[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 120 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32569-32573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15117]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
International Educational and Cultural Activities Discretionary
Grant Program
SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) of the United States
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for an assistance award program. Public
or private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in
IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1 may apply to develop projects that
link their international exchange interests with counterpart
institutions/groups in ways supportive of the aims of the Bureau of
Education and Cultural Affairs.
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended,
Public Law 87-256, 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.'' Programs and projects must
conform with Agency requirements and guidelines outlined in the
Application Package. USIA projects and programs are subject to the
availability of funds.
Interested applicants should read the complete Federal Register
announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office of Citizen
Exchanges or submitting their proposals. Once the RFP deadline has
passed, the Office of Citizen Exchanges may not discuss this
competition in any way with applicants until after the Bureau program
and project review process has been completed.
ANNOUNCEMENT NAME AND NUMBER: All communications concerning this
announcement should refer to the Annual Discretionary Grant Program.
The announcement number is E/P-96- [[Page 32570]] 1. Please refer to
title and number in all correspondence or telephone calls of USIA.
DATES: Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday, October
6, 1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents
postmarked on October 6, 1995, but received at a later date. It is the
responsibility of each grant applicant to ensure that proposals are
received by the above deadline. This action is effective from the
publication date of this notice through October 6, 1995, for projects
where activities will begin between January 1, 1996 and December 31,
1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Interested organizations/institutions must contact the Office of
Citizens Exchanges, E/PL, Room 216, United States Information Agency,
301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, (202) 619-5326, to
request detailed application packets which include award criteria; all
application forms; and guidelines for preparing proposals, including
specific criteria for preparation of the proposal budget. Please direct
inquiries and correspondence to USIA Program Officer Laverne Johnson,
E-Mail {[email protected]}
ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the
Application Package and send only complete applications to: U.S.
Information Agency, REF: E/P-96-1 Annual Discretionary Grant
Competition, Grants Management Division (E/XE), 301-4th Street SW.,
Room 336, Washington, D.C. 20547.
Applicants must also submit to E/XE the ``Executive Summary,''
``Proposal Narrative,'' and ``Budget'' sections of each proposal on a
3.5'' diskette, formatted for DOS. This material must be provided in
ASCII text (DOS) format with a maximum line length of 65 characters.
USIA will transmit these files electronically to USIS posts overseas
for their review, with the goal of reducing the time it takes to get
posts' comments for the Agency's grants review process.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-
economic status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle.
Overview
The office of Citizens Exchanges works with U.S. private sector,
non-profit organizations on cooperative international group projects
that introduce American and foreign participants to each others'
social, economic, and political structures, and international
interests. The Office supports international projects in the United
States or overseas involving leaders or potential leaders in the
following fields and professions: urban planners, jurists, specialized
journalists (specialists in economics, business, political analysis,
international affairs), business professionals, NGO leaders,
environmental specialists, parliamentarians, educators, economists, and
other government officials.
Guidelines
Applicants should carefully note the following restrictions/
recommendations for proposals in specific geographical areas:
The Newly Independent States: USIA and other agencies of the U.S.
government have numerous programs in the countries of the NIS (Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan). As such, proposals
involving this region will not be accepted under this competition.
Western Europe and Canada (WEU): Priority themes and target
countries/regions follow:--Immigration and Multiculturalism: Italy,
France, Germany.--Conflict Resolution: Greece/Turkey/Cyprus; Northern
Ireland.--Environmental Cooperation and Sustainable Development:
Nordic/Baltic region; Western Canada;--School-to-work Transition/
Vocational Education: Germany, Scandinavia, Spain.
East Asia and the Pacific (EA): Priority consideration will be
given to the following:
(1) Asean and Other Southeast Asian Countries: Proposals for a
journalism project focusing on investigative reporting, media ethics
and the relationship between the media, government and the people.
Proposals should be designed for junior to mid-level working
journalists, in the print or electronic media, in ASEAN member
countries and/or other Southeast Asian countries. Proposals that
include two-way exchanges are preferred. It is projected that this
subregional project will be conducted in English and participants must
be fluent in English. As the overseas portion of the exchange, a
seminar/workshop on the methods and ethics of investigative reporting
is suggested. Potential site would be Thailand.
(2) China: Rule of law. An exchange of young Chinese legal
professionals including practicing lawyers, academics and government
officials on issues in civil law focusing on how the rights of ordinary
citizens in such fields as consumer protection, environmental
protection, and intellectual property rights are protected by a strong
legal code which permits civil suits against violators by private
individuals or by individuals acting in a private capacity.
Participants should observe how the threat of liability suits in the
U.S. eases the burden on the state for the enforcement of public policy
and provides a check on abuses of the rights of individuals.
(3) China: Role of individuals in environmental protection.
Exchanges that provide Chinese mid-level central governments and
municipal and provincial officials with responsibility for
environmental protection, as well as academics and staff in non-
governmental environmental organizations, an opportunity to observe how
citizens' action groups in the U.S. represent public interest in
environmental issues, affect legislation and influence public policy.
Participants should observe how citizen organizations in the U.S. can
affect the outcome of specific local projects with the potential for
environmental degradation. Proposals should reflect previous experience
in working with Chinese organizations in the environmental field.
(4) Korea: Korean Local Autonomy Project. Proposals to conduct a
project for Korean provincial and municipal administrators to observe
how U.S. state and local governments function and how the federal,
state and local governments interact. Participants should be elected
provincial and municipal government officials or high-level appointees
to provincial and municipal government positions or a combination of
the two. The program should emphasize the degree of autonomy enjoyed by
state and local governments within the U.S. federal system.
American Republics (AR): Priority will be given to projects
involving Haiti (focusing on democracy building or adult/community-
based education), Brazil (focusing on ethics in government or cultural
diversity), and the Andean region (focusing on judicial reform).
Proposals for projects in the Andean [[Page 32571]] region should
include activities in at least two Andean countries, one of which must
be Colombia or Bolivia. (The Andean Region consists of the following
countries: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.)
Africa (AF): Preference will be accorded to proposals which include
three or four countries in one subregion of Africa (West, East, or
Southern Africa), and priority will be given to projects addressing
rule of law, print or electronic media development, and conflict
resolution. Other themes may be proposed, but the three listed above
will receive preference.
North Africa, Near East and South Asia (NEA): Priority will be
given to projects involving Pakistan/India (focusing on conflict
resolution and economic reform) and the Middle East Peace Process
States (focusing on public administration and natural resource
management). The Office of Citizen Exchanges strongly encourages the
coordination of activities with respected universities, professional
associations, and major cultural institutions in the U.S. and abroad,
but particularly in the U.S. Projects should be intellectual and
cultural, not technical. Vocational training (an occupation other than
one requiring a baccalaureate or higher academic degree; i.e., clerical
work, auto maintenance, etc., and other occupations requiring less than
two years of higher education) and technical training (special and
practical knowledge of a mechanical or a scientific subject which
enhances mechanical, narrowly scientific, or semi-skilled capabilities)
are ineligible for support. In addition, scholarship programs are
ineligible for support.
The Office does not support proposals limited to conferences or
seminars (i.e., one- to fourteen-day programs with plenary sessions,
main speakers, panels, and a passive audience). It will support
conferences only insofar as they are part of a larger project in
duration and scope which is receiving USIA funding from this
competition. USIA-supported projects may include internships; study
tours; short-term, non-technical training; and extended, intensive
workshops taking place in the United States or overseas. The themes
addressed in exchange programs must be of long-term importance rather
than focused exclusively on current events or short-term issues. In
every case, a substantial rationale must be presented as part of the
proposal, one that clearly indicates the distinctive and important
contribution of the overall project, including, where applicable, the
expected yield of any associated conference. 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. Projects that duplicate what is
routinely carried out by private sector and/or public sector operations
will not be considered. The Office of Citizen Exchanges strongly
recommends that applicants consult with host country USIS posts prior
to submitting proposals.
Selection of Participants:
All grant proposals should clearly describe the type of persons who
will participate in the program as well as the process by which
participants will be selected. It is recommended that programs in
support of U.S. internships include letters tentatively committing host
institutions to support the internships. In the selection of foreign
participants, USIA and USIS posts abroad retain the right to nominate
all participants and to accept or deny participants recommended by
grantee institutions. However, grantee institutions are often asked by
USIA to suggest names of potential participants. The grantee
institution will also provide the names of American participants and
brief (two pages) biographical data on each American participant to the
Office of Citizen Exchanges for information purposes. Priority will be
given to foreign participants who have not previously traveled to the
United States.
Additional Guidance:
The Office of Citizen Exchanges offers the following additional
guidance to prospective applicants:
1. The Office of Citizen Exchanges encourages project proposals
involving more than one country. Pertinent rationale which links
countries in multi-country projects should be included in the
submission. Single-country projects that are clearly defined and
possess the potential for creating and strengthening continuing
linkages between foreign and U.S. institutions are also welcome.
2. Proposals for bilateral programs are subject to review and
comment by the USIS post in the relevant country, and pre-selected
participants will also be subject to USIS post review.
3. Bilateral programs should clearly identify the counterpart
organization and provide evidence of the organization's participation.
4. The office of Citizen Exchanges will consider proposals for
activities which take place exclusively in other countries when USIS
posts are consulted in the design of the proposed program and in the
choice of the most suitable venues for such programs.
5. Office of Citizen Exchanges grants are not given to support
projects whose focus is limited to technical or vocational subjects, or
for research projects, for publications funding, for student and/or
teacher/faculty exchanges, for sports and/or sports related programs.
Nor does this office provide scholarships or support for long-term (a
semester or more) academic studies. Competitions sponsored by other
Bureau offices are also announced in the Federal Register.
For projects that would begin after December 31, 1996, competition
details will be announced in the Federal Register on or about June 1,
1996. Inquiries concerning technical requirements are welcome prior to
submission of applications.
Funding
Although no set funding limit exists, proposals for less than
$135,000 will receive preference. Organizations with less than four
years of successful experience in managing international exchange
programs are limited to $60,000. Applicants are invited to provide both
an all-inclusive budget as well as separate sub-budgets for each
program component, phase, location, or activity in order to facilitate
USIA decisions on funding. While an all-inclusive budget must be
provided with each proposal, separate component budgets are optional.
Competition for USIA funding support is keen.
The selection of grantee institutions will depend on program
substance, cross-cultural sensitivity, and ability to carry out the
program successfully. Since USIA grant assistance constitutes only a
portion of total project funding, proposals should list and provide
evidence of other anticipated sources of financial and in-kind support.
Proposals with substantial private sector support from foundations,
corporations, other institutions, et al. will be deemed highly
competitive. The Recipient must provide a minimum of 33 percent cost
sharing of the total project cost.
Cost Sharing
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs encourages cost-
sharing, which may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect
costs. The recipient of an assistance award must maintain written
records to support all allowable costs which are claimed as being its
contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the
Federal Government. Such records are subject to audit. [[Page 32572]]
The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind
contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110, Subpart
C(23) ``Cost-sharing or Matching,'' and should be described in the
proposal. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or
indirect costs. The Recipient must maintain written records to support
all allowable costs which are claimed as being its contribution to cost
participation, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal Government.
Such records are subject to audit. In the event the Recipient does not
provide a minimum of 33 percent cost sharing, the Agency's contribution
will be reduced in proportion to the Recipient's contribution. The
Recipient's proposal shall include the cost of an audit that: (1)
Complies with the requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of
Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions; (2)
complies with the requirements of American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) No. 92-9; and
(3) complies with AICPA Codification of Statements on Auditing
Standards AU Section 551, ``Reporting on Information Accompanying the
Basic Financial Statements in Auditor-Submitted Documents,'' where
applicable. When USIA is the largest direct source of Federal financial
assistance--i.e. the cognizant Federal Agency--and indirect costs are
charged to Federal grants, a supplemental schedule of indirect cost
computation is required.
The audit costs shall be identified separately for: (1) Audit of
the basic financial statements, and (2) supplemental reports and
schedules required by A-133.
USIA's Office of Inspector General has provided supplemental
guidance for conducting A-133 audits and recovery of related audit
costs in a separate ``Dear Colleague'' letter dated January 24, 1995.
The following project costs are eligible for consideration for
funding:
1. International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs;
ground transportation costs.
2. Per Diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of
using a flat $140/day for program participants or the published U.S.
Federal per diem rates for individual American cities. For activities
outside the U.S., the published Federal per diem rates must be used.
Note: U.S. escorting staff must use the published Federal per
diem rates, not the flat rate.
3. Interpreters: If needed, interpreters for the U.S. program are
provided by the U.S. State Department Language Services Division.
Typically, a pair of simultaneous interpreters is provided for every
four visitors who need interpretation. USIA grants do not pay for
foreign interpreters to accompany delegations from their home country.
Grant proposal budgets should contain a flat $140/day per diem for each
Department of State interpreter, as well as home-program-home air
transportation of $400 per interpreter plus any U.S. travel expenses
during the program. Salary expenses are covered centrally and should
not be part of an applicant's proposed budget.
4. Book and cultural allowance: Participants are entitled to and
escorts are reimbursed a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per
person, plus a participant book allowance of $50. U.S. staff do not get
these benefits.
5. Consultants. May be used to provide specialized expertise or to
make presentations. Daily honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per
day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the
written agreement between the prospective grantee and subcontractor
should be included in the proposal.
6. Room rental, which generally should not exceed $250 per day.
7. Materials development. Proposals may contain costs to purchase,
develop, and translate materials for participants.
8. One working meal per project. Per capita costs may not exceed
$5-8 for a lunch and $14-20 for a dinner, excluding room rental. The
number of invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a
factor of two-to-one.
9. A return travel allowance of $70 for each participant which is
to be used for incidental expenditures incurred during international
travel.
10. All USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of a
USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by USIA
directly to the insurance company.
11. Other costs necessary for the effective administration of the
program, including salaries for grant organization employees, benefits,
and other direct and indirect costs per detailed instructions in the
application package.
Note: The 20 percent limitation of ``administrative costs''
included in previous announcements does not apply to this RFP.
Please refer to the Application Package for complete budget
guidelines.
Review Process
USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them
for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they
do not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein and in the
Application Packet. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be
reviewed by the budget and contract offices, as well the USIA
geographic regional office and the USIS post overseas, where
appropriate. Proposals may also be reviewed by the USIA's Office of
General Counsel or by other Agency elements. Funding decisions are at
the discretion of the USIA Associate Director for Educational and
Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant award resides
with USIA's contracting officer.
Review Criteria
USIA will consider proposals based on their conformance with the
objectives and considerations already stated in this RFP, as well as
the following criteria:
1. Quality of Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit originality,
substance, precision, and relevance to the Agency mission.
2. Program Planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should
demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda
and plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described
above.
3. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program objectives and
plan.
4. Multiplier Effect: Proposed programs should strengthen long-term
mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and
establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.
5. Value of U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects
should receive positive assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and
overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance
in the partner country(ies).
6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program's
or project's goal.
7. Institution Reputation/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an
institutional record of successful exchange programs, including
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting
requirements for past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office of
Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior
recipients and [[Page 32573]] the demonstrated potential of new
applicants.
8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for
continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which ensures that
USIA-supported programs are not isolated events.
9. Evaluation Plan: Proposals should provide a plan for a thorough
and objective evaluation of the program/project by the grantee
institution.
10. Cost-Effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components
of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as
low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.
11. Cost-Sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
12. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the
recipients' commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of
diversity throughout the program. This can be accomplished through
documentation (such as a written statement or account) summarizing past
and/or on-going activities and efforts that further the principle of
diversity within both their organization and their activities.
Notice
The need of the program may require the award to be reduced,
revised, or increased. The terms and conditions published in the RFP
are binding and may not be modified by any USIA representative.
Explanatory information provided by USIA that contradicts published
language will not be binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute
an award commitment on the part of the Government. Final awards cannot
be made until funds have been fully appropriated by the Congress,
allocated, and committed through internal USIA procedures.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the results of the review
process on or about December 8, 1995. Awarded grants will be subject to
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Dated: June 14, 1995.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-15117 Filed 6-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M