Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Open Competition for the Professional Fellows Program
Federal Register: December 11, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 237)
Notices
Page 65819-65829
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr11de09-99
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Public Notice 6837
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: Open Competition for the Professional Fellows Program
Announcement Type: New Grant.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C-10-01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: February 26, 2010.
Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/PE/C) announces an open competition for grants to conduct a Professional Fellows Program in
Africa, East Asia, Europe, the Near East, North Africa, South Central
Asia and the Western Hemisphere.
U.S. public and non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals that support the goals of the Professional Fellows
Program. The goals of the program, which encompass both bureau and programmatic goals, are to: (1) Provide foreign participants from eligible countries the opportunity for professional development through four- to eight-week internships in the U.S.; (2) provide U.S. participants the opportunity to take part in reciprocal fellowships and/or to share their professional expertise with counterparts in eligible countries; (3) promote mutual understanding and partnerships between key professional groups in the United States and counterpart groups in eligible countries. Proposed projects should be two-way exchanges involving participants from both the U.S. and foreign countries.
Projects should take place over the course of one to two years and target current or potential professional leaders who will effect positive change in their communities. Specific themes for consideration under this competition include: Climate change, education to employment, food security, global health, and legislative development.
Eligible countries and guidance for each theme are provided in Section
I.7 below. Proposals that target themes and countries not specifically authorized in this Request for Grant Proposals will be considered technically ineligible.
Applicants may submit only one proposal under this competition. If multiple proposals are received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared technically ineligible and receive no further consideration in the review process. No guarantee is made or implied that grants will be awarded in all themes or for all countries listed.
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Funding Opportunity Description
I.1. 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.
I.2. Purpose and Program Description
The Professional Fellows Program is a two-way exchange involving current or potential professional leaders from both the U.S. and foreign countries who will effect positive change in their communities.
Professional Fellows will be focused in the following areas: Climate
Change, Education to Employment, Food Security, Global Health, and
Legislative Development.
I.3. Participants
For the purposes of this program, ``participants'' are defined as those who travel under grant funding from their country of origin to a designated exchange country. It is acceptable for there to be more foreign participants than American participants under this program model, but applicants are encouraged to include approximately the same number of Americans to emphasize that this program is reciprocal in nature. Foreign participants should be selected through a merit-based, competitive process. They should be up-and-coming and mid-level professionals with experience relevant to one of the specific themes.
They should have good interpersonal and communication skills including a command of both oral and written English that will allow them to function effectively and independently in a wide variety of private, public, and professional settings in the U.S. Participants should also have demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment to or participation in a wider program including alumni projects/affairs.
U.S. participants may include individuals who act as hosts for the foreign participants who come to the United States, as well as professionals from government and civil society organizations with expertise relevant to the project focus. While U.S. participants are not required to have foreign language ability or previous country- specific experience, it is highly recommended.
Applicants should strive to maximize the number of participants and the length of the U.S.-based program given funding levels. Therefore, applicants who engage public and private partners for programming support, and employ other creative techniques to increase or stretch funding dollars will be deemed more competitive than those that do not, under the cost effectiveness and cost-sharing review criteria.
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I.4. Partner Organizations
Applicants must identify the U.S.-based and foreign-based organizations and individuals with whom they are proposing to collaborate and describe previous cooperative activities, if any.
Successful proposals will include qualified and established partner organizations/offices in each of the regions where participants are being recruited. Also, proposals must demonstrate capacity in the U.S. to secure relevant placements for foreign participants; proposals that include this information--especially with letters of commitment from possible U.S.-based host organizations--will be deemed more competitive.
I.5. Project Activities
Successful grant applicants must fully demonstrate a capacity to achieve the following key activities:
I.5a. Recruit Foreign Participants
The recipients of this award will recruit and select qualified individuals throughout the target country(ies) for both spring and fall
Fellowships. The foreign participants should be selected, with the knowledge and participation of the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the relevant U.S. Embassy, through a merit-based, competitive process. An in-country or regional partner organization(s)/offices is required to coordinate screening, selecting, and preparing participants prior to departure for the United States including a formal pre-departure orientation program.
I.5b. Facilitate the Visa Process
Working with ECA and PAS for the U.S. visas and directly with the embassy of the partner country for its visas. ECA will issue the DS- 2019 forms required for J visas; see Section IV.3d.1 for additional information related to the administration of J visa programs.
I.5c. Arrange all round-trip international travel, complying with the Fly America Act, and domestic travel arrangements for the participants.
I.5d. Conduct U.S. Fellowships
The recipients of this award will be responsible for implementing fellowships from four to eight weeks in the United States for foreign participants. Fellows will be placed within relevant, reputable, legally recognized U.S. organizations where they will gain hands-on experience that will enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities in their professional field, and provide the opportunity to establish relationships with U.S. professional counterparts for on-going collaboration. The grantee should also strive to include cultural enrichment activities as an integral part of the fellowship experience.
Such activities could include outings to museums, historic sites, sporting events, cultural exhibits, local school or community events, volunteering and other opportunities to experience American culture and diversity. Short-term homestays to give participants a personal experience of how typical Americans live are highly desirable. The grantee may want to engage with a partner or sub-grantee to arrange for the internship placement.
I.5e. Conduct an Overseas Program for U.S. Participants
The recipients of this award will conduct an overseas program where
U.S. participants, selected for their relevant professional expertise, will travel for two to three weeks to conduct on-site consultancies and joint programming with foreign participants and their colleagues, and, if appropriate or feasible, reciprocal fellowships to share their professional expertise and learn from their counterparts. The overseas program should be designed to engage a broad audience beyond the original foreign participants. Proposals must show a convincing plan to work with a community-based partner overseas to engage a wide range of people and to sustain the program benefits beyond the period of the grant.
I.5f. Conduct a Second Round of U.S. Fellowships and Overseas Programs
Engaging a new group of participants, the recipients of this award will conduct a second round of fellowships and overseas programs of a similar nature as described above.
I.5g. Conduct Orientation and the Professional Fellows Congress
The grantee will also be responsible for conducting a thorough orientation for foreign participants upon their arrival in the United
States. At the end of each round of foreign fellowships, a Fellows
Congress will be held at the U.S. Department of State. Grantees will work closely with the Office of Citizen Exchanges and other grantee organizations to coordinate this event. Grantees will be responsible for providing transportation, lodging, per diem and miscellaneous expenses for all program fellows under their aegis for a minimum of three days in Washington, DC.
I.5h. Monitor, Evaluate, and Report on Project
The Bureau places high importance on monitoring and evaluation as a means of ensuring and measuring a project's success. Proposals must include a detailed monitoring and evaluation plan that assesses the impact of the project. Please refer to section IV.3d.3. Project
Monitoring and Evaluation below.
I.5i. Carry Out Follow-Up Activities
The recipients of this award will develop enhancement activities that reinforce program goals after the participants' return to their home country. This includes informing participants of the Bureau's
Alumni program, facilitating their enrollment, and encouraging their on-going participation. Please refer to the PSI for additional information on Alumni, Outreach, and Engagement.
I.5j. Manage all financial aspects of the project, including participant costs and transparent arrangements of sub-grant relationships with partner organizations, if applicable.
I.5k. Design and implement an evaluation plan that assesses the impact of the project.
I.6. Projected Timeline
ECA envisions the approximate dates of the Professional Fellows program to be as follows:
September 2010-January 2011: Recruitment and selection of foreign participants and securing U.S.-based hosts and host sites.
March-May 2011: Travel to the United States by [frac12] of all the foreign participants to U.S. for orientation and placement at internship sites for a four to eight week program.
May 2011: Travel by the foreign participants to
Washington, DC at/towards the end of their U.S.-based program for a two-day enrichment program.
June-September 2011: The U.S. participants who were involved in the spring 2011 hosting will travel overseas for approximately two weeks of programming.
October-December 2011: Travel to the United States by the remaining [frac12] of all the foreign participants to the U.S. for orientation and placement at internship sites for a four to eight week program.
November-December 2011: Travel by the remaining foreign participants to Washington, DC at/towards the end of their U.S.-based program for a two-day program.
January-May 2012: The U.S. participants who were involved in the fall 2010 hosting will travel overseas for approximately two week program.
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I.7. Themes
Specific grant awards will be made for Professional Fellows to be carried out in the following themes and countries:
I.7a. Climate Change Fellows
The Climate Change Fellows program is designed to engage professionals actively involved in exploring the science, impact, adaptation, and actions related to climate change. Participants could include environmental and social scientists, climatologists, ecologists, government officials, disaster responders, community leaders, activists, educators, and NGO workers. Participants will be provided hands-on experience with government agencies, disaster response organizations, NGOs, and advocacy groups in the U.S. addressing the impact of climate change. The Bureau is particularly interested in receiving proposals that promote education and communication campaigns to rural and urban communities most vulnerable to climate risks. For example, a Climate Change Fellows program could foster civic education programs that help students identify environmental problems related to climate change and then work with local officials and non-governmental organizations to find solutions while also providing lessons in free speech, coalition-building and democracy.
I.7a.1. East Asia and Pacific (EAP)
Countries: Proposal with participants from at least four of the following six countries: Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and
New Zealand.
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6071, e-mail: meieraw2@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7a.2. Western Hemisphere (WHA)
Countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Belize may also be considered, but only in combination with at least one of the following other countries: Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Program Contact: Carol Herrera, tel: (202) 632-6054, e-mail: herreraca1@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7b. Education to Employment Fellows
The Education to Employment Fellows program is designed to engage professionals who are actively involved, in formal or informal settings, in teaching, mentoring, and influencing youth by providing them the guidance, education, training, and skills needed to find meaningful and gainful employment and to become responsible and contributing members of society. Most will be active in the education sector, particularly with educational programs and youth programs geared towards the development of new jobs and employment-based outcomes, such as vocational programs, community colleges, universities, and non-governmental organizations that work with youth.
The Education to Employment Fellows program will provide professionals
(teachers, youth leaders, community activists who work with youth, university administrators, and staff of NGOs who teach/mentor/influence youth) from identified countries with hands-on experience with the U.S. educational system and aspects of civil society that are geared towards job creation and employment outcomes through fellowships in NGOs, organizations involved in educational reform efforts, local school districts, universities, or educational policy-making bodies across the
U.S.
I.7b.1. Near East/North Africa (NEA)
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian
Authority, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and the countries of the Arabian Gulf.
Multi-country project proposals are encouraged; however, single-country proposals will also be considered.
Program Contact: Thomas Johnston, tel: (202) 632-6056, e-mail: johnstontj@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7b.2. East Asia and Pacific (EAP)
Countries: For East Asia and Pacific, proposals for the Education to Employment Fellows program should be specifically focused on connections between universities in the U.S. and East Asia, and should recruit foreign participants from at least five of the following ASEAN countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6071, e-mail: meieraw2@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7b.3. Ngwang Choephel Fellows Program
Countries: Ngwang Choephel Fellows Program: Proposals for the
Tibetan Autonomous Region or Tibetan areas of China should be designed to carry out a two-way Professional Fellows program under the Education to Employment theme as described. It is expected that there will only be one cycle of fellowships under this program, as opposed to the two cycles described in the Professional Fellows program overview. The employment outcomes on which the proposals focus could, for example, include economic activity related to cultural preservation and eco- tourism. Proposals should incorporate alternate plans into their narrative in anticipation of any difficulties of participants traveling to or from the Tibetan Autonomous Region or the Tibetan areas of China.
Program Contact: Linn[eacute]a Allison, tel: (202) 632-6060, e- mail: AllisonLE@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Awards for Ngwang Choephel Fellows Program:
$200,000-$225,000 for a program involving approximately 20-30 participants.
I.7c. Food Security Fellows
The Food Security Fellows program will focus on political, social, and economic factors affecting food security, but not technical factors. The Food Security Fellows program is designed to engage professionals who are actively involved with facets of food production, delivery, education, and advocacy efforts. Participants should include one or more of the following:
Agricultural experts and officials who develop and implement plans to improve food production and equitable distribution, without environmental degradation.
Nutritionists and dietitians who educate people about food needs and the worth of different foods.
Community leaders who promote the development of community gardens and farmers' markets.
Media professionals who educate the public about food through writings, radio, television, or the Internet to promote food safety and storage, good nutrition, and information on food availability.
National, regional, and local policymakers who are dealing with legislative and regulatory aspects of food production and distribution, including land management.
I.7c.1. Sub-Saharan Africa (AF)
Countries: Proposals should involve both Kenya and Uganda.
Program Contact: Jim Ogul, tel: (202) 632-6055, e-mail: ogulje@state.gov.
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Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7d. Global Health Fellows
The Global Health Fellows program is designed to engage professionals who are actively involved in health care for marginalized populations at the grassroots level, particularly with a focus on maternal and child health. Participants could include nurses, public health officials, paramedics, and midwives, as well as health-focused community leaders, activists, educators, NGO workers, and media specialists. Participants will be provided hands-on experience in public health organizations and advocacy groups in the U.S. that serve disadvantaged urban and rural communities. The Bureau is particularly interested in receiving proposals focused on public health strategies and communication that incorporate media and specifically radio, to educate women and children in such areas as reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation. This program is not designed to include medical training.
I.7d.1. Sub-Saharan Africa (AF)
Countries: Proposals should involve both Malawi and Zambia.
Program Contact: Curt Huff, tel: (202) 632-6053, e-mail: huffce@state.gov.
I.7d.2. Near East/North Africa (NEA)
Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian
Authority, Syria, and Yemen. Multi-country project proposals are encouraged; however, single-country proposals will also be considered.
Program Contact: Thomas Johnston, tel: (202) 632-6056, e-mail: johnstontj@state.gov.
I.7d.3. Western Hemisphere (WHA)
Countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Belize may also be considered, but only in combination with at least one of the following other countries: Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
For proposals involving Haiti or the Dominican Republic, projects that combine work in both countries are encouraged.
Program Contact: Carol Herrera, tel: (202) 632-6054, e-mail: herreraca1@state.gov.
Approximate Grant Award: $400,000-$500,000 for a program involving approximately 40 to 50 participants.
I.7e. Legislative Fellows
The Legislative Fellows Program is designed to strengthen understanding of the U.S. legislative process and enhance appreciation of the role of civic society and its engagement in the political process. The Legislative Fellows Program will provide professionals from identified countries with hands-on exposure to the U.S. political process through fellowships in U.S. Congressional offices (including state/district offices), state legislatures, city councils/local government bodies, and advocacy organizations across the U.S. The program will also involve U.S. participants who will be selected from staff members at the various fellowship sites who will act as primary host/mentors to the foreign fellows during their U.S.-based program.
After the fellowships are completed, these U.S. staff members will travel overseas to the fellows' home countries to continue their engagement by participating in joint outreach activities, engaging the local media, and on-site consultancies and presentations to wider audiences. Participants should have demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment to or participation in the political process or policy-making through involvement in civic education activities, citizen advocacy groups, political campaigns, political parties, or election monitoring. U.S. participants will be staff members of the
U.S. Congress, state legislatures, city councils/local governments, and advocacy groups who act as hosts for foreign participants during the inbound portion of the program.
I.7e.1. Europe (EUR)
Countries: Georgia, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. All four countries must be included in the proposal with the following distribution: 40% of the foreign participants must be recruited from Russia. 20% of the participants must be recruited from Ukraine, 20% must be recruited from
Georgia, and 20% from Turkey. Placements may be considered at the
Federal, regional or local level and should be consistent with the participant's professional experience. Placements with advocacy organizations involved with the legislative process, (particularly those dealing with climate change, women's and children's health, and food security issues) are also eligible.
Approximate Grant Award: $800,000 to $1,000,000 for a program involving approximately 90 to 100 total participants.
Program Contact: Linn[eacute]a Allison, tel: (202) 632-6060, e- mail: AllisonLE@state.gov.
I.7e.2. South and Central Asia (SCA)
Countries: Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Tajikistan. All six countries must be included in the proposal with roughly the same number of participants coming from each. Placements may be considered at the Federal, regional or local level and should be consistent with the participant's professional experience. Placements with advocacy organizations involved with the legislative process,
(particularly those dealing with climate change, women's and children's health, and food security issues) are also eligible.
Approximate Grant Award: $800,000 to $1,000,000 for a program involving approximately 90 to 100 total participants.
Program Contact: Brent Beemer, tel: (202) 632-6067, e-mail:
BeemerBT@state.gov.
I.8. What to Include in Your Proposal
I.8a. Executive Summary
The Executive Summary should be one-page in length and include the project title, the goals of the project, the target countries, the names of all partner organizations responsible for program implementation, the numbers of participants, both foreign and American, and the number of proposed exchanges and approximate dates.
I.8b. Proposal Narrative
In 20, double-spaced pages the narrative should include:
I.8b.1. Project Goals, Objectives, Anticipated Outcomes
A clear, succinct statement of project goals, objectives and anticipated outcomes that responds to Bureau goals as listed in this
RFGP. Objectives should be described in specific, measurable, and realistic terms that are achievable within the scope of the project, both in terms of time and funding. Specify the project's broader objectives in terms of bureau and overarching program outcomes. Then delineate the project's main objectives (no more than five) and outcomes you expect as a result of your project's activities. For each outcome, please state the time frame for achievement. They should be guided by one or more of the following questions. (Please see section
III.3d.3. Project Monitoring and Evaluation for assistance in identifying and defining outcomes.)
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What specifically will participants, U.S. and foreign, learn as a result of this project? 2. What new attitudes will participants, U.S. and foreign, develop, or what new ideas will they encounter as a result of this project? 3. How will the participants' behavior change as a result of this project? What new actions will they take? 4. Will participants be a catalyst for change in their schools, work-places, communities, or institutions? How so?
Proposals that clearly delineate salient objectives in measurable terms and plan activities in a sequence that will progressively lead to achieving those objectives, will be considered more competitive.
I.8b.2. Background Information on Implementing Organizations
Information on all organizations and staff involved in the implementation of the project including the mission, relevant expertise in the project theme and country(ies), past activities and accomplishments, on-going and planned activities not including the proposed project. Previous grants received from the Bureau should be listed by office (Citizen Exchanges, International Visitors, Academic
Exchanges, etc.) project name, countries, year, and amount.
I.8b.3. Roles and Responsibilities
A clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of all partner organizations in terms of project logistics, management, and oversight. Letters of agreement and/or sub award agreements with accompanying budgets should be included under Tab E of the submission.
I.8b.4. Project Management Plan
A simple project management plan for the two-year life of the project that lists, in table form, dates, items (major events or tasks), and the person or group responsible.
I.8b.5. Support of Diversity
A description on how the Bureau's policy on Support of Diversity will be integrated into the project. Please refer to guidance in PSI under ``Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines.''
I.8b.6. Post-Grant Plan
A post-grant plan that demonstrates how the grantee and participants will collaborate and communicate after the ECA-funded grant has concluded.
I.8b.7. Evaluation Plan
An evaluation plan that follows the guidance provided in this RFGP.
Please refer to section III.3d.3. ``Project Evaluation'' below.
Detailed evaluation plans that put the narrative over the 20-page limit and sample surveys or other evaluation tools may be included in TAB E.
I.8b.8. Budget.
Please refer to section IV.3e. Budget Submission in this document and the PSI for guidance on preparing your budget.
I.8b.9. Working with the Public Affairs Section
An acknowledgement to consult closely with the Public Affairs
Section of the U.S. Embassy in the relevant country(ies) to develop plans for project implementation, to select project participants, and to invite representatives of the Embassy(ies) and/or consulate(s) to participate in program sessions or site visits.
I.8b.10. Acknowledging ECA's Financial Support
An acknowledgement to follow guidance in the PSI entitled
``Acknowledgement of ECA's Financial Support and Use of the Department
Seal''.
I.8b.11. Alumni Outreach
An acknowledgement to comply with ``ECA's General Policy Guidance on Alumni Outreach/Follow-on and Engagement'' provided in the PSI.
I.8c Attachments
I.8c.1. Resumes
Resumes of principal staff of all partner organizations involved in the implementation of the project should be included in TAB E.
I.8c.2. Letters of Commitment and/or Letters of Support
Letters of commitment or support from partner organizations partner institutions should demonstrate a capacity to arrange and conduct U.S. and overseas activities and should also be included in TAB E.
I.8c.3. Program Materials
Materials that advance program design and implementation should be included in TAB E. These could include: 1. Draft agendas of professional workshops, conferences and seminars including pre-departure, orientation and final conference activities. 2. Draft application and recruitment materials 3. Draft selection and interview materials 4. Outline of proposed alumni programming 5. Sample evaluation and survey instruments 6. Timeline for program implementation 7. Program promotional materials
I.8c.4. Unsolicited Documents
Attachments that do not directly address the proposed project or explicitly demonstrate relevant past performance (i.e., generic organization brochures, pamphlets, unsolicited reports) are discouraged.
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Award Information
Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2010.
Approximate Total Funding: $5,200,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 10-15.
Approximate Average Award: $400,000-$500,000, except Legislative
Fellows grants which will average $800,000-$1,000,000.
Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, September 1, 2010.
Anticipated Project Completion Date: August 31, 2012.
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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 USC 501(c)(3).
III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds
There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost-sharing and funding in support of its programs.
When cost-sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost-sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost-sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
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III.3. Four Years of Exchange Experience
Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making awards in an amount from $300,000 and higher to support program and administrative costs required to implement the programs in this RFGP. 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.
III.4. Technical Eligibility
All proposals must comply with the following or they will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.
Eligible applicants may not submit more than one proposal under this competition.
An applicant organization is defined by the DUNS number of the organization and by the signature of the authorized representative contained on the ``Application for Federal Assistance Form'' (SF-424) submitted under this competition.
Eligible applicants may only propose working with the countries and themes listed under each of the themes of this RFGP.
No funding is available to send U.S. citizens exclusively to conferences or conference type seminars overseas; nor is funding available for bringing foreign nationals exclusively to conferences or to routine professional association meetings in the United States.
Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document for additional requirements.
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Application and Submission Information
Note: Please read the complete Solicitation Package before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. All applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the Washington, DC-based State
Department contact for the themes/regions listed in this solicitation. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to consult with Public Affairs Officers at U.S. Embassies in relevant countries as they develop proposals responding to this RFGP. Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau and Embassy staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.
IV.1. Contact Information to Request a Solicitation Package
Please contact David Gustafson in the Office of Citizen Exchanges,
ECA/PE/C, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 3rd Floor, 2200 C St., NW.,
Washington, DC 20522-0503, ph: (202) 632-6083, GustafsonDP@state.gov to request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number ECA/PE/C-10-01 located at the top of this announcement when making your request. An electronic solicitation package may be obtained from http://www.grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f for further information.
IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via the Internet
The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's
Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/ or from the Grants.gov Web site at http://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 Solicitation Package includes both the Request for Grant
Proposals (RFGP) and the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document, which consists of required application forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation. Applicants should assure that proposals respond to guidance provided in both documents.
IV.3a. DUNS Number
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, go to http://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. Proposal Components
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 for additional formatting and technical requirements.
IV.3c. Non-Profit Status and Documentation
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. Additional Information
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 62, which covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa program). Under the terms of 22 CFR 62, organizations receiving awards
(either a grant or cooperative agreement) under this RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating with or assisting the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's
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program.'' The actions of recipient organizations shall be ``imputed to the sponsor in evaluating the sponsor's compliance with'' 22 CFR 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 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 62. If your organization has experience as a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR 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, recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements. The Office of Citizen Exchanges of
ECA will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program. A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at: http:/
/travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html or from: United
States Department of State, Office of Exchange Coordination and
Designation, (ECA/EC/D), SA-5, Floor C2, Department of State,
Washington, DC 20522-0582.
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. Project Monitoring and Evaluation
This section of the RFGP amplifies the direction given in section I above on proposal framework, which calls for the delineation of objectives and planning for baseline, short term and long term outcome measurement. Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the activities unfold, at the end of the project and beyond. The Bureau recommends that each proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other instruments plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The
Bureau expects that the grantee will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the project, learning as a result of the project, changes in behavior as a result of the project, and effects of the project 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 intended outcomes at the outset of a project. 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). (Note the call for measurements at the baseline and for short term and longer- term outcomes.) 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 and to the Bureau goals.
Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish between project 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 emphasis 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 impact): 1. Participant satisfaction with the project 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 each 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 (e.g., surveys, interviews, tests, 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.)
Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular project reports. All data collected,
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including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the Bureau upon request.
IV.3e. Budget Submission
Please follow the guidelines in this section and consult the PSI when preparing the budget submission.
IV.3e.1. Form SF-424A
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. The budget submission should be accompanied by a budget narrative that explains anything that is not readily apparent from the budget.
IV.3e.2. Allowable Costs
Allowable costs for the program include the following:
IV.3e.2a. Travel. International and domestic airfare; airline baggage and seat fees; visas; transit costs; ground transportation costs. Please note that all air travel must be in compliance with the
Fly America Act. There is no charge for J-1 visas for participants in
Bureau sponsored programs.
IV.3e.2b. Per Diem. For U.S.-based programming, organizations should use the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at: http://www.gsa.gov/
Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=17943.
ECA requests applicants to budget realistic costs that reflect the local economy and do not exceed Federal per diem rates. Foreign per diem rates can be accessed at: http://aoprals.state.gov/ content.asp?content_id=184&menu_id=78
IV.3e.2c. Interpreters. We anticipate that all participants coming to the U.S. on this program will have command of both oral and written
English that will allow them to function effectively and independently in a wide variety of private, public, and professional settings in the
U.S. However, if special circumstances warrant the use of interpretation, ECA strongly encourages applicants to hire their own locally based interpreters but may ask ECA to assign State Department interpreters. One interpreter is typically needed for every four participants who require interpretation. When an applicant proposes to use State Department interpreters, the following expenses should be included in the budget: Published Federal per diem rates (both
``lodging'' and ``M&IE'') and ``home-program-home'' transportation in the amount of $400 per interpreter. Salary expenses for State
Department interpreters will be covered by the Bureau and should not be part of an applicant's proposed budget. Bureau funds cannot support interpreters who accompany delegations from their home country or travel internationally.
IV.3e.2d. Book and Cultural Allowances. Foreign participants are entitled to a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per person, plus a book allowance of $50. Interpreters should be reimbursed up to $150 for expenses when they escort participants to cultural events. U.S. program staff, trainers or participants are not eligible to receive these benefits.
IV.3e.2e. Consultants. Consultants may be used to provide specialized expertise or to make presentations. Honoraria rates should not exceed $250 per day. Organizations are encouraged to cost-share rates that would exceed that figure. Subcontracting organizations may also be employed, in which case the written agreement between the prospective grantee and sub-grantee should be included in the proposal.
Such sub-grants should detail the division of responsibilities and proposed costs, and subcontracts should be itemized in the budget.
IV.3e.2f. Room rental. The rental of meeting space should not exceed $250 per day. Any rates that exceed this amount should be cost shared.
IV.3e.2g. Materials. Proposals may contain costs to purchase, develop and translate materials for participants. Costs for high quality translation of materials should be anticipated and included in the budget. Grantee organizations should expect to submit a copy of all program materials to ECA, and ECA support should be acknowledged on all materials developed with its funding.
IV.3e.2h. Equipment. Applicants may propose to use grant funds to purchase equipment, such as computers and printers; these costs should be justified in the budget narrative. Costs for furniture are not allowed.
IV.3e.2i. Working meal. Normally, no more than one working meal may be provided during the program. Per capita costs may not exceed $15-$25 for lunch and $20-$35 for dinner, excluding room rental. The number of invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a factor of two-to-one. When setting up a budget, interpreters should be considered
``participants.''
IV.3e.2j. Return travel allowance. A return travel allowance of $70 for each foreign participant may be included in the budget. This allowance would cover incidental expenses incurred during international travel.
IV.3e.2k. Health Insurance. Foreign participants will be covered during their participation in the program by the ECA-sponsored Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE), for which the grantee must enroll them. Details of that policy can be provided by the contact officers identified in this solicitation. The premium is paid by ECA and should not be included in the grant proposal budget. However, applicants are permitted to include costs for travel insurance for U.S. participants in the budget.
IV.3e.2l. Wire transfer fees. When necessary, applicants may include costs to transfer funds to partner organizations overseas.
Grantees are urged to research applicable taxes that may be imposed on these transfers by host governments.
IV.3e.2m. In-country travel costs for visa processing purposes.
Given the requirements associated with obtaining J-1 visas for ECA- supported participants, applicants should include costs for any travel associated with visa interviews or DS-2019 pick-up.
IV.3e.2n. Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective administration of the program may include salaries for grantee organization employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs per detailed instructions in the Application Package. While there is no rigid ratio of administrative to program costs, proposals in which the administrative costs do not exceed 25% of the total requested ECA grant funds will be more competitive under the cost effectiveness and cost sharing criterion, per item V.1 below. Proposals should show strong administrative cost sharing contributions from the applicant, the in- country partner and other sources. Please also include in the administrative portion of your budget plans to travel to Washington,
DC, to meet with your program officer within the first 45 days after the grant has been awarded.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods Of Submission
Application Deadline Date: February 26, 2010.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C-10-01.
Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
(1.) In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne
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Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
(2.) Electronically through http://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 eight (8) copies of the application should be sent to: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-10-01,
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20522-0504.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on CD-ROM. As appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to
Public Affairs Section(s) at the U.S. embassy(ies) for its(their) review.
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 eight (8) copies of the application should be sent to: Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-10-01,
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20522-0504.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'' and ``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) or Microsoft Word format on CD-ROM. As appropriate, the Bureau will provide these files electronically to U.S.
Embassy Public Affairs Section(s) for review.
IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic Applications
Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the system.
Please Note: Due to Recovery Act related opportunities, there has been a higher than usual volume of grant proposals submitted through Grants.gov. Potential applicants are advised that the increased volume may affect the grants.gov proposal submission process. As stated in this RFGP, 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 (http://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.
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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
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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 award grants resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
V.2 Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
V.2a. Quality of Program Idea
Proposals should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's mission.
V.2b. Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives
Program objectives should be stated clearly and should reflect the applicant's expertise in the subject area and region. Objectives should respond to the topics in this announcement and should relate to the current conditions in the target country/countries. A detailed agenda and relevant work plan should explain how objectives will be achieved and should include a timetable for completion of major tasks.
The substance of workshops, internships, seminars and/or consulting should be described in detail. Sample schedules should be outlined.
Responsibilities of proposed in-country partners should be clearly described. A discussion of how the applicant intends to address language issues should be included, if needed.
V.2c. Institutional Capacity and Track Record
Proposals should include (1) The institution's mission and date of establishment; (2) detailed information about proposed in-country partner(s) and the history of the partnership; (3) an outline of prior awards--U.S. government and/or private support received for the target theme/country/region; and (4) descriptions of experienced staff members who will implement the program. The proposal should reflect the institution's expertise in the subject area and knowledge of the conditions in the target country/countries. Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau
Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants. Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program's goals. The Bureau strongly encourages applicants to submit letters of support from proposed in- country partners.
V.2d. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Sharing
Overhead and administrative costs in the proposal budget, including salaries, honoraria and subcontracts for services, should be kept to a minimum. Proposals in which the administrative costs do not exceed 25% of the total requested ECA grant funds will be more competitive (see
IV.3e.2 14 for clarification on this). Applicants are strongly encouraged to cost share a portion of overhead and administrative expenses. Cost-sharing, including contributions from the applicant, proposed in-country partner(s), and other sources should be included in the budget request. Proposal budgets that do not reflect cost sharing will be deemed not competitive on this criterion.
V.2e. Support of Diversity
Proposals should demonstrate substantive support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant features should be cited in both program administration (selection of participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials and follow-up activities). Applicants should refer to the Bureau's Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI).
V.2f. Follow-on Activities
Applicants should provide a plan to conduct activities after the
Bureau-funded project has concluded in order to ensure that Bureau- supported programs are not isolated events. Funds for all post-grant activities must be in the form of contributions from the applicant or sources outside of the Bureau. Costs for these activities must not appear in the proposal budget, but should be outlined in the narrative.
V.2g. Program Evaluation
Proposals should include a detailed plan to evaluate the program.
Program objectives should target clearly defined results in quantitative terms. Competitive evaluation plans will describe how applicant organizations would measure these results, and proposals should include draft data collection instruments (surveys, questionnaires, etc.) in Tab E.
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Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.
Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The
FAA will be signed by an authorized Grants Officer, and mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of the application review from the ECA program office coordinating this competition.
VI.2. Additional Requirements for the Palestinian Authority, West Bank, and Gaza
All awards made under this competition must be executed according to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance to the
Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. Organizations must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before entering into any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian organizations or institutions.
Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact
Thomas Johnston, Tel. (202) 632-6056; e-mail: JohnstonTJ@state.gov for additional information.
VI.3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
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.
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OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and Non- profit Organizations.
Please reference the following Web sites for additional information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_circulars/ http://fa.statebuy.state.gov
VI.4. Reporting Requirements
You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one electronic copy of the following reports:
VI.4a. Final Reports
A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award;
VI.4b. One-page Report
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.
VI.4c. SF-PPR
A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet should be submitted with all program reports.
VI.4d. Quarterly Reports
Quarterly program and financial reports should be submitted for the duration of the program. For program reports, award recipients will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to the
Bureau. (Please refer to section IV.3.d.3, ``Program Monitoring and
Evaluation'') 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.
VI.5. Additional Program Data Requirements
VI.5a. Data on Program Participants and Activities
Award recipients will be required to maintain specific data on program participants and activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be shared with the Bureau as required. At a minimum, the data must include the following: Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the agreement or who benefit from the award funding but do not travel.
VI.5b. Travel
Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take place.
Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to the official opening of the activity.
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Agency Contacts
For questions about this announcement, contact: Carol Herrera,
Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, U.S. Department of State, SA-5, 3rd Floor, 2200 C St., NW., Washington, DC 20522-0503, ph. tel: (202) 632-6054, e-mail: herreraca1@state.gov. All correspondence with the
Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number
ECA/PE/C-10-01.
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.
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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.4 above.
Dated: December 1, 2009
Maura M. Pally,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S.
Department of State.
FR Doc. E9-29538 Filed 12-10-09; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P
