Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP): Congressionally Mandated-One-Time Grants Program for Academic Programs- Competition A, 17726-17734 [E9-8642]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 72 (Thursday, April 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17726-17734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8642]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6578]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals (RFGP): Congressionally Mandated--One-Time Grants 
Program for Academic Programs-- Competition A

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: May 14, 2009.
    Executive Summary: This competition is one of two competitions that 
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is conducting as 
directed in the FY-2009 Omnibus Appropriation (Pub. L. 111-8) under 
Division H of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related 
Programs Appropriations Act, under ``Educational and Cultural Exchange 
Programs'' in support of a $6 million ``competitive one-time grants 
program.'' All applications must be submitted by, public or private 
non-profit organizations, meeting the provisions described in Internal 
Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3). Total funding for this ``one-
time grants

[[Page 17727]]

program'' is $6 million. $2.1 million will be dedicated to this 
competition, (Competition A--Academic Programs One-time Grants 
Program--reference number ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A), and $3.9 million 
will be dedicated to and announced simultaneously in a separate RFGP 
(Competition B--Professional, Cultural and Youth One-time Grants 
Program- reference number ECA/PE/C-09-One-time-Comp. B). Please note: 
The Bureau reserves the right to reallocate funds it has initially 
allocated to each of these two competitions, based upon factors such as 
the number of applications received and responsiveness to the review 
criteria outlined in each of the solicitations.
    Applicants may only submit one proposal (total) to the one-time 
grants program. Applicants may submit either one proposal for the 
Academic Programs competition or one proposal for the professional 
program competition, as referenced above. In addition, applicants under 
this competition (ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A) may only apply to 
administer one of the listed activities (total): (1) Undergraduate 
Intensive English Language Program, (2) Capacity Building for 
Undergraduate or Graduate Study Abroad, or (3) Study of the United 
States Institutes for Foreign Undergraduate Students. If multiple 
proposals are received from the same applicant, all submissions will be 
declared technically ineligible and will be given no further 
consideration in the review process. Eligible applicants are strongly 
encouraged to read both RFGPs thoroughly, prior to developing and 
submitting proposals, to ensure that proposed activities are 
appropriate and responsive to the goals, objectives and criteria 
outlined in each of the solicitations.
    As further directed by the Congress, ``The program shall be only 
for the actual exchange of people and should benefit a population that 
is not being addressed through existing authorized exchanges.''
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces a 
competition for grants that support international exchanges in order to 
increase mutual understanding and build relationships, through 
individuals and organizations, between the people of the United States 
and their counterparts in other countries. The Bureau welcomes 
proposals from organizations that have not had a previous grant from 
the Bureau as well as from those that have; see eligibility information 
below and in section III.
    Organizations that received grant funding under the FY-2008 
Competitive One-time Grants Program (Reference numbers: ECA/A-08-One-
time-Comp. A or ECA/PE/C/-08-One-time-Comp. B) are not eligible to 
apply for this FY-2009 One-time Program.

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.

Background

    The FY-2009 Omnibus Appropriation (Pub. L. 111-8) under Division H 
of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act, under ``Educational and Cultural Exchange 
Programs'' provides $6 million for a ``competitive one-time grants 
program. Grants shall address issues of mutual interest to the United 
States and other countries, consistent with the program criteria 
established in Public Law 110-161. Programs shall support the actual 
exchange of people and should benefit a population that is not being 
addressed through existing authorized exchanges.''
    ECA anticipates awarding approximately 10 grants under this 
Competition A--One-time Grants Program for Academic Programs.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2009.
    Approximate Total Funding: $2.1 Million.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 10.
    Approximate Average Award: $300,000.
    Floor of Award Range: Depending upon an organization's length of 
experience in conducting international exchanges, grants could be 
awarded for less than $60,000. See section III.3.a., below.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $700,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: August 2009.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: Approximately 24 months after 
the start date of the grant.
    Additional Information: As stipulated in the legislation, this is a 
competitive one-time grants program.
    The Office of Academic Programs will accept proposals for the 
following one-time special initiatives. For each of the activities 
listed below, Bureau emphasis is given to engaging participants from 
select geographic regions. Further details on specific program 
responsibilities are included in the Program Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI) document for this initiative. Interested 
organizations should read the entire Federal Register announcement for 
all information prior to preparing proposals. Please refer to the 
solicitation package for further instructions.
    1. Undergraduate Intensive English Language Program: The U.S. 
Department of State is dedicated to increasing its engagement with 
undergraduate students worldwide who demonstrate the potential to 
become student leaders and who represent indigenous, disadvantaged or 
underrepresented communities. ECA offers exchange programs for 
undergraduates from underserved sectors of society that increase 
participants' knowledge and understanding of the United States. The 
Undergraduate Intensive English Program will enroll foreign 
undergraduate students in eight-week intensive English language courses 
at colleges and universities in the United States, and provide them 
with an introduction to American institutions, society and culture. ECA 
expects to fund a total of approximately 60 students. Regions of 
emphasis: Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and East 
Asia and the Pacific.
    Purpose: The Undergraduate Intensive English Language Study Program 
will provide promising first, second, and third-year undergraduate 
students from underserved sectors, who would not otherwise qualify for 
U.S. exchange opportunities based on English language ability, an 
opportunity to increase their English language skills through a 
substantive U.S. exchange experience, and thereby make them more 
competitive to participate in other U.S. government-sponsored exchanges 
or for later graduate admission to U.S. institutions.
    Program Design: Programs should have a duration of eight weeks. ECA 
anticipates a total of approximately 60

[[Page 17728]]

participants, who may be divided into several cohorts of students. For 
planning purposes, interested applicants should anticipate that 
programs should be planned from May-September 2010. Programs should 
provide participants with intensive English language training, 
including English for Academic Purposes, as well as the development of 
general reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, and the 
testing of those skills.
    Student participants will be undergraduates and will be recruited 
and selected by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Sections or Fulbright 
Commissions in the students' home countries. ECA will approve 
nominations and make final selection. Participants will come from non-
elite backgrounds, from both rural and urban sectors, and with little 
to no prior experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of 
their home country. It is anticipated that the selection of 
participants will reflect each region's geographic, institutional, 
ethnic, and gender diversity. Most of the students selected will have a 
basic knowledge of the English language through formal study. For 
applicants representing a consortium of colleges or universities, it is 
necessary to indicate the lead institution and produce letters of 
support from all institutions or organizations that will carry out 
activities as part of the consortia. In identifying the participating 
host institutions, the proposal should make clear why these 
institutions have been recommended, and how those institutions will 
specifically meet the purposes outlined above.
    It is essential that participants be placed in classes with 
students from a variety of language backgrounds and not only in courses 
that contain only speakers of their native language. Applicants should 
design a program that will offer an academic residency component of 
eight weeks, the central element of which is an intensive English 
language training course (English for Academic Purposes), together with 
other instructional elements that will develop participants' general 
reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Provisions should also 
be made for testing those skills.
    The program should also provide opportunities for participants to 
routinely meet with U.S citizens from a variety of backgrounds, to 
regularly meet with their American peers, and to speak to appropriate 
students and civic groups about their experiences and life in their 
home countries. Programs should include a community service component, 
in which the students experience firsthand how not-for-profit 
organizations and volunteerism play key roles in American civil 
society.
    A total of one grant will be awarded for the administration of the 
Intensive English Language Study Program. Applicant organizations 
should include in their proposals the pedagogical rationale for their 
plan to administer a program to students from multiple regions 
(regions: Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and East 
Asia/Pacific). ECA reserves the right to adjust the regional 
composition of student cohorts according to Bureau or program 
priorities. Participating countries within regions will be determined 
by ECA, in consultation with Public Affairs Sections at U.S. embassies 
abroad.
    Proposals should demonstrate regional expertise. International 
travel will be arranged separately by ECA and therefore should not be 
included in budget requests (please see POGI for details). Please see 
the POGI document for detailed budget information. It is anticipated 
that the total amount of funding for administrative and program costs 
will be approximately $560,000. However, the total funding for this 
project will be approximately $700,000. ECA anticipates withholding 
approximately $140,000 for the purchase of participants' airline 
tickets.
    Number of Awards: 1.
    Award Amount: $560,000.
    Contact: Vincent Pickett, PickettVS@state.gov, 202-453-8137.
    2. Capacity Building for Undergraduate or Graduate Study Abroad:
    Purpose: The project will encourage the development of new 
undergraduate and/or graduate study abroad programs.
    Program Design: Awards will support exploratory visits of U.S. 
faculty and/or study abroad administrators from accredited U.S. higher 
education institutions, as well as a limited number of U.S. student 
participants. Program funds will not support any travel of 
representatives or students from foreign institutions to the United 
States.
    Programs should focus on increasing the capacity of foreign 
institutions to host U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students 
interested in pursuing quality academic work that forms an integral 
part of their degree programs. The Bureau especially welcomes 
applications focusing on non-traditional study abroad destinations and 
non-traditional fields of study, including critical languages.
    Regions of Emphasis: Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Central 
America, Middle East, Asia.
    The Bureau anticipates funding approximately seven projects at 
levels not to exceed $100,000 with total Bureau funding not to exceed 
$700,000. Applicants that do not have four years of experience would 
receive awards that do not exceed $60,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 7. Approximate Average Award: 
$100,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $700,000.
    Contact: Amy Forest; ForestAL@state.gov; 202-453-8866.
    3. Study of the United States Institutes for Foreign Undergraduate 
Students: The U.S. Department of State is dedicated to increasing its 
engagement with undergraduate students worldwide who demonstrate the 
potential to become leaders and who represent indigenous, 
disadvantaged, or underrepresented communities. ECA offers exchange 
programs for undergraduate students from underserved sectors of society 
that increase participants' knowledge and understanding of the United 
States. The Bureau is seeking detailed proposals for two different 
Study of the United States Institutes for Foreign Undergraduate 
Students under the topics of: (1) Energy and the Environment and (2) 
Social Entrepreneurship. Applicants should demonstrate the expertise 
and regional knowledge, if applicable, to provide participants with a 
program that provides them information and know-how that they can 
implement when they return home.
    Purpose: The purpose of the Study of the United States Institutes 
for Foreign Undergraduate Students is to provide outstanding first, 
second, and third-year undergraduate students with intensive and 
collaborative six-week academic programs on current developments in 
their respective fields of study, as well as broad exposure to U.S. 
society. Each program will include 20-24 undergraduates whose major 
course of study or demonstrated interests are appropriate for the 
thematic focus of the institute.
    Program Design: Each institute should be a specially designed 
intensive academic program that combines seminars, discussions, 
readings, debates, site visits, and educational travel into a coherent 
whole. The institutes must not simply replicate existing or previous 
lectures, workshops, or group activities designed for American or other 
students.
    Each institute should provide academic study in the specific 
discipline as well as the development of practical skills. Sessions 
should include lectures, group discussions, and exercises, and should 
promote leadership, team-building, and problem-

[[Page 17729]]

solving skills. In addition, these institutes are intended to promote a 
better understanding of the United States and its people. Participants 
should gain a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of U.S. 
society, culture, values, and institutions.
    During each program, participants should spend approximately four 
weeks at the host institution for the academic residency component, and 
approximately two weeks on an educational study tour, including two to 
three days in Washington, DC, at the conclusion of the institute. The 
educational travel component should directly complement the academic 
program, and should allow participants to observe varied aspects of 
American life in cities and other sites of interest.
    The program should provide opportunities for participants to meet 
American citizens from a variety of backgrounds, to interact with their 
American peers, and to speak to appropriate student and civic groups 
about their experiences and life in their home countries. Schedules 
should include a community service component, comprised of three to 
four volunteering sessions directly related to the institute theme, in 
which the students gain hands-on experience with the key roles of not-
for-profit organizations and volunteerism in American civil society.
    U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Sections or Fulbright Commissions in 
the students' home countries will recruit and select the undergraduate 
student participants based on academic merit and leadership potential. 
Participants will come from non-elite backgrounds, from both rural and 
urban sectors, and should have little or no prior experience in the 
United States or elsewhere outside their home country. It is 
anticipated that the selection of participants will reflect each 
region's geographic, institutional, ethnic, and gender diversity.

Institute Themes

(1) Study of the United States Institute on Energy and the Environment

    Study of the United States Institute on Energy and the Environment 
should provide participants with historical insight into the role that 
energy and environmental policy has played in the economic and 
political development of the United States. The Institute should 
examine various aspects of energy and environmental management, from 
local grassroots activism and civic initiatives, to market-oriented 
approaches, to Federal Government policies and regulation. The 
Institute also should explore international aspects of the subject, 
including collaboration among governments and the private sector, joint 
ventures among countries, and U.S. involvement in negotiated 
international agreements. Topics may include, (but are not limited to): 
The development and transfer of new technologies; the effects of U.S. 
Government policies related to energy conservation, investment, and 
production on the economy and environment; and the future possibilities 
for green technology and renewable energy to address global climate 
change.
    Participants will be drawn from majors that include business and 
management, public administration, political science, and the natural 
sciences. Regions of emphasis: Global.

(2) Study of the United States Institute on Social Entrepreneurship

    Study of the United States Institute on Social Entrepreneurship 
should provide participants with an overview of how to employ business 
techniques and entrepreneurial skills to address social issues (i.e. 
community or economic development, civil society development, 
education, environment, healthcare, youth employment, or cultural arts 
programs). The institute should review the development, history, 
challenges, and successes of social entrepreneurs and social 
enterprises, in the United States and globally. Case studies and local 
site visits should highlight the different business skills and 
techniques employed such as: Organizational development and management; 
strategy development; fundraising; grant writing; financial management; 
marketing; public relations; project management; emerging markets and 
risk analysis; corporate social responsibility; human resource and 
volunteer management; training; and sustainability issues. The program 
should be comparative in nature, explaining how the United States may 
differ globally in terms of government regulation, access to credit, 
support networks, funding, primary and tertiary education, and 
entrepreneurial history.
    Participants will be drawn from fields that include business and 
management, public administration, social science, and non-profit 
management. Regions of emphasis: Eurasia, Near East, South and Central 
Asia, or sub-Saharan Africa.
    The Bureau anticipates funding the two institutes at levels not to 
exceed $350,000 each with total Bureau funding not to exceed $700,000. 
Applicant organizations may propose to administer both institutes 
utilizing separate host institutions with sub-grant agreements. 
However, applicant institutions may not host more than one 
undergraduate student leader institute.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 2.
    Approximate Average Award (1 institute): $350,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range (2 institutes): $700,000.
    Contact: Brendan M. Walsh, WalshBM@state.gov, 202-453-8532.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications must 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).
    Organizations listed in the FY-2009 Omnibus Appropriation (Pub. L. 
111-8) under Division H of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs Appropriations Act, under ``Educational and 
Cultural Exchange Programs'' in support of a $6 million ``competitive 
one-time grants program'' are encouraged to apply.
    In addition, organizations listed in the Department of State, 
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriation Act, 2008 
(Division J, Pub. L. 110-161) under ``Educational and Cultural Exchange 
Programs--a competitive one-time grants program'' that did not receive 
funding under the FY-2008 Competitive One-time Grants Program are 
encouraged and/or eligible to apply.

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.

[[Page 17730]]

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    a. Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four 
years of experience in conducting international exchange programs will 
be limited to $60,000. Therefore, applicants should explain their 
experience in conducting international exchanges, and, if that 
experience is less than four years, should limit their proposed grant 
budgets to $60,000.
    As directed by the Congress, ``The program shall be only for the 
actual exchange of people and should benefit a population that is not 
being addressed through existing authorized exchanges.''
    b. Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following:

--Eligible applicants may only submit one proposal (total) for one of 
the two competitions referenced in the Executive Summary Section of 
this document. If multiple proposals are received from the same 
applicant, all submissions will be declared technically ineligible and 
will be given no further consideration in the review process. 
Applicants under this competition (ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A) may only 
apply to administer one of the three listed activities (total).
--Proposals requesting funding for infrastructure development 
activities, sometimes referred to as ``bricks and mortar support'' are 
not eligible for consideration under this competition and will be 
declared technically ineligible and will receive no further 
consideration in the review process.
--The Bureau does not support proposals limited to conferences or 
seminars (i.e., one- to fourteen-day programs with plenary sessions, 
main speakers, panels, and an audience). It will support conferences 
only when they are a small part of a larger project in duration that is 
receiving Bureau funding from this competition.
--No funding is available exclusively to send U.S. citizens to 
conferences or conference type seminars overseas; nor is funding 
available for bringing foreign nationals to conferences or to routine 
professional association meetings in the United States.
--Organizations that received grant funding under the FY-2008 
Competitive One-time Grants Program (Reference numbers: ECA/A-08-One-
time-Comp. A or ECA/PE/C/-08-One-time-Comp. B) are not eligible to 
apply for this FY-2009 one-time program. In the event a proposal is 
received from a FY-2008, One-time grant recipient, the proposal will be 
declared technically ineligible and will receive no further 
consideration in the review process. Please note: A FY-2008, One-time 
grant recipient, per above, is defined by the DUNS number of the 
organization and by the signature of the authorized representative 
contained on ``Application for Federal Assistance Form'' (SF-424) that 
was submitted under the FY-2008 Competitive One-time Grants Program.

    Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document 
for additional requirements.

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 Academic Exchanges, ECA/A/E, Room 234, 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20547, tel: 202-453-8137, fax: 202-453-8125, PickettVS@state.gov to 
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A 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 Program Officer Vincent Pickett, and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A 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.
    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 seven copies of the application should be 
sent per the instructions under IV.3e. ``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.
    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

[[Page 17731]]

the past three years, or if your organization received nonprofit status 
from the IRS within the past four years, you must submit the necessary 
documentation to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI 
document. Failure to do so will cause your proposal to be declared 
technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa: The 
Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange 
program covered by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the 
``Responsible Officer'' for the program under the terms of 22 CFR part 
62, which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J 
visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, organizations 
receiving grants under this RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating 
with or assisting the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's 
program.'' The actions of grantee program organizations shall be 
``imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the sponsor's compliance with'' 
22 CFR part 62. Therefore, the Bureau expects that any organization 
receiving a grant under this competition will render all assistance 
necessary to enable the Bureau to fully comply with 22 CFR part 62 et 
seq.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically 
important emphases on the secure and proper administration of Exchange 
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by grantee program 
organizations and program participants to all regulations governing the 
J visa program status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in 
writing that the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting 
all requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor 
Programs as set forth in 22 CFR part 62. If your organization has 
experience as a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the 
applicant should discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 
et seq., including the oversight of their 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 Office of Academic Exchange Programs of ECA will be responsible 
for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program. A copy of 
the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange 
Visitor (J) programs is available at https://exchanges.state.gov or 
from: United States Department of State, Office of Exchange 
Coordination and Designation ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 301 Fourth 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547; Telephone: (202) 203-5029; FAX: 
(202) 453-8640.
    IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines: Pursuant to 
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, 
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section 
for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal. 
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of 
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such 
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' 
Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other 
instrument plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes 
to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the grantee 
will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key 
evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning 
as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the 
program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in 
which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan 
should include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as 
well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable timeframe), 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 impact):
    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.


[[Page 17732]]


    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected, including survey responses and contact information, 
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the 
Bureau upon request.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit 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.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Travel. International and domestic airfare; visas; transit 
costs; ground transportation costs. Except in the case of Undergraduate 
Intensive English Language Program; please see POGI for further 
information. Please note that all air travel must be in compliance with 
the Fly America Act. There is no charge for J-1 visas for participants 
in Bureau-sponsored programs.
    (2) Per Diem. For U.S.-based programming, organizations should use 
the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. 
Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at: https://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentId=17943&contentType=GSA_BASIC.
    (3) Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3F. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: Thursday, May 14, 2009.
    Reference Number: ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A.
    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., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal 
Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    2. Electronically through https://www.grants.gov.

    Please Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in 
applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy 
applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1., below rather than 
submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is 
being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant 
proposals that will be submitted via the Grants.gov Web portal as 
part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in this RFGP, 
ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from 
transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via 
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''.

    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' and budget sections of the proposal as well as 
any essential attachments, in Microsoft Word and/or Excel on a PC-
formatted disk. As appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files 
electronically to Public Affairs Sections at the U.S. Embassies for 
their review.
    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.: Ref.: ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A Program Management, ECA/
EX/PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    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.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 Note: ECA strongly encourages organizations interested in 
applying for this competition to submit printed, hard copy 
applications as outlined in section IV.3f.1. above, rather than 
submitting electronically through Grants.gov. This recommendation is 
being made as a result of the anticipated high volume of grant 
proposals that will be submitted via the Grants.gov Web portal as 
part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in this RFGP, 
ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from 
transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via 
Grants.gov.

    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

[[Page 17733]]

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: grants.gov">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.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal the Executive Summary, 
Proposal Narrative, and Budget sections of the proposal, as well as any 
essential attachments, in Microsoft Word and/or Excel 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.

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.
    1. Quality of the Program Idea and Program Planning: Objectives 
should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. The proposal should 
clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's 
objectives and plan. The proposed program should be creative and well 
developed, respond to the design outlined in the solicitation, and 
demonstrate originality. It should be clearly and accurately written, 
substantive, and with sufficient detail. The program plan should adhere 
to the program overview and guidelines described above.
    2. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    3. Support of Diversity: The proposal should demonstrate the 
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity in participant selection and exchange program design and 
content.
    4. Institutional Capacity and Track Record: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program goals. The proposal should demonstrate an institutional 
record, including solid programming and responsible fiscal management. 
The Bureau will consider the past performance, including compliance 
with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants.
    5. Program Evaluation: The proposal should include a plan to 
evaluate the program's success, both as the activities unfold and at 
the end of the program. The proposal should include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. Please see Section 
IV.3d.3. of this announcement for more information.
    6. Cost-effectiveness and Cost Sharing: The applicant should 
demonstrate efficient use of Bureau funds. 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. The proposal 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 a Federal 
Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA 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 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 for exchanges 
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 Amy 
Forest in the Office of Global Education Programs (e-mail: 
ForestAL@state.gov; phone: 202-453-8866) 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'';

[[Page 17734]]

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 one copy 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. Interim program and financial reports after each program phase, 
as required in the Bureau grant agreement.
    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.
    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, please contact: 
Undergraduate Intensive English Language Program, Vincent Pickett, 
Academic Programs, Tel: (202) 453-8137; E-mail: PickettVS@state.gov.
    Capacity Building for Undergraduate or Graduate Study Abroad, Amy 
Forest, Global Educational Programs, Tel: (202) 453-8137; E-mail: 
ForestAL@state.gov.
    Study of the United States Institutes for Foreign Undergraduate 
Students, Brendan M. Walsh, Study of the United States, Tel: (202) 453-
8532; E-mail: WalshBM@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A-09-One-time-Comp. A.
    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 8, 2009.
C. Miller Crouch,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E9-8642 Filed 4-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P