Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Modifications to Grant Guidelines and Procedures, 77581-77582 [2011-31974]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2011 / Notices financing will be used to discharge a portion of an Associate’s mezzanine financing and represents a financing with an Associate. Notice is hereby given that any interested person may submit written comments on the transaction to the Associate Administrator for Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW., Washington, DC 20416. December 7, 2011. Sean J. Greene, Associate Administrator for Investment. [FR Doc. 2011–31962 Filed 12–12–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Interest Rates The Small Business Administration publishes an interest rate called the optional ‘‘peg’’ rate (13 CFR 120.214) on a quarterly basis. This rate is a weighted average cost of money to the government for maturities similar to the average SBA direct loan. This rate may be used as a base rate for guaranteed fluctuating interest rate SBA loans. This rate will be 2.375 (23⁄8) percent for the January–March quarter of FY 2012. Pursuant to 13 CFR 120.921(b), the maximum legal interest rate for any third party lender’s commercial loan which funds any portion of the cost of a 504 project (see 13 CFR 120.801) shall be 6% over the New York Prime rate or, if that exceeds the maximum interest rate permitted by the constitution or laws of a given State, the maximum interest rate will be the rate permitted by the constitution or laws of the given State. Walter C. Intlekofer, Acting Director, Office of Financial Assistance. [FR Doc. 2011–31965 Filed 12–12–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 7724] srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Form DS–3097, Exchange Visitor Program Annual Report, and OMB Control Number 1405–0151 Notice of request for public comments. ACTION: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:25 Dec 12, 2011 Jkt 226001 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. • Title of Information Collection: Exchange Visitor Program Annual Report. • OMB Control Number: 1405–0151. • Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection. • Originating Office: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Private Sector Exchange, ECA/EC. • Form Number: Form DS–3097. • Respondents: Designated J–1 program sponsors. • Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,435. • Estimated Number of Responses: 1,435 annually. • Average Hours per Response: 2 hours. • Total Estimated Burden: 2,870 hours. • Frequency: Annually. • Obligation to Respond: Mandatory. DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 days from December 13, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Persons with access to the Internet may view and comment on this notice by going to the regulations.gov Web site at https://www.regulations.gov/#!home. You can search by selecting ‘‘Notice’’ under Document Type, enter the Public Notice number, and check ‘‘Open for Comment’’. Search, and then to view the document, select an Agency. • Email: JExchanges@State.gov. • Mail (paper, disk, or CD–ROM submissions): U.S. Department of State, ECA/EC/D, SA–5, Floor 5, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20522–0505, ATTN: Federal Register Notice Response. You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information collection title, and OMB control number in any correspondence. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed information collection and supporting documents, to Rick A. Ruth, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange, Acting, ECA/EC, SA–5, Floor 5, Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20522–0505, who may be reached on (202) 632–2805 or at JExchanges@state.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to: PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 77581 • 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. Abstract of Proposed Collection Annual reports from designated program sponsors assist the Department in oversight and administration of the J– 1 visa program. The reports provide statistical data on the number of exchange participants an organization sponsored per category of exchange. The reports also provide a summary of the activities in which exchange visitors were engaged and an evaluation of program effectiveness. Program sponsors include government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector not-for-profit and for-profit entities. Methodology Annual reports are completed through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and then printed and signed by a sponsor official, and sent to the Department by mail or fax. The Department is currently working with the Department of Homeland Security to expand SEVIS functions and enable the collection of electronic signatures. Annual reports will be submitted to the Department electronically as soon as the mechanism for doing so is approved and in place during the implementation of SEVIS II. Dated: December 6. 2011. Rick A. Ruth, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange, Acting, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2011–31963 Filed 12–12–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–05–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 7727] Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Modifications to Grant Guidelines and Procedures SUMMARY: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces four modifications to the guidelines governing the award of program grants and cooperative agreements by the Bureau and the E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM 13DEN1 77582 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2011 / Notices procedures used to implement them, beginning on or about January 3, 2012. Background The guidelines governing ECA’s grant program were established in 1983 and have been modified from time-to-time to comply with new directives and mandates. The four modifications outlined in this announcement will serve to further support the Department’s Greening Diplomacy Initiative, help the Department adhere to new OMB guidance to all Federal agencies to streamline, standardize and simplify grants processes, allow for expanded monitoring and oversight over programs and increase opportunities for new organizations to compete for ECA programs. The modifications are: (1) Eliminating use of the Federal Register to announce ECA grant funding opportunities referred to as Request for Grant Proposals (RFGPs) and rely exclusively on the Grants.gov and ECA Web sites for this purpose. (2) Requiring all applicants submitting proposals in response to RFGPs to utilize the grants.gov web— portal site exclusively for submission of grant proposals. Thus, eliminating the current ‘‘hard- copy’’ submission option. (3) Increasing the ‘‘pilot grant limit’’ for awards to organizations with less than four years of experience conducting international exchanges from the current $60,000 level established in 1983 to $130,000 which reflects a comparable ceiling in today’s dollars, adjusted for inflation. ECA will also update the pilot grant limit from time to time in the future, not to exceed the 1983 level adjusted for inflation. (4) Modifying ECA’s current grant renewal process to allow for Option Years for certain programs. Individual announcements for competed programs will contain information on whether a program will be renewed through additional awards or through the use of option years, pending successful performance and the availability of funds. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES For additional information please contact Hans Posey, Program Management Division, ECA/EX/PM, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632– 6385, email: PoseyHE@state.gov. 16:25 Dec 12, 2011 Dated: December 6, 2011. J. Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2011–31974 Filed 12–12–11; 8:45 am] [FR Doc. 2011–31981 Filed 12–12–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–11–P BILLING CODE 4710–05–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 7725] [Public Notice: 7726] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Cindy Sherman’’ 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 (and, as appropriate, Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003), I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ‘‘Cindy Sherman,’’ 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 Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York, from on or about February 26, 2012, until on or about June 11, 2012, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, California, from on or about July 14, 2012, until on or about October 7, 2012, the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, from on or about November 3, 2012, until on or about February 10, 2013, and the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas, from on or about March 17, 2013, until on or about June 9, 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. SUMMARY: For further information, including a list of the exhibit objects, 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional Information VerDate Mar<15>2010 Dated: December 7, 2011. J. Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Beauty and Belief: Crossing Bridges With the Arts of Islamic Culture’’ 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 (and, as appropriate, Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003), I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ‘‘Beauty and Belief: Crossing Bridges with the Arts of Islamic Culture,’’ 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 Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo, Utah, from on or about February 24, 2012, until on or about September 29, 2012, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana, from on or about November 2, 2012, until on or about January 13, 2013, the Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey, from on or about February 13, 2013, until on or about May 19, 2013, the Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon, from on or about June 15, 2013, until on or about September 8, 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. 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. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM 13DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77581-77582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31974]


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

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7727]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Modifications to 
Grant Guidelines and Procedures

    SUMMARY: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) 
announces four modifications to the guidelines governing the award of 
program grants and cooperative agreements by the Bureau and the

[[Page 77582]]

procedures used to implement them, beginning on or about January 3, 
2012.

Background

    The guidelines governing ECA's grant program were established in 
1983 and have been modified from time-to-time to comply with new 
directives and mandates. The four modifications outlined in this 
announcement will serve to further support the Department's Greening 
Diplomacy Initiative, help the Department adhere to new OMB guidance to 
all Federal agencies to streamline, standardize and simplify grants 
processes, allow for expanded monitoring and oversight over programs 
and increase opportunities for new organizations to compete for ECA 
programs.
    The modifications are:
    (1) Eliminating use of the Federal Register to announce ECA grant 
funding opportunities referred to as Request for Grant Proposals 
(RFGPs) and rely exclusively on the Grants.gov and ECA Web sites for 
this purpose.
    (2) Requiring all applicants submitting proposals in response to 
RFGPs to utilize the grants.gov web--portal site exclusively for 
submission of grant proposals. Thus, eliminating the current ``hard- 
copy'' submission option.
    (3) Increasing the ``pilot grant limit'' for awards to 
organizations with less than four years of experience conducting 
international exchanges from the current $60,000 level established in 
1983 to $130,000 which reflects a comparable ceiling in today's 
dollars, adjusted for inflation. ECA will also update the pilot grant 
limit from time to time in the future, not to exceed the 1983 level 
adjusted for inflation.
    (4) Modifying ECA's current grant renewal process to allow for 
Option Years for certain programs. Individual announcements for 
competed programs will contain information on whether a program will be 
renewed through additional awards or through the use of option years, 
pending successful performance and the availability of funds.

Additional Information

    For additional information please contact Hans Posey, Program 
Management Division, ECA/EX/PM, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C Street 
NW., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 632-6385, email: PoseyHE@state.gov.

     Dated: December 7, 2011.
J. Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-31974 Filed 12-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-11-P
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