Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Global Connections and Exchange Program: U.S.-Russia Virtual Science Challenge for Youth, 39967-39974 [2011-17098]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2011 / Notices
participants who participate in youth
and leadership programs through ECA.
• ECA/P/V: Youth and Leadership
Programs: Pre Program Survey
Questions: This collection will cover
pre-program surveys.
• ECA/P/V: Youth and Leadership
Programs: Post Program Survey
Questions: This collection will cover
post program surveys
• ECA/P/V: Youth and Leadership
Programs: Follow-up Program Survey
Questions: This collection will cover
follow-up program surveys.
Methodology
ECA/P/V estimates that at least 90%
of the data collected through these
information collections will be done so
electronically via a web-based surveying
system for ease of use. Non-electronic
means such as paper surveys will be
used when electronic means are not
technically feasible.
Additional Information
These three collections together
represent the full spectrum of the
performance measurement process (i.e.
a pre-program, post-program, and
follow-up program surveying), and data
collected across these collections will be
used to monitor ECA’s youth and
leadership programs. The proposed
questions have been designed to appear
across these collections as appropriate,
and therefore it is imperative that these
questions remain unchanged so as to
continue our vital performance
measurement work.
Dated: June 27, 2011.
Julianne Paunescu,
Acting Director of the Office of Policy and
Evaluation, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011–17095 Filed 7–6–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7475]
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: U.S. National Commission
for UNESCO Laura W. Bush Traveling
Fellowship
Notice of request for public
comment and submission to OMB of
proposed collection of information.
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ACTION:
The Department of State has
submitted the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
approval in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
SUMMARY:
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• Title of Information Collection: U.S.
National Commission for UNESCO
Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship
• OMB Control Number: 1405–0180
• Type of Request: Extension of a
Currently Approved Collection
• Originating Office: Bureau of
International Organization Affairs,
Office of UNESCO Affairs, Executive
Secretariat U.S. National Commission
for UNESCO (IO/UNESCO)
• Form Number: DS–7646
• Respondents: U.S. college and
university students applying for a
Fellowship
• Estimated Number of Respondents:
100
• Estimated Number of Responses:
100
• Average Hours per Response: 10
• Total Estimated Burden: 1000 hours
• Frequency: On occasion
• Obligation To Respond: Required to
Obtain or Retain a Benefit
DATES: Submit comments to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
up to 30 days from July 7, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Direct comments to the
Department of State Desk Officer in the
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs at the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). You may submit
comments by the following methods:
• E-mail:
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You
must include the DS form number,
information collection title, and OMB
control number in the subject line of
your message.
• Fax: 202–395–5806. Attention: Desk
Officer for the Department of State.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You
may obtain copies of the proposed
information, collection, details
regarding applying for this privately
funded fellowship, and supporting
documents from Eric Woodard,
Executive Director, U.S. National
Commission for UNESCO, who may be
reached at 202–663–0024 or at
WoodardEW@state.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are
soliciting public comments to permit
the Department to:
• Evaluate whether the proposed
information collection is necessary for
the proper performance of our
functions.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on
those who are to respond, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of technology.
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Abstract of Proposed Collection
Fellowship applicants, U.S. citizen
students at U.S. colleges and
universities, will submit descriptions of
self-designed proposals for brief travel
abroad to conduct work that is
consistent with UNESCO’s substantive
mandate to contribute to peace and
security by promoting collaboration
among nations through education, the
sciences, culture, and communications
in order to further universal respect for
justice, for the rule of law and for the
human rights and fundamental
freedoms which are affirmed for the
peoples of the world, without
distinction of race, sex, language or
religion, by the Charter of the United
Nations. The fellowship is funded
through private donations. The
information will be reviewed for the
purpose of identifying the most
meritorious proposals, as measured
against the published evaluation
criteria.
Methodology
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau
of International Organization Affairs,
Office of UNESCO Affairs, Executive
Secretariat U.S. National Commission
for UNESCO (IO/UNESCO) will collect
this information via electronic
submission.
Dated: June 29, 2011.
Eric Woodard,
Executive Director, U.S. National Commission
for UNESCO, Bureau of International
Organization Affairs, U.S. Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 2011–17096 Filed 7–6–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–19–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7517]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant
Proposals: Global Connections and
Exchange Program: U.S.-Russia Virtual
Science Challenge for Youth
Announcement Type: Cooperative
Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/
PE/C/PY–12–02.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 19.415.
Application Deadline: August 31,
2011.
Executive Summary: The Youth
Programs Division, Office of Citizen
Exchanges, of the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs announces an open
competition for the new U.S.-Russia
Virtual Science Challenge for Youth
under the Global Connections and
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Exchange Program. 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
conduct a program that will use
connective technologies to increase
scientific collaboration between
American and Russian secondary school
students. Bi-national teams will work
together in a joint project to solve a
global science problem using online
tools, videoconferencing, virtual
workshops, and other advanced
methods of communication. The
projects may culminate in a virtual
science fair attended by students around
the world. The engagement of private
sector partners and specific plans to
create a sustainable program after the
fair also distinguish this program.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
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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 U.S.-Russia Virtual
Science Challenge for Youth will link
teams of secondary school students in
Russia and the United States that
involve approximately 20 students in
each country in a program designed to
promote science education and
expertise. The program will feature two
key components: (1) An online,
interactive project between Russian and
American high school students that
includes virtual meetings and
workshops facilitated by experts in the
private and public sectors and the
mentoring of bi-national teams of
students in science; and (2) an
international virtual science fair that
enables these bi-national teams to
present the results of their collaboration
around a pre-determined science
problem, and to compete for
recognition.
This program is part of the Global
Connections and Exchange (GCE)
Program for secondary school Internet
connectivity and curriculum
development. Students and teachers
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receive specialized training and develop
skills to participate in online
collaborative activities. GCE programs
empower youth to use technology to
tackle universal issues and engage
participants in dialogue with the
international community. Through this
exchange of information, students are
able to expand their world vision and
gain perspectives that will help them
succeed in the international arena.
This particular project is being
presented under the auspices of the
U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential
Commission. Under the leadership of
President Obama and President
Medvedev and coordinated by Secretary
Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov,
the Commission is dedicated to
identifying areas of cooperation and
pursuing joint projects and actions that
strengthen strategic stability,
international security, economic wellbeing, and the development of ties
between the Russian and American
people. The Virtual Science Challenge
falls within the purview of the
Education, Sports and Cultural
Exchanges working group. Learn more
about the Bilateral Presidential
Commission at https://www.state.gov/p/
eur/rls/fs/130616.htm.
Goals: A successful program will:
• Provide high school students with a
real-life example of what they can
accomplish through international
scientific collaboration;
• Offer a dynamic opportunity for
youth to engage in scientific inquiry and
applied science, to share their activities
in a virtual science fair, and to learn
about other students’ efforts in science
and technology;
• Promote mutual understanding and
sustainable partnerships between
American and Russian high school
students, teachers, and their schools;
• Showcase the innovative
technology available for conducting a
virtual collaboration between the two
countries;
• Expand the network of science
students in the two participating
countries.
Applicants are strongly urged to:
• Garner private sector support. The
Bureau encourages the expansion of the
scope of this program beyond what it is
able to fund. Private sector monies and
in-kind offerings may be used to
increase the number of cities and
schools that can participate in the
program, to increase the number of
students that participate, or to utilize
more sophisticated platforms for virtual
collaboration.
• Utilize existing networks where
feasible. This effort may include
involving paired city or state programs
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between Russia and the United States
and/or online forums such as GLOBE
(https://www.globe.gov). The purpose is
to leverage existing connections and
build upon them to allow for deeper
connections among real and virtual
communities.
• Develop a model for scientific
collaboration that outlives this program.
The Bureau encourages the creation of
sustainable programming that enables
the lessons learned during its
implementation to be shared with other
educators for similar programs around
the world.
Program Guidelines
Applicants must identify the U.S. and
Russian organizations with which they
are proposing to collaborate to recruit
and select participants overseas and
support them in program activities.
Applicants should also involve a wellestablished Russian institution or
organization that has a science focus
and good reputation for collaboration.
Proposals should contain letters of
commitment or support from partner
organizations. A description of any
previous cooperative activities with
these partner organizations must be
included in the proposal, along with
information about their mission,
activities, and accomplishments in
conducting educational projects online.
Applicants should clearly outline and
describe the roles and responsibilities of
all partner organizations in terms of
project logistics, management and
oversight.
Participants: The participants will be
secondary school students (aged 15–18)
from Russia and the United States who
are paired on bi-national teams.
Students on the same team within a
country must be co-located in the same
school or in neighboring schools in the
same city. For example, one team might
be composed of four students from a
city in the Russia Far East and four
students from a city on the west coast
of the United States. Applicants should
present their rationale for city and
school selection as well as their
proposed plan for composing the binational teams. Approximately 40
students total will participate;
applicants are welcome to involve more
students. With justification, applicants
may propose the size and number of
teams they wish, but no fewer than four
bi-national teams.
This program is designed to reach out
to a range of students. The scientific
content should be accessible to
intelligent, dedicated students but
should not be at a level where only
exceptionally advanced science
students can participate. That said, a
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desirable outcome is a cadre of students
who have an active interest in applied
science and who may serve as role
models for other youth in their
countries.
Teachers/Mentors: Each bi-national
team will have at least one teacher or
mentor in each country. The mentors for
each team, individually or collectively,
should demonstrate knowledge of
science, the technological applications
to be used, and English. The teachers
and mentors will facilitate online
discussions and ensure that the Russian
and American students are working
together to develop their scientific
projects for the Virtual Science
Challenge. They will facilitate the
students’ participation in the virtual
science fair and would accompany
students if they travel to their partner
community in the other country.
The language of the collaboration and
the science fair will be English, so all
participants must be proficient.
Components
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(1) Online, Interactive Program
Bi-national teams of Russian and
American high school students will
work together online on a predetermined science problem that is of
mutual interest and concern. The
science problem may be determined by
the applicant and by the selected
schools. The problem must be common
for all teams. Their activities will be
guided by teachers or mentors and may
be incorporated into the school
curriculum or stand as an
extracurricular activity. The applicant’s
program design should indicate how
many hours of activity per week are
expected. The grant recipient should
plan to create an online space dedicated
to this program or use an existing
platform.
The joint Russian-American teams
will explore the parameters of the
problem, form theories, perform
research, share their findings, test
hypotheses, and analyze the results.
These activities will necessarily be
undertaken by the students as
individuals, as teams within their own
school or community, and online with
their teammates in the other country
through a variety of means that may
range from message boards to a 3D
virtual world. These efforts will be
punctuated by virtual workshops on
topics related to their scientific inquiry
facilitated by experts in the private
sector.
The implementing organization
should establish milestones to mark
occasions when the teams can publicly
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share the results of their work to date,
starting in spring 2012.
(2) International Virtual Science Fair
To represent the students’
collaboration, the participating binational teams will share their research
and proposed solutions to the science
problem with the other teams and with
interested students around the world
through an international online science
fair. Applicants must present their plans
for marketing the fair and attracting a
participatory audience. Applicants are
encouraged to involve the U.S.–Russian
teams involved in this project in an
existing science fair or forum.
The fair will be primarily focused on
presenting the teams’ collaborative
projects, but there will also be a
competitive aspect. The fair will also
engage the observers by inviting online
debate and commentary regarding the
projects.
While physical exchanges between
the United States and Russia are not
envisioned to be part of this project, the
one- or two-way exchange of students
and their mentors that allows them to
collaborate in person during three-week
visits to the partner country are allowed.
Any applicant proposing such
exchanges must clearly detail their
intentions and the source of the
funding.
Competitive proposals will include
the following:
• A proposed timeline detailing
potential activities, milestones for the
public presentation of results, and
project goals;
• A description of how the teams will
be formed and how the participants—
both secondary school students and
their teachers/mentors—in Russia and
the United States will be selected;
• A description of the online
collaborative activities, including the
workshops, seminars, and other
activities facilitated by science experts;
• An outline of the international
virtual science fair, including an
overview of the platform, how projects
will be presented, how students in other
countries will be engaged, and how the
winning team(s) will be recognized;
• A plan that demonstrates how the
participants can maintain contacts
initiated during the program and how
the tools and methods used in this
program can be harnessed to allow these
and other U.S. and foreign students to
collaborate and communicate beyond
the life of this grant;
• Letters of commitment from private
sector partners to support the program;
• A description of the applicant
organization’s relevant expertise in the
project area, work in the two countries,
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and experience managing similar
programs;
• Resumes of experienced staff who
have demonstrated a commitment to
implement and monitor projects and
ensure outcomes;
• A comprehensive plan to evaluate
whether the program achieves the
specific objectives described in the
narrative;
• A plan for how the project might be
sustained in Russia and replicated in
other countries after this year of
activities.
In a cooperative agreement, the
Department is substantially involved in
program activities above and beyond
routine monitoring. ECA’s activities and
responsibilities for this program are as
follows:
• Review and approval of all program
publicity and other materials;
• Liaison with the U.S. Embassy and
country desk officers at the Department
of State;
• Collaborating with the award
recipient on outreach to private sector
partners for supplemental activities;
• Final approval of participants;
• Working with the award recipient
to publicize the program through
various media outlets; and
• Monitoring and evaluating the
program as necessary, through site visits
and/or debriefing sessions.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative
Agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2012.
Approximate Total Funding:
$150,000, pending the availability of
funds.
Approximate Number of Awards:
One.
Anticipated Award Date: November
15, 2011.
Anticipated Project Completion Date:
August 31, 2013.
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
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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 one award in an
amount of $150,000 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
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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,
(202) 632–6079,
PiersonCompeauHM@state.gov to
request a Solicitation Package. Please
refer to the Program name and Funding
Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY–12–
02 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
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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 ECA Program Officer
Carolyn Lantz and refer to the Funding
Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY–12–
02 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
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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 onepage 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
Part 62, organizations receiving awards
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(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
information and orientation to
participants, monitoring of participants,
proper maintenance and security of
forms, record-keeping, reporting and
other requirements.
It is acknowledged that virtual
exchanges such as those included in
this program are not included in the J–
1 visa regulations governing exchange
students coming to the United States.
The Office of Citizen Exchanges of
ECA will be responsible for issuing any
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
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interpreted in the broadest sense and
encompass differences including, but
not limited to ethnicity, race, gender,
religion, geographic location, socioeconomic 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
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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 shortterm 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.)
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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 NonConstruction 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 for complete budget guidelines
and formatting instructions.
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 copies of the
application should be sent to:
Program Management Division, ECA–
IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY–12–
02, SA–5, Floor 4, Department of
State, 2200 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20037.
With the submission of the proposal
package, please also e-mail the
Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative,
and Budget sections of the proposal, as
well as any attachments essential to
understanding the program, in Microsoft
Word, Excel, and/or PDF, to the
program officer at LantzCS@state.gov.
The Bureau will provide these files
electronically to the Public Affairs
Section at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow
for their review.
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IV.3F. Application Deadline and
Methods of Submission:
Application Deadline Date:
Wednesday, August 31, 2011.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY–
12–02.
Methods of Submission: Applications
may be submitted in one of two ways:
(1) In hard-copy, via a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service
(i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne
Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express
Overnight Mail, etc.), or
(2) Electronically through https://
www.grants.gov.
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.
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.
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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V. Application Review Information
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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.
2. Program Planning/Ability to
Achieve Program Objectives: Proposals
should clearly convey a feasible plan
that supports program goals. The
substance of the online activities and
the fair should be described in detail. A
detailed agenda and relevant work plan
should adhere to the program overview
and guidelines described above.
Reviewers will assess how objectives
will be achieved and make sure that the
timetable is feasible for completion of
major tasks.
3. Support of Diversity: Proposals
should demonstrate substantive support
of the Bureau’s policy on diversity.
Geographic, gender, and socio-economic
diversity should be reflected in the
selection of schools and participants.
4. Institutional Capacity/Track
Record: Proposed personnel and
institutional resources in both the
United States and Russia should be
appropriate to achieve the program
goals. Proposals should exhibit
experience among the staff in
implementing web-based educational
projects at the high school level.
Reviewers will assess the organization’s
institutional record of successful
programs, including responsible fiscal
management and full compliance with
all reporting requirements as
determined by the Bureau’s Grants
Division. The Bureau will consider the
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past performance of prior recipients and
the demonstrated potential of new
applicants.
5. Long-term Activities/Sustainability:
Proposals should provide a plan for
continued activities (without Bureau
support) ensuring that Bureau
supported programs are not isolated
events.
6. Program Evaluation: Proposals
should include a plan to evaluate the
activity’s success, both as the activities
unfold and at the end of the program.
Draft survey questionnaires or other
techniques, plus descriptions of
methodologies that link outcomes to
original project objectives, are strongly
recommended.
7. Cost-Effectiveness/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.
39973
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 Nonprofit Organizations.
Please reference the following Web
sites for additional information:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
https://fa.statebuy.state.gov
VI.2. Administrative and National
Policy Requirements
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide ECA with a hard
copy original plus one copy of the
following reports:
1. Quarterly program and financial
reports.
2. A final program and financial
report no more than 90 days after the
expiration of the award.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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
VII. Agency Contacts
For questions about this
announcement, contact: Carolyn Lantz,
U.S. Department of State, Youth
Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, SA–
5, 3rd floor, 2200 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20037, Telephone (202)
632–6421, Fax, (202) 632–9355, E- mail:
LantzCS@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau
concerning this RFGP should reference
the above title and ECA/PE/C/PY–12–
02.
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2011 / Notices
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: June 29, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
Portland, Oregon, from on or about
November 25, 2011, until on or about
January 29, 2012, and at possible
additional exhibitions or venues yet to
be determined, is in the national
interest. I have ordered that Public
Notice of these Determinations be
published in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information, including a
description of the exhibit object, contact
Paul W. Manning, Attorney-Adviser,
Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S.
Department of State (telephone: 202–
632–6469). The mailing address is U.S.
Department of State, SA–5, L/PD, Fifth
Floor (Suite 5H03), Washington, DC
20522–0505.
Dated: June 29, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011–17102 Filed 7–6–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7519]
[FR Doc. 2011–17098 Filed 7–6–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
Culturally Significant Objects Imported
for Exhibition Determinations:
‘‘Warhol: The Headlines’’
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
SUMMARY:
[Public Notice 7520]
Culturally Significant Object Imported
for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Titian’s
Woman in a Blue Dress ‘La Bella’ ’’
Notice is hereby given of the
following determinations: Pursuant to
the authority vested in me by the Act of
October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C.
2459), Executive Order 12047 of March
27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and
Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat.
2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et
seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of
October 1, 1999, and Delegation of
Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, 2000,
I hereby determine that the object to be
included in the exhibition ‘‘Titian’s
Woman in a Blue Dress ‘La Bella’,’’
imported from abroad for temporary
exhibition within the United States, is
of cultural significance. The object is
imported pursuant to a loan agreement
with the foreign owner or custodian. I
also determine that the exhibition or
display of the exhibit object at the
Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth,
Texas, from on or about July 22, 2011,
until on or about September 18, 2011,
the Nevada Museum of Art, Reno,
Nevada, from on or about September 23,
2011, until on or about November 20,
2011, the Portland Art Museum,
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SUMMARY:
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Notice is hereby given of the
following determinations: Pursuant to
the authority vested in me by the Act of
October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C.
2459), Executive Order 12047 of March
27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and
Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat.
2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et
seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of
October 1, 1999, and Delegation of
Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, 2000,
I hereby determine that the objects to be
included in the exhibition ‘‘Warhol: The
Headlines,’’ imported from abroad for
temporary exhibition within the United
States, are of cultural significance. The
objects are imported pursuant to loan
agreements with the foreign owners or
custodians. I also determine that the
exhibition or display of the exhibit
objects at the National Gallery of Art,
Washington, DC, from on or about
September 25, 2011, until on or about
January 2, 2012, at The Andy Warhol
Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
from on or about October 14, 2012, until
on or about January 6, 2013, and at
possible additional exhibitions or
venues yet to be determined, is in the
national interest. I have ordered that
Public Notice of these Determinations
be published in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information, including a list of
the exhibit objects, contact Paul W.
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Manning, Attorney-Adviser, Office of
the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of
State (telephone: 202–632–6469). The
mailing address is U.S. Department of
State, SA–5, L/PD, Fifth Floor (Suite
5H03), Washington, DC 20522–0505.
Dated: June 29, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011–17104 Filed 7–6–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Delegation of Authority No. 337]
Delegation by the Deputy Secretary of
State Regarding Department
Representation on the Investment
Working Group Established by the
SelectUSA Executive Order
By virtue of the authority vested in
the Secretary by the laws of the United
States, including the State Department
Basic Authorities Act, as amended (22
U.S.C. 2651a), and delegated to me
pursuant to Delegation of Authority
245–1, I hereby delegate to the Under
Secretary for Economic, Energy, and
Agricultural Affairs and Assistant
Secretary for Economic, Energy, and
Business Affairs, to the extent
authorized by law, the authority to
represent the Department on the Federal
Interagency Investment Working Group
established by the SelectUSA Executive
Order of June 15, 2011. The Under
Secretary or Assistant Secretary shall
exercise this authority in consultation
with other Department officials,
bureaus, and offices as appropriate.
Any act, executive order, regulation,
or procedure subject to, or affected by,
this delegation shall be deemed to be
such act, executive order, regulation, or
procedure as amended from time to
time.
Notwithstanding this delegation of
authority, the Secretary, the Deputy
Secretary, or the Deputy Secretary for
Management and Resources may at any
time exercise any authority or function
delegated by this delegation of
authority.
This delegation of authority shall be
published in the Federal Register.
Dated: June 24, 2011.
Thomas R. Nides,
Deputy Secretary of State, Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 2011–17094 Filed 7–6–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–07–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39967-39974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17098]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7517]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: Global Connections and Exchange Program: U.S.-Russia
Virtual Science Challenge for Youth
Announcement Type: Cooperative Agreement.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-12-02.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.
Application Deadline: August 31, 2011.
Executive Summary: The Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen
Exchanges, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces
an open competition for the new U.S.-Russia Virtual Science Challenge
for Youth under the Global Connections and
[[Page 39968]]
Exchange Program. 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 conduct a program that will use
connective technologies to increase scientific collaboration between
American and Russian secondary school students. Bi-national teams will
work together in a joint project to solve a global science problem
using online tools, videoconferencing, virtual workshops, and other
advanced methods of communication. The projects may culminate in a
virtual science fair attended by students around the world. The
engagement of private sector partners and specific plans to create a
sustainable program after the fair also distinguish this program.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: Overall grant making authority for this program is
contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of
1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-
Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is ``to enable the Government of
the United States to increase mutual understanding between the
people of the United States and the people of other countries * * *;
to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by
demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments,
and achievements of the people of the United States and other
nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly,
sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the
other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the
program above is provided through legislation.
Purpose: The U.S.-Russia Virtual Science Challenge for Youth will
link teams of secondary school students in Russia and the United States
that involve approximately 20 students in each country in a program
designed to promote science education and expertise. The program will
feature two key components: (1) An online, interactive project between
Russian and American high school students that includes virtual
meetings and workshops facilitated by experts in the private and public
sectors and the mentoring of bi-national teams of students in science;
and (2) an international virtual science fair that enables these bi-
national teams to present the results of their collaboration around a
pre-determined science problem, and to compete for recognition.
This program is part of the Global Connections and Exchange (GCE)
Program for secondary school Internet connectivity and curriculum
development. Students and teachers receive specialized training and
develop skills to participate in online collaborative activities. GCE
programs empower youth to use technology to tackle universal issues and
engage participants in dialogue with the international community.
Through this exchange of information, students are able to expand their
world vision and gain perspectives that will help them succeed in the
international arena.
This particular project is being presented under the auspices of
the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission. Under the leadership
of President Obama and President Medvedev and coordinated by Secretary
Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov, the Commission is dedicated to
identifying areas of cooperation and pursuing joint projects and
actions that strengthen strategic stability, international security,
economic well-being, and the development of ties between the Russian
and American people. The Virtual Science Challenge falls within the
purview of the Education, Sports and Cultural Exchanges working group.
Learn more about the Bilateral Presidential Commission at https://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/130616.htm.
Goals: A successful program will:
Provide high school students with a real-life example of
what they can accomplish through international scientific
collaboration;
Offer a dynamic opportunity for youth to engage in
scientific inquiry and applied science, to share their activities in a
virtual science fair, and to learn about other students' efforts in
science and technology;
Promote mutual understanding and sustainable partnerships
between American and Russian high school students, teachers, and their
schools;
Showcase the innovative technology available for
conducting a virtual collaboration between the two countries;
Expand the network of science students in the two
participating countries.
Applicants are strongly urged to:
Garner private sector support. The Bureau encourages the
expansion of the scope of this program beyond what it is able to fund.
Private sector monies and in-kind offerings may be used to increase the
number of cities and schools that can participate in the program, to
increase the number of students that participate, or to utilize more
sophisticated platforms for virtual collaboration.
Utilize existing networks where feasible. This effort may
include involving paired city or state programs between Russia and the
United States and/or online forums such as GLOBE (https://www.globe.gov). The purpose is to leverage existing connections and
build upon them to allow for deeper connections among real and virtual
communities.
Develop a model for scientific collaboration that outlives
this program. The Bureau encourages the creation of sustainable
programming that enables the lessons learned during its implementation
to be shared with other educators for similar programs around the
world.
Program Guidelines
Applicants must identify the U.S. and Russian organizations with
which they are proposing to collaborate to recruit and select
participants overseas and support them in program activities.
Applicants should also involve a well-established Russian institution
or organization that has a science focus and good reputation for
collaboration. Proposals should contain letters of commitment or
support from partner organizations. A description of any previous
cooperative activities with these partner organizations must be
included in the proposal, along with information about their mission,
activities, and accomplishments in conducting educational projects
online. Applicants should clearly outline and describe the roles and
responsibilities of all partner organizations in terms of project
logistics, management and oversight.
Participants: The participants will be secondary school students
(aged 15-18) from Russia and the United States who are paired on bi-
national teams. Students on the same team within a country must be co-
located in the same school or in neighboring schools in the same city.
For example, one team might be composed of four students from a city in
the Russia Far East and four students from a city on the west coast of
the United States. Applicants should present their rationale for city
and school selection as well as their proposed plan for composing the
bi-national teams. Approximately 40 students total will participate;
applicants are welcome to involve more students. With justification,
applicants may propose the size and number of teams they wish, but no
fewer than four bi-national teams.
This program is designed to reach out to a range of students. The
scientific content should be accessible to intelligent, dedicated
students but should not be at a level where only exceptionally advanced
science students can participate. That said, a
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desirable outcome is a cadre of students who have an active interest in
applied science and who may serve as role models for other youth in
their countries.
Teachers/Mentors: Each bi-national team will have at least one
teacher or mentor in each country. The mentors for each team,
individually or collectively, should demonstrate knowledge of science,
the technological applications to be used, and English. The teachers
and mentors will facilitate online discussions and ensure that the
Russian and American students are working together to develop their
scientific projects for the Virtual Science Challenge. They will
facilitate the students' participation in the virtual science fair and
would accompany students if they travel to their partner community in
the other country.
The language of the collaboration and the science fair will be
English, so all participants must be proficient.
Components
(1) Online, Interactive Program
Bi-national teams of Russian and American high school students will
work together online on a pre-determined science problem that is of
mutual interest and concern. The science problem may be determined by
the applicant and by the selected schools. The problem must be common
for all teams. Their activities will be guided by teachers or mentors
and may be incorporated into the school curriculum or stand as an
extracurricular activity. The applicant's program design should
indicate how many hours of activity per week are expected. The grant
recipient should plan to create an online space dedicated to this
program or use an existing platform.
The joint Russian-American teams will explore the parameters of the
problem, form theories, perform research, share their findings, test
hypotheses, and analyze the results. These activities will necessarily
be undertaken by the students as individuals, as teams within their own
school or community, and online with their teammates in the other
country through a variety of means that may range from message boards
to a 3D virtual world. These efforts will be punctuated by virtual
workshops on topics related to their scientific inquiry facilitated by
experts in the private sector.
The implementing organization should establish milestones to mark
occasions when the teams can publicly share the results of their work
to date, starting in spring 2012.
(2) International Virtual Science Fair
To represent the students' collaboration, the participating bi-
national teams will share their research and proposed solutions to the
science problem with the other teams and with interested students
around the world through an international online science fair.
Applicants must present their plans for marketing the fair and
attracting a participatory audience. Applicants are encouraged to
involve the U.S.-Russian teams involved in this project in an existing
science fair or forum.
The fair will be primarily focused on presenting the teams'
collaborative projects, but there will also be a competitive aspect.
The fair will also engage the observers by inviting online debate and
commentary regarding the projects.
While physical exchanges between the United States and Russia are
not envisioned to be part of this project, the one- or two-way exchange
of students and their mentors that allows them to collaborate in person
during three-week visits to the partner country are allowed. Any
applicant proposing such exchanges must clearly detail their intentions
and the source of the funding.
Competitive proposals will include the following:
A proposed timeline detailing potential activities,
milestones for the public presentation of results, and project goals;
A description of how the teams will be formed and how the
participants--both secondary school students and their teachers/
mentors--in Russia and the United States will be selected;
A description of the online collaborative activities,
including the workshops, seminars, and other activities facilitated by
science experts;
An outline of the international virtual science fair,
including an overview of the platform, how projects will be presented,
how students in other countries will be engaged, and how the winning
team(s) will be recognized;
A plan that demonstrates how the participants can maintain
contacts initiated during the program and how the tools and methods
used in this program can be harnessed to allow these and other U.S. and
foreign students to collaborate and communicate beyond the life of this
grant;
Letters of commitment from private sector partners to
support the program;
A description of the applicant organization's relevant
expertise in the project area, work in the two countries, and
experience managing similar programs;
Resumes of experienced staff who have demonstrated a
commitment to implement and monitor projects and ensure outcomes;
A comprehensive plan to evaluate whether the program
achieves the specific objectives described in the narrative;
A plan for how the project might be sustained in Russia
and replicated in other countries after this year of activities.
In a cooperative agreement, the Department is substantially
involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring.
ECA's activities and responsibilities for this program are as follows:
Review and approval of all program publicity and other
materials;
Liaison with the U.S. Embassy and country desk officers at
the Department of State;
Collaborating with the award recipient on outreach to
private sector partners for supplemental activities;
Final approval of participants;
Working with the award recipient to publicize the program
through various media outlets; and
Monitoring and evaluating the program as necessary,
through site visits and/or debriefing sessions.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2012.
Approximate Total Funding: $150,000, pending the availability of
funds.
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Anticipated Award Date: November 15, 2011.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: August 31, 2013.
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
[[Page 39970]]
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 one award
in an amount of $150,000 to support program and administrative costs
required to implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations
with less than four years experience in conducting international
exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition. The Bureau
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and
funding in support of its programs.
IV. Application and Submission Information
Note: Please read the complete announcement before sending
inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with
applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.
IV.1. Contact Information To Request an Application Package
Please contact the Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, SA-5, 3rd
floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC
20037, (202) 632-6079, PiersonCompeauHM@state.gov to request a
Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Program name and Funding
Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY-12-02 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 ECA Program Officer Carolyn Lantz and refer to the
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C/PY-12-02 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 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 Part 62, organizations
receiving awards
[[Page 39971]]
(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 information and orientation to participants,
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms,
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.
It is acknowledged that virtual exchanges such as those included in
this program are not included in the J-1 visa regulations governing
exchange students coming to the United States.
The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for
issuing any 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.)
[[Page 39972]]
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 for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions.
IV.3F. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
Application Deadline Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2011.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-12-02.
Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two
ways:
(1) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery
service (i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal
Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
(2) Electronically through https://www.grants.gov.
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 copies of the application should be sent to:
Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY-12-02,
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC
20037.
With the submission of the proposal package, please also e-mail the
Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, and Budget sections of the
proposal, as well as any attachments essential to understanding the
program, in Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or PDF, to the program officer
at LantzCS@state.gov. The Bureau will provide these files
electronically to the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in
Moscow 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: 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.
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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.
2. Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Program Objectives:
Proposals should clearly convey a feasible plan that supports program
goals. The substance of the online activities and the fair should be
described in detail. A detailed agenda and relevant work plan should
adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above.
Reviewers will assess how objectives will be achieved and make sure
that the timetable is feasible for completion of major tasks.
3. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Geographic, gender, and
socio-economic diversity should be reflected in the selection of
schools and participants.
4. Institutional Capacity/Track Record: Proposed personnel and
institutional resources in both the United States and Russia should be
appropriate to achieve the program goals. Proposals should exhibit
experience among the staff in implementing web-based educational
projects at the high school level. Reviewers will assess the
organization's institutional record of successful programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements as determined by the Bureau's Grants Division. The Bureau
will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the
demonstrated potential of new applicants.
5. Long-term Activities/Sustainability: Proposals should provide a
plan for continued activities (without Bureau support) ensuring that
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
6. Program Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of
the program. Draft survey questionnaires or other techniques, plus
descriptions of methodologies that link outcomes to original project
objectives, are strongly recommended.
7. Cost-Effectiveness/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:
1. Quarterly program and financial reports.
2. A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after
the expiration of the award.
3. 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.
4. 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: Carolyn Lantz, U.S.
Department of State, Youth Programs Division, ECA/PE/C/PY, SA-5, 3rd
floor, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, Telephone (202) 632-
6421, Fax, (202) 632-9355, E- mail: LantzCS@state.gov.
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the above title and ECA/PE/C/PY-12-02.
[[Page 39974]]
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: June 29, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 2011-17098 Filed 7-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P