[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 212 (Thursday, October 31, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56266-56267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27926]


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

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support Act Graduate Fellowship 
Programs Host Institution Competition

ACTION: Notice--announcement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs, European Branch, of the 
United States Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs announces opportunities for regionally and professionally 
accredited U.S. institutions offering degree and executive education 
programs at the master's level in business administration, education 
administration, economics, journalism/mass communications, law, library 
and information science, public administration and public policy to 
host graduate students from Armenia, Azerbaijan*, Belarus, Estonia, 
Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, 
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzberkistand for one- to two-
year degree or non-degree programs under the auspices of the 1997 
Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support Act Graduate Fellowship Programs.
    Application Information: The Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support 
Act (FSA) Graduate Fellowship Programs are comprised of one- to two-
year Master's-level academic programs and a three-month internship 
program. Pending available funding, the 1997 Muskie and FSA Graduate 
Fellowship Programs will be administered by USIA through cooperative 
agreements with the American Council of Teachers of

[[Page 56267]]

Russian/American Council for Collaboration in Education and Language 
Study (ACTR/ACCELS) and the Soros Foundations/Open Society Institute 
(Soros/OSI). Under these agreements ACTR and Soros/OSI will be 
responsible for recruitment, selection, academic placement, and 
monitoring of Fellows. Interested institutions should contact these 
organizations for additional program and application information:
    For programs in Business Administration, Economics, Library and 
Information Science, Public Administration, and Public Policy, Kent 
Lewis, ACTR/ACCELS, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 700, 
Washington, DC 20036, E-Mail: [email protected].
    For programs in Law, Education Administration and Journalism/Mass 
Communications: Kristin Crosby, Open Society Institute, 888 Seventh 
Avenue, Floor 31, New York, NY 10106, E-Mail: [email protected].
    Current host institutions should contact the above organizations 
for renewal applications.
    Applications must be received by 5pm Washington, DC time, Friday, 
February 28, 1997. Faxed copies or applications mailed on Friday, 
February 28, 1997, but received later will not be accepted.
    Additional Information: Increases in program expenses together with 
reduced overall government funding for exchange programs make cost-
sharing arrangements with host institutions a critical part of the 
Muskie and FSA Graduate Fellowship Programs. Preference will be given 
to institutions that can provide cost-sharing toward tuition, fees, 
and/or room and board expenses. Cost-sharing may also be in the form of 
other direct program and participant costs.
    The Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support Act Graduate Fellowship 
Programs are not intended as precursors to doctoral studies in the 
United States. At the end of their designated academic and internship 
Programs, Fellows are required to return to their home countries to 
fulfill the two-year home residency requirement as specified in the 
Exchange Visitor (J-Visa) regulations and the Muskie and FSA Graduate 
Fellowship Programs Terms and Conditions.
    ACTR/ACCELS and Soros/OSI will not approve the transfer of visa 
sponsorship to universities or the extension of visas for the purpose 
of Ph.D. programs, extended practical training, or other additional 
academic study. Universities that do not comply with the policies of 
the Muskie and FSA Graduate Fellowship Programs and J-Visa regulations 
will be removed from the pool of host institutions.

    *Please note: Programs with Azerbaijan are subject to 
restrictions of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act: Employees of 
the Government of Azerbaijan or any of its instrumentalities are 
excluded from participation, and no U.S. participant overseas may 
work for the Government of Azerbaijan or any of its 
instrumentalities. In addition, the Government of Azerbaijan or any 
of its instrumentalities will have no control in the actual 
selection of participants.

    Dated: October 25, 1996.
Dell Pendergrast,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-27926 Filed 10-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M