[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3925-3929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1177]



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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Sustainable Growth

ACTION: Notice--Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) announces a competitive 
grants program for nonprofit organizations in support of projects on 
the theme of Sustainable Growth for audiences in the following 
geographical areas: Sub-saharan Africa; American Republics; East Asia; 
Eastern Europe and the NIS; Middle East; and Western Europe. USIA 
particularly is seeking projects which link American institutions and 
specialists with partners overseas. New and creative approaches to the 
issue of sustainable growth will be especially welcome. Proposals which 
request USIA funding of less than $135,000 and which include 
significant cost sharing will be deemed more competitive.
    Interested applicants are urged to read the complete Federal 
Register announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office or 
submitting their proposals.
    After the deadline for submitting proposals, USIA officers may not 
discuss this competition in any way with applicants until final 
decisions are made.
    Announcement name and number: All communications concerning this 
announcement should refer to the Sustainable Growth Grant Program, 
announcement number E/P-95-43. 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, DC time on March 3, 1995. 
Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents postmarked on 
March 3, 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 .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Interested organizations/institutions must contact the Office of 
Citizen Exchanges, E/P, Room 216, United States Information Agency, 301 
Fourth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone (202) 619-5326, fax 
(202) 260-0437, 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 on programmatic matters to the USIA 
Officer identified under each geographic heading.

ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Proposal Submission Instructions and send only complete applications 
to: U.S. Information Agency, REF: E/P-95-43 Sustainable Growth Grant 
Competition, Grants Management Division (E/XE), 301 Fourth Street, SW., 
Room 336, Washington, DC 20547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the legislation authorizing the 
Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, 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 their international interests.

Guidelines

    Applicants should carefully note the following restrictions and 
recommendations for proposals in specific geographical areas:

Africa, Sub-Saharan

Economics and the Environment in Africa
    Proposals are invited to conduct a person for 3-4 countries in one 
subregion of Africa (Southern or Eastern or Western Africa) to address 
environmental issues and their relationship to economic planning. The 
program should encourage coordination of efforts among the African 
countries, and it should include at least two phases, one of which 
would bring African specialists to the U.S., and the other would send 
U.S. specialists to the selected African subregion. Issues which might 
be addressed (not necessarily all) include wildlife protection, 
national parks, environmental law, population dynamics, ecosystem 
protection, and relationship of such issues to national development 
planning. Inquiries should be directed to Program Specialist Stephen 
Taylor, (202) 619-5319, Internet [email protected]
Cultural Property, Tourism, and Economic Development
    Proposals are invited to conduct a program for African specialists 
which would contribute to preservation of 

[[Page 3926]]
cultural property and national heritage, help publicize cultural 
attractions and encourage tourism, and address the relationships of 
these goals to economic planning. The program should address the roles 
of citizen and government action and encourage cooperation among 
African countries and the U.S. on these goals. It should also analyze 
relevant legislation, such as the 1970 UNESCO Convention on Cultural 
Property and the U.S. Cultural Property Act of 1983. The program should 
include at least two phases, one of which would bring African 
specialists to the U.S., and the other would send U.S. specialists to 
the selected African countries. Inquiries should be directed to Program 
Specialist Charlotte Peterson, (202) 619-5319, Internet 
[email protected]
Trade and Sustainable Growth
    Proposals are invited to conduct a program for participants from 4-
5 African countries which would address issues of trade and investment 
policies and their relation to national development planning. Issues to 
be addressed might include incentives for foreign investment, local 
benefits and problems from foreign investment, impact of tariffs, 
currency devaluation, development of new exports, and international 
marketing. Participants in the program might include entrepreneurs, 
representatives of business associations, government representatives 
(executive and legislative) or others with influence on these issues. 
The program should be comprised of at least two phases, one of which 
would bring African specialists to the U.S. and the other would send 
U.S. counterparts to participating African countries. Inquiries should 
be directed to Program Specialist Stephen Taylor, (202) 619-5319, 
Internet [email protected]

American Republics

    In most of this hemisphere, governments, economists, and various 
``technocratic'' experts have come to believe that open markets and 
minimal government restraint on commercial practices lead to higher 
macro-economic growth rates. But others fear this approach leaves many 
businesses and their employees behind, ill-equipped to respond to the 
rough-and-tumble realities of domestic and international competition. 
USIA seeks proposals that will utilize exchanges to demonstrate that, 
while innovation and competition inevitably displace some individuals, 
the increased competition usually leads to greater prosperity not just 
for entrepreneurs, but for most citizens. Programs which illustrate 
this through visits to and by the citizens of areas affected by 
business, plant and base closings, the depletion of mineral deposits, 
the imposition of new environmental standards, etc., are more likely to 
have an impact than programs relying solely on extended round-table 
discussions of macro-economic theory and exposure to national economic 
policy. Priority will be given to projects dealing with logical sub-
regional groupings of no more than four countries (e.g., Central 
America, the Caribbean, Andean nations, etc.), or to single-country 
projects in large nations with enormous disparities between rich and 
poor (e.g., Brazil and Mexico). Inquiries should be directed to Program 
Specialist Laverne Johnson, (202) 619-5326, Internet [email protected]

East Asia

Burmese Environmental Project
    Proposals are invited to conduct a project that provides an 
exchange between Burmese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and U.S. 
NGOs to examine, through workshops and professional consultation, the 
role of NGOs in grassroots environmental education and awareness, and 
the use and promotion of environmentally-appropriate technologies in 
developing countries.
Burmese Cultural Heritage
    Proposals are invited to conduct a project for Burmese NGO 
representatives, academics, and selected government officials to 
examine problems of cultural and natural heritage preservation in the 
face of economic development, and the role of citizen and government 
action. Projects would examine U.S. approaches to historic preservation 
and rational economic development.
Thai Cultural Heritage
    Project for Thai NGO activists, journalists and selected government 
officials to examine problems of cultural and natural heritage 
preservation in the face of economic development, and the role of 
citizen and government action. Projects would examine U.S. approaches 
to historic preservation and rational economic development. Inquiries 
should be directed to Program Specialist Elroy Carlson, (202) 619-5326, 
Internet [email protected]

Middle East

Environmental Education in the Eastern Mediterranean
    Proposals are invited for a program to assist scientists and 
educators in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean (Syria, Jordan, 
Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority) in developing 
national and regional approaches to incorporating environmental 
research into university and secondary educational curricula, 
developing formal environmental education, and promoting general public 
environmental awareness. The program should include at least two 
phases, one of which would bring Middle Eastern specialists to the U.S. 
for approximately one month to consult and work with American 
specialists on developing curricula, texts, strategies for outreach, 
and the like. The other phase would send U.S. specialists who had 
participated in phase one to the Eastern Mediterranean to conduct, in 
collaboration with their Middle Eastern counterparts, activities such 
as teacher-training workshops, network building across participant 
countries, setting plans for cross-country collaboration of educators 
and their outreach to communities and governments. Inquiries should be 
directed to Program Specialist Thomas Johnston, (202) 619-5319, 
Internet [email protected]
Water Resources Management in the Gulf States
    Proposals are invited for a multi-phased program to address the 
interrelated issues of water resources management, environmental 
protection, and sustainable economic development in Kuwait, Saudi 
Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Emphasis should 
be given to facilitating interaction among specialists in these 
countries and U.S. counterparts for the sharing of ideas and to develop 
a feasible plan for governmental and NGO action in addressing these 
topics. The program design should include activities in both the United 
States and the Gulf which would cover an assessment of needs, 
development of collaborative networks and action agendas, as well as 
outreach to wider audiences. At least one phase would bring specialists 
from the Gulf to the U.S. and one phase would send U.S. specialists to 
the Gulf. Inquiries should be directed to Program Specialist Thomas 
Johnston, (202) 619-5319, Internet [email protected]

Western Europe

Pacific Northwest Environment Cooperation
    USIA seeks a proposal designed to exchange environmental experts 
between the states of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. The 
exchange would involve environmental 

[[Page 3927]]
leaders, specialists in environmental law, and representatives of the 
governments of British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, who would 
arrange for reciprocal visits to research comparative environmental law 
in their jurisdictions, culminating in their drafting recommendations 
to their respective governments. Inquiries should be directed to 
Program Specialist Christina Miner, (202) 619-5319, Internet 
[email protected]

Program Parameters

    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; e.g., 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 types 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 U.S. internships include letters tentatively committing host 
institutions to support the internships. In the selection of foreign 
participants, USIA and USIS posts retain the right to nominate all 
participants and to accept or deny participants recommended by grantee 
institutions. However, grantee institutions are often asked by USIA to 
suggest names of potential participants. The grantee institution will 
also provide the names of American participants and brief (two pages) 
biographical data on each American participant to the Office of Citizen 
Exchanges for information purposes. Priority will be given to foreign 
participants who have not previously traveled to the United States.

Additional Guidance

    The Office of Citizen Exchanges offers the following additional 
guidance to prospective applicants:
    1. Except where noted in the text, the Office of Citizen Exchanges 
encourages project proposals involving more than one country. Pertinent 
rationale which links countries in multi-country projects should be 
included in the submission. Single-country projects that are clearly 
defined and possess the potential for creating and strengthening 
continuing linkages between foreign and U.S. institutions are also 
welcome.
    2. Proposals for bilateral programs are subject to review and 
comment by the USIS post in the relevant country, and pre-selected 
participants will also be subject to USIS post review.
    3. Bilateral programs should clearly identify the counterpart 
organization and provide evidence of the organization's participation.
    4. The Office of Citizen Exchanges will consider proposals for 
activities which take place exclusively in other countries when USIS 
posts are consulted in the design of the proposed program and in the 
choice of the most suitable venues for such programs.
    5. Office of Citizen Exchanges grants are not given to support 
projects whose focus is limited to technical or vocational subjects, or 
for research projects, for publications funding, for student and/or 
teacher/faculty exchanges, for sports and/or sports related programs. 
Nor does this Office provide scholarships or support for long-term (a 
semester or more) academic studies.

Funding

    Proposals which request USIA funding of less than $135,000 and 
which include significant cost sharing will be deemed more competitive. 
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. 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. 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.

Eligible Costs

    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. 

[[Page 3928]]
Grant proposal budgets should contain a flat $140/day per diem for each 
Department of State interpreter, as well as home-program-home air 
transportation of $400 per interpreter plus any U.S. travel expenses 
during the program. Salary expenses are covered centrally and should 
not be part of an applicant's proposed budget.
    4. Book and cultural allowance. Participants are entitled to and 
escorts are reimbursed a one-time cultural allowance of $150 per 
person, plus a participant book allowance of $50. U.S. staff do not get 
these benefits.
    5. Consultants. May be used to provide specialized expertise or to 
make presentations. Daily honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per 
day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the 
written agreement between the prospective grantee and subcontractor 
should be included in the proposal.
    6. Room rental, which generally should not exceed $250 per day.
    7. Materials development. Proposals may contain costs to purchase, 
develop, and translate materials for participants.
    8. One working meal per project. Per capita costs may not exceed 
$5-8 for a lunch and $14-20 for a dinner; excluding room rental. The 
number of invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a 
factor of two to one.
    9. A return travel allowance of $70 for each participant which is 
to be used for incidental expenditures incurred during international 
travel.
    10. In most cases, USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the 
terms of a USIA-sponsored health insurance policy with the premium is 
paid by USIA directly to the insurance company. For additional 
information on insurance coverage, contact the E/P program officer.
    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. Please refer to the Application Package for 
complete budget guidelines.

Review Process

    USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them 
for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they 
do not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein and in the 
Application Packet. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of 
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be 
reviewed by the budget and contract offices, as well the USIA 
geographic regional office and the USIS post overseas, where 
appropriate. Proposals may also be reviewed by the USIA's Office of 
General Counsel or by other Agency elements. Funding decisions are at 
the discretion of the USIA Associate Director for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant 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 to 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

    Proposal 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

    Proposal 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 Office of Citizen Exchanges reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase the grant award. The terms and conditions published 
in the Request for Proposal (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 April 28, 1995. Awarded grants will be subject to 
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.


[[Page 3929]]

    Dated: January 11, 1995.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-1177 Filed 1-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M