Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes, 25595-25605 [E9-12416]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 101 (Thursday, May 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25595-25605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12416]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6640]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer 
Institutes

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreements.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E-10-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: July 10, 2009.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open 
competition for two or more assistance awards for the 2010 Critical 
Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes, which provide 
foreign language instruction overseas for American undergraduate and 
graduate students. Public and private non-profit organizations, or 
consortia of such organizations, meeting the provisions described in 
Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3), may submit proposals 
to cooperate with the Bureau in the administration and implementation 
of one or both of the two components

[[Page 25596]]

available under this competition. Each component requires a separate 
proposal submission.
    It is anticipated that the total amount of funding available for 
all FY 2010 administrative and program costs to support both program 
components A and B, including all language groupings, outlined below 
will be $10,000,000. Applicant organizations bidding on two or more 
language groups must submit a separate proposal not exceeding $350,000 
for the recruitment and selection of all participants (Component A). 
Applicant organizations may submit proposals requesting funds not 
exceeding $9,650,000 to implement the CLS institutes between June and 
August 2010 (Component B).
    Average participant costs per language group under Component B 
should not exceed $16,000.
    Component A: Participant Recruitment and Selection: The first 
component of this competition is for recruitment and selection of all 
U.S. participants for these summer institutes. While the CLS Institutes 
are active in multiple countries, it is important that a single 
worldwide program identity be maintained. Therefore, applicant 
organizations applying to administer programs for two or more language 
groups are required to submit a separate proposal for this component, 
demonstrating the capacity to conduct a nationwide participant 
recruitment and selection process for all language institutes.
    Only applicant organizations applying for two or more of the 
language groups listed below will be eligible to bid on this component. 
Only one organization will be selected to administer the participant 
recruitment and selection process.
    Component B: Administration and Implementation of Institutes:
    The second component is for the administration and implementation 
of six- to ten-week summer institutes overseas for participants in 
countries where Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian 
and the Indic, Persian, and Turkic language families are widely spoken.
    Eligible organizations or consortia may submit proposals for the 
administration and implementation of one or more of the following 
language groupings:
     Arabic language institutes in the Near East and North 
Africa region for not less than a total of 185 advanced beginning, 
intermediate and advanced students.
     Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean language 
institutes in the East Asia and Pacific region for not less than a 
total of 155 beginning (Korean and Indonesian only), intermediate and 
advanced students.
     Azerbaijani, Russian and Turkish language institutes in 
the Europe and Eurasia region for not less than a total of 143 
beginning (Turkish only), intermediate and advanced students.
     Persian and Indic (Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and 
Urdu) language institutes in the South Central Asia region for not less 
than a total of 92 beginning (Indic languages only), intermediate and 
advanced students.
    See section on ``Country and Language Information'' under 
``Administration and Implementation of Institutes'' for additional 
information and a description of language levels.
    These summer institutes should offer U.S. undergraduate and 
graduate students structured classroom instruction and less formal 
interactive learning opportunities through a comprehensive exchange 
experience that primarily emphasizes language learning. Proposals from 
applicant organizations should demonstrate the development of new 
institutional language-teaching capacity overseas for these summer 
institutes and not propose enrolling participants in programs already 
in existence. This program is designed to develop additional overseas 
language study opportunities for U.S. students.

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: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is 
supporting the participation of American undergraduate and graduate 
students in intensive, substantive foreign language study to 
dramatically increase the number of Americans learning, speaking, and 
teaching critical need foreign languages.
    Foreign language skills are essential to engaging foreign 
governments and peoples, especially in critical world regions, to 
promote understanding, convey respect for other cultures, and encourage 
reform. These skills are also fundamental to the economic 
competitiveness and security interests of the nation.
    The goals of the Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) for Intensive 
Summer Institutes are:
     To develop a cadre of Americans with advanced linguistic 
skills and related cultural understanding who are able to advance 
international dialogue, and compete effectively in the global economy; 
and
     To improve the ability of Americans to engage with the 
people of other countries in the language of the partner country.
    In order to achieve these goals, the Bureau supports programs for 
American undergraduate and graduate students to gain and improve 
language proficiency in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, 
Russian and the Indic, Persian, and Turkic language families. ECA plans 
to issue a single award for recruitment and selection of all 
participants and one or more awards for the administration of the CLS 
Institutes. Organizations with expertise in one or more of the 
indicated languages may also seek partners in the other languages to 
submit a single proposal as a consortium. Consortia submitting 
proposals must designate a lead institution to receive the award.

    Other Notes: The organization must inform the ECA program 
officer of its progress at each stage of the project's 
implementation in a timely fashion.

Component A: Participant Recruitment and Selection

    An applicant organization applying for two or more language groups 
must submit a separate proposal to conduct a nationwide competition for 
participants, which includes recruiting, screening, and selecting U.S. 
citizen undergraduate and graduate students for the program. Funding 
requested in a proposal for this element should not exceed $350,000.
    Recruitment: Applicant organizations should propose a comprehensive 
outreach plan to publicize and recruit for the program at U.S. colleges 
and universities nationwide. Information about the overall CLS program 
and specific institutes, along with all accompanying application 
materials, should be posted online.
    The Bureau requests that student applicants use an online 
application system. An alternate paper-based

[[Page 25597]]

application should also be provided for those candidates unable to 
apply online. These paper-based applications, however, must be entered 
into the online system by recipient organization program staff. All 
application materials should be available in a sortable, searchable, 
electronically accessible database format that can be easily shared 
with the Bureau upon request.
    Selection: Selected participants should show strong evidence of 
ability to succeed in an intensive, demanding language study program 
and should represent the diversity of the United States. Diversity 
addresses religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and physical 
abilities. Selected students should also represent diversity of 
institutional type and fields of study, a balance between genders, and 
a balance between undergraduate and graduate students. Preference 
should be given to candidates with no previous study overseas. Selected 
students should have completed at least their first year of 
undergraduate study by the summer of 2010. Selected students should 
demonstrate the intention and ability to continue their language study 
beyond the scholarship period and apply their critical language skills 
later in their professional careers. The students' language skills at 
the start of the institute should meet the requirements for each 
language outlined in Component B.
    ECA should approve the selection plan for candidates, as well as 
the selection of both finalists and alternates for the program.
    Publicity: The proposal must describe how these intensive summer 
language institutes will be publicized to media outlets, including 
print, online, and broadcast to reach the widest possible audience of 
qualified students. The applicant organization should also describe the 
response to and management of a significant volume of queries and 
applications and proposed ideas to ensure diversity. The recipient 
organization will also work closely with ECA to publicize the 
achievements of the students attending these institutes. The applicant 
organization should provide information on successful media outreach 
campaigns it has conducted in the past. Please refer to the PSI for 
additional guidance.

    Other Notes: All materials and correspondence related to the 
program will acknowledge it as a program of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. 
ECA will retain copyright use of and be allowed to distribute 
materials related to this program as it sees fit.

    Planning Meeting: The recipient organization will be responsible 
for convening a planning meeting for all institute directors and 
relevant ECA staff. This planning meeting should occur in Washington, 
DC in the winter of 2009/2010.
    The planning meeting is intended to develop common elements and 
consistency of standards across all institutes. Among the agenda items 
will be presentations by each recipient organization of their 
preliminary plans for the proposed institute(s), especially contact 
hours of language instruction. Planned cultural activities that include 
language-learning components should also be presented. Issues related 
to student placement, testing, and evaluation should also be discussed. 
The recipient organization for Component A should present on the plan 
for recruitment and selection of all participants.
    This meeting should be planned in close consultation with ECA.

Component B: Administration and Implementation of Institutes

    Through these institutes, undergraduate and graduate students from 
the United States will spend six to ten weeks on programs abroad in the 
summer of 2010. Since there is an emphasis on substantial progress in 
foreign language advancement, applicant organizations need to explain 
clearly the utility and advantages when proposing programs of 
approximately six weeks. The CLS institutes will provide intensive 
language instruction in a classroom setting, and should also provide 
language-learning opportunities through immersion in the cultural, 
social, and educational life of the partner country. The program should 
enhance the participants' knowledge of the host country's history, 
culture, and political system as these support language learning. 
Language study must be the primary focus of the program.
    Applicant organizations should submit a proposal for administration 
of one or more of the language groups. Funding requested in proposals 
for the administration of all language groups should not exceed 
$9,650,000. Average participant costs per language group should not 
exceed $16,000.
    Expected Program Results:
     Participants will demonstrate a substantive, measurable 
increase in language proficiency (verified through testing).
     Participants will demonstrate a deeper understanding of 
the host country's society, institutions, and culture.
     Alumni will continue their foreign language study, apply 
their linguistic skills in their chosen career fields, and/or 
participate in other exchanges where the language they have studied is 
spoken.
    Capacity of Administering Organization: U.S. applicant 
organizations or consortia must have the necessary capacity in the 
partner country or countries to implement the program through either 
their own offices or partner institutions. Organizations may 
demonstrate their organization's direct expertise, or they may partner 
with other organizations to best respond to the requirements outlined 
in this RFGP. Organizations that opt to work with sub-award 
arrangements should clearly outline all duties and responsibilities of 
the partner organization, preferably in the form of sub-award 
agreements and accompanying budgets.
    Organizations or consortia applying for this award must demonstrate 
their capacity for conducting projects of this nature, focusing on 
three areas of competency: (1) Provision of foreign language 
instruction programs and provision of educational and cultural 
activities as outlined in this document; (2) language level-appropriate 
programming for the target audience; and (3) experience in conducting 
programs in the proposed partner country or countries. Applicant 
organizations must present a proposal that clearly indicates the 
building of new and increased institutional language study capacity 
overseas for these summer institutes.
    Institute Information: Each six-to ten-week overseas summer 
institute for undergraduate and graduate students should focus on 
language study and should include four to six hours per day of formal 
and informal language training. The recipient organization(s) should 
provide multiple levels (beginning to advanced) of language 
instruction. While teaching conversational vocabulary will be necessary 
to help students function in their immersion setting, classes should 
also provide formal instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and 
pronunciation, as well as covering speaking, listening, reading, and 
writing, including non-Roman alphabets.
    The institutes should also include a secondary cultural immersion 
component designed to reinforce language learning with planned 
excursions, which give the students the opportunity to participate in 
activities designed to teach them about community life and the culture 
and history of the host country. The program activities should enhance 
the participants' understanding of

[[Page 25598]]

contemporary society, culture, media, political institutions, ethnic 
diversity, history, and environment of the host country. All these 
activities should incorporate a language component.
    Staff should be physically present and available to support the 
participants throughout the institute.
    The Bureau reserves the right to make changes in eligible countries 
for programming based on safety and security or other concerns.
    Country and Language Information: Near East and North Africa Region
    For Arabic language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 185 participants in the 
Arabic language institutes. Arabic language instruction should be 
available for three levels of students: advanced beginning, 
intermediate, and advanced. Approximately 120 of the participants 
should receive instruction at the intermediate/advanced levels while 
the rest should receive elementary level instruction. The proposed 
institutes should make explicit accommodation for learners of varying 
skill levels.
    Classroom instruction should emphasize Modern Standard Arabic with 
class time devoted also to colloquial Arabic, as appropriate. Students 
should also gain knowledge of colloquial Arabic through informal study 
and through interaction with their host community.
    Some previous study of the language--at least equivalent to an 
academic year--is required for participants in the elementary Arabic 
institutes. Participants in the intermediate/advanced Arabic institutes 
will have already studied the language formally for at least two years 
by the start of the summer program. The recipient organization should 
devise a plan to test all students prior to placement to determine the 
appropriate level of instruction.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in a country 
or countries in North Africa, the Middle East, or the Gulf region, with 
the exception of Algeria, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, 
and Yemen. Applicant organizations should not plan to place students in 
the West Bank or Gaza.
East Asia and Pacific Region
    For Chinese language institutes:
    Applicant organizations should describe plans for not less than a 
total of 80 participants in the Chinese language institutes. Chinese 
language instruction should be available for two levels of students: 
intermediate and advanced. The proposed institutes should make explicit 
accommodation for learners of varying skill levels.
    Chinese instruction should be in Mandarin only. Teaching materials 
used in the program should be available in both simplified and 
traditional character versions. The Hanyu pinyin romanization system 
should be used.
    Participants in the intermediate/advanced Chinese institutes will 
have already studied the language formally for at least two years by 
the start of the summer program. The recipient organization should 
devise a plan to test all students prior to placement to determine what 
level of instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in the 
People's Republic of China (mainland China) for study.
    For Indonesian language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 15 participants in the 
Indonesian language institutes. Indonesian language instruction should 
be available for three levels of students: beginning, intermediate, and 
advanced. Eight of the participants should receive instruction at the 
intermediate/advanced level while the rest should receive beginning 
level instruction. The proposed institute should make explicit 
accommodation for learners of varying skill levels.
    No prior study of the language is required for participants in the 
beginning Indonesian institutes. Participants in the intermediate/
advanced Indonesian institutes will have already studied the language 
formally for at least two years by the start of the summer program. The 
recipient organization should devise a plan to test all students prior 
to placement to determine what level of instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in Indonesia.
    For Japanese language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 30 participants in the 
Japanese language institutes. Japanese language instruction should be 
available for two levels of students: intermediate, and advanced. The 
proposed institutes should make explicit accommodation for learners of 
varying skill levels.
    Participants in the intermediate/advanced Japanese institutes will 
have already studied the language formally for at least two years by 
the start of the summer program. The institutes should devise a plan to 
test all students prior to placement to determine what level of 
instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in Japan. 
Location of the institutes should be in a city other than Tokyo in 
order to maximize language-learning immersion opportunities.
    For Korean language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 30 participants in the 
Korean language institutes. Korean language instruction should be 
available for three levels of students: beginning, intermediate, and 
advanced. Ten of the participants should receive instruction at the 
intermediate/advanced level while the rest should receive beginning 
level instruction. The proposed institutes should make explicit 
accommodation for learners of varying skill levels.
    The Hangeul alphabet system should be used. Students should also be 
introduced to NAKL.
    No prior study of the language is required for participants in the 
beginning Korean institutes. Participants in the intermediate/advanced 
Korean institutes will have already studied the language formally for 
at least two years by the start of the summer program. The recipient 
organization should devise a plan to test all students prior to 
placement to determine what level of instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in South 
Korea. Location of the institutes should be in a city other than Seoul 
in order to maximize language-learning immersion opportunities.
Europe and Eurasia Region
    For Azerbaijani language institute: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of eight participants in the 
Azerbaijani language institute. Azerbaijani language instruction should 
be available for two levels of students: intermediate, and advanced. 
The proposed institutes should make explicit accommodation for learners 
of varying skill levels, as well as for a potential bridge course for 
Turkish speakers who wish to learn Azerbaijani.
    Participants in the intermediate/advanced Azerbaijani institute 
will have already studied the language formally for at least two years 
by the start of the summer program. Students who have studied Turkish 
formally for at least two years by the start of the summer program may 
also be considered. The recipient organization should devise a plan to 
test intermediate/advanced students prior to placement to determine 
what level of instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in 
Azerbaijan.

[[Page 25599]]

    For Russian language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 80 participants in the 
Russian language institutes. Russian language instruction should be 
available for two levels of students: intermediate and advanced. The 
proposed institutes should make explicit accommodation for learners of 
varying skill levels.
    Participants in the intermediate/advanced Russian institutes will 
have already studied the language formally for at least two years by 
the start of the summer program. The recipient organization should 
devise a plan to test all students prior to placement to determine what 
level of instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in Russia. 
Location of the institutes should be in a city other than Moscow or St. 
Petersburg in order to maximize language-learning immersion 
opportunities.
    For Turkish language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 55 participants in the 
Turkish language institutes. Turkish language instruction should be 
available for three levels of students: beginning, intermediate, and 
advanced. Thirty-five of the participants should receive instruction at 
the intermediate/advanced level while the rest should receive beginning 
level instruction. The proposed institutes should make explicit 
accommodation for learners of varying skill levels.
    No prior study of the language is required for participants in the 
beginning Turkish institutes. Participants in the intermediate/advanced 
Turkish institutes will have already studied the language formally for 
at least two years by the start of the summer program. The recipient 
organization should devise a plan to test intermediate/advanced 
students prior to placement to determine what level of instruction 
should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in Turkey. 
Location of the institutes should be in a city other than Istanbul in 
order to maximize language-learning immersion opportunities.
South Central Asia Region
    For Indic language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 72 participants in the 
Indic language institutes. Instruction should be available for each of 
these Indic languages: Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. For 
these language institutes, not less than 18 students should learn 
Bengali/Bangla, not less than 18 Hindi, not less than 18 Punjabi, and 
not less than 18 Urdu. All Indic language instruction should be 
available for three levels of students: beginning, intermediate, and 
advanced. Overall, 36 of the participants should receive instruction at 
the intermediate/advanced level while the rest should receive beginning 
level instruction. The proposed institutes should make explicit 
accommodation for learners of varying skill levels.
    No prior study of the language is required for participants in the 
beginning Indic institutes. Participants in the intermediate/advanced 
Indic institutes will have already studied the relevant language 
formally for at least two years by the start of the summer program. The 
recipient organization should devise a plan to test all students prior 
to placement to determine what level of instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in Bangladesh 
and/or India.
    For Persian language institutes: Applicant organizations should 
describe plans for not less than a total of 20 participants in the 
Persian language institutes. Persian language instruction should be 
available for two levels of students: intermediate, and advanced. The 
proposed institutes should make explicit accommodation for learners of 
varying skill levels.
    Participants in the intermediate/advanced Persian institutes will 
have already studied the language formally for at least two years by 
the start of the summer program. The institutes should devise a plan to 
test all students prior to placement to determine what level of 
instruction should be received.
    Applicant organizations should plan to place students in a site 
outside of Iran for the study of Persian.
    Orientations: Recipient organization(s) will organize substantive, 
in-person, pre-departure orientations for all participants. Working in 
consultation with ECA, the orientation should include a security 
briefing on the host country. The orientations must take place in 
Washington, DC. Comprehensive information packets should be provided, 
preferably online, well in advance of the orientation to all 
participants. A sample of the contents of these packets should be 
provided under Tab E.
    Recipient organization(s) may also organize substantive orientation 
for participants on arrival in the host country. The recipient 
organization(s) may also need to work in consultation with ECA and the 
U.S. Embassy in the host country to arrange an in-country security 
briefing to be conducted by the Embassy's Regional Security Officer.
    At the end of each language program, the recipient organization(s) 
will organize an in-country closing workshop for the students prior to 
departure from their host country, which will focus on summarizing the 
experience, completing an evaluation, language testing, developing 
plans for activities at home, and preparing for re-entry.
    Project Activities: Describe in detail the major components of the 
program, including project planning; the host venues; orientations 
(U.S. and overseas); assessment and testing; language instruction; 
educational enrichment activities; cultural activities; participant 
monitoring; and logistics.
    Assessment and Testing: Standardized pre- and post-institute 
testing should be done to determine participants' language proficiency 
and progress.
    Pre- and post-testing should measure the student's advancement in 
language learning. ECA will work with the recipient organization(s) to 
develop and implement an instrument to measure students' increased 
language proficiency due to participation in this program. The data 
should be analyzed and reported by the recipient organization(s) to ECA 
for the program, disaggregated by institute.
    Alumni Tracking and Follow-On Activities: Alumni activities are an 
important part of ECA's academic exchange programs. Alumni programming 
in the form of newsletters and listservs provides critical program 
follow-on and maximizes and extends the benefit of the participants' 
program. Please refer to the PSI for additional guidance on alumni 
outreach and follow-on engagement.
    ECA maintains the alumni.state.gov Web site for all of its exchange 
program participants. The CLS Program maintains an online community 
through this global Web site. The recipient organization(s) will also 
be responsible for maintaining this community on behalf of the CLS 
Program.
    The applicant organization is strongly urged to outline how it will 
creatively organize and financially support alumni activities at a 
minimal cost to ECA.
    ECA/A/E Involvement: In a Cooperative Agreement, ECA/A/E is 
substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine 
award monitoring. ECA/A/E activities and responsibilities for this 
program are as follows:
    Component A: Participant Recruitment and Selection.

[[Page 25600]]

    (1) Review all print and online materials regarding the institutes 
before publication and dissemination.
    (2) Review and approve the recruitment strategy.
    (3) Work with the recipient organization to publicize the program 
through various media outlets.
    (4) Review and approve application forms.
    (5) Participate in selection committees.
    (6) Confirm final selection of principal and alternate candidates.
    Component B: Administration and Implementation of Institutes.
    (1) Review all print and online materials regarding the institutes 
before publication and dissemination. This review also includes 
individual institute's instructional materials and cultural activities, 
which must be provided to ECA at least two months in advance of the 
start of the institute.
    (2) Review and approve participant award documentation, including 
Terms and Conditions.
    (3) Work with recipient organization(s) to plan and implement 
participant pre-departure orientations.
    (4) Work with recipient organization(s) to offer standardized pre- 
and post-institute testing of participants' language proficiency and 
progress.
    (5) Review project activity schedules for all institutes.
    (6) Monitor the progress of the recipient organization(s) at each 
stage of the project's implementation through timely updates.
    (7) Provide Bureau-approved evaluation surveys for completion by 
participants after completion of program.
    (8) Provide substantive input on alumni activities and follow-up 
events.
    Funding: Award funding for Component A involving recruitment, 
selection, and the directors' meeting will cover costs associated with 
this component, not exceeding $350,000. Award funding for Component B 
involving administration and implementation of the institutes will 
support costs including testing, orientation, travel, tuition and 
maintenance costs, educational enhancements, cultural and social 
activities, health benefits coverage, alumni activities, and 
administrative costs. This element should not exceed $9,650,000 
overall. Average participant costs per language group should not exceed 
$16,000.
    Though not directly applicable to this program, programs must 
comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to the Project 
Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document and the Proposal 
Submission Instructions for further information.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in 
this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2010.
    Approximate Total Funding: $10,000,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 2 or more.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $9,650,000.
    Floor of Award Range: $350,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, the proposed 
start date is October 1, 2010.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: Approximately 14 to 18 months 
after the start date, depending on the proposed program plan.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew this cooperative agreement for two additional 
fiscal years before openly competing it again.

III. Eligibility Information

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

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 Exchange Programs (ECA/A/E), Room 234, 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20547, Telephone (202) 453-8135, Fax (202) 453-8125, E-mail: 
ManleyHL@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/A/E-10-01) 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 Bureau Special Projects Officer Heidi Manley and 
refer to the Funding Opportunity Number 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.

[[Page 25601]]

``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 form that is part of the formal 
application package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget. Applicant organizations bidding on two or more 
language groups should submit one proposal for administration and 
implementation of the language institutes and a separate proposal for 
recruitment and selection of all participants. Each proposal should 
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
    Although not applicable to this competition, 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 part 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and 
Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program 
participants, provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to 
participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and 
security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at https://exchanges.state.gov or from:
    United States Department of State, Office of Exchange Coordination 
and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD--SA-44, Room 734, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 203-5029, FAX: (202) 453-8640.
    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. Each applicant organization must plan 
to use three surveys through the Bureau's E-GOALS system, in addition 
to any surveys of its own. 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.

[[Page 25602]]

    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.
    Additional guidance on using the Bureau's E-GOALS system for 
evaluation is located in the POGI.
    IV.3d.4. Describe in your proposal your plans for: overall program 
management, staffing, coordination with ECA and with overseas 
institutes enrolling clusters of students, testing, orientation, and 
cultural enrichment opportunities for students. If bidding on two or 
more language groups, also indicate your plans for recruitment and 
selection. Please provide a staffing plan that outlines the 
responsibilities of each staff person and explains which staff members 
will be accountable for each program responsibility.
    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. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program.
    Budget requests for administration of both Component A and B may 
not exceed $10,000,000. There must be a summary budget as well as 
breakdowns reflecting both administrative and program budgets. 
Applicants should provide separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification. 
Applicants should also provide copies of any sub-award agreements that 
would be implemented under terms of this award.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program and additional budget 
guidance are outlined in detail in the POGI document.
    Please refer to the POGI and the PSI documents in the Solicitation 
Package for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3F. Application Deadline and Methods Of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: July 10, 2009.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/E-10-01.
    Methods of Submission
    Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
    (1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2) Electronically through https://www.grants.gov.

    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 webportal as 
part of the Recovery Act stimulus package. As stated in these RFGPs, 
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''.

    The original, one fully-tabbed copy, and eight copies of the 
application with Tabs A-E (for a total of ten copies) should be sent 
to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E-10-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.

[[Page 25603]]

    Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the 
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 
proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on a PC-formatted 
disk. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to the 
appropriate Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for 
its(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 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 webportal 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 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.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

    V.1. Review Process: The Bureau will review all proposals for 
technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do 
not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where 
appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with 
Federal and Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau 
grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the 
Office of the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. Final 
funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State's 
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for assistance awards (cooperative agreements) 
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: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission and the purposes outlined in this solicitation. Proposals 
should demonstrate how students would be monitored and trained, and 
also how they will be supported as alumni. If bidding on two or more 
language groups, proposals should also show how students would be 
recruited and selected. The level of creativity, resources, and 
effectiveness will be primary factors for review.
    (2) Program Planning and Ability to Meet Program Objectives: 
Proposals should clearly demonstrate an understanding of the program's 
priorities and how the organization will achieve them through 
objectives that are reasonable, feasible, and flexible. The Narrative 
should address all of the items in the Statement of Work and Guidelines 
described above. A detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate organizational competency and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview, timetable and 
guidelines described in this solicitation. The substance of the 
instruction and the exchange activities should be described in detail 
and included as an attachment. The responsibilities of partner 
organizations will be clearly delineated.
    (3) Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity 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). 
Proposals should articulate a diversity plan, not just a statement of 
compliance.
    (4) Follow-on/Alumni Activities: Proposals should provide a plan 
for continued contact with returnees to ensure that they are tracked 
over time, utilized and/or organized as alumni, and provided 
opportunities to reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired on 
the exchange and share them with others. Proposals should provide a 
strategy for maximizing the opportunities for alumni to further their 
study of the language and culture of the host country, presenting plans 
that are within the context of the grant (with Bureau support) and 
after its completion (without the Bureau's financial

[[Page 25604]]

support). Please refer to the PSI for additional guidance on alumni 
outreach and follow-on engagement.
    (5) Institutional Capacity: Applicant organizations should 
demonstrate knowledge of each country's educational environment and the 
capacity for hosting this language institute. Proposals should include 
detailed information about the applicant organization's capacity in the 
United States and about in-country support for the program, including 
descriptions of experienced personnel who will implement it. 
Institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the project's goals. Proposals should demonstrate an institutional 
record of successful exchange programs. The Bureau will consider the 
past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of 
new applicants.
    (6) Program Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan and 
methodology to evaluate the program's successes and challenges, both as 
the activities unfold and at the end of the program. The evaluation 
plan should show a clear link between program objectives and expected 
outcomes, and should include a description of performance indicators 
and measurement tools. Applicant organizations will indicate their 
willingness to submit periodic progress reports in accordance with the 
program office's expectations. The final project evaluation should 
provide qualitative and quantitative data about the project's influence 
on the participants' long-term language-learning goals.
    (7) Cost-Effectiveness/Cost-Sharing: The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. While lower ``per 
participant'' figures will be favorably viewed, the Bureau expects all 
figures to be realistic. All other items should be necessary and 
appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
institutional direct funding contributions, as well as other private 
sector support. Proposals should demonstrate a quality, cost-effective 
program. Proposals that demonstrate a significant reduction to per 
participant costs will be determined to be more competitive.

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.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, Loca