[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7818-7819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2934]
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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
ACTION: Notice--request for proposals.
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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 for an assistance award. Washington-based
public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions
described in IRS regulation 501(c)(3) may apply to assist USIA in the
administration of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Washington
Workshop. The organization shall plan and implement a seven-day
conference for approximately 180 mid-career professionals from
developing countries, Central/Eastern Europe, and the NIS during
November 11-17, 1995.
Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United
States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States
and the other countries of the world.'' Programs and projects must
conform with Agency requirements and guidelines outlined in the
Solicitation Package. USIA projects and programs are subject to the
availability of funds.
Announcement name and number: All communications with USIA
concerning this announcement should refer to the above title and
reference number E/ASU-95-04.
DATES: Deadline for proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Thursday, March
23, 1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents
postmarked on March 23 but received at a later date. It is the
responsibility of each applicant to ensure that proposals are received
by the above deadline.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Leigh Rieder or Ms. Carolyn Gabrielson, Specialized Programs Unit,
E/ASU, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20547, telephone: (202) 619-5289, fax: (202) 401-1433, internet
address: [email protected], to request a Solicitation Package, which
includes more detailed award criteria; all application forms; and
guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for
preparation of the proposal budget. Please specify the USIA Program
Officer, Leigh Rieder, on all inquiries and correspondence. Interested
applicants should read the complete Federal Register announcement
before addressing inquiries to the Specialized Programs Unit or
submitting their proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, the
Specialized Programs Unit may not discuss this competition in any way
with applicants until the Bureau proposal review process has been
completed.
ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the
Solicitation Package. The original and six copies of the application
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/ASU-95-04, Office
of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 336, 301 4th Street, S.W., 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 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of non-
degree, graduate level study and related professional experiences to
mid-level professionals from developing countries, Central/Eastern
Europe, and the NIS. Fellowships are granted competitively to public-
and private-sector candidates with a commitment to public service in
the fields of natural resources/environmental management, public policy
analysis/administration, economic development, agricultural
development/economics, finance/banking, human resource management/
personnel, urban and regional planning, public health policy/
management, technology policy/management, educational planning, and
communications/journalism. Fellows are placed by professional field in
groups of 10-12 at one of 15 participating host universities around
[[Page 7819]] the country. The Agency is assisted in the administration
of the program by the Institute of International Education (IIE) under
a cooperative agreement with the Agency. Fellows are nominated for the
program by USIA overseas posts or Fulbright Commissions based on their
potential for national leadership, commitment to public service, and
professional and academic qualifications. By providing these future
leaders with exposure to U.S. society, and to current U.S. approaches
to the fields in which they work, the program provides a basis for
establishing lasting ties among U.S. citizens and their professional
counterparts in other countries.
The objectives of the Washington Workshop are to:
* Enhance fellows' understanding of U.S. social, cultural, and
political processes and institutions to provide a framework for
interpreting the events of their fellowship year;
* Provide opportunities for professional networking among fellows
and with Washington area peers;
* Introduce fellows to the unique resources available in
Washington, D.C.
Guidelines
Non-profit organizations with key program staff based in the
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and available for frequent meetings
with USIA staff are invited to submit proposals. Organizations also
must have experience in conference management, professional exchanges,
and international exchanges. Only organizations with at least four
years of experience in international exchange activities are eligible
to apply for this award.
The Agency encourages proposals from eligible organizations whose
staffs reflect a broad variety of ethnic backgrounds, whose programs
encompass a range of diversity interests, and/or whose mission includes
furthering the interests of traditionally under-represented groups.
The recipient organization will be responsible for most
arrangements associated with this workshop. These include organizing a
coherent schedule of activities, making lodging and local
transportation arrangements for participants, preparing all necessary
support materials, working with Humphrey Coordinators from host
universities and IIE staff to achieve maximum workshop effectiveness,
conducting a final evaluation, and other details which are outlined in
the Solicitation Package. Drafts of all printed materials developed for
the workshop should be submitted to the Agency for review and approval.
All official documents should highlight the U.S. government's role as
program sponsor and funding source.
Proposed Budget
The award for this project may not exceed $235,000, and cost
sharing is strongly encouraged. Applicants must submit a comprehensive,
line-item budget for the entire workshop. Specific guidance is
contained in the Solicitation Package. There must be a summary budget
as well as a break-down reflecting both the administrative budget and
the program budget. Please refer to the Solicitation Package for
complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
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 started herein and in the
Solicitation Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will be
reviewed by the Agency contracts office. Proposals may also be reviewed
by the Office of the General Counsel or by other Agency elements.
Funding decisions are at the discretion of the USIA Associate Director
for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for
assistance awards (grants or cooperative agreements) resides with the
USIA grants officer.
Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Quality/responsiveness of the program idea. Proposals should
exhibit originality, substance, precision, cultural sensitivity, and
responsiveness to the material set forth herein and in the Solicitation
Package. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will
meet the workshop's objectives and plan.
2. Multiplier effect/impact. Proposed programs should strengthen
long-term mutual understanding and encourage collaboration among
fellows and with U.S. counterparts after the fellowship year.
3. Support of Diversity. Proposals should demonstrate the
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of
diversity.
4. Institutional Capacity. Proposed personnel and institutional
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the workshop's
goals.
5. Institution's Record/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. Successful experience with organizing workshops for
international participants is also very desirable. The Agency will
consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated
potential of new applicants.
6. Project Evaluation. Proposals should include a plan to evaluate
the workshop's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of
the program. 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 workshop objectives.
7. 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.
8. Cost-sharing. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through
other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding
contributions.
Notice
The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may
not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information
provided by the Agency that contradicts published language will not be
binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on
the part of the Government. The needs of the program may require the
award to be reduced, revised, or increased. Final awards cannot be made
until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed
through internal USIA procedures.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the results of the review
process on or about May 8, 1995. Awards made will be subject to
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.
Dated: January 31, 1995.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-2934 Filed 2-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M