[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2576-2579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1289]



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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Summer Institute for Russian University Educators on 
International Politics

ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Advising, Teaching, and Specialized Programs Division of 
the Office of Academic Programs in the United States Information 
Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open 
competition for an assistance award. Public and private non-profit 
organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulations 26 
CFR 1.501(c)(3) -1 may apply to develop a six-week graduate level 
program designed for a group of ten Russian university educators on the 
subject of contemporary international politics. The primary purpose of 
the institute is to provide participants with a frame work for an 
understanding of the field that will in turn enable them to develop 
programs and courses in their home institutions.
    USIA is seeking detailed proposals from colleges, universities, 
consortia of colleges and universities, and other not-for-profit 
academic organizations that have an established reputation in fields 
directly related to the study of international relations and can 
demonstrate expertise in conducting graduate-level programs for foreign 
educators. Applicant institutions must have a minimum of four years' 
experience in conducting international exchange programs. The project 
director or one of the key program staff responsible for the academic 
program must have an advanced degree in the field related to the topic 
of the institute. Staff escorts traveling under the USIA cooperative 
agreement must be U.S. citizens with demonstrated qualifications for 
this service.
    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.''
    The funding authority for the program cited above is provided 
through the Freedom Support Act (FSA). 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.


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ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE AND NUMBER: All communications with USIA concerning 
this announcement should refer to the above title and reference number 
E/AS-96-02.

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Monday, March 25, 
1996. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents 
postmarked March 25, but received at a later date. It is the 
responsibility of each applicant to ensure that proposals are received 
by the above deadline. Tentative approximate program dates are August 
5, 1996 through September 16, 1996. In order to assure adequate time 
for the host institution to make program arrangements and send pre-
program materials to grantees, USIA will make every effort to award the 
approved cooperative agreement by May 13, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Office of Academic Programs, 
Advising, Teaching and Specialized Programs Division, E/AS, Room 349, 
U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20547, 
telephone number 202-619-6038; fax number 202-619-6970; internet 
address [email protected], to request an Application Package containing 
more detailed award criteria, required application forms, and standard 
guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for 
preparation of the proposal budget.

TO DOWNLOAD A SOLICITATION PACKAGE VIA INTERNET: Solicitation Package 
may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://www.usia.gov/ or from 
the Internet Gopher at gopher.usia.gov, under ``New RFPs on Educational 
and Cultural Exchanges.''
    Please specify USIA Program Specialist Sherry Hayman on all 
inquiries and correspondences. Interested applicants should read the 
complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, Agency staff 
may not discuss this competition in any way with applicants until the 
Bureau proposal review process has been completed.

SUBMISSIONS: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Solicitation Package. The original and 10 copies of the application 
should be sent to: U.S. Information Agency, Ref.: E/AS-96-02, Office of 
Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 10547.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the 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 Moscow for review, with the goal of 
reducing the time it takes to obtain comments for the Agency's grant 
review process.

DIVERSITY GUIDELINES: 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 
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic 
status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to 
adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program 
administration and in program content. Please refer to the review 
criteria under the `Support for Diversity' section for specific 
suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    The purpose of the Summer Institute for Russian Educators on 
International Politics is to enable the participants to gain a deeper 
understanding of U.S. academic teaching and research about 
international politics. The Institute seeks to provide participants 
with an understanding of the contending approaches to the subject in 
order to enable the participants to initiate and develop programs for 
the study of international politics at their home institutions. 
Accordingly, the successful proposal will offer a survey of the 
principal theoretical models for the study of international politics, 
giving attention to how the disciplines of law, politics, and history 
contribute to such study; will explore the current debates within the 
field of international politics, with particular attention to those 
issues related to the realignment in the international system in the 
post-Cold War era; and, finally, will provide participants with access 
to the key bibliographic, monographic and reference materials on which 
to build courses of their own. Close attention should be paid to 
providing source materials, bibliographies and computer resources. The 
Institute should enable the participants to apply a wide range of 
curricular materials, scholarly approaches, teaching techniques, 
information about the internet, and other resources to their classrooms 
in Russia.
    The Institute should be six weeks in length and should take place 
on a U.S. college or university campus where participants will have 
access to libraries and computer networks as well as an opportunity to 
become acquainted with university teaching practices in the U.S. At the 
beginning of the program the participants should receive an initial 
orientation to the U.S. and to American university life in addition to 
an introduction to current trends in teaching and research about 
international politics. The program should provide the participants 
with opportunities to explore these issues with U.S. scholars and to 
observe international politics classes that are in session. The program 
should focus on engaging the participants in active ways that will aid 
them in designing new approaches to their own teaching and research. 
The institute should foster a collegial atmosphere in which institute 
faculty and participants discuss relevant texts, issues and concepts 
and should be structured to require participants to make presentations, 
write reports, and prepare drafts.
    At the conclusion of the Institute each participant should be 
required to present a report on his or her thoughts about how to adapt 
the approaches and interests of U.S. international politics specialists 
to teaching and research in Russia.

Objectives

    (1) To conduct an intensive, academically stimulating program that 
presents an in-depth view of the contending theories of international 
politics, including the principal schools, approaches, an models that 
constitute the field and which define debate and discussion among 
leading scholars in the field; (2) to examine how the end of the Cold 
War has influenced the study of international politics, with particular 
reference to U.S.-Russia relations as well as East-West relations more 
generally; (3) to provide direct access to bibliographic, reference and 
other scholarly materials that will enable visiting Russian scholars to 
establish a framework for the study of international politics at their 
home institutions.

Participants

    The program should be designed for ten Russian university educators 
who are currently teaching courses in international relations but who, 
despite significant knowledge of Western political and historical 
traditions, are less familiar with current approaches to teaching or 
research about international 

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politics in the U.S. The participants will be nominated by the United 
States Information Service (USIS) in Moscow and will have a high level 
of fluency in English.

Guidelines

    The Institute should be specifically designed for experienced 
Russian university educators. While it is important that the topics and 
readings of the Institute be clearly organized, the institute should 
not simply replicate a lecture course or a graduate seminar. Through a 
combination of lectures, roundtable discussions, guest presentations, 
consultations and site visits, the Institute should facilitate the 
development of a collegial atmosphere in which Russian participants 
become fully engaged in the exchange of ideas.
    In addition to the core faculty from the host institution, and 
consistent with the program's design, the Institute should bring in 
presenters from outside academic life. Such individuals might come from 
foreign policy institutes, think tanks, lobbying organizations, 
embassies, consulates, international development organizations, media, 
or government, as appropriate. Presenters should be fully briefed about 
the Institute, its goals, general themes, readings, and especially the 
background and needs of the participants themselves. Information about 
presenters and how they will be utilized should be included in the 
proposal submission.
    The best proposals will express a high level of thematic 
articulation in addition to demonstrating clearly the means by which 
these themes will be concretely communicated to participants for 
discussion and reflection. It is especially important for the institute 
organizer to devise ways to integrate all aspects of the program, from 
the assigned readings, lectures, and discussions, to any site visits 
and field trips.
    The equivalent of one day a week should be available to 
participants to pursue individual research and reading. The Institute 
should provide access to leading American scholars and research 
resources (libraries, archives, databases); provisions should be made 
to pair participants with faculty mentors. A key element of the 
Institute is to expose participants to the full range of scholarly 
materials, primary and secondary literature, curricular materials and 
teaching resources, including Internet and computer training, that will 
allow them to continue their use of such materials in Russia.
    A residential program of a minimum of five weeks on a college or 
university campus is mandatory. Any study tour segment must be directly 
supportive of the academic program content.
    Details of programs may be modified in consultation with USIA 
following the grant award.
    The selected grant organization will be responsible for most 
arrangements associated with this program. This includes the 
organization and implementation of all presentations and program 
activities, arrangements for all domestic and international travel, 
lodging, subsistence, and group transportation for participants, 
orientation and briefing of participants, preparation of any necessary 
support materials including a pre-program mailing and working with 
program presenters to achieve maximum program coordination and 
effectiveness.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further details on 
program design and implementation.

Additional Information

    Confirmation letters from U.S. co-sponsors noting their intention 
to participate in the program will enhance a proposal. Proposals 
incorporating participant/observer site visits will be more competitive 
if letters committing prospective host institutions to support these 
efforts are provided.

Visa/Insurance/Tax Requirements

    Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to 
program specific guidelines (POGI) in the Solicitation Package for 
further details. Visas will be issued by USIS posts abroad. USIA 
insurance will be provided to all participants, unless otherwise 
indicated in the proposal submission. Grantee organization will be 
responsible for enrolling participants in the chosen insurance plan. 
Please indicate in the proposal if host institutions have any special 
tax withholding requirements on participant or staff escort stipends or 
allowances.

Proposed Budget

    Applicants must submit a comprehensive line item budget for the 
entire program based on the specific guidance in the Solicitation 
Package. There must be a summary budget as well as a breakdown 
reflecting both the administrative budget and the program budget. For 
better understanding or further clarification, applicants may provide 
separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or 
activity in order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding. The total 
USIA-funded budget award may not exceed $125,000. USIA-funded 
administrative costs should be as low as possible and should not exceed 
$37,000 or 30%, whichever is less. The recipient organization should 
try to maximize cost-sharing and to stimulate U.S. private sector 
(foundation and corporate) support.
    The program should include a book budget for participants to use in 
purchasing books and teaching materials which they will need to develop 
new courses and to improve existing ones.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) books, teaching materials and computer software
    (2) mailing allowances.
    (3) travel and per diem.
    (4) salaries, fringe benefits.
    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 stated herein and in the 
Solicitation Package. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of 
USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be 
reviewed by the Agency contracts office, as well as the USIA Area 
Office and USIS Moscow as appropriate. 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 following criteria:
    1. Quality of the Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality and substance, consonant with the highest standards of 
American teaching and scholarship. Program design should reflect the 
main currents as well as the contemporary debates within the field.
    2. Program Planning: A detailed agenda and a relevant work plan 
should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. 
The agenda and work plan should adhere to the program overview and 
guidelines described above.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Objectives should be 

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    reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan. The proposals should indicate evidence of continuous on-site 
administrative and managerial capacity.
    4. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
connections.
    5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration and program 
content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource 
materials and follow-up activities).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the project's 
goals.
    7. 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. 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 
USIAS-supported programs are not isolated events.
    9. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended.
    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. Value to U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects 
should receive positive assessment by USIA's geographic area desk and 
overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance 
in the partner country.

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 Agency reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures.

    Dated: January 19, 1996.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-1289 Filed 1-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M