[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 240 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64246-64249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30026]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Summer Institute for the Study of the U.S.: The Making of U.S.
Foreign Policy
AGENCY: United States Information Agency.
ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Branch for the Study of the United States of the Office of
Academic Programs of the United States Information Agency's Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for an
assistance award. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting
the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1 may
apply to develop a six week graduate level program designed for a group
of 18 foreign university educators from around the world on the subject
of the making of U.S. foreign policy. The purpose of the institute is
to deepen the participants' understanding of the U.S. foreign policy
process in order to improve the teaching of international relations in
their respective universities.
USIA is seeking detailed proposals from colleges, universities,
consortia of colleges and universities, and other not for profit
academic organizations that have an established reputation in fields
directly related to the study of U.S. foreign policy and can
demonstrate expertise in conducting graduate level programs for foreign
educators. Applicant institutions must have a minimum of four years'
experience in conducting international exchange programs.
The project director or one of the key program staff responsible
for the academic program must have an advanced degree in the field
related to the topic of the institute. Staff escorts traveling under
the USIA cooperative agreement must be U.S. citizens with demonstrated
qualifications for this service.
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 cited above is provided through the legislation.
Programs and projects must conform with Agency requirements and
guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package. USIA projects and
programs are subject to the availability of funds.
ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE AND NUMBER: All communications with USIA concerning
this announcement should refer to the above title and reference number
E/AAS-96-07.
[[Page 64247]]
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on February 9, 1996.
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked
February 9, 1996 but received at a later date. It is the responsibility
of each applicant to ensure that proposals are received by the above
deadline. Approximate institute program dates should be June 29-August
9, 1996. Participants will likely be scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on
or about June 28, and depart on or about August 10, 1996. In order to
assure adequate time for the host institution to make program
arrangements and send pre-program materials to grantees, USIA will make
every effort to award the approved cooperative agreement by April 1,
1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To request a Solicitation Package, which
includes more detailed award criteria, all application forms, and
guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for
preparation of the proposal budget, applicants should contact The
Branch for the Study of the United States, E/AAS, room 252, U.S.
Information Agency, 301 4th Street SW., Washington, DC 20547,
Attention, Program Officer Gretchen Christison. Tel: (202) 619-4557;
FAX: (202) 619-6790; internet address: [email protected].
Please specify USIA Program Officer Ms. Gretchen Christison on all
inquiries and correspondences. Interested applicants should read the
complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or
submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, Agency staff
may not discuss this competition in any way with applicants until the
Bureau proposal review process has been completed.
TO DOWNLOAD A SOLICITATION PACKAGE VIA INTERNET: The Solicitation
Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://www.usia.gov,
or from the Internet Gopher at gopher.usia.gov, under ``New RFPs on
Educational and Cultural Exchanges.''
SUBMISSIONS: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the
Solicitation Package. The original and 14 copies of the application
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/AAS-96-07, Office
of Grants Management, E/XE, room 326, 301 4th Street SW., Washington,
DC 20547.
DIVERSITY 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 physical challenges. 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 the total proposal.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
The purpose of the Institute, ``The Making of U.S. Foreign
Policy,'' is to deepen understanding among participants of how U.S.
foreign policy is made and to provide them with a multi-dimensional
view of United States, its society, culture, and institutions, past and
present. Accordingly, the successful proposal will focus not only on
the Constitutional roles and requirements that govern the foreign
policy process, but also on the role that other political, economic,
social and cultural forces play in the making of U.S. foreign policy.
Ultimately, the purpose of the Institute is to improve the teaching of
courses abroad that address the subject of U.S. foreign policy. The
Institute is a six-week program, involving a minimum of four weeks at a
college or university campus in the U.S., followed by up to two weeks
of travel to at least one other region of the U.S. with activities
designed to directly complement and substantively enrich the academic
segment of the institute.
Objectives
(1) To conduct an intensive, academically stimulating program that
presents an in-depth view of the complex process by which U.S. foreign
policy is conceived, formulated and carried out;
(2) to offer a multi-dimensional view of that process that will
enable participants to increase their understanding of the ways in
which domestic political, economic, social and cultural factors
contribute, directly and indirectly, to that process;
(3) to enhance teaching about the United States in foreign
universities by making appropriate scholarly resources, pedagogical
materials, and ideas available to participants.
Participants
The 18 participants will be drawn from all areas of the world, and
will be experienced in the teaching of courses in fields of Politics
and Government, Comparative Politics and International Relations, and
History where there is significant U.S. content involved. All will be
fluent in the English language. They will be nominated by U.S.
Information Service posts abroad, and selected by the staff of USIA's
Branch for the Study of the United States in Washington, D.C. USIA will
cover the international travel costs for participants directly.
Guidelines
--The Institute should be specifically designed for experienced foreign
university-level teachers. While it is important that the topics and
readings of the Institute be clearly organized, the Institute should
not simply replicate a lecture course or a graduate seminar. Through a
combination of lectures, roundtable discussions, guest presentations,
consultations and site visits, the Institute should facilitate the
development of a collegial atmosphere in which foreign participants
become fully engaged in the exchange of ideas.
--In addition to the core faculty from the host institution, and
consistent with the program's design, the Institute should bring in
presenters from outside academic life. Such individuals might come from
foreign policy institutes, think tanks, lobbying organizations,
embassies, consulates, development organizations, media, and
government, as appropriate. Presenters should be fully briefed about
the Institute, its goals, general themes, readings, and especially the
background and needs of the participants themselves. Information about
presenters and how they will be utilized should be included in the
proposal submission.
--While the overall design and structure of the Institute is entirely
the responsibility of the organizers, the Institute should begin by
reviewing the recent history and current status of U.S. Foreign Policy
studies as an academic discipline, surveying the major schools of
interpretation and approaches, and examining the recent trends and
current debates within the field and within the area of international
relations generally. This part of the program should also explore how
the study of U.S. foreign policy has informed and been informed by
other scholarly disciplines, e.g., economics, anthropology, history,
and address how the study of U.S. foreign policy
[[Page 64248]]
can be used to gain a greater understanding of the development and
character of American civilization, past and present. The latest
developments in curriculum design, teaching methods, and resources
available in the fields of international relations should also be
addressed.
--The best proposals will express a high level of thematic articulation
in addition to demonstrating clearly the means by which these themes
will be concretely communicated to participants for discussion and
reflection. It is especially important for the institute organizer to
devise ways to integrate all aspect of the program, from the assigned
readings, lectures, and discussions, to any site visits and fields
trips.
--The equivalent of one day a week should be available to participants
to pursue individual research and reading. The Institute should provide
access to leading American scholars and research resources (libraries,
archives, databases); provision should be made to pair participants
with faculty mentors. A key element of the Institute is to expose
participants to the full range of scholarly materials, primary and
secondary literature, curricular materials and teaching resources,
including Internet and computer training, that will allow them to
continue their use of such materials in their home countries.
--A residential program of a minimum of four weeks on a college or
university campus is mandatory. The program should include an
integrated study tour segment of up to two weeks in length to at least
one other region of the country outside the area of the host
institution. In the event that Washington, D.C. is included in the
proposed study tour segment, a half-day session at the U.S. Information
Agency should be scheduled. In any case, the study tour segment must be
directly supportive of the academic program content. Day trips to
various locations are also encouraged if such trips will further
enhance understanding of the U.S. and the participants' experience.
--Details of programs may be modified in consultation with USIA's
Branch for the Study of the U.S. following the grant award.
--The selected grant organization will be responsible for most
arrangements associated with this program. This includes the
organization and implementation of all presentations and program
activities, arrangements for all domestic travel, lodging, subsistence,
and group transportation for participants, orientation and briefing of
participants, preparation of any necessary support materials including
a pre-program mailing and working with program presenters to achieve
maximum program coordination and effectiveness.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further details on
program design and implementation.
Additional Information: Confirmation letters from U.S. co-sponsors
noting their intention to participate in the program will enhance a
proposal. Proposals incorporating participant/observer site visits will
be more competitive if letters committing prospective host institutions
to support these efforts are provided.
Visa/Insurance/Tax Requirements: Programs must comply with J-1 visa
regulations. Visas will be issued by USIS posts abroad. USIA insurance
will be provided to all participants, unless otherwise indicated in the
proposal submission. The grantee organization will be responsible for
enrolling participants in the chosen insurance plan. Please indicate in
the proposal if host institutions have any special tax withholding
requirements on participant or staff escort stipends or allowances.
Proposed Budget: Total USIA-funded budget award may not exceed
$157,000. USIA-funded administrative costs should be as low as possible
and should not exceed $47,000. The U.S. recipient should try to
maximize cost-sharing in all facets of the program and to stimulate
U.S. private sector (foundation and corporate) support. Applicants must
submit a comprehensive budget for the entire program. There must be a
summary budget as well as a break-down reflecting both the
administrative budget and the program budget. For better understanding
or further clarification, applicants may provide separate sub-budgets
for each program component, phase, location, or activity in order to
facilitate USIA decisions on funding.
Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget
guidelines and formatting instructions for the institute program.
REVIEW PROCESS: The 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 stated herein
and in the Solicitation Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded
to panels of USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals
will also be reviewed by the Agency contracts office, as well as the
USIA Area Offices and the USIA post overseas, where appropriate.
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the 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 assistance awards (grants or cooperative
agreements) resides with the USIA grants officer.
REVIEW CRITERIA: Technically eligible applications will be
competitively reviewed according to the following criteria:
1. Overall Quality: Proposals should exhibit originality and
substance, consonant with the highest standards of American teaching
and scholarship. Program design should reflect the main currents as
well as the contemporary debates within the discipline.
2. Program Planning: Proposals should demonstrate careful planning.
The organization and structure of the Institute should be clearly
delineated and be fully responsive to all program objectives. The
travel component should be an integral and substantive part of the
program, reinforcing and complementing its academic segment.
3. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel, including faculty
and administrative staff as well as outside presenters, should be fully
qualified to achieve the project's goals. Library and media resources
should be accessible to participants; housing, transportation and other
logistical arrangements should be conducive to a collegial atmosphere.
4. Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the recipient's
commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity
throughout the program. This can be accomplished through documentation,
such as a written statement, summarizing past and/or on-going
activities and efforts that further the principle of diversity within
the organization and its activities.
5. Experience: The proposal should demonstrate an institutional
record of successful exchange program activity, indicating the
experience that the organization's professional staff have had in
working with foreign educators.
6. Evaluation and Follow-up: The proposal should include a plan for
evaluating activities during the Institute and at its conclusion.
Proposals should comment on provisions made for follow-up with returned
grantees as a means of establishing longer-term individual and
institutional linkages.
7. Administration and Management: The proposals should indicate
evidence
[[Page 64249]]
of continuous on-site administrative and managerial capacity, as well
as the means by which program activities will be implemented.
8. Cost Effectiveness: The proposals should maximize cost-sharing
through direct institutional contributions, in-kind support, and other
private sector support. Overhead and administrative components of the
proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as
possible.
NOTICE: The terms and conditions published in this RFP 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 the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on
the part of the Government. The Agency reserves the right to reduce,
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of
the program and the availability of funding. Final awards cannot be
made until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and
committed through internal USIA procedures.
NOTIFICATION: All applicants will be notified of the results of the
review process on or about April 1, 1996. Awards made will be subject
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Dated: December 5, 1995.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-30026 Filed 12-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M