[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14725-14737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6276]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7368]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for
Grant Proposals: Open Competition for Professional Exchange Programs
Announcement Type: New Grant.
Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C-11-01.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2011.
Application Deadline: May 12, 2011.
Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C),
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), announces an open
competition for grants to conduct the 2011 professional exchange
programs. This opportunity is designed to bring young foreign
professionals to the United States for four week to six week-long
fellowships in organizations related to their field of work, followed
by American counterparts who will travel overseas for reciprocal
fellowships. Projects should take place over the course of one to two
years, and engage up-and-coming and mid-level government or civil
society professionals who will effect positive change in their
institutions and communities through the following initiatives: The
Legislative Fellows Program, the Women's Empowerment Program, and the
Young Entrepreneurs Program.
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 these professional exchange
programs (the Legislative Fellows Program, the Women's Empowerment
Program, and the Young Entrepreneurs Program). The basic framework that
should be followed for all three of these programs, including the
expected outputs and program timeline, is described in sections I.2
through I.6 below. Elaboration on specific aspects of these programs,
and the eligible countries, are provided in Section I.7 below.
[[Page 14726]]
I. 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 2011 professional exchange programs (the Legislative Fellows
Program, the Women's Empowerment Program, and the Young Entrepreneurs
Program) are two-way exchanges involving current or potential
government and civil society leaders in the areas of entrepreneurship,
the legislative process, and women's empowerment. This is one of two
RFGPs being published simultaneously in the Federal Register to support
the overall goals and objectives of the 2011 professional exchange
programs.
Reflecting both Department and Bureau priorities, those goals are
to: (1) Provide participants from eligible countries an opportunity to
gain knowledge of U.S. practices and techniques in their field of
expertise; explore governance principles and practices in both public
and civil society institutions in the United States, and gain a deeper
understanding of U.S. society, culture, and people; (2) provide U.S.
participants the opportunity to share their professional expertise with
counterparts in eligible countries and gain a deeper understanding of
the societies, cultures, and people of other countries; and 3) promote
mutual understanding and lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships
between key professionals and organizations in the United States and
their counterparts in eligible countries.
As a result of the program it is expected that participants from
both the U.S. and foreign countries will effect positive change in
their workplaces and communities and develop long-term engagement
between their home organizations and foreign counterparts.
I.3. Participants. ``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;
however, applicants are encouraged to include approximately as many
American as foreign participants 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
government or civil society professionals with experience and current
employment related to one of the designated areas. Because of the
nature of this program, all selected participants must be highly
proficient in written and oral English, self-directed, able to work
effectively in a cross-cultural setting, and have demonstrated
leadership abilities.
U.S. participants should include professionals with relevant
expertise from the government and civil society organizations where the
foreign participants are placed. While U.S. participants are not
required to have foreign language ability or previous country-specific
experience, it is highly encouraged.
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 fellowship 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 Outputs. Successful grant applicants must fully
demonstrate a capacity to provide the following project outputs:
I.5a. Recruit participants. The grant recipient will recruit and
select qualified individuals from throughout the target country(ies)
for two cohorts of both U.S. and foreign participants. Foreign
participants should be selected, with the knowledge and participation
of the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy, through a
merit-based, competitive process. Unless an organization has its own
presence in the partner country(ies), an in-country or regional partner
organization should be designated to coordinate participant screening,
selection, and orientation prior to their departure for the United
States. While the PAS should be involved in participant selection,
responsibility for coordination and implementation will lie completely
with the grantee organization.
I.5b. Facilitate the visa process. The grant recipient will work
with ECA and the PAS to procure U.S. visas for foreign participants and
work directly with the foreign embassy of the partner country to
arrange visas for U.S. travelers. The recipient will collect and
deliver to ECA/PE/C all biographical information from foreign
participants necessary to complete the DS-2019 form required for J-1
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. The recipient
will comply with all federal regulations regarding the use of U.S.
government funds for travel including the Fly America Act.
I.5d. Conduct two rounds of U.S. Participant Engagement. The grant
recipient will be responsible for arranging four-week to six-week
fellowships in the United States for foreign participants. Fellowships
should be designed to offer the maximum hands-on experience for all
participants within relevant agencies and/or organizations. One
placement that allows the participant to get an insider look and feel
of the organization is preferable to serial, short-term placements with
several organizations. The purpose of each placement is to provide
first-hand experience of the inner, day-to-day workings of a relevant
U.S. workplace and an opportunity for the participant to form work and
personal relationships with U.S. co-workers. While some group
activities may be appropriate, site visits where the participants have
only a brief glimpse of a variety of organizations should be kept to a
minimum.
The Program Office anticipates that all proposals will adhere to
the model outlined in this RFGP. However, in very limited
circumstances, when a compelling reason exists to deviate slightly from
the program model (for example a somewhat shortened timeline, or
alternate dates), this will be taken it into consideration in the
review process.
I.5e. Engage with participants via the ECA Alumni social network.
Grantees should describe plans to utilize the ECA Alumni Web site, a
proprietary social networking site for the exclusive use of ECA program
participants, grantee
[[Page 14727]]
organizations, and ECA program staff. Grantees should communicate with
their participants through the Web site from the time they are
identified, through the life of the project and beyond. The site can be
used to provide logistical information to the participants as well as
project content. The award recipient must be able to create a dynamic
on-line environment and substantive content that engages participants
in on-going group discussions on programmatic themes as they relate to
the participants' experience in the U.S. and their home countries.
I.5f. Conduct two rounds of overseas activities for U.S.
participants. The recipient will arrange two to three weeks of overseas
travel for U.S. participants to conduct on-site consultancies and joint
programming with foreign participants and their colleagues, and, if
appropriate and feasible, arrange fellowship placements for U.S.
participants to learn from their counterparts and share their
professional expertise. Proposals should present a convincing and
detailed work plan for the U.S. participants while they are with the
home organizations of the foreign participants. Activities should
engage a wide range of people and focus on building the sustainability
of the participants' professional and institutional relationships
beyond the grant period.
I.5g. Conduct a Pre-Departure Orientation and an In-Country
Orientation for all Participants. The grantee will be responsible for
conducting a pre-departure orientation for foreign participants prior
to their departure from their home countries. The grantee should also
provide a comprehensive orientation for foreign participants upon their
arrival in the United States and for U.S. Participants prior to their
travel abroad. Many, if not most, of the foreign participants will
never have been to the U.S. before this project. Pre-departure
orientation topics should include an overview of travel logistics,
arrival information, J-1 visa regulations, programmatic expectations,
as well as issues related to U.S. culture, and their programs. Their
orientation should provide not only information on their fellowship
placements and logistics, but also cover more day-to-day considerations
for working and living in the U.S., such as information on the
community where they'll be located, cross-cultural issues, standards of
conduct, etc. Project goals, performance measurements, a calendar of
events and the participants' place in the wider project and program
should be discussed.
I.5h. Facilitate the participation of the foreign professional
participants in two Professional Exchanges Congresses. At the
conclusion of each round of U.S.-based fellowships, the grantee will
coordinate with ECA and other grant recipients in implementing a three-
day Congress in Washington, DC, for all FY 2011 professional exchange
participants from foreign countries. The Professional Exchanges
Congress is intended to provide the participants:
The opportunity to network with colleagues from around the
world, sharing their own U.S. experience and learning about the
experiences of others;
A contextual framework for understanding the ``fellowship
experience'', the broader exchange program, and civil society issues as
they pertain to individual professional backgrounds and expertise;
Substantive dialogue to examine the interplay of
government and civil society;
A deeper understanding of the ways an individual,
organization, or interest group can generate change for the common
good; and
An enhanced appreciation of the importance of public
diplomacy in the global community.
Grantees must be willing and able to participate in regularly scheduled
planning meetings via teleconference with ECA and other grantee
organizations. Grantees' ability and willingness to work
collaboratively are key to making each Congress a meaningful and
significant capstone that ties seamlessly with individual projects and
participants' experience.
It is anticipated that a grant for the overall planning,
management, and implementation of the Congresses will be awarded in a
separate competition (ECA/PE/C-11-21) to which grant recipients of this
funding opportunity (ECA/PE/C-11-01) and other U.S. public and non-
profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal
Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) will be eligible to apply.
I.5i. Monitor, evaluate, and report on project. The Department of
State 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 on the participant, his/her organization, and community. Please
refer to section. IV.3d.3. Project Monitoring and Evaluation below.
I.5j. Carry out post-grant engagement. The grant recipient will
develop enhancement activities that reinforce project goals after the
participants' return to their home country. This includes encouraging
participants' on-going involvement with the on-line Alumni community
and helping them maintain and expand their ties to their fellowship
placement organizations.
I.5k. Conduct Re-entry Seminar. The grant recipient will conduct an
in-country re-entry seminar or ``debrief'' for all returning foreign
participants. If possible, the dates of the seminar or debrief should
coincide with international arrival schedules to ensure limited
domestic travel and good stewardship of federal funds. The grant
recipient should consult with the Public Affairs Section on the
development of the program date and agenda. The seminar should be
interactive in nature with a special emphasis on creating a forum for
participants to share their reflections and observations of their U.S.
exchange experience.
I.5l. Manage all financial aspects of the project. The grantee will
be responsible for budget oversight and management of project
activities, including participant costs and transparent arrangements of
sub-grant relationships with partner organizations, if applicable.
Important: Logistics for the Washington, DC, Congresses, including
local transportation, lodging and meals for all participants, will be
covered under a separate grant. Therefore, these expenses should NOT be
included in individual budgets under this solicitation. Please see
IV.3e.2o for further details.
I.6. Projected Timeline. ECA envisions the 2011 professional
exchange programs calendar as follows:
Fall 2011: Planning for first foreign cohort travel to the
U.S. (participant recruitment, selection; J-1 visas; arranging
fellowship placements, etc.)
April 2012: Travel to the U.S. by the first cohort of
foreign participants for four-week to six-week fellowships.
May 2-4, 2012: Three-day enrichment component in
Washington, DC, at the end of the U.S. stay that includes a
Professional Exchanges Congress for all Spring 2012 participants.
Spring 2012: Planning for first U.S. cohort travel abroad
(schedule, flights visas; etc.)
Summer 2012: Travel by the first cohort of U.S.
participants overseas for two to three weeks.
Summer 2012: Planning for second foreign cohort travel to
U.S.
September/October 2012: Travel to the U.S by second cohort
of foreign participants for four-week to six-week fellowships.
[[Page 14728]]
November 7-9, 2012: Three-day enrichment component in
Washington, DC, at the end of the U.S. stay that includes a
Professional Exchanges Congress for all Fall 2012 participants.
Fall 2012: Planning for second U.S. cohort travel abroad.
Winter 2012-3: Travel by the second cohort of U.S.
participants overseas for two to three weeks.
I.7. Only proposals that involve the following will be considered
technically eligible:
I.7a. Legislative Fellows Program
The Legislative Fellows Program will engage professionals who are
actively involved in the legislative process and/or policy-making
through their work in government, civic education organizations,
citizen advocacy groups, political parties, or election monitoring
organizations. During their time in the United States, the participants
will examine the relationship between civil society and government, and
the issue of public corruption and accountability. Participants will
observe the role of their U.S. counterparts in various levels of the
U.S. government, through placements in Congressional offices (including
state/district offices), state legislatures, city councils/local
government bodies, advocacy groups or other relevant organizations
across the United States, engage in dialogue, and develop plans for
projects that support more responsive social and political
institutions.
U.S. participants will be selected from staff members at the
various fellowship sites who will act as primary hosts/mentors to the
foreign fellows during their U.S. stay, including staff of the U.S.
Congress, state legislatures, city councils/local governments, and
advocacy groups. After the U.S.-based fellowships are completed, these
American participants will travel overseas to their counterparts' home
countries for on-site consultancies and joint programming with foreign
participants and their colleagues, and, if appropriate and feasible,
arrange fellowship placements for U.S. participants to learn from their
counterparts and share their professional expertise. This programming
could also include outreach activities, engaging the local media and
giving presentations to wider audiences.
I.7a.1. Sub-Saharan Africa (AF): Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, South
Africa, Zimbabwe
Proposals submitted under this section of the Legislative Fellows
Program should include one or more of the countries listed above.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Jim Ogul, tel: (202) 632-6055, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7a.2. East Asia and Pacific (EAP): Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia,
Taiwan
Proposals submitted under this section of the Legislative Fellows
Program should include at least three (3) of the countries/territories
listed above.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6067, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7a.3. Europe (EUR): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova,
Russia, Turkey, Ukraine
Proposals submitted under this section of the Legislative Fellows
Program should include all of the countries listed above. Participants
from Russia and Turkey combined should constitute at least one half of
the total participants.
Approximate Grant Award: $900,000 to $1,000,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 90 to 100
Program Contact: Linn[eacute]a E. Allison, tel: (202) 632-6060, e-
mail: [email protected].
I.7a.4. Europe (EUR): Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia
Proposals submitted under this section of the Legislative Fellows
Program should include at least three (3) of the countries listed
above, and should have a specific focus on the involvement of minority
communities and/or the immigrant population in legislatures and
government.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Linn[eacute]a E. Allison, tel: (202) 632-6060, e-
mail: [email protected].
I.7a.5. Near East/North Africa (NEA): Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait,
Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen
Proposals submitted under this section of the Legislative Fellows
Program may include multiple countries or be single-country projects.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Thomas Johnston, tel: (202) 632-6056, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7a.6. South and Central Asia (SCA): Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Proposals submitted under this section of the Legislative Fellows
Program should include at least five (5) of the countries listed above,
and should include within the broader program (i.e. not limited solely
to) a focus on grassroots involvement and youth engagement in civil
society/political decisionmaking. For proposals that include
Afghanistan, security conditions will dictate whether it will be
possible to conduct programming for American participants in
Afghanistan, and this should be addressed specifically, including
appropriate contingencies.
Approximate Grant Award: $650,000 to $750,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 65 to 75
Program Contact: Karin Brandenburg, tel: (202) 632-9368, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7a.7. Western Hemisphere (WHA): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti,
Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela
Proposals submitted under this section of the Legislative Fellows
Program must include participants from Mexico and Brazil, and at least
seven (7) additional countries from the above list, including
representative countries from 2 Caribbean, 2 Central American, and 3
South American countries.
Approximate Grant Award: $650,000 to $750,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 65 to 75
Program Contact: Carol Herrera, tel: (202) 632-6054, email:
[email protected].
I.7b. Women's Empowerment Program
The Women's Empowerment Program will focus on the unique interests
of women in issues that affect the broader society, including business,
civil society, and journalism. Participants will represent women-owned
businesses, non-governmental organizations, healthcare industries, and
educational institutions. During their 4-6 week fellowships in the
United States, participants will gain firsthand knowledge of how
organizations and institutions advocate on behalf of women and their
critical role in community advancement, while also participating in
site visits and specially-designed seminars.
U.S. participants will be selected from those individuals who act
as primary hosts/mentors to the foreign participants
[[Page 14729]]
during their U.S. stay. After the U.S.-based fellowships are completed,
these American participants will travel overseas to the participants'
home countries to engage with their counterparts on the role of women
in civil society. The programs will include joint programming with
foreign participants and their colleagues, and, if appropriate and
feasible, fellowship placements for U.S. participants. This programming
could also include outreach activities, engaging the local media and
giving presentations to wider audiences.
I.7b.1. Sub-Saharan Africa (AF): Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria,
Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women's Empowerment
Program should include at least two (2) of the countries listed above
and specifically emphasize women's entrepreneurship and employment
skills development for participation in the workforce.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Jim Ogul, tel: (202) 632-6055, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7b.2. Sub-Saharan Africa (AF): Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria,
Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women's Empowerment
Program should include at least two (2) of the countries listed above
and specifically emphasize building partnerships between U.S. and
international women and organizations devoted to health issues such as
HIV/AIDS, nutrition, maternal health, disease prevention, gender-based
violence or other relevant health issues.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Jim Ogul, tel: (202) 632-6055, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7b.3. East Asia and Pacific (EAP): Cambodia, Laos, Thailand,
Vietnam
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women's Empowerment
Program should be regional in scope, including all four (4) of the
Lower Mekong countries listed above and should endeavor to empower
women to increase local capacity and connectivity. Specifically,
proposals should emphasize strengthening local community infrastructure
and capacity, especially in the area of technology, such as improving
women's access to reliable mobile technology and services. Participants
should be placed at non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups,
relevant government offices, small businesses or other related
organizations and focus on advancing gender equality by bringing
together women and technology.
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6071, e-mail:
[email protected].
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
I.7b.4. East Asia and Pacific (EAP): Fiji, Marshall Islands,
Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women's Empowerment
Program should include at least four (4) of the countries listed above,
and should focus on the development of civil society groups that focus
on women.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6067, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7b.5. East Asia and Pacific (EAP): Brunei, Burma, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women's Empowerment
Program should include at least four (4) of the countries listed above,
with a specific emphasis on women's entrepreneurship.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Adam Meier, tel: (202) 632-6071, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7b6. South and Central Asia (SCA): Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Kyrgyzstan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (including the Maldives)
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women's Empowerment
Program include at least four (4) of the countries listed above. For
proposals that include Afghanistan, security conditions will dictate
whether it will be possible to conduct programming for American
participants in Afghanistan, and this should be addressed specifically.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Karin Brandenburg, tel: (202) 632-9368, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7b.7. Western Hemisphere (WHA): Brazil, Colombia, Dominican
Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, El Salvador, Mexico, Haiti,
Honduras, Guatemala, Barbados (and the Eastern Caribbean), Costa Rica
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women's Empowerment
Program should support professionals who are actively involved in
enhancing the role of civil society in the following sectors: Economic
Development, Environmental Sustainability and Health. Projects should
directly engage African descendant and indigenous communities.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Carol Herrera, tel: (202) 632-6054, email:
[email protected].
I.7c. Young Entrepreneurs Program
The Young Entrepreneurs Program will engage small business owners,
business professionals and business educators, to observe best
practices in business, engage in dialogue with their peers in the U.S.,
and complete individually tailored fellowships in appropriate
organizations. Participants will increase their understanding of the
links between entrepreneurial activity and free markets, as well as the
importance of transparency and accountability in business and
government through the participants' direct involvement in American
businesses.
U.S. participants will be selected from those individuals who act
as primary hosts/mentors to the foreign fellows during their U.S. stay.
After the U.S.-based fellowships are completed, these American
participants will travel overseas to the participants' home countries
for on-site consultancies and joint programming with foreign
participants and their colleagues, and, if appropriate and feasible,
arrange fellowship placements for U.S. participants to learn from their
counterparts and share their professional expertise. This programming
could also include outreach activities, engaging the local media and
giving presentations to wider audiences.
I.7c.1. East Asia and Pacific (EAP): Ngwang Choephel Fellows
Program--Tibetan Autonomous Region or Tibetan areas of China
Proposals submitted under this section of the Young Entrepreneurs
Program should be designed to carry out a two-way Professional program
as described in section I.2 through I.6 above, but on a smaller scale;
it is expected that there will only be one cycle of participants under
this
[[Page 14730]]
program, as opposed to the two cycles described in the 2011
professional exchange program overview. The economic 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 E. Allison, tel: (202) 632-6060, e-
mail: [email protected].
Approximate Grant Award: $200,000 to $250,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 20 to 25
I.7c.2. Near East/North Africa (NEA): Algeria, Egypt, Israel,
Libya, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Syria
Proposals submitted under this section of the Young Entrepreneurs
Program should include at least four (4) of the countries listed above.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Thomas Johnston, tel: (202) 632-6056, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7c.3. South and Central Asia (SCA): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka, Tajikistan
Proposals submitted under this section of the Young Entrepreneurs
Program should include at least one of the countries listed above, and
should focus on strengthening the entrepreneurial system in each
country, advocating and enabling greater economic diversification. For
proposals that include Afghanistan, security conditions will dictate
whether it will be possible to conduct programming for American
participants in Afghanistan, and this should be addressed specifically.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Karin Brandenburg, tel: (202) 632-9368, e-mail:
[email protected].
I.7c.4. Western Hemisphere (WHA): Brazil, Colombia, Dominican
Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, El Salvador, Mexico, Haiti,
Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador
Proposals submitted under this section of the Young Entrepreneurs
Program will engage professionals who are actively involved in working
to improve the lives of young people living in communities threatened
by conflict and insecurity due to lack of positive economic
opportunities. Proposals should focus on engaging young social
entrepreneurs to promote sustainable and inclusive community economic
empowerment. Projects should engage African Descendants, Indigenous
peoples, and other socially excluded communities. Fellows from
communities confronted by drugs, crime, and gang violence can be
community leaders, educators, and other youth-program implementers who
are placed with government, NGO and community organizations that work
with youth to offer positive alternatives to gangs, drug-trafficking,
and associated violence.
Approximate Grant Award: $350,000 to $450,000
Approximate no. of participants per award: 35 to 45
Program Contact: Carol Herrera, tel: (202) 632-6054, Email:
[email protected].
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 project 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 expand upon ECA/PE/C goals as stated 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. They should be framed from the participant
perspective, i.e., ``By (time), the participants will * * *'' They
should be guided by one or more of the following questions. (Please see
section IV.3d.3. Project Monitoring and Evaluation for assistance in
identifying and defining outcomes.)
1. 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), examples of past activities and
accomplishments, on-going and planned activities not including the
proposed project.
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.
I.8b.4. Project Management Plan. A simple project management plan
for the two-year life of the project that lists, in table format,
outputs (major events or tasks performed by the grantee organization or
partners), dates 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 all aspects of
the project including but not limited to fellowship placements, program
materials, training methodology, etc. 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 IV.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 ECA Office of Public Affairs and Strategic
Communications and the Public Affairs Section. Proposals should include
plans to work with ECA's Office of Public Affairs and Strategic
Communications in developing a coordinated media and public outreach
strategy to strengthen the identity, increase the program's visibility,
and raise the public awareness of the Legislative Fellows Program, the
Women's Empowerment Program, and the Young Entrepreneurs Program. All
grantees will need to incorporate the respective program's
[[Page 14731]]
brand (provided by ECA) and give credit to ECA throughout all of its
educational and outreach materials including its website with final
approval by ECA.
Proposals should also include an articulated plan as to how the
grantee plans to work 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, conduct outreach, and
to invite representatives of the Embassy(ies) and/or consulate(s) to
participate in project sessions or site visits. Grantee organizations
should include a scheduled debrief with Embassy representatives
following the foreign participants' return to their home countries, and
where possible, at the conclusion of the U.S. participants' visit. All
plans must be approved by ECA.
I.8b.10. Acknowledging ECA's Financial Support and use of program
logo. An acknowledgement to follow guidance in the PSI entitled
``Acknowledgement of ECA's Financial Support and Use of the Department
Seal''. Proposals should also indicate that grantee organization's plan
to use the three ECA-developed program logos (one each for the
Legislative Fellows Program, the Women's Empowerment Program, and the
Young Entrepreneurs Program) in all relevant program materials,
applications, websites, and other related materials.
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. Project Materials. Materials that help demonstrate project
design and implementation should be included in TAB E. These 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 alumni programming including sample of small grant
applications
5. Sample evaluation and survey instruments
6. Project management plan
7. Project promotional materials
8. Sample of any on-line sessions
I.8c.4. Unsolicited Documents. Attachments that do not directly
address the proposed project (i.e., organization brochures, pamphlets,
unsolicited reports) are strongly discouraged.
II. Award Information
II.1. Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
II.2. Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2011.
II.3. Approximate Total Funding: $8,300,000.
II.4. Approximate Number of Awards: 15-20.
II.5. Approximate Average Award: $400,000.
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 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.
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 projects under this RFGP. Therefore, organizations with
less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges
are ineligible to apply under this competition.
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.
Eligible applicants may only propose working with the
countries and themes listed under each of the themes of this RFGP.
No funding is available exclusively to send U.S. citizens
to conferences or conference type seminars overseas; nor is funding
available for bringing foreign nationals to conferences or to routine
professional association meetings in the United States.
Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI)
document for additional requirements.
IV. 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 20037, ph: (202) 632-6083, [email protected], to
request a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity
Number ECA/PE/C-11-01 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/grants/
[[Page 14732]]
open2.html or from the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=Jq8YKvxYr8YPgjW2VSLdBhwhY0NxsFzdgctFJGDpfQYdJV2GzJl
9!-1163459943?mode=AGENCYSEARCH&agency=DOS. 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, access 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 Solicitation
Instructions (PSI) document for additional formatting and technical
requirements.
IV.3c. Registration and Non-Profit Status: 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 website 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.3d1. 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 (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,
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 20037.
IV.3d2. 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
[[Page 14733]]
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.3d3. Project Monitoring and Evaluation
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 be used 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, participant-centric 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 ECA/PE/C goals
described in this RFGP.
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 in participant learning,
behavior, and at the participant's institution. 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, 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.
IV.3e.2. Allowable costs. Allowable costs for the project 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 projects.
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/category/21287. 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 have good English skills. 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
[[Page 14734]]
when they escort participants to cultural events. U.S. project 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
project materials to ECA, and ECA support should be acknowledged on all
materials developed with its funding.
IV.3e.2h. Supplies. Applicants may propose to use grant funds to
purchase supplies, such as computers and printers; supply costs should
be justified in the budget narrative. Costs for furniture are not
allowed.
IV.3e.2i. Working meal. One working meal may be provided during
each U.S.-based or foreign-based travel component. Per capita costs may
not exceed $45/person, 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 counted as
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. Re-entry Seminars. Costs related to providing foreign
participants a re-entry seminar may include per diem, hotel
accommodations, material development, and other related expenses.
IV.3e.2l. Health Insurance. The grant recipient will be responsible
for enrolling foreign and U.S. participants in the program by the ECA-
sponsored Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE). The
premium is paid by ECA and should not be included in the grant proposal
budget. Applicants may include costs for travel insurance for U.S. and
foreign participants in the budget.
IV.3e.2m. 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.2n. In-country travel costs for visa processing purposes.
Visas for foreign participants are provided by DOS and should not be
included in the budget. Given the requirements associated with
obtaining J-1 visas for ECA-supported participants, applicants should
include costs for any travel associated with procuring visas, including
travel for interviews, delivering or picking-up passports, etc.
IV.3e.2o. Administrative Costs. Costs necessary for the effective
administration of the project may include salaries for grantee
organization employees, benefits, and other direct and indirect costs
per detailed instructions in the PSI. While there is no rigid ratio of
administrative to project 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.
IV.3e.2p. Professional Exchanges Congresses, Washington, DC:
Proposals should incorporate a minimum of three (3) days and four (4)
nights in Washington, DC into their project plan in order for each
group of participants to attend one of the Professional Exchanges
Congresses that will take place in spring (May 2-4, 2012) and fall
(November 7-9, 2012.) All logistics, including local transportation,
hotel, and meals will be arranged and paid for through a separate grant
that will cover expenses for all participants and staff attending the
Professional Exchanges Congresses. Expenses for the Professional
Exchanges Congress must not be included in your budget. The only
allowable costs associated with the Washington, DC-based component are:
1. Travel to/from Washington, DC: PE/C strongly encourages program
managers to plan for the Congress to occur at the end of the fellowship
period and to send participants home directly from the Washington area.
If, for programmatic reasons, the Professional Exchanges Congress must
be scheduled before the fellowships are completed, travel from
Washington to the next U.S. site should be included in the budget.
2. Additional Days: PE/C strongly encourages program managers to
take advantage of the opportunity to arrange meetings with government
agencies and national organizations represented in the DC metro area
that are relevant to the participants' areas of expertise. If more than
three days and four nights are programmed, costs for lodging, meals,
and miscellaneous expenses for all additional days should be included
in the budget.
3. Cultural/thematic programming: All expenses for cultural and
relevant thematic activities programmed on additional days beyond the
three days and four nights set aside for the Professional Exchanges
Congresses should be included in the budget.
IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission
Application Deadline Date: May 12, 2011.
Reference Number: ECA/PE/C-11-01.
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 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 package.
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
[[Page 14735]]
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-11-01,
SA-5, Floor 4, Department of State, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC
20037.
Applicants submitting hard-copy applications must also submit the
``Executive Summary'' 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 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 website,
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: [email protected].
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.
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 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 Project Idea: Proposals should exhibit
originality, substance, precision, and direct linkage to the goals of
ECA/PE/C's Professional Exchanges Program as well as relevance to the
Bureau's mission of mutual understanding. Proposals should demonstrate
a realistic and achievable scope that fits within the budgetary and
time parameters set forth in the RFGP.
V.2b. Project Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives: Project
objectives should be framed from the participant perspective, targeting
participant satisfaction with the project, his/her learning and changes
in behavior as a result of the project, and institutional change as a
result of the participant having taken part in the project. A detailed
agenda should demonstrate how and when these objectives will be
achieved. A project management plan should provide, in table format,
outputs (major events or tasks by the grantee and/or partner
organizations), dates, and the person or group responsible.
Responsibilities of proposed in-country partners should be clearly
described.
V.2c. Project Monitoring and Evaluation:
Proposals should include a detailed plan to monitor and evaluate
the effectiveness and overall impact of the project. Project 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, de-briefing sessions,
etc.) in Tab E.
V.2d. Institutional Capacity: 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.2e. 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.
The number of participants and actual project days should be maximized.
Proposals that employ other creative techniques to increase or stretch
funding dollars, such as home-stays for foreign participants, and
funding or in-kind support from other public and private partners, will
be deemed more competitive. Proposals in which the
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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.2f. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate
substantive support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and
relevant features should be cited in both project administration
(selection of participants, project venues and evaluation) and program
content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, 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.2g. Post-Grant 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.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices. Final awards cannot be made until funds have
been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal
Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive a Federal
Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the
original proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall
be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the
U.S. Government. The FAA will be signed by an authorized Grants
Officer, and mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified
in the application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification
of the results of the application review from the ECA program office
coordinating this competition.
VI.2a. 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 Tom
Johnston, Tel. (202) 632-6056; e-mail: [email protected] for
additional information.
VI.2b. Special Provision for Performance in a Designated Combat Area
(Currently Iraq and Afghanistan)
All Recipient personnel deploying to areas of combat operations, as
designated by the Secretary of Defense (currently Iraq and
Afghanistan), under assistance awards over $100,000 or performance over
14 days must register in the Department of Defense maintained
Synchronized Pre-deployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) system.
Recipients of federal assistance awards shall register in SPOT before
deployment, or if already in the designated operational area, register
upon becoming an employee under the assistance award, and maintain
current data in SPOT. Information on how to register in SPOT will be
available from your Grants Officer or Grants Officer Representative
during the final negotiation and approval stages in the federal
assistance awards process. Recipients of federal assistance awards are
advised that adherence to this policy and procedure will be a
requirement of all final federal assistance awards issued by ECA.
Recipient performance may require the use of armed private security
personnel. To the extent that such private security contractors (PSCs)
are required, grantees are required to ensure they adhere to Chief of
Mission (COM) policies and procedures regarding the operation,
oversight, and accountability of PSCs.
VI.3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Terms and Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements
include the following Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance:
Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles for Nonprofit
Organizations.''
Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles for Educational
Institutions.''
Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and
Indian Governments.''
Circular A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements
for Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and
Non-profit Organizations.
Please reference http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_circulars/for additional information:
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
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the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to the official
opening of the activity.
VII. 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, phone: (202)
632-6054, e-mail: [email protected]. All correspondence with the
Bureau concerning this RFGP should reference the above title and number
ECA/PE/C-11-01.
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.4
above.
Dated: March 9, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 2011-6276 Filed 3-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P