Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Youth Leadership Program With Sub-Saharan Africa, 10422-10428 [2011-4202]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10422-10428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4202]


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

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7341]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Youth Leadership Program With Sub-Saharan Africa

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-11-31.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415
    Application Deadline: April 14, 2011.

Executive Summary

    The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open 
competition for the Youth Leadership Program with Sub-Saharan Africa. 
Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may 
submit proposals to provide youth and adult participants with three-
week exchanges focused on civic education, community service, and youth 
leadership development, and to support follow-on projects in their home 
communities. U.S. Embassies in the participating countries will 
recruit, screen, and select the participants. ECA anticipates awarding 
one or two cooperative agreements that will support approximately 100 
participants from 10 countries. Exchanges for participants from 
Anglophone countries will be conducted in English, and exchanges for 
participants from Francophone countries will be conducted in French. 
The awards will be 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.

Overview

    The Youth Leadership Program with Sub-Saharan Africa is a three-
week exchange for high school youth and adult educators focused on 
civic education, community service, and youth leadership development. 
Subthemes that explore these overarching themes may be added, such as 
business and entrepreneurship, the environment, public health, or other 
topics relevant to the participating African countries. Participants 
engage in a variety of activities such as workshops on leadership and 
service, community site visits related to the program themes and 
subthemes, interactive training, presentations, visits to high schools, 
local cultural activities, and other activities designed to achieve the 
program's stated goals. Multiple opportunities for participants to 
interact meaningfully with their American peers must be included. 
Follow-on activities with the participants are an integral part of the 
program, as the students apply the knowledge and skills they have 
acquired by planning service projects in their home communities.
    The goals of the program are to:
    (1) Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United 
States and the people of Africa;
    (2) Prepare youth leaders to become responsible citizens and 
contributing members of their communities; and
    (3) Foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, 
religious, and national groups.
    The objectives of the program are for participants to:
    (1) Demonstrate a better understanding of the elements of a 
participatory democracy as practiced in the United States;
    (2) Demonstrate critical thinking and leadership skills; and
    (3) Demonstrate skill at developing project ideas and planning a 
course of action to bring the projects to fruition.
    The primary themes of the program are:
    (1) Civic Education (Citizen Participation, Grassroots Democracy 
and Rule of Law);
    (2) Community Service; and
    (3) Youth Leadership Development.
    For each project, applicant organizations must focus on these 
primary themes. Secondary themes, such as business and 
entrepreneurship, the environment, public health, or other topics 
relevant to the participating African countries, will serve to 
illustrate the more abstract concepts of the

[[Page 10423]]

primary themes. For example, the secondary theme of the environment can 
be used to examine how a group of individuals with an idea can start a 
recycling campaign in their community.
    Using these goals, objectives, and themes, applicant organizations 
should identify their own specific and measurable outputs and outcomes 
based on the project specifications provided in this solicitation. 
Proposals should indicate how recipients will achieve the short-term 
program objectives, and how these objectives will contribute to the 
achievement of the stated long-term goals.

Project Options

    The amount of funding available is approximately $550,000, pending 
the availability of funds. ECA anticipates awarding one or two 
cooperative agreements for the management of the Youth Leadership 
Program with Sub-Saharan Africa. One project will be conducted in 
English for 40 participants from four Anglophone countries of Kenya, 
Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania; one project will be conducted in 
French for 60 participants from six Francophone countries of Burkina 
Faso, Chad, Cote D'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. The Bureau 
reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal project 
configurations, budgets, and participant numbers in accordance with the 
needs of the program and the availability of funds. In addition, the 
Bureau reserves the right to adjust the participating countries should 
conditions change in the partner country or if other countries are 
identified as Department priorities. Organizations may apply for the 
Anglophone countries project, the Francophone countries project, or for 
both project options, but must submit only one proposal under this 
competition. Multiple submissions will be declared technically 
ineligible and will not be considered further in the review process. 
Please note the approximate funding for each option. The Bureau 
suggests a per capita cost between $5,000 and $6,000 for this program 
(applicants need not budget for participant international airfare). The 
Francophone countries project per capita costs may fall in the upper 
range due to the added cost for French interpretation.
Option 1: Anglophone Countries (Approximately $220,000)
    A regional project conducted in English for 40 participants from 
Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania. Approximately 10 
participants (8 youth and 2 adults) from each participating country 
will travel to the United States.
Option 2: Francophone Countries (Approximately $330,000)
    A regional project conducted in French for 60 participants from 
Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote D'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. 
Approximately 10 participants (8 youth and 2 adults) from each 
participating country will travel to the United States. French language 
interpreters must be provided for U.S. programming.
For Both Options
    Regional projects should include activities where participants from 
several countries interact to share ideas and work on program themes 
during the U.S. exchange. However, not all delegations must travel to 
the United States at the same time. It is suitable to break them up 
into smaller sub-groups, but should keep a mix of participants from 
several countries. Applicants who propose to host a large delegation in 
the United States at one time must propose a plan to break it into 
smaller cohorts for most of the exchange activities. Applicants are 
encouraged to be creative and flexible in making arrangements that will 
help meet our program goals.

Participants

    U.S. Embassies in the participating countries will recruit, screen, 
and select the participants; the award recipient will not be involved 
in participant selection. The youth participants will be high school 
students aged 15 to 18 years old with at least one semester of high 
school remaining. The adult participants may be teachers, trainers, 
school administrators, and/or community leaders who work with youth. 
They will have the dual role of both exchange participant and 
chaperone. The Anglophone participants will be proficient in the 
English language. The Francophone participants will not be required to 
have English proficiency; the award recipient must provide French 
language interpretation and place the participants in host families 
where at least one member speaks French. Where possible, U.S. Embassy 
staff will seek adult educators with some English ability.

Organizational Capacity

    Applicant organizations must demonstrate their capacity for 
conducting international youth exchanges, focusing on three areas of 
competency: (1) Provision of projects that address the goals, 
objectives, and themes outlined in this document; (2) age-appropriate 
programming for youth; and (3) previous experience working on programs 
in the region. Applicants need not have organizational capacity in the 
participating countries, as the U.S. Embassies will serve as the in-
country partner.

U.S. Embassy Involvement

    U.S. Embassies in the participating countries will recruit, screen, 
and select the participants; provide pre-departure briefings; 
facilitate visas; arrange international travel to the United States; 
and oversee follow-on alumni projects. Once a cooperative agreement is 
awarded, the recipient must consult regularly with the Public Affairs 
Section at the U.S. Embassy in the partner country to implement the 
project.

Guidelines

    Pending the availability of funds, it is anticipated that the 
cooperative agreement will begin on or about September 1, 2011. The 
award period will be 12 to 18 months in duration, as appropriate for 
the applicant's program design. Planning and preparation will start in 
2011, and the exchanges will take place sometime between November 2011 
and December 2012. Applicants should propose the period of the 
exchange(s) in their proposals, but the exact timing may be altered 
through the mutual agreement of the Department of State and the award 
recipient.
    The award recipient will be responsible for the following:
    Orientations: Provide pre-departure materials and information about 
the U.S. program to help the U.S. Embassies, participants, and their 
families in preparation for the exchange. Also, provide orientations 
for those participating from the host communities, including host 
families.
    Logistics: Manage all logistical arrangements, including French 
language interpretation as appropriate, domestic travel, ground 
transportation, accommodations, group meals, and disbursement of 
stipends.
    Exchange Activities: Design and plan three weeks of exchange 
activities that provide a creative and substantive program that 
develops both the youth and the adult participants' knowledge and skill 
base in civic education, community service, and youth leadership 
development. The exchange will take place in no more than two or three 
locations so that the participants have time to familiarize themselves 
with a community. The exchange will focus primarily on interactive 
activities, practical experiences, and other hands-on opportunities 
that provide a substantive project on the specified program themes. 
Some activities should

[[Page 10424]]

be school and/or community-based, and the projects will involve as much 
sustained interaction with peers of the host country as possible (for 
both the youth and adult participants). Cultural, social, and 
recreational activities will balance the schedule. Applicants may 
choose to include a visit to Washington, DC.
    Accommodations: Arrange home stays for the participants in the 
United States with properly screened and briefed American families for 
the majority of the exchange period. Criminal background checks must be 
conducted for members of host families (and others living in the home) 
who are 18 years or older. Please see the POGI for more details on host 
family screening and placement.
    Monitoring: Develop and implement a plan to monitor the 
participants' safety and well-being while on the exchange and to create 
opportunities for participants to share potential issues and resolve 
them promptly. The award recipient will be required to provide proper 
staff supervision and facilitation to ensure that the teenagers have 
safe and pedagogically rich programs. Staff, along with the adult 
participants, will assist the youth with cultural adjustments, provide 
societal context to enhance learning, and counsel students as needed.
    Follow-on Activities: Plan and implement activities in the 
participants' home countries, in coordination with the U.S. Embassies, 
particularly by facilitating continued engagement among the 
participants, advising and supporting them in the implementation of 
community service projects, and offering opportunities to reinforce the 
ideas, values and skills imparted during the exchange. Exchange 
participants should return home from the exchange prepared to conduct 
projects that serve a need in their schools or communities. To amplify 
program impact, proposals should present creative and effective ways to 
address the project themes, for both program participants and their 
peers.
    Evaluation: Design and implement an evaluation plan that assesses 
the short- and medium-term impact of the project on the participants as 
well as on host and home communities.

    Please note: In a cooperative agreement, the Department of State 
is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond 
routine grant monitoring. The Department's activities and 
responsibilities for the Youth Leadership Program with Sub-Saharan 
Africa are as follows:
    (1) Provide advice and assistance in the execution of all 
program components.
    (2) Manage the recruitment and selection of the participants, 
arrange and purchase international travel, provide pre-departure 
briefings, and oversee follow-on activities.
    (3) Issue DS-2019 forms and J-1 visas. All foreign participants 
will travel on a U.S. Government designation for the J Exchange 
Visitor Program.
    (4) Facilitate interaction within the Department of State, to 
include ECA, the regional bureaus, and overseas posts.
    (5) Arrange meetings with Department of State officials in 
Washington, DC and the participating countries.
    (6) Approve publicity materials and final calendar of exchange 
activities.
    (7) Monitor and evaluate the program, through regular 
communication with the award recipient and possibly one or more site 
visits.

Additional Information

    Award recipients will retain the name ``Youth Leadership Program'' 
to identify their project. All materials, publicity, and correspondence 
related to the program will acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau 
of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. 
The Bureau will retain copyright use of and be allowed to distribute 
materials related to this program as it sees fit.
    The organization must inform the ECA Program Officer and 
participating U.S. Embassies of their progress at each stage of the 
project's implementation in a timely fashion, and will be required to 
obtain approval of any significant program changes in advance of their 
implementation.
    Proposals must demonstrate how the stated objectives will be met. 
The proposal narrative should provide detailed information on the major 
project activities, and applicants should explain and justify their 
programmatic choices. Projects must comply with J-1 visa regulations 
for the International Visitor and Government Visitor category. Please 
be sure to refer to the complete Solicitation Package--this RFGP, the 
Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI), and the Proposal 
Submission Instructions (PSI)--for further information.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA's level of involvement in 
this program is listed under Section I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2011.
    Approximate Total Funding: $550,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One or two.
    Floor of Award Range: $200,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $550,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 1, 
2011.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: 12-18 months after start date, 
to be specified by applicant based on project plan.

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 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 multiple 
awards in amounts exceeding $60,000 to support program and 
administrative costs required to implement this exchange program. 
Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this 
competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels 
of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.
    (b.) Proposed sub-award recipients are also limited to grant 
funding of $60,000 or less if they do not have four years of experience 
in conducting international exchanges.
    (c.) The Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of 
cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

[[Page 10425]]

    (d.) Organizations may submit only one proposal (total) under this 
competition. If multiple proposals are received from the same 
applicant, all submissions will be declared technically ineligible and 
will be given no further consideration in the review process. Please 
note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN 
number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting 
documentation outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) 
document.

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 Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, SA-5, 3rd 
Floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037, by telephone (202) 632-9352, fax (202) 632-9355, or e-mail 
PhillipsJA@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY-11-31 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 Jennifer Phillips and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY-11-31 located at the top of this 
announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

    The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's 
Web site at https://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html, or from the 
Grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov. Please read all 
information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission:

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The application should be submitted per the instructions under 
IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and Methods of Submission'' section 
below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget. Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It 
contains the mandatory Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document 
and the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document 
for additional formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for 
ECA Federal assistance awards must include in their application the 
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers, 
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation). In 
fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information in one 
of the following ways:
    (1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of 
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant 
portions of this form.
    (2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information 
above in the format of their choice.
    In addition to final program reporting requirements, award 
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived 
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant 
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior 
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as 
the one- page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by 
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by 
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and 
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and 
Budget on its USASpending.gov Web site as part of ECA's FFATA reporting 
requirements.
    If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not received 
a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three years, or 
if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS within the 
past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation to verify 
nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to do so will 
cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
IV.3d.1 Adherence To All Regulations Governing The J Visa
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange 
program covered by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the 
``Responsible Officer'' for the program under the terms of 22 CFR part 
62, which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J 
visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR 62, organizations receiving 
awards (either a grant or cooperative agreement) under this RFGP will 
be third parties ``cooperating with or assisting the sponsor in the 
conduct of the sponsor's program.'' The actions of recipient 
organizations shall be ``imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the 
sponsor's compliance with'' 22 CFR part 62. Therefore, the Bureau 
expects that any organization receiving an award under this competition 
will render all assistance necessary to enable the Bureau to fully 
comply with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically 
important emphases on the secure and proper administration of Exchange 
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by recipient organizations and 
program participants to all regulations governing the J visa program 
status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that 
the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting all 
requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs 
as set forth in 22 CFR part 62. If your organization has experience as 
a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should 
discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et. seq., 
including the oversight of their Responsible Officers and Alternate 
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, 
provision of pre-arrival

[[Page 10426]]

information and orientation to participants, monitoring of 
participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, 
reporting and other requirements.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for 
issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at https://exchanges.state.gov or from:
    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.
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. Please refer to the 
Solicitation Package (POGI and PSI) for complete budget guidelines and 
formatting instructions.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
    Application Deadline Date: April 14, 2011.
    Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-11-31.
    Methods of Submission:
    Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
    (1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal 
Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or

[[Page 10427]]

    (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 six (6) copies of the application should be sent 
to:
    Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY-11-
31, SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20037.
    Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the 
Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, and Budget sections of the 
proposal, as well as any attachments essential to understanding the 
program, in Microsoft Word and/or Excel format on CD-ROM. As 
appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to 
Public Affairs Sections at the U.S. Embassies for their review.
IV.3f.2--Submitting Electronic Applications
    Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically 
through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation 
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the 
system.

    Please 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.
    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: Objectives should be reasonable, 
feasible, and flexible. The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the 
institution will meet the program's objectives and plan. The proposed 
program should be creative, age-appropriate, respond to the design 
outlined in the solicitation, and demonstrate originality. It should be 
clearly and accurately written, substantive, and with sufficient 
detail. Proposals should also include a plan to support participants' 
community activities upon their return home.

[[Page 10428]]

    2. Program planning: A detailed agenda and work plan should clearly 
demonstrate how project objectives would be achieved. The agenda and 
plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described 
above. The substance of workshops, seminars, presentations, school-
based activities, and/or site visits should be described in detail.
    3. Support of diversity: The proposal should demonstrate the 
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity in participant recruitment and selection and in program 
content. Applicants should demonstrate readiness to accommodate 
participants with physical disabilities.
    4. Institutional capacity and track record: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources in both the United States and in the partner 
countries should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program 
goals. The proposal should demonstrate an institutional record of 
successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management 
and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau 
awards as determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider 
the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential 
of new applicants.
    5. Program evaluation: The proposal should include a plan to 
evaluate the program's success in meeting its goals, both as the 
activities unfold and after they have been completed. The proposal 
should include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique, plus a 
description of a methodology to link outcomes to original project 
objectives. The award recipient will be expected to submit intermediate 
reports after each project component is concluded.
    6. Cost-effectiveness and cost sharing: The applicant should 
demonstrate efficient use of Bureau funds. The overhead and 
administrative components of the proposal, including salaries and 
honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should be 
necessary and appropriate. The proposal should maximize cost-sharing 
through other private sector support as well as institutional direct 
funding contributions, which demonstrates institutional and community 
commitment.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1 Award Notices

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. 
Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original 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:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program 
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This 
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to 
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting 
requirements.
    (3) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports, including the SF-PPR-E and SF-PPR-F.
    (4) Quarterly or interim reports, as required in the Bureau 
cooperative agreement.
    Award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing 
their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program 
reports. (Please refer to IV.3.d.3 Application and Submission 
Instructions 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: Jennifer Phillips, 
Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, SA-5, 3rd Floor, U.S. Department 
of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20522-0503, by telephone 
202-632-9352, fax 202-632-9355, or e-mail PhillipsJA@state.gov.
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and reference number ECA/PE/C/PY-11-31.
    Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau staff 
may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal 
review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

Notice

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

    Dated: February 15, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2011-4202 Filed 2-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P