[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5660]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 11, 1994]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Census of Foreign Students in the U.S.
AGENCY: United States Information Agency.
ACTION: Notice--Request for concept papers.
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SUMMARY: The United States Information Agency (USIA) invites U.S.
educational, cultural, and other not-for-profit organizations to submit
concept papers outlining the design of a statistical survey (census) of
foreign nationals affiliated with institutions of higher learning in
the United States. The census should identify in the most economical
way possible the number of foreign students and scholars studying,
conducting research, or teaching at all accredited universities and
colleges in the United States starting in the 1994-95 academic year; it
must also survey the number of American students studying abroad.
Papers should also describe the methodology which will be used to
collect the data and how the material will be analyzed and presented to
the public. Following Agency review of concept papers, certain
organizations may be invited to submit full proposals, leading to the
award of a FY 1995 cooperative agreement.
DATES: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at USIA by 5
p.m. Washington, DC time, on April 15, 1994. Faxed documents will not
be accepted, nor will documents postmarked April 15 but received at a
later date. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that
proposals are received by the above deadline. Data from the 1994-5
academic year census must be compiled and published by December 1995.
Duration: The award will begin on October 1, 1994 and end on
September 30, 1995. No funds may be expended until the agreement is
signed.
ADDRESSES: One original and 5 copies of the concept paper, which should
be 7-10 double-spaced pages and include a summary budget, are to be
mailed to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: Foreign Student Census,
Grants Management Office, E/XE, room 336, 301 4th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20547.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Interested U.S. organizations should contact Catherine Sevcenko at the
U.S. Information Agency, Advising, Teaching, and Specialized Programs
Division, Advising and Student Services Branch (E/ASA), room 349, 301
4th St. SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone: (202) 619-5434, for
further clarification. There are no official forms which must be
submitted with the concept papers but all submissions must contain the
information requested below.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
As the Federal agency tasked with promoting international
educational exchange, USIA considers it essential to have an accurate
picture of foreign study and scholarship in the United States, such as
that provided by the statistical survey. This survey should provide a
detailed and comprehensive picture of the number and characteristics of
foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents and refugees)
affiliated with American institutions of higher learning and the
numbers of U.S. students studying abroad. Topics of interest include
the numbers of students and scholars, their gender, countries of
origin, and fields of study. Information about students interim of
academic level (undergraduate, graduate, post-doctorate), primary
source of financial support, financial contribution they make while in
the United States, and location of study should be included. A
compilation of visa status (F, J, M, H) should be included. Papers
should indicate whether potential applicants will provide information
on a yearly basis; less frequent collection and compilation of data
must be justified. A survey of students in intensive English language
programs would be of interest but is not required.
The Agency will consider funding a publication, database,
newsletter, or any other medium presented as a viable vehicle for
making census data about the U.S. and foreign student population widely
available in a timely manner and in a clear and concise format.
Continued support, assuming availability of funding, will be contingent
upon accurate data collection, quality of presentation of that data,
and prompt publication of the census. The Agency reserves the right to
reproduce, publish or otherwise use any work developed under this grant
for Government purposes.
Concept papers should include a description of the methodology to
be used to canvass colleges and universities for information about
their foreign student and scholar populations as well as study abroad
statistics. Provision should be made for securing the highest possible
response rate. The Agency is interested in a clear presentation of the
data collected as well as a rigorous analysis of the data which will
draw conclusions about the trends in international study in the U.S.
and make recommendations for policy for both government and academia
based on the data collected. Organizations submitting concept papers
judged most feasible and cost-effective will be invited to submit full
proposals in accordance with Agency guidelines.
A final cooperative agreement will be awarded October 1, 1994
subject to the availability of FY 1995 funding.
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, funded activities
must maintain a non-political character.
Guidelines
Eligibility
U.S. non-profit educational, cultural, and other non-for-profit
organizations that have a minimum of four years experience in some
aspect of international education are eligible to apply. The project
director or key program staff responsible for the administration of the
census must be demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:
statistics, data collection, international exchange, publication
design, computer technology.
Proposed Budget
The amount of funding for this project will be determined upon
evaluation of all concept papers submitted. Papers should include a
short budget, however, and highlight how the census would be produced
as cost-effectively as possible. Papers which offer substantial cost-
sharing or alternate sources of funding will be given special
consideration. Discussion of potential target markets and possible
sales revenue should also be included. Budgets should include provision
to the Agency of a minimum of 600 copies of any publication, database
or other medium of presentation. Organizations should be familiar with
grant regulations described in OBM circulars A110, A122 and A133. Cost-
sharing of the grantee organization may be in the form of allowable
direct or indirect costs.
Application Requirements
Concept papers must be submitted by the deadline and must conform
to the following requirements:
1. A Concept Paper Cover Sheet: with name(s) of institution(s),
project director(s), appropriate addresses, telephone and fax numbers.
2. Narrative of 7-10 double-spaced pages, including a description
of the proposed institution(s) which will run the project; a detailed
description of the type of information to be collected and the
methodology to be used, a description of the manner in which the data
will be presented and analyzed, and a description of the qualifications
of those who will play key roles in the project.
3. Brief resumes (no more than 2 pages) of the proposed project
director and others if identified who will be involved in the project.
4. Brief (one page) budget.
Review Process
USIA will acknowledge receipt of all concept papers and forward
them to panels of USIA officers for advisory review. Institutions
submitting concept papers which meet the review criteria will be
invited to submit full proposals in accordance with Agency guidelines.
USIA reserves the right to issue another general announcement for
proposals or concept papers if none submitted in accordance with this
announcement pass Agency review. All funding decisions are at the
discretion of the Associate Director for Educational and Cultural
Affairs.
Review Criteria
All concept papers will be competitively reviewed according to the
following criteria:
1. Overall Quality
The content, definition, and organization of all aspects of the
project; appropriateness of project plan and content to program
objectives; extensive academic and professional involvement of the
staff assigned to the project in the U.S. educational community;
evidence of understanding of the dynamics of trends in international
education.
2. Institutional Capacity
Adequacy of proposed resources, including professional staff and
available educational network(s), to administer the census
successfully, based on achieving a high response rate from those
institutions surveyed, in the most economical way possible. Development
of an appropriate method and format for presentation and analysis of
the data.
3. Institution's Track Record/Ability
Clear evidence of applicant institution's track record of
successful projects and experience with international education.
Demonstrated expertise of the Project Director to assume the
administration of this undertaking.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
The overhead and administrative components of the program, as well
as salaries, should be kept as low as possible. All other items should
be necessary and appropriate. In-kind contributions should also be
included.
5. Cost-sharing
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through host institutions
and other private sector support as well as institutional direct
funding contributions and may include marketing the data.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this Request for Concept
Papers are binding and may not be modified by any USIA representative.
Explanatory information provided by the Agency that contradicts
published language will not be binding. Issuance of this announcement
does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the results of the initial
review process by May 15, 1994.
Dated: March 7, 1994.
Barry Fulton,
Acting Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-5660 Filed 3-10-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M