthen 
the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the 
educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of 
the 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: To facilitate and increase the flow of international 
students to the U.S. in an effort to deepen and expand understanding of 
U.S. society, culture, and values in other countries, and to expand the 
understanding of foreign cultures and societies by Americans through 
the increased participation of U.S. students in academically sound 
study abroad programs in a widening range of international locations, 
especially in non-traditional study abroad destinations. The work of 
EducationUSA centers is critical to the Bureau's pursuit of these 
objectives.

Additional Guidelines

    Applicant organizations must submit separate proposals with budgets 
and narratives outlining a comprehensive strategy for the 
administration and implementation of each program component for which 
they are applying:
    Component A: Regional and Country EducationUSA Advising 
Coordination;
    Component B: EducationUSA Center Advising Support (in one or more 
of four specified regions--Eurasia/Central Asia, Middle East/North 
Africa, East Asia, and the Western Hemisphere).
    Organizations may apply for either or both components of the 
program and for one or more regions under Component B. Organizations 
submitting proposals under Component B for more than one region should 
submit one proposal for each region proposed. Each proposal submitted 
for this competition should reflect a vision that includes innovative 
ideas and recommendations.
    The narrative portion of the proposal for each program component 
should not exceed 20 pages. Proposals may utilize appendices to 
illustrate elements of the narrative. Applicants must also provide a 
separate administrative and program budget for each program component. 
Where possible, proposals for more than one component or for more than 
one region under Component B should reflect economies of scale and 
demonstrate administrative efficiencies.
    Please refer to the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) for further information.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement(s). In a cooperative 
agreement, the Bureau is substantially involved in program activities 
above and beyond routine monitoring. ECA/A/S/A activities and 
responsibilities for this program are to:
     Participate in staff selection, review staffing 
requirements, travel plans, budgets, and policy guidance and direction;
     Maintain direct role in monitoring coordinators' 
relationships with advisers, Public Affairs Sections, ECA offices, U.S. 
universities and other organizations;
     Assist, where necessary and possible, with requirements 
for coordinator access to U.S. embassies. Where possible, arrange for 
APO or pouch privileges for coordinators to facilitate receipt of 
educational materials;
     Consult coordinators on the development of annual regional 
strategic plans; approve travel plans, adviser travel grants, 
professional development, workshops, venues, agendas; consult regarding 
substantive advising issues;
     Assist with meetings of regional and country coordinators;
     Meet with coordinators on other occasions as necessary;
     Work with Public Affairs sections at U.S. embassies and 
consulates to oversee and evaluate the quality of advising services and 
to identify appropriate center locations;
     Review for approval requests for funding for reference 
materials, workshops, and outreach.
    The amount that will be available for this program in FY2010 
resources cannot be determined until FY2010 funds are appropriated. 
However, for planning purposes applicant organizations may submit 
budgets in this competition in the amounts noted below.

Fiscal Year Funds: FY2010

    Approximate Total Funding: Approximately $7,900,000, pending 
availability of FY2010 funds.
    Component A: Regional and Country EducationUSA Advising 
Coordination--approximately $4,300,000.
    Component B: EducationUSA Advising Support:
    a. Eurasia/Central Asia--approximately $1,700,000.
    b. Middle East/North Africa--approximately $800,000.
    c. East Asia--up to approximately $1,000,000.
    d. Western Hemisphere--approximately $100,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: At least two, not more than five.
    Approximate Average Award: Not Applicable.
    Floor of Award Range: approximately $100,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: approximately $4,300,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 1, 
2009.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew cooperative agreements issued in response to this 
solicitation for up to two additional fiscal years, before openly 
competing the programs again.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the

[[Page 7728]]

applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may 
be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
    III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: (a.) Bureau grant guidelines 
require that organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau 
funding. ECA anticipates making between two and five awards, in amounts 
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 announcement before sending 
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with 
applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

    IV.1 Contact Information to Request an Application Package: Please 
contact the Office of Global Educational Programs, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20547, telephone: 202-453-8866, fax number: 202-453-8890, e-mail: 
MoraDD@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S//A-10-03 located at the top of this 
announcement when making your request. Alternatively, an electronic 
application package may be obtained from grants.gov. Please see section 
IV.3f for further information.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Dorothy Mora, Program Officer, and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/A-10-03 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/grants/open2.html, or from the Grants.gov 
Web site at https://www.grants.gov.
    Please read all information before downloading.
    IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be 
submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and 
Methods of Submission'' section below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for 
ECA federal assistance awards must include in their application the 
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers, 
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation). In 
fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information in one 
of the following ways:
    (1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of 
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant 
portions of this form.
    (2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information 
above in the format of their choice.
    In addition to final program reporting requirements, award 
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived 
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant 
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior 
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as 
the one-page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by 
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by 
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and 
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and 
Budget on its USASpending.gov Web site as part of ECA's FFATA reporting 
requirements.
    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: For 
applicants' information only, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs places critically important emphases on the security and proper 
administration of the Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence 
by award recipients and sponsors to all regulations governing the J 
visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity 
to meet all requirements governing the administration of the Exchange 
Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, including the oversight of 
Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and 
selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information 
and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper 
maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other 
requirements. The award recipient will be responsible for issuing DS-
2019 forms to participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at https://
exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of

[[Page 7729]]

State, Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-
44, Room 734, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: 
(202) 203-5029, FAX: (202) 453-8640.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
    IV.3d.2 Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines: Pursuant to 
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, 
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section 
for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal. 
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of 
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such 
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' 
Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes 
to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the recipient 
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 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.)
    Recipient 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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: i.e. sustainability, overall 
program management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any 
other requirements etc.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs'' along with a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns 
reflecting both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may 
provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, 
location, or activity to provide clarification. Indirect costs may not 
be charged against participant program costs.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) REAC manager, Regional and Country Coordinator, and Marketing/
Technology Coordinator salaries, benefits, health insurance, 
retirement;
    (2) Costs for coordinator professional development and for 
facilitating communication and information flow among coordinators and 
with advising centers;
    (3) Part-time assistant salaries;
    (4) Coordinator travel;
    (5) Logistical support and equipment;
    (6) Cost of organizing regional adviser professional development 
programs;
    (7) Advising center staff salaries and benefits;
    (8) Reference materials, computer equipment for centers and 
coordinators;
    (9) Office supplies and expenses, including rent, communications, 
postage and shipping;
    (10) Outreach, publicity, and special projects costs;
    (11) Indirect costs. Indirect costs may not be charged against 
participant program costs.

[[Page 7730]]

    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: Friday, April 24, 2009.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/S/A-10-03.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    (1.) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2.) Electronically through https://www.grants.gov.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    IV.3f.1 Submitting Printed Applications: Applications must be 
shipped no later than the above deadline. Delivery services used by 
applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping identification and 
tracking systems that may be accessed via the Internet and delivery 
people who are identifiable by commonly recognized uniforms and 
delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or before the above deadline 
but received at ECA more than seven days after the deadline will be 
ineligible for further consideration under this competition. Proposals 
shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for 
consideration under this competition. ECA will not notify you upon 
receipt of application. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure 
that each package is marked with a legible tracking number and to 
monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the Internet. Delivery of proposal 
packages may not be made via local courier service or in person for 
this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. 
Only proposals submitted as stated above will be considered.

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

    The original and eight copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/S/A-10-03, 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 Sections at the U.S. embassies for their 
review.
    IV.3f.2--Submitting Electronic Applications: Applicants have the 
option of submitting proposals electronically through Grants.gov 
(https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available 
at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the system. Please follow the 
instructions available in the ``Get Started'' portion of the site 
(https://www.grants.gov/GetStarted).
    Several of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process could 
take several weeks. Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate 
staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP 
to confirm or determine their registration status with Grants.gov.
    Once registered, the amount of time it can take to upload an 
application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the 
size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. In 
addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can 
take up to two business days.
    Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov.
    The Grants.gov Web site includes extensive information on all 
phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive 
section on frequently asked questions, located under the ``For 
Applicants'' section of the Web site. ECA strongly recommends that all 
potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov Web site, well in 
advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA 
bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or 
conversion processes.
    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.
    Please refer to the Grants.gov Web site, for definitions of various 
``application statuses'' and the difference between a submission 
receipt and a submission validation.
    Applicants will receive a validation e-mail from grants.gov upon 
the successful submission of an application. Again, validation of an 
electronic submission via Grants.gov can take up to two business days. 
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov. 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.
    Optional--IV.3f.3 You may also state here any limitations on the 
number of applications that an applicant may submit and make it clear 
whether the limitation is on the submitting organization, individual 
program director or both.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

    V.1. Review Process: The Bureau will review all proposals for 
technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do 
not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where 
appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with 
Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau 
grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the 
Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final 
funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State's 
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for cooperative agreements resides with the 
Bureau's Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:

[[Page 7731]]

    1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission.
    2. Program planning/Ability to achieve program objectives: Detailed 
agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to 
the program overview and guidelines described above. Objectives should 
be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    5. Institutional Capacity/Institution's Record/Ability: Proposed 
personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and 
appropriate to achieve the program or project's goals. Proposals should 
demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs, 
including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all 
reporting requirements for past Bureau awards (grants or cooperative 
agreements) as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will 
consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated 
potential of new applicants.
    6. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    7. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended.
    8. Cost-effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components 
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as 
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate. 
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other private sector 
support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.

VI. Award Administration Information

    VI.1a. Award Notices: Final awards cannot be made until funds have 
been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal 
Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive an Federal 
Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the 
original proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall 
be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the 
U.S. Government. The FAA 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.1b. The following additional requirements apply to this project:
    For assistance awards involving Iran: A critical component of 
current U.S. government Iran policy is the support for indigenous 
Iranian voices. The State Department has made the awarding of grants 
for this purpose a key component of its Iran policy. As a condition of 
licensing these activities, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 
has requested the Department of State to follow certain procedures to 
effectuate the goals of Sections 481(b), 531(a), 571, 582, and 635(b) 
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended); 18 U.S.C. 2339A and 
2339B; Executive Order 13224; and Homeland Security Presidential 
Directive 6. These licensing conditions mandate that the Department 
conduct a vetting of potential Iran grantees and sub-grantees for 
counter-terrorism purposes. To conduct this vetting the Department will 
collect information from grantees and sub-grantees regarding the 
identity and background of their key employees and Boards of Directors.

    Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of Iran complies 
with requirements, please contact ECA/A/S/A Program Officer Bahareh 
Moradi, 202-453-8885, e-mail: MoradiBX@state.gov for additional 
information.

    For assistance awards involving the Palestinian Authority, West 
Bank, and Gaza: All awards made under this competition must be executed 
according to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance 
to the Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. 
Organizations must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before 
entering into any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian 
organizations or institutions.

    Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the 
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact 
ECA/A/S/A Program Officer Amy Forest, 202-453-8866, e-mail: 
ForestAL@state.gov, for additional information.

    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://
fa.statebuy.state.gov.
    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 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) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    (4) Semi-annual financial reports which should show the actual 
amounts generated and that these funds are applied to support advising 
services. All such income must be enumerated on Financial Status Report 
``Long Form 269.'' Program reports should also show how using such 
income reinforces the goals and objectives of this grant.

[[Page 7732]]

    Award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing 
their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program 
reports. (Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions 
(IV.3.d.3) above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Dorothy Mora, 
Educational Information and Resources Branch, ECA/A/S/A, Room 349, ECA/
A/S/A-10-03, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, phone: 202-453-8868, fax: 202-453-8890, e-mail: 
MoraDD@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/A-10-03. 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

    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: February 10, 2009.
C. Miller Crouch,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E9-3533 Filed 2-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P