Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Summer Institutes for European Student Leaders, 6172-6177 [2011-2395]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 23 (Thursday, February 3, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6172-6177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2395]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7316]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Summer Institutes for European Student Leaders

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/E/EUR-11-07.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.009.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline: March 15, 2011.
    Executive Summary: The Europe/Eurasia Branch of the Office of 
Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
invites proposal submissions for the design and implementation of two 
Summer Institutes for European Student Leaders. The Institutes will 
take place over the course of five weeks, beginning mid-July 2011.
    The Institutes should take place at U.S. academic institutions and 
provide groups of highly motivated undergraduate students or recent 
high school graduates from Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, 
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom with in-depth 
seminars on the topics detailed in the following section. Each 
Institute should conclude with a two- or three-day session in 
Washington, DC.
    ECA welcomes applications from accredited post-secondary education 
institutions in the United States. The awarding of one or more 
Cooperative Agreements for this program is contingent upon the 
availability of FY 2011 funds.

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 Summer Institutes for European Student Leaders are intensive 
academic programs whose purpose is to provide groups of undergraduate 
leaders an introduction to a specific field of study, while also 
heightening their awareness of the history and evolution of U.S. 
society, culture, values, and institutions, broadly defined. In this 
context, the Institutes should incorporate a focus on contemporary 
American life, as it is shaped by historical and/or current political, 
social, and economic issues and debates. The role and influence of 
principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual 
rights, freedom of expression, equality, and diversity and tolerance 
should be addressed.
    In addition to promoting a better understanding of a specific field 
of study and the United States, an important objective of the 
Institutes is to develop the participants' leadership skills. In this 
context, the academic program should include group discussions, 
trainings, and exercises that focus on topics such as leadership, 
teambuilding, collective problem-solving skills, effective 
communication, and management skills for diverse organizational 
settings. Institutes should include a community service component in 
which the students experience firsthand how not-for-profit 
organizations and volunteerism play a key role in American civil 
society.
    Local site visits should provide opportunities to observe varied 
aspects of American life and to discuss lessons learned in the academic 
program. The program should also include 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.

Overview

    Summer Institutes will provide an in depth study of one of the 
themes outlined below. Participants should gain both theoretical 
knowledge and practical skills that will allow them to excel in their 
disciplines. In addition to thematic teaching, all institutes should 
explore American history, government, society, and culture through the 
lens of its particular theme. All Institutes should include 
opportunities for leadership development, specifically as it relates to 
each field. Institutes should also expose participants to community 
organizations that provide advocacy or other services relevant to the 
particular theme.

Institute Themes

    (a) The Summer Institute on Environmental Stewardship should use 
experiential learning techniques to expose participants to current 
themes in studies of the environment, including natural resource 
management, sustainable development/sustainable agricultural practices, 
food security, ecotourism, energy generation (new and traditional 
forms), and water management and treatment. The issues should be 
explored from numerous angles: local grassroots activism and civic 
initiatives, market-oriented approaches, and Federal government 
policies and regulation. The Institute might also examine the 
relationship between environmental security and national security. 
Finally, the Institute should explore environmental issues in the 
context of a globalized society, and draw comparisons between the 
United States and the participants' home countries.
    The Institute should also provide opportunities for participants to 
engage with policy makers, individuals in technical positions, 
community representatives, indigenous leaders, and other key actors 
committed to the protection and management of the environment.
    The Summer Institute on Environmental Stewardship will host 
approximately 18 undergraduate students. Student participants are 
expected to be conversant in English; however, the host campus should 
be prepared to offer English language support, such as individual 
tutoring or small-group classes, if necessary.
    (b) The Summer Institute on Innovation and Economics should provide 
participants with an overview of entrepreneurship, including ways of 
employing entrepreneurial skills to

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address social issues. The Institute should review the development, 
history, challenges, and successes of social entrepreneurs and 
community leaders, in the United States and globally. Topics may 
include, but are not limited to, microfinance; organizational 
development and management; grant writing; innovation; emerging markets 
and risk analysis; strategic business planning; corporate social 
responsibility; problem-solving; and, women and minorities in 
entrepreneurship.
    The Summer Institute on Innovation and Economics will host 
approximately 16 undergraduate students. Student participants are 
expected to be conversant in English; however, the host campus should 
be prepared to offer English language support, such as individual 
tutoring or small-group classes, if necessary.
    The Summer Institutes for European Student Leaders must comply with 
J-1 Visa regulations. It is anticipated that cooperative agreements for 
the administration of the Summer Institutes will begin on or about May 
2, 2011, subject to the availability of funds. Please refer to the 
Solicitation Package for further information.

Program Administration

    The Bureau is seeking detailed proposals from accredited post-
secondary U.S. institutions meeting the eligibility requirements 
outlined under Section III below. Post-secondary U.S. institutions may 
propose to administer one or both Institutes and should designate an 
administrative director to oversee the program, coordinate logistical, 
budgetary and administrative arrangements, and serve as ECA's primary 
point of contact.
    Each host institution also should designate an academic director 
who will be present throughout the program to ensure the continuity, 
coherence, and integration of all aspects of the academic program, 
including the related educational study tour. It is important that the 
applicant organization also retain qualified U.S. undergraduate 
students who will act as peer mentors at each host institution. Peer 
mentors should exhibit cultural sensitivity, an understanding of the 
program's objectives, and a willingness to accompany the students 
throughout the program.

Participants

    Participants will be identified and nominated by Fulbright 
Commissions with final selection made by ECA. Participants in the 
Summer Institutes for European Student Leaders will be highly motivated 
undergraduate students or recent high school graduates who demonstrate 
leadership through academic work, community involvement, and 
extracurricular activities. Their major fields of study will be varied, 
and will include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, 
and business. All participants will have demonstrated interest in the 
Institute's theme.
    Every effort will be made to select a balanced mix of male and 
female participants, and to recruit participants who are from non-elite 
or underprivileged backgrounds, from both rural and urban areas, and 
have had little or no prior experience in the United States or 
elsewhere outside of their home country.

Program Dates

    The Institutes should be five weeks in length, beginning mid-July 
2011.

Program Guidelines

    While the conception and structure of the Institute agenda is the 
responsibility of the organizers, it is essential that proposals 
provide a detailed and comprehensive narrative describing the 
objectives of the Institute; the title, scope, and content of each 
session; planned site visits; and how each session relates to the 
overall Institute theme. Proposals must include a syllabus that 
indicates the subject matter for each lecture, panel discussion, group 
presentation, or other activity. The syllabus also should confirm or 
provisionally identify proposed speakers, trainers, and session 
leaders, and clearly show how assigned readings will advance the goals 
of each session. Overall, proposals will be reviewed on the basis of 
their responsiveness to RFGP criteria, coherence, clarity, and 
attention to detail. The accompanying Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI) document provides program-specific guidelines 
that all proposals must address fully.

    Please note:  In a cooperative agreement, the Office of Academic 
Exchange Programs is substantially involved in program activities 
above and beyond routine monitoring. The Office of Academic Exchange 
Programs will be responsible for the following program activities:
     Making participants' application materials available 
for review by the host institutions.
     Facilitating communication between host institutions 
and the Fulbright Commissions.
     Sharing participants' international travel itineraries 
with the host institutions. The Fulbright Commissions will arrange 
the international travel for each participant. All travel 
itineraries must comply with the provisions of the Fly America Act.
     Enrolling all participants in the Accident and Sickness 
and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE). This health benefits 
program will be of no cost to the host institutions, although co-
payments will be the responsibility of the host institutions and 
should be included in the proposal budget.
     Issuing DS-2019s for the participants to enter the 
United States on J-visas.
     Assisting in organizing workshops in Washington, DC, at 
the conclusion of the Institutes. All costs for the final workshops 
(travel to Washington, lodging, meals) will be the responsibility of 
the host institutions and should be included in the proposal budget.
     Providing host institutions with travel itineraries for 
all participants.
     Assisting in resolving participant emergencies.

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: FY 2011.
    Approximate Total Funding: $306,000.
    The Institute on Environmental Stewardship: $162,000.
    The Institute on Innovation and Economics: $144,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1-2.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, May 2, 2011.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: January 1, 2012.

Additional Information

    Pending successful implementation of this program and the 
availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to 
renew this grant or 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 agreement. Cost sharing may 
be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must

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maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your 
contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. 
Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value 
of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB 
Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost Sharing and Matching. In 
the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as 
stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's contribution will be reduced 
in like proportion.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    (a.) Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less 
than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be 
limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making awards in 
amounts up to $144,000, $162,000, or $306,000 to support program and 
administrative costs required to implement this exchange program. 
Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this 
competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels 
of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

IV. Application and Submission Information

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

    IV.1. Contact Information to Request an Application Package: Please 
contact Program Officer Karene Grad Steiner, Office of Academic 
Exchange Programs, ECA/A/E/EUR, SA-5, Floor 4, U.S. Department of 
State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632-3237 or 
GradKE@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/EUR-11-07 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 Karene Grad Steiner and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/E/EUR-11-07 located at the top of this 
announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.
    IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's Web site at 
https://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html, or from the Grants.gov 
Web site at https://www.grants.gov.
    Please read all information before downloading.
    IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The application should be 
submitted per the instructions under IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and 
Methods of Submission'' section below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. All Federal award recipients and sub-recipients must 
maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration 
(CCR) database and have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number.
    Recipients and sub-recipients must maintain accurate and up-to-date 
information in the CCR until all program and financial activity and 
reporting have been completed. All entities must review and update the 
information at least annually after the initial registration and more 
frequently if required information changes or another award is granted.
    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: The 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically important 
emphases on the security and proper administration of the Exchange 
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by award recipients and 
sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals 
should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements 
governing the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set 
forth in 22 CFR 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and 
Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program 
participants, provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to

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participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and 
security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements. 
ECA will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in 
this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at https://exchanges.state.gov or from: Office of Designation, Private Sector 
Programs Division, U.S. Department of State, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA-5, 5th 
Floor, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
    IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines: Pursuant to 
the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must maintain a non-
political character and should be balanced and representative of the 
diversity of American political, social, and cultural life. 
``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass 
differences including, but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, 
religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, and disabilities. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this 
principle both in program administration and in program content. Please 
refer to the review criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section 
for specific suggestions on incorporating diversity into your proposal. 
Public Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of 
educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not 
fully enjoy freedom and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take 
appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such 
programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.'' 
Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes 
to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the recipient 
organization will track participants or partners and be able to respond 
to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, 
learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of 
the program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions 
in which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation 
plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual 
understanding as well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.

    Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.

    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    Recipient organizations will be required to provide reports 
analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular 
program reports. All data collected, including survey responses and 
contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years 
and provided to the Bureau upon request.
    IV.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) Stipends, lodging, meals, accident and sickness coverage, co-
pays for routine health care needs and medical emergencies, books and 
educational materials; and
    (2) Participant travel within the United States, expenses related 
to the Washington, DC workshop; and
    (3) Cultural activities.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV. 3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: March 15, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/A/E/EUR-11-07.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    (1.) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service

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(i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service 
Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2.) Electronically through https://www.grants.gov.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed Applications: Applications must be 
shipped no later than the above deadline. Delivery services used by 
applicants must have in-place, centralized shipping identification and 
tracking systems that may be accessed via the Internet and delivery 
people who are identifiable by commonly recognized uniforms and 
delivery vehicles. Proposals shipped on or before the above deadline 
but received at ECA more than seven days after the deadline will be 
ineligible for further consideration under this competition. Proposals 
shipped after the established deadlines are ineligible for 
consideration under this competition. ECA will not notify you upon 
receipt of application. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure 
that each package is marked with a legible tracking number and to 
monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the Internet. Delivery of proposal 
packages may not be made via local courier service or in person for 
this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. 
Only proposals submitted as stated above will be considered.
    Important note: When preparing your submission please make sure to 
include one extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it in an 
envelope addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.
    The original and 4 copies of the application should be sent to:

Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/A/E/EUR-11-07, 
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037.

    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 bears no responsibility for applicant 
timeliness of submission or 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: 
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.
    Optional--IV.3f.3. You may also state here any limitations on the 
number of applications that an applicant may submit and make it clear 
whether the limitation is on the submitting organization, individual 
program director or both.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

    The Bureau will review all proposals for technical eligibility. 
Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the 
guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible 
proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public 
Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will 
be subject to compliance with Federal and Bureau regulations and 
guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels for advisory review. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Adviser or by 
other Department elements. Final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Department of State's Assistant Secretary for 
Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for 
cooperative agreements resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Quality of the program idea and program planning: Proposals 
should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission. Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should 
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda 
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above.
    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.

[[Page 6177]]

    3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    5. Institutional Capacity/Record/Ability: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program or project's goals. Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau awards (grants or cooperative agreements) 
as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past 
performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new 
applicants.
    6. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended.
    7. Cost-effectiveness and cost-sharing: The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be 
necessary and appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing 
through other private sector support as well as institutional direct 
funding contributions.

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

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Karene Grad 
Steiner, U.S. Department of State, Office of Academic Exchange 
Programs, ECA/A/E/EUR, SA-5, Fourth Floor, ECA/A/E/EUR-11-07, 2200 C 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632-3237, GradKE@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/EUR-11-07.
    Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff 
may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal 
review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

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

    Dated: January 26, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2011-2395 Filed 2-2-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P