[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4202]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 24, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
 

Exchange Programs Promoting Conflict Resolution in Africa, the 
Middle East, East Asia and American Republics (Public and Private 
Nonprofit Organizations in Support of International Educational and 
Cultural Activities)

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Notice; request for proposals.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces a competitive grants 
programs for nonprofit organizations to develop initiative grant 
projects on the theme of conflict resolution for audiences in the 
following geographical areas: Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa and South 
Africa only), the Middle East (Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza only), 
East Asia and the Pacific (regionwide or subregions), and the American 
Republics (Nicaragua and Guatemala only). Note: USIA will not accept 
proposals designed for Europe or the NIS. USIA particularly is seeking 
projects which link American institutions and specialists with partners 
overseas. New and creative approaches to the issue of conflict 
resolution will be especially welcome.
    Interested applicants are urged to read the complete Federal 
Register announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office or 
submitting their proposals. After the RFP deadline, the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges may not discuss this competition in any way with 
applicants until the final decisions are made.

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: This Announcement number is E/P-94-23. Please 
refer to the title given above and this number in all correspondence or 
telephone calls to USIA.

DATES: Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, DC, time on Friday, May 6, 
1994. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents 
postmarked May 6, 1994, but received at a later date. It is the 
responsibility of each grant applicant to ensure that proposals are 
received by this deadline. Grant activity should begin after September 
1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The original and 14 copies of the completed application and 
required forms should be submitted by the deadline to: U.S. Information 
Agency; Ref: E/P-94-23; Office of Grants Management (E/XE); 301 Fourth 
Street, SW, room 336, Washington, DC 20547.

CONTACT FOR INFORMATION: Interested organization/institutions should 
contact the Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P), room 224, USIA, 301 
Fourth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, tel. (202) 619-5348, fax 
(202) 619-4350, to request detailed application packages which include 
all necessary forms and guidelines for preparing proposals, including 
specific budget preparation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regional Conflict Resolution in Sub-Saharan Africa

    USIA will accept proposals to conduct a two-way exchange program to 
encourage and support the development of conflict resolution capability 
in African regional or subregional institutions. The amount requested 
from USIA should not exceed $125,000. For technical information, 
interested organizations may contact E/P Program Specialist Charlotte 
Peterson at (202) 619-5319.

Project Themes and Objectives

    This project will encourage Africans to support conflict resolution 
within the region as an activity in the common interest of all, 
fostering stability and economic development in the region as a whole. 
The project should help strengthen relevant regional organizational 
capabilities, and the grantee is expected to work closely with an 
Africa-based multilateral organization interested in conflict 
resolution for this purpose. Together with that body and area U.S. 
Information Service (USIS) posts, the grantee will identify key 
government, military and NGO leaders to participate in the exchanges; 
these participants should represent several African countries as well 
as the regional organization.
    The project will include at least two phases: (1) A U.S. phase 
designed to introduce African participants to American specialists and 
approaches to local and international conflict resolution and (2) one 
or more visits of American specialists to Africa to conduct 
consultations, workshops or other activities with local counterparts.
    The project should be designed to:

--Help develop resources and skills for conflict management/resolution 
in an Africa-based international or multilateral organization whose 
goals include management/resolution of conflicts in the region;
--Introduce African participants to principles of American pluralism 
and American institutions and modalities for peaceful management and 
resolution of differences among ethnic and interest groups;
--Emphasize U.S. commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts at home 
and abroad;
--Arrange meetings of African participants with leading American 
authorities on international and regional conflict resolution theories 
and techniques;
--Provide opportunities for African participants to engage in 
substantive discussions with American specialists, with representatives 
of an African regional organization, and with one another on conflict 
resolution in the African area;
--Facilitate cross-disciplinary and cross-national networking among 
African participants to help form constituencies in support of 
multilateral efforts to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts in 
Africa.

Conflict Resolution in South Africa

    USIA will accept proposals for the development of an exchange 
program to support conflict resolution in South Africa. The amount 
requested from USIA should not exceed $125,000. Applicants are 
encouraged to present their own creative program ideas within the 
general theme of conflict resolution in South Africa. For technical 
information, interested organizations may contact E/P Program 
Specialist Charlotte Peterson at (202) 619-5319.

Promoting Cooperation and Understanding Between Arab and Jewish 
Municipal Government Inside Israel

    USIA will accept proposals for the development of a two-way 
exchange program to reduce tensions and increase cooperation between 
municipal governments in the Jewish and Arab sectors inside Israel. The 
amount requested from USIA should not exceed $125,000. For technical 
information, interested organizations may contact E/P Program 
Specialist Charlotte Peterson at (202) 619-5319.

Background/Objectives

    As Israelis and Palestinians work toward implementing the 
declaration of principles, the U.S. Mission in Israel is encouraging 
greater cooperation among Israeli-Arabs and Jews. This project will 
contribute to the overall peace process and resolution of conflict 
between the two ethnic groups by encouraging interaction and advancing 
successful Arab integration into Israeli society. Bringing mayors and 
municipal officials from both sides together with American 
counterparts, the program will enhance leadership skills, including the 
skills of negotiation and conflict resolution, and emphasize the 
economic and social benefits of increased intermunicipal cooperation.
    The project should be designed to:

--Introduce Israeli Arab and Jewish mayors and municipal officials to 
models of local government administration and leadership in the U.S., 
including mechanisms for cooperation and dispute resolution between 
municipalities or regions;
--Provide for extensive dialogue between the Israeli participants and 
American counterparts on a range of issues, for example: How local 
governments accommodate the needs of various ethnic and other groups; 
modes of interaction between neighboring municipalities on economic 
development; leadership styles, and other issues of mutual interest.
--Introduce participants to theories and practice of conflict 
prevention and conflict resolution at the local level;
--Demonstrate pluralism in the United States and the interaction of 
interest groups representing various ethnic and other minorities;
--Provide opportunities for members of the group to discuss, among 
themselves and with American specialists, how American models might 
pertain to their situation at home.
Recommended Structural/Procedural Objectives
--At least one exchange visit in each direction. The U.S. visit might 
be organized as a study tour of at least three weeks' duration, 
allowing a group of 8-12 Jewish and Arab mayors and municipal officials 
to visit several U.S. cities.
--American participants should also travel to Israel for consultations, 
workshops or other activities with their local counterparts.
--Knowledge of English on the part of the participants from Israel will 
not be required.

Arbitration: Building Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Palestinian 
Society

    USIA will accept proposals designed to support the development of a 
two-way exchange program to assist Palestinian lawyers and legal 
institutions in establishing internationally credible dispute and 
conflict resolution mechanisms in the fields of commerce, labor, and 
civil matters. The amount requested from USIA should not exceed 
$125,000. For technical information, interested organizations may 
contact E/P Program Specialist Charlotte Peterson at (202) 619-5319.

Background/Objectives

    Palestinian society has traditionally depended on a dispute 
arbitration mechanism centered on prominent figures, such as clan or 
village leaders, to mediate and resolve commercial, social, and family 
disputes. While other Middle Eastern societies have moved beyond this 
traditional process of mediation--at least for resolution of commercial 
and legal disputes--Palestinians have, in the absence of a rational 
legal structure in the occupied territories, continued to rely almost 
exclusively on this informal, consensual process. As the peace process 
evolves toward Palestinian autonomy, it has become critical that 
Palestinians adopt internationally credible models of dispute 
resolution as a sine qua non for attracting the international 
investment essential to bolster Palestinian autonomy.
    The project should be designed to:

--Familiarize Palestinian legal experts--many of whom are now working 
on the general outlines of a constitution and legal framework to govern 
the autonomous regions--with the types of arbitration organizations and 
mechanisms Americans rely on to resolve commercial, labor, and other 
disputes. This introduction should be squarely placed within a 
framework of the judicial system in the United States.
--Promote cooperation between Palestinian and American experts in 
formulating and proposing specific dispute resolution mechanisms for 
the Palestinian autonomous regions.
--Provide, as a third exchange component, internships with an American 
arbitration group for a small group of Palestinians closely involved 
with the evolution of dispute resolution mechanisms within the 
autonomous authority, so that they might learn how arbitration 
mechanisms actually work in American society.
Recommended Structural/Procedural Objectives
--A visit to the United States, to take place as early as possible, for 
six to eight Palestinian legal experts to become familiar with 
arbitration organizations and conflict resolution mechanisms. A three-
week program, with visits to at least three cities.
--Travel of three or four American legal experts involved in the first 
component of the exchange, to take place after a lapse of several 
months, to work for four to six weeks in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and 
Gaza with legal experts on formulating dispute resolution mechanisms 
for the Palestinian autonomous regions.
--Three Palestinians involved with the evolution of dispute mechanisms 
within the autonomous authority would travel to the United States for a 
one-semester internship with an American arbitration group.

American Republics (AR)--Nicaragua and Guatemala Only

    USIA will accept separate proposals designed to support conflict 
resolution in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Proposals targeting other 
countries in the region will not be accepted. The amount requested from 
USIA should not exceed $65,000 for Nicaragua or $35,000 for Guatemala. 
For technical information, interested organizations may contact
E/P Program Specialist Ben Cromer at (202) 619-5326. USIS post 
consultation by applicants, prior to submission of proposals, is 
recommended.

Background for Nicaragua

    Nicaraguans historically have found it hard to resolve their own 
conflicts. They have often tried to enlist outsiders, frequently from 
the U.S., as partisans in their disputes, or turned to them for 
mediation and arbitration when all else has failed. This dynamic has 
been a source of instability for over 150 years.
    Some Nicaraguans recognize this failing and are trying to remedy 
it. In the past year, two university-linked research institutes have 
been formed to study conflict resolution. A local environmental group 
sponsored a workshop organized by professional U.S. mediators on 
resolving environmental disputes, hosted by the new binational center. 
Still, if Nicaraguans are to complete this process successfully, they 
need training and support.
    U.S. policy today is to encourage Nicaraguans to resolve their 
internal conflicts without looking to the U.S. for assistance and/or 
intervention. With this in mind, the Post proposes a project to 
strengthen Nicaraguan conflict resolution. USIA will work with the 
grantee and local organizations to identify a bipartisan (the only 
conceivable approach) pool of trainees who could conduct conflict 
resolution training for other Nicaraguans and provide mediation 
services and related activities (fact-finding, curriculum development, 
etc.). This program would respond to a historic need in Nicaragua.
    Please address inquiries to the Public Affairs Officer; USIS--
AmEmbassy Managua; Unit #2714; APO AA 34021; Tel. 011-505-2668234, Fax 
011-505-2663861.

Background for Guatemala

    Guatemala's 33 year-old civil war has cost more than 100,000 lives, 
has severely hindered democratic and social development in the country, 
and has adversely affected the fortunes of every government of 
Guatemala since the war's inception. Although heated constitutional and 
political battles dominate daily headlines, this conflict continues to 
cast a long shadow over the country's future.
    Media co-sponsorship would be desirable, such as by the centrist 
daily Siglo XXI and its publisher, Jorge Reuben Zamora; the issues-
oriented talk show ``Libre Encuentro'' and its host, Dionisio 
Gutierrez; and Guatemala's newest daily, La Republica, which, though it 
probably has the smallest readership, is well-written and tightly 
edited, and is supported by the media family, Marroquin.
    The Post envisions meetings and workshops at a neutral site, such 
as Miami, which is both easily accessible to Guatemalans and equipped 
with the resources necessary to support such a program. A site such as 
Miami, which is also home base to many CentAm beat reporters, would 
likely generate considerable regional coverage and encourage the 
participation of key participants such as Rigoberta Menchu and Frank 
LaRue, as well as younger members of the URNG.
    The program must focus on specific issues (i.e. refugee 
resettlement, land tenure, political participation by the URNG), and be 
managed by professionals. Innovation is absolutely necessary to avoid 
the dry and meaningless ``round tables'' and seminars that are so 
common in Guatemala itself.
    Please address inquiries to: Public Affairs Officer; USIS--
AmEmbassy Guatemala; Unit #3318; APO AA 34024; Tel. 011-502-2-311-541, 
Fax 011-502-2-321-549.

East Asia and the Pacific (EA)

    USIA will accept proposals for the development of exchange programs 
to support conflict resolution in the East Asia and Pacific region. 
Exchange programs may include but not be limited to conferences or 
symposia. The amount requested from USIA should not exceed $200,000.
    U.S. foreign policy in Asia is receptive to the concept of regional 
security consultations. The ASEAN-U.S. dialogue has been expanded to 
include security discussions through the ASEAN Regional Forum (AFR), 
for example. Russia has been invited to participate in ARF, along with 
China, Vietnam, Laos and Papua New Guinea. The USG has also welcomed 
the holding of symposia sponsored by the private sector on Northeast 
Asia security.
    Applicants are encouraged to view these security dialogues as 
conflict resolution arrangements where potential adversaries talk to 
each other rather than form blocs against a common adversary. Proposals 
should present ideas as to how to extend the dialogue to encompass the 
entire East Asia and Pacific region or how to enhance the evolving 
subregional dialogues (e.g. ASEAN, North Asia). Proposals should treat 
conflict resolution as preventive diplomacy, including reducing 
tensions, building confidence, and deterring arms races in addition to 
contributing to the solution of specific conflicts or potential 
specific conflicts.
    Security (and thus, conflict resolution) may be broadly defined to 
include regional issues that directly or indirectly contribute to 
security (or the lack thereof), such as economic growth and other 
conditions affecting trade and social stability, including 
environmental and energy issues, and population questions.
    A conflict resolution project focussed on Northeast Asia should 
account for private as well as public sector interests, and should be 
aimed toward stimulating participants' appreciation of the benefits to 
the East Asia and Pacific community as a whole to be derived from 
discussions of both the opportunities for cooperation and the potential 
conflicts in the subregion.
    For projects that focus on Northeast Asia, the area may include 
Japan, China, Russia, the Korean peninsula, and the U.S.
    For additional information on regionwide or subregional emphases, 
grant applicants may contact Margaret Eubank, Cultural Coordinator in 
USIA's Office of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, at (202) 619-5837. For 
technical information, interested organizations may contact E/P Program 
Specialist Elroy Carlson at (202) 619-5326.

Europe

    USIA will not accept proposals for this region.

The Newly Independent States

    USIA will not accept proposals for this region.

Additional Guidelines and Restrictions

    USIA is interested in supporting programs which will lay the 
groundwork for new and continuing links between American and foreign 
professional organizations and non-governmental organizations in the 
area of conflict resolution and in the specific fields mentioned in the 
above project descriptions. Proposals which are overly ambitious and 
those which are very general will not be competitive. Therefore, 
institutions should provide strong evidence of their ability to 
accomplish a few tasks exceptionally well. General structural or 
procedural objectives for all of the above projects include the 
following:

--development of institutional links which continue beyond the duration 
of USIA funding support, preferably with funding commitments;
--development and distribution of written, audio and video 
instructional materials to complement and enhance the program.
--coordination, in the design of these programs, with U.S. Information 
Service offices overseas, and with foreign government officials and 
private sector leaders with direct knowledge and experience in the 
thematic area.

    Bureau grants are not given to support projects whose focus is 
limited to technical issues, or for research projects, developing 
publications for dissemination in the United States, individual student 
exchange, film festivals, or exhibits. Neither does the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges 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 and may have 
different application requirements as well as different objectives.

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. However, USIA and USIS posts retain the 
right to nominate all foreign participants and to accept or deny 
participants recommended by grantee institutions. Grantee institutions 
will often provide support, as requested by USIA, in the nomination of 
participants.
    The grantee should provide the names of American participants and 
brief, relevant biographical data. American participants should be 
selected on the basis of their experience and expertise in the thematic 
field. Relevant language ability, experience in communicating to 
foreign audiences and general knowledge of the regions and countries 
involved in the respective projects are highly desirable.
    The USIS offices will facilitate the issuance of visas and other 
program-related materials.

Programmatic Considerations

    Pursuant to the legislation authorizing the Bureau of Educational 
and Cultural Affairs, programs must maintain a nonpolitical character 
and should be balanced and representative of the diversity of American 
political, social and cultural life.
    USIA will give priority to proposals from U.S. organizations with 
relevant institutional contacts in the countries involved in the 
various projects described above. Partner institutions are encouraged 
to provide cost-sharing or significant in-kind contributions such as 
local housing and transportation, interpreting, translating and other 
local currency costs. These institutions are also encouraged to assist 
with the organization of various program activities.
    The grantee will be responsible for most arrangements associated 
with this program. These include selecting speakers, themes, and topics 
for discussion; organizing a coherent progression of activities; 
providing international and domestic travel arrangements for all 
foreign participants and U.S. domestic travel for escort-interpreters; 
making lodging and local transportation arrangements for visitors; 
orienting and debriefing participants; preparing any necessary support 
materials; and working with host institutions and individuals to 
achieve maximum program effectiveness.
    At the start of the U.S. portion of a program, the grantee should 
conduct an orientation session for the visiting delegation which 
addresses substantive details of the program as well as geographic, 
historical, and cross-cultural factors which they should consider to 
enhance program success.
    Upon conclusion of the program the grantee will be required to 
submit a report to E/P summarizing results of the entire program.

Other Logistical Considerations

    Program monitoring and oversight will be provided by appropriate 
USIA elements. Per Diem support from host institutions during an 
internship component is strongly encouraged. However, for all programs 
which include internships, a nonprofit grantee institution which 
receives funds from corporate or other cosponsors should then use those 
monies to provide food, lodging, and pocket money for the participants. 
In no case could the intern receive a wage or ``be hired'' by the 
sponsoring institution. Internships should also have an American 
studies/values orientation component at the beginning of the exchange 
program in the U.S. Grantee institutions should try to maximize cost-
sharing in all facets of their program design, and to stimulate U.S. 
private sector (foundation and corporate) support.

Funding

    Organizations with less than four years of successful experience in 
managing international exchange programs are limited to $60,000.
    Competition for USIA funding support is keen. The final selection 
of a grantee institution will depend on assessment of proposals 
according to the review criteria delineated below.
    While applicants must provide on all-inclusive budget with the 
proposal, they are also encouraged to include separate sub-budgets for 
each program component, phase, location or activity.
    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) includes review by the recipient's independent auditor of a 
recipient-prepared supplemental schedule of indirect cost rate 
computation, if such a rate is being proposed.
    The audit costs shall be identified separately for: (1) Preparation 
of basic financial statements and other accounting services; and (2) 
preparation of the supplemental reports and schedules required by OMB 
Circular No. A-133, AICPA SOP 92-9, and the review of the supplemental 
schedule of indirect cost rate computation.
    USIA will consider funding the following project costs:
    1. International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs 
(e.g., airport taxes); ground transportation costs.
    2. Per diem: For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of 
using a flat $140/day for international participants or the published 
Federal Travel Regulations per diem rates for individual American 
cities. NOTE: U.S. escorting staff must use the published federal per 
diem rates, not the flat rate. For activities overseas, the Standard 
Government Travel Regulations per diem rates must be used.
    3. Interpreters: For the U.S. program interpreters 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 DOS 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 a one-
time cultural allowance of $150 per person, plus a book allowance of 
$50. Escorts are reimbursed for actual cultural expenses up to $150. 
U.S. staff do not get these benefits.
    5. Consultants: May be used to provide specialized expertise or to 
make presentations. Honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per day. 
Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the 
written contract(s) must be included in the proposal.
    6. Room rental: Generally should not exceed $250 per day.
    7. Materials Development: Proposals may contain costs to purchase, 
develop and translate materials for participants. USIA reserves the 
rights to these materials for future use.
    8. One working meal per project: Per capita cost may not exceed $5-
8 per lunch and $14-20 per dinner, excluding room rental. The number of 
invited guests may not exceed the number of participants by more than a 
factor of two to one.
    9. Return travel allowance: $70 for each participant which is to be 
used for incidental expenditures incurred during international travel.
    10. 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.
    E/P encourages cost-sharing, which 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. The basis for 
determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, Attachment E, ``Cost-sharing and 
Matching,'' and should be described in the proposal. In the event the 
Recipient does not meet the minimum amount of cost-sharing as 
stipulated in the Recipient's budget, the Agency's contribution will be 
reduced in proportion to the Recipient's contribution.
    Please note: All 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.

Application Requirements

    Proposals must be structured in accordance with the instructions 
contained in the Application Package. Confirmation letters from U.S. 
and foreign co-sponsors noting their intention to participate in the 
program will enhance a proposal.

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 Package.
    Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of USIA officers for 
advisory review. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
appropriate geographic area offices and the budget and contract 
offices. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of General 
Counsel or other Agency offices. Funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Associate Director for Educational and Cultural 
Affairs. Final technical authority for grant awards resides with USIA's 
contracting officer. The award of any grant is subject to availability 
of funds.
    The U.S. Government reserves the right to reject any or all 
applications received. USIA will not pay for design and development 
costs associated with submitting a proposal. Applications are submitted 
at the risk of the applicant; should circumstances prevent award of a 
grant, all preparation and submission costs are at the applicant's 
expense. USIA will not award funds for activities conducted prior to 
the actual grant award.

Review Criteria

    USIA will consider proposals based on the following criteria:
    1. Quality of Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit originality, 
substance, rigor, and relevance to the Agency mission. They should 
demonstrate the matching of U.S. resources to a clearly defined need.
    2. Institutional Reputation and Ability: Applicant institutions 
should demonstrate their potential for excellence in program design and 
implementation and/or provide documentation of successful programs. If 
an applicant is a previous USIA grant recipient, responsible fiscal 
management and full compliance with all reporting requirements for past 
Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office of Contracts (M/KG) will 
be considered. Relevant substantive evaluations of previous projects 
may also be considered in this assessment.
    3. Project Personnel. The thematic and logistical expertise of 
project personnel should be relevant to the proposed program. Resumes 
or C.V.s should be relevant to the specific proposal and no longer than 
two pages each.
    4. Program Planning: A detailed agenda and relevant work plan 
should demonstrate substantive rigor and logistical capacity.
    5. Thematic Expertise: Proposal should demonstrate the 
organization's expertise in the subject area which promises an 
effective sharing of information.
    6. Cross-Cultural Sensitivity and Area Expertise: Evidence should 
be provided of sensitivity to historical, linguistic, religious, and 
other cross-cultural factors, as well as relevant knowledge of the 
target geographic area/country.
    7. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be 
realistic and feasible. The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the 
grantee institution will meet program objectives.
    8. Multiplier Effect: Proposed programs should strengthen long-term 
mutual understanding and contribute to maximum sharing of information 
and establishment of long-term institutional and individual ties.
    9. Cost-Effectiveness: Cost to USIA per exchange participant 
(American and foreign) should be kept to a minimum, and all items 
proposed for USIA funding should be necessary and appropriate to 
achieve the program's objectives.
    10. Cost-Sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through 
other private sector support as well as direct funding contributions 
and/or in-kind support from the prospective grantee institution and its 
partners.
    11. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued exchange activity (without USIA support) which ensures that 
USIA-supported programs are not isolated events.
    12. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success. USIA recommends that the proposal include a 
draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus description of a 
methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives. 
Grantees will be expected to submit intermediate reports after each 
project component is considered or quarterly, whichever is less 
frequent.

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 which contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on 
the part of the U.S. Government. Awards cannot be made until funds have 
been fully appropriated by Congress and allocated and committed through 
internal USIA procedures.

Notification

    All applicants will be notified of the results of the review 
process on or about August 1, 1994. Awarded grants will be subject to 
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: February 10, 1994.
Barry Fulton,
Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-4202 Filed 2-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M