[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20584]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 25, 1994]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
College and University Affiliations Program (CUAP) (formerly
``University Affiliations Program''); Application Notice for Fiscal
Year 1995
ACTION: Notice--request for prospectuses.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs of the United States
Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition to award grants to post-secondary
educational institutions for academic exchange programs.
This is a two-step competition. For Step I, interested institutions
whose proposed projects are eligible in terms of partner country(ies)
and academic discipline(s) (see below) should submit a five-page,
double-spaced prospectus. Agency panels will review prospectuses
according to the established review criteria listed below.
In Step II, approximately forty-five to fifty institutions will be
invited to submit comprehensive proposals which will be reviewed by
independent academic review panels and by an Agency panel. Subject to
the availability of funds, 16-20 grants will then be awarded in Fiscal
Year 1995 with a minimum of two grants for each geographic region
(described below).
Overall grant making and funding authority for this program is
contained in Fulbright-Hays Act, also known as the Mutual Educational
and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Public Law 87-256. 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.''
Projects must conform with Agency requirements and guidelines
outlined in this announcement. USIA projects and programs are subject
to the availability of funds.
ANNOUNCEMENT NAME AND NUMBER: All communications with USIA concerning
this announcement should refer to the above title and reference number
E/ASU-94-01.
DATES:
Step I deadline: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday, October
7, 1994. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents
postmarked on October 7, 1994, but received at a later date. It is the
responsibility of each applicant to ensure that prospectuses are
received by the above deadline.
Step II schedule: Those applicants with successful prospectuses
will be invited on or about November 30, 1994 to submit comprehensive
proposals due at the Agency on or about February 22, 1995. Final awards
will be made on or about August 1, 1995.
Program dates: Grants should begin on September 1, 1995.
Program duration: September 1, 1995-August 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Sue Borja or Ms. Deborah Trent, College and University Affiliations
Program (CUAP), E/ASU, Room 349, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, phone: (202) 619-5289, fax: (202)
401-1433, e-mail: [email protected]. Interested applicants should read
the complete Federal Register announcement before addressing inquiries
to the CUAP staff or submitting their prospectuses. Please note that
there is no separate application package. All information necessary for
submitting a prospectus is contained in the RFP.
Once the deadline for submission of the comprehensive proposal has
passed, the CUAP staff may not discuss this competition in any way with
applicants until after the Bureau proposal review process has been
completed.
ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in this
announcement and send only complete applications including the original
and 10 complete copies along with a 3\1/2\'' diskette (DOS compatible
software includes Wordperfect, microsoft word and ASCII) to: U.S.
Information Agency, Ref.: E/ASU-95-01, Office of Grants Management, E/
XE, Room 336, 301 4th St., S.W., Washington, DC 20547.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing
legislation, programs must maintain a nonpolitical 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 objectives of the College and University Affiliations program
are to:
Promote institutional linkages between U.S. and foreign
institutions of higher education in academic disciplines and in
countries and regions without significant, privately funded exchanges.
Provide significant mutual benefit to both the U.S. and
foreign institutions involved in the exchanges.
Support current Agency disciplinary and geographic
programming priorities.
Develop skills and knowledge and advance scholarship and
teaching in the disciplines supported through the program.
Advance mutual understanding between the U.S. and the
countries or regions represented in the linkages.
Complement the individual lectureship, research and
graduate study fellowships available under Fulbright and other Agency
auspices.
Increase international academic exchange by two-year and
small, four-year colleges and schools, especially community colleges
and those with significant minority student enrollments.
Ensure a wide-ranging distribution of grants
geographically throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Support linkages which have institutional backing and cost
sharing from both the U.S. and foreign institution.
Foster long-term, active relationships between the
affiliated institutions after Agency funding has terminated.
Program Guidelines
Exchange visits will involve some combination of the following
activities: teaching, lecturing, research, faculty and curriculum
development, and community outreach directly related to the purpose of
the affiliation. The ideal and most competitive projects will
constitute a well-reasoned combination of all of these activities. The
exchange visits to all partner institutions must be for one month or
more with the exception of planning visits which may be for shorter
periods. Three-month or one-semester visits are strongly preferred and
projects with longer lengths of stay will be more competitive.
Acceptable projects will be to either establish new affiliations or
to innovate and strengthen existing partnerships, not merely to extend
projects previously funded by the College and University Affiliations
Program (formerly the ``University Affiliations Program''), other USIA
linkage programs or similar linkage programs funded by other U.S.
government agencies. Projects for technical or development assistance
and feasibility studies to plan affiliations will not be considered.
Research projects must include collaboration by researchers from
participating institutions and be linked to substantial participation
in graduate-level seminars.
The competition, as described in the separate section below on
geographic area programs, is limited to selected countries and academic
disciplines which represent USIA's geographic and academic priorities
for the College and University Affiliations Program.
U.S. institutions are responsible for submitting the application
and should collaborate with their foreign partners in planning and
preparation. U.S. and foreign institutions are encouraged to consult
with the appropriate U.S. Information Service (USIS) office and/or
Fulbright Commission about the proposed project.
Eligibility
In the U.S. participation in the program is open to accredited two-
and four-year colleges and universities, including graduate schools. An
application from a U.S. consortium must be submitted by a member
institution with authority to represent the consortium. Overseas,
participation is limited to recognized, degree-granting institutions of
post-secondary education and internationally recognized and highly
regarded independent research institutes. Participants representing the
U.S. institution who are traveling under USIA grant support must be
U.S. citizens. Participants representing the foreign institutions must
be citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the country of the
foreign partner and be qualified to hold a valid passport. In the case
of a partnership with an institution in one of the New Independent
States (NIS), foreign participants with citizenship in any of the NIS
will be eligible.
The Agency encourages projects from eligible Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions in the U.S.
with significant minority student enrollment. Consortia of colleges and
universities including such institutions are also encouraged to apply.
Ineligibility
A project will be deemed technically ineligible if:
(1) It does not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein
and the application requirements stated below;
(2) It is not received by the deadline;
(3) The length of the proposed project is less than three years;
(4) It is not submitted by the U.S. partner;
(5) One of the partner institutions is ineligible;
(6) The foreign geographic location is ineligible;
(7) The project involves a partnership with more than one country
(with the exception of the North American trilateral and APEC
components);
(8) The field of study is ineligible.
Proposed Budget
A budget is not required with the prospectus submission. However a
comprehensive, line-item budget will be required of those applicants
invited to submit a comprehensive proposal and complete budget
guidelines will be given at that time. Each budget award will not
exceed a total of $120,000 for three years.
The following is a brief outline of allowable costs for the
program:
(1) International economy-class airfare for participants. Travel
must be on U.S. flag carriers wherever such routes exist.
(2) Project-related domestic travel to other academic institutions,
libraries for research, and conferences, while in the host country.
International and domestic travel costs for all participants funded by
the Agency must be based upon economy fare.
(3) Per diem for housing, meals, and incidentals.
(4) Educational materials, excluding computer hardware and audio-
visual equipment, not to exceed $12,000 for three years.
(5) One planning trip for one participant per institution.
(6) Medical insurance for foreign participants only, while on
project-related travel to the U.S. Medical insurance is compulsory for
all U.S. and foreign participants.
(7) All direct administrative costs associated with grant
activities are not to exceed 20% of the total grant amount.
Unallowable costs:
(1) Expenses for student exchanges.
(2) Travel and per diem for dependents.
(3) Any costs for non-U.S. citizens or nationals from U.S.
institutions, or citizens of other than the host country representing
foreign institutions (except for the New Independent States as stated
in the eligibility section above).
(4) Any indirect administrative costs.
Note: Grants awarded to eligible U.S. organizations with less
than four years of experience in conducting international exchange
programs will be limited to $60,000.
Geographic Area Programs
The program invites prospectuses, for two-way projects only
(involving the U.S. and one foreign country) except for the North
American Trilateral (Canada-U.S.-Mexico) and APEC (Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation) exchanges. Prospectuses may encompass one or more
eligible academic disciplines.
American studies includes the fields of American history
civilization, literature, social sciences, and art.
Africa
Eligibility is open to all sub-Saharan African countries except for
the following: Angola, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic,
Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Rwanda, Somalia, and Zaire. Eligible
academic disciplines are limited to the social sciences, humanities,
the arts, business administration, education, educational
administration, law, and environmental studies.
Prospectuses which focus on democratic institution-building,
including economic reform, and prospectuses which focus on conflict
resolution and ``Rule of Law'' are also encouraged.
American Republics\1\
Eligible countries and academic fields and limited to: Argentina,
Belize (two-year U.S. institutions encouraged), Bolivia, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago,
Uruguay and Venezuela. Eligible academic disciplines are American
studies; archaeology; business administration; English as a Second
Language; journalism; law; humanities; social sciences; public
administration; environmental studies; minority and ethnic studies;
higher education planning, administration, and reform; and
international economics and trade. Prospectuses may focus on one or
more of these fields.
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\1\The program invites prospectuses for two-way projects only
(involving the U.S. and one foreign country) except for North
American Trilateral (Canada-U.S.-Mexico) exchanges described below.
Prospectuses can focus on one or more eligible academic discipline.
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East Asia/Pacific\2\
Eligible countries and academic fields are limited to: Australia
(international trade and business studies, humanities, public
administration, international affairs); Papua New Guinea (limited to
education, social sciences, humanities at University of Papua New
Guinea's Goroka campus in Eastern Highlands Province); People's
Republic of China: Tibet Autonomous Region and Southwest China (Sichuan
and Yunnan provinces) (English language teaching and area studies);
Philippines (American studies, economics and trade, environmental
studies, and conflict resolution)--please note that interdisciplinary
and innovative uses of Internet are encouraged; and Singapore
(journalism/mass communications; American studies, particularly
American literature; performing arts).
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\2\The program invites prospectuses for two-way projects only
(involving the U.S. and one foreign country) except for APEC (Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation) exchanges described below.
Prospectuses can focus on one or more eligible academic discipline.
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Europe
Western Europe
Eligible in Western Europe are Turkey, in the fields of American
studies and Islamic studies (linkages outside of Ankara are
encouraged), Malta, and the five New States of the Former East Germany
(Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern). The eligible academic fields for Malta and the German
states are social sciences, humanities, American studies/area and
country studies, education, environmental studies, the arts, and law.
East/Central Europe
For East/Central Europe eligible countries are limited to: Albania,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary (for Hungary note
specified fields below), Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania,
Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. Eligible academic disciplines are
limited to the social sciences, humanities, American studies, area and
country studies, education, environmental studies, the arts, and law.
Possible areas within those disciplines include but are not limited to
communications/journalism, library science, sociology, and social work.
Prospectuses which focus on conflict resolution are also encouraged.
(Note: For Hungary, proposals will only be accepted in American
studies, communications/journalism, educational administration, and
political science. Prospectuses dealing with American studies and
political science should specifically target the development of a
doctoral program at a Hungarian institution in these fields).
New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union
Eligibility is limited to the following NIS countries: Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzia, Moldova, the
Russian Federation (limited to institutions outside of Moscow and St.
Petersburg), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Eligible academic disciplines are limited to the social sciences,
humanities, the arts, education administration, and environmental
studies. Possible areas within those disciplines include but are not
limited to communications/journalism, library science, sociology, and
social work. Prospectuses which focus on American studies, area and
country studies or conflict resolution are encouraged. For Georgia,
Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, prospectuses in
business administration, economics, public administration, and law are
also encouraged.
Please Note: Programs with Azerbaijan are subject to
restrictions of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992:
Employees of the Government of Azerbaijan or any of its
instrumentalities are excluded from participation and no U.S.
participation overseas may work for the Government of Azerbaijan
and/or its instrumentalities. In addition, the Government of
Azerbaijan and/or its instrumentalities will have no control in the
actual selection of the participants.
North Africa/Near East/South Asia
Eligible countries/regions are limited to: Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Egypt, India, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab, Emirates,
West Bank, and Gaza. Eligible academic disciplines are limited to the
social sciences, humanities, the arts business administration,
communications/journalism, education, and environmental studies.
Prospectuses in Islamic or American studies or prospectuses which focus
on conflict resolution are also encouraged.
North American Trilateral Exchanges
Canada-U.S.-Mexico
The Agency invites prospectuses for three-way projects linking an
institution in the U.S. with institutions in Canada and Mexico.
Eligible academic disciplines are: The arts, humanities, comparative
education and culture, business, trade, economics, and environmental
studies.
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Exchanges
U.S. and two other APEC Members
The Agency invites prospectuses for three-way projects linking an
institution in the U.S. with institutions in two other APEC member
economies. The eligible APEC members are: Australia, Brunei, China,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New
Guinea, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei. Note:
Canada and Mexico are not included as eligible member economies for
this program to avoid duplication with the North American Trilateral
Exchanges Program.
Prospectuses that address issues concerned with regional economic
growth and development and that envision a community of Asia Pacific
economies are desired. Priority will be given to prospectuses with a
regional emphasis that focus on one or more of these academic
disciplines: economics (with emphasis on international economics or
trade and investment flows), business administration (with an emphasis
on marketing and international business) and the environment (with
emphasis on sustained growth and the environment).
Step I--Application Requirements for Prospectuses
Each prospectus must be signed by a Dean, Department Chair,
International Programs Director, or other institutional official of
similar rank. Such signatures will indicate an understanding of the
following requirement for comprehensive proposals to be invited at the
conclusion of the prospectus review: invited comprehensive proposals
will be required to include documentation of institutional support for
the proposed linkage including signed letters of endorsement from the
U.S. and foreign institutions' presidents, chancellors, or directors
committing the institution to maintaining exchange participants on
salary and benefits.
Propsectuses must not exceed five, double-spaced pages and must
include the following information in the order given:
(1) Project title;
(2) U.S. institution, department, and project director with
complete contact information (address and phone and fax numbers);
(3) Partner institution, department, and brief description of
institution;
(4) Academic discipline(s)/subject matter/sub-topics/foci;
(5) Project summary;
(6) Project objectives, statement of need;
(7) Outline of proposed activities (some combination of research,
faculty and staff exchange, curriculum development, community outreach,
etc.);
(8) Contacts between partner institutions made to date;
(9) Proposed project faculty and staff participants for all partner
institutions;
(10) Anticipated results/benefits to partner institutions;
(11) Long term impact.
In addition, the prospectus must have as an attachment the U.S.
Project Director's curriculum vitae which must not exceed two pages.
Review Process: USIA will acknowledge receipt of all prospectuses and
will review them for technical eligibility. Prospectuses will be deemed
ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein.
Eligible prospectuses will be forwarded to a panel of USIA officers for
advisory review. This review will include the Office of Academic
Programs, the USIA geographic area offices, and USIA posts overseas.
Review Criteria: An Agency panel will review each technically eligible
prospectus by the following criteria:
(1) Quality of program idea;
(2) Potential to advance scholarship, teaching, and mutual
understanding in partner institutions;
(3) Feasibility;
(4) Adequacy of resources;
(5) Degree to which project complements other country/regional
exchange programs;
(6) Furtherance of geographic/institutional diversity. The
participation of community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions with significant minority
student enrollments is strongly encouraged.
Step II--Application Process for Comprehensive Proposals
The Agency will select approximately 45 to 50 prospectuses which
most closely address the goals and guidelines set forth above and
invite those applicants to submit comprehensive proposals under the
following guidelines and review criteria.
Applicants invited to submit a comprehensive proposal will be asked
to include the following information:
(1) A proposal cover sheet (in addition to the Bureau cover sheet)
with names of both institutions, name of foreign country, project
directors including their addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and
academic field(s) of proposal. A sample cover sheet format will be
included in the letter of invitation.
(2) An executive summary (abstract) of proposed project, not to
exceed two double-spaced pages.
(3) A narrative, not to exceed twenty double-spaced pages,
including (a) concise descriptions of institutions and participating
academic departments or schools; (b) a detailed description of the
proposed affiliation program, including names and qualifications of
designated project directors; (c) a statement of need for the proposed
program; (d) a detailed plan and chronology of exchange activities,
including who will travel, when, where, and how activities will occur
for each of the three years; (e) the program's anticipated benefits to
participating institutions; (f) evidence of the institutions'
commitment to the internationalization of their academic programs,
e.g., through international partnerships, student exchanges, etc.; (g)
a plan for institutional evaluation of the project; and (h) evidence
that the partnership is likely to continue after the USIA grant
expires.
(4) A comprehensive line item budget for the three-year program,
outlining specific expenditures and sources from which funds are
anticipated. Detailed information concerning eligible and ineligible
items and required budget format will be available in the letter of
invitation.
(5) Documentation of institutional support for the proposed
linkage, including signed letters of endorsement from the U.S. and
foreign institutions' presidents, chancellors, or directors, making
specific reference to the 1995 College and University Affiliations
Program and committing their participating institution(s) to
maintaining their exchange participants on salary and benefits during
the exchange. A general letter of support or an agreement between the
two institutions without reference to the maintenance of salaries and
benefits will not fulfill this requirement.
A grace period will be granted to applicants for the submission of
the foreign letter of support only. One original and 10 copies of the
letter must be received by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on March 8,
1995. A sample letter of endorsement and commitment will be included in
the letter of invitation.
(6) Brief academic resumes, not to exceed two single-spaced pages
each, of participating faculty/staff from both institutions, clearly
indicating level of language skills, overseas experience, knowledge of
prospective partner country, relevant scholarly and non-scholarly
travel, publications, professional memberships, and research
activities. Note: All pages in excess of the two-page limit will be
discarded.
(7) A list of past and present international institutional linkages
(for the U.S. partner). Include linkages and other projects supported
by USIA and other U.S. government agencies. Also note any pending grant
applications submitted to other USIA programs.
Review Process: The College and University Affiliations Program review
process for invited institutions will be conducted in three stages:
Technical, Academic, and Agency.
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 letter
of invitation. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to outside academic
panel(s) and Agency panel(s) for advisory review. All eligible
proposals will also be reviewed by the Agency's contracts offices, as
well as the Office of Academic Programs, the USIA geographic area
office, and the USIA post overseas. 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 grants
resides with the USIA grants officer.
Review Criteria
Academic Review Criteria
Proposals are reviewed by independent academic peer panels with
geographic and disciplinary expertise which make comments and
recommendations to the Agency based on the following criteria:
(1) Useful and appropriate faculty and curriculum development
activities.
(2) Feasibility of the program plan as it relates to the stated
goals and selected topics and activities.
(3) Promise of the production of new skills/knowledge and
advancement of scholarship and teaching in fields covered by the
program.
(4) Academic quality of credentials/experience of participants in
relation to the goals of the proposed exchange plan (including
linguistic proficiency, where required).
(5) Length of exchange visits in furtherance of project goals.
Longer visits up to a full academic semester are preferred.
(6) Evidence of strong institutional commitment by participating
institutions.
(7) Evidence of a strong commitment to internationalization of
their academic programs by participating institutions.
(8) For proposals whose primary activity is research: inclusion of
collaboration by researchers from both institutions, linked to
substantial participation in graduate-level seminars.
(9) Presentation of a detailed evaluation plan.
Agency Review Criteria
Agency considerations will be based on:
(1) Clear indication that the proposal seeks to establish a
reciprocal and mutually beneficial institutional affiliation overseas
or to innovate an existing affiliation.
(2) Evidence of mutual advancement of cultural and political
understanding of the countries or geographic areas represented in the
partnership through development of individual and institutional ties.
(3) Academic quality, reflected in academic review panel's comments
and recommendations.
(4) Institutional and geographic diversity of the U.S. and overseas
partner.
(5) USIA overseas post assessments of need and feasibility.
(6) Promise of long-term impact.
(7) Cost-effectiveness.
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. Final awards cannot be made until funds
have been fully appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed
through internal USIA procedures.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the results of the prospectus
review process no later than Friday, December 16, 1994. Selected
institutions will be invited to submit comprehensive proposals due on
or about February 22, 1995. Final awards will be made on or about
August 1, 1995. Awarded grants will be subject to periodic reporting
and evaluation requirements.
Dated: August 17, 1994.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-20584 Filed 8-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-05-M