[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 120 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32569-32573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15117]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces an open competition for an assistance award program. Public 
or private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in 
IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1 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 
Education 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 applicants 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 Annual Discretionary Grant Program. 
The announcement number is E/P-96- [[Page 32570]] 1. Please refer to 
title and number in all correspondence or telephone calls of 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, October 
6, 1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents 
postmarked on October 6, 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 October 6, 1995, for projects 
where activities will begin between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 
1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Interested organizations/institutions must contact the Office of 
Citizens 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 correspondence 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-96-1 Annual Discretionary Grant 
Competition, Grants Management Division (E/XE), 301-4th Street SW., 
Room 336, Washington, D.C. 20547.
    Applicants must also submit to E/XE the ``Executive Summary,'' 
``Proposal Narrative,'' and ``Budget'' sections of each proposal on a 
3.5'' diskette, formatted for DOS. This material must be provided in 
ASCII text (DOS) format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. 
USIA will transmit these files electronically to USIS posts overseas 
for their review, with the goal of reducing the time it takes to get 
posts' comments for the Agency's grants review process.

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 Citizens 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 economics, business, political analysis, 
international affairs), business professionals, NGO leaders, 
environmental specialists, parliamentarians, educators, economists, 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, proposals 
involving this region will not be accepted under this competition.
    Western Europe and Canada (WEU): Priority themes and target 
countries/regions follow:--Immigration and Multiculturalism: Italy, 
France, Germany.--Conflict Resolution: Greece/Turkey/Cyprus; Northern 
Ireland.--Environmental Cooperation and Sustainable Development: 
Nordic/Baltic region; Western Canada;--School-to-work Transition/
Vocational Education: Germany, Scandinavia, Spain.
    East Asia and the Pacific (EA): Priority consideration will be 
given to the following:
    (1) Asean and Other Southeast Asian Countries: Proposals for a 
journalism project focusing on investigative reporting, media ethics 
and the relationship between the media, government and the people. 
Proposals should be designed for junior to mid-level working 
journalists, in the print or electronic media, in ASEAN member 
countries and/or other Southeast Asian countries. Proposals that 
include two-way exchanges are preferred. It is projected that this 
subregional project will be conducted in English and participants must 
be fluent in English. As the overseas portion of the exchange, a 
seminar/workshop on the methods and ethics of investigative reporting 
is suggested. Potential site would be Thailand.
    (2) China: Rule of law. An exchange of young Chinese legal 
professionals including practicing lawyers, academics and government 
officials on issues in civil law focusing on how the rights of ordinary 
citizens in such fields as consumer protection, environmental 
protection, and intellectual property rights are protected by a strong 
legal code which permits civil suits against violators by private 
individuals or by individuals acting in a private capacity. 
Participants should observe how the threat of liability suits in the 
U.S. eases the burden on the state for the enforcement of public policy 
and provides a check on abuses of the rights of individuals.
    (3) China: Role of individuals in environmental protection. 
Exchanges that provide Chinese mid-level central governments and 
municipal and provincial officials with responsibility for 
environmental protection, as well as academics and staff in non-
governmental environmental organizations, an opportunity to observe how 
citizens' action groups in the U.S. represent public interest in 
environmental issues, affect legislation and influence public policy. 
Participants should observe how citizen organizations in the U.S. can 
affect the outcome of specific local projects with the potential for 
environmental degradation. Proposals should reflect previous experience 
in working with Chinese organizations in the environmental field.
    (4) Korea: Korean Local Autonomy Project. Proposals to conduct a 
project for Korean provincial and municipal administrators to observe 
how U.S. state and local governments function and how the federal, 
state and local governments interact. Participants should be elected 
provincial and municipal government officials or high-level appointees 
to provincial and municipal government positions or a combination of 
the two. The program should emphasize the degree of autonomy enjoyed by 
state and local governments within the U.S. federal system.
    American Republics (AR): Priority will be given to projects 
involving Haiti (focusing on democracy building or adult/community-
based education), Brazil (focusing on ethics in government or cultural 
diversity), and the Andean region (focusing on judicial reform). 
Proposals for projects in the Andean [[Page 32571]] region should 
include activities in at least two Andean countries, one of which must 
be Colombia or Bolivia. (The Andean Region consists of the following 
countries: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.)
    Africa (AF): Preference will be accorded to proposals which include 
three or four countries in one subregion of Africa (West, East, or 
Southern Africa), and priority will be given to projects addressing 
rule of law, print or electronic media development, and conflict 
resolution. Other themes may be proposed, but the three listed above 
will receive preference.
    North Africa, Near East and South Asia (NEA): Priority will be 
given to projects involving Pakistan/India (focusing on conflict 
resolution and economic reform) and the Middle East Peace Process 
States (focusing on public administration and natural resource 
management). 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; nor 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 traveled 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 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. Competitions sponsored by other 
Bureau offices are also announced in the Federal Register.
    For projects that would begin after December 31, 1996, competition 
details will be announced in the Federal Register on or about June 1, 
1996. Inquiries concerning technical requirements are welcome prior to 
submission of applications.

Funding

    Although no set funding limit exists, proposals for less than 
$135,000 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, 
corporations, 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
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs encourages cost-
sharing, which may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect 
costs. The recipient of an assistance award 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. [[Page 32572]] 
    The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind 
contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110, Subpart 
C(23) ``Cost-sharing or Matching,'' and should be described in the 
proposal. 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. 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) complies with AICPA Codification of Statements on Auditing 
Standards AU Section 551, ``Reporting on Information Accompanying the 
Basic Financial Statements in Auditor-Submitted Documents,'' where 
applicable. When USIA is the largest direct source of Federal financial 
assistance--i.e. the cognizant Federal Agency--and indirect costs are 
charged to Federal grants, a supplemental schedule of indirect cost 
computation is required.
    The audit costs shall be identified separately for: (1) Audit of 
the basic financial statements, and (2) supplemental reports and 
schedules required by A-133.
    USIA's Office of Inspector General has provided supplemental 
guidance for conducting A-133 audits and recovery of related audit 
costs in a separate ``Dear Colleague'' letter dated January 24, 1995.
    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 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. 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 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 award 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 substantive 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. Proposals 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 country(ies).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program's 
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 [[Page 32573]] 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 be 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 December 8, 1995. Awarded grants will be subject to 
periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: June 14, 1995.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-15117 Filed 6-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M