[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 240 (Thursday, December 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30842]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 15, 1994]


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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 Education and Cultural Affairs announces 
an open competition for an assistance award program. Public or private 
nonprofit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS 
regulation 501(c)(3) 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 Educational 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 applications 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 Fall Discretionary Grant Program. The 
announcement number is E/P-95-29. Please refer to title and 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, D.C. time on Friday, March 10, 
1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents 
postmarked on March 10, 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 March 10, 1995, for projects 
where activities will begin between July 1, 1995 and December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Interested organizations/institutions 
must contact the Office of Citizen 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 correspondences 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-95-29 Spring Discretionary Grant 
Competition, Grants Management Division (E/XE), 301 4th Street, S.W., 
Room 336, Washington, D.C. 20547.

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 Citizen 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 economic, business, political analysis, international 
affairs), business professionals, NGO leaders, environmental 
specialists, parliamentarians, educators, economic planning, 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, the amount 
of funds for that part of the world in this competition will be 
extremely limited. Proposals which would normally be considered for 
other USIA grant competitions will not be accepted. E/P encourages 
organizations to seek clarification on these points before presenting a 
proposal.
    Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Baltics (EU): Projects are 
encouraged involving Western Europe (including Canada). Priority will 
be given to projects relating to conflict resolution, tolerance, 
diversity, and the environment. Due to the fact that the Office has or 
is in the process of conducting specific competitions in Eastern Europe 
and the Baltics, we will not accept proposals for youth exchange 
programs or for programs in the following thematic areas: public 
administration, business management, independent media development, 
journalism training, and local government administration and municipal 
management.
    East Asia and the Pacific (EA): Priority consideration will be 
given to regional or subregional proposals that focus on the following 
themes: (1) APEC-related economic and trade issues; (2) The information 
superhighway: technological changes and effects on the individual and 
society; (3) Press professionalism, press ethics and good governance; 
and (4) The evolving security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.
    American Republics (AR): Priority will be given to projects in the 
following areas: Civil-military relations, effective administration/
decentralization, American studies, judicial reform, and the 
protection/promotion of minority and indigenous rights. Preference will 
be given to projects involving Haiti which focus on: democracy 
building, support for indigenous non-governmental organization (NGOs), 
and the environment.
    Africa (AF): While proposals in all fields are encouraged, emphasis 
will be given to proposals which focus on strengthening democratic 
institutions.
    North Africa, Near East and South Asia (NEA): Priority will be 
given to projects which promote civil society, democratization, 
economic reform, free markets, tolerance and pluralism, conflict 
resolution, and Israeli and Arab understanding.
    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; neither 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 travelled 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 proposals.
    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, 1995, competition 
details will be announced in the Federal Register on or about June 1, 
1995. Inquiries concerning technical requirements are welcome prior to 
submission of applications.

Funding

    Although no set funding limit exists, proposals for less than 
$150,000 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, 
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 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 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) 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.
    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 on 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 as 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 awards 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 substance 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. Proposal 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.
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program 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 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 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 June 1, 1995. Awarded grants will be subject to 
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: December 8, 1994.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-30842 Filed 12-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M