[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51721-51723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26151]


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UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


College and University Affiliations Program (CUAP)

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 program. 
Accredited, post-secondary educational institutions meeting the 
provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501 (c) may apply to 
develop a partnership with (a) foreign institution(s) of higher 
education in specified fields and themes within the humanities and 
social sciences.
    Awards will be made to support democratic institution-building and/
or civic education.
    A second Request for Proposals in this issue of the Federal 
Register solicits proposals in support of free trade and market 
economies, and/or the environment and sustainable development.
    Grants are subject to the availability of funds for Fiscal year 
1998.
    Proposed projects must be eligible in terms of country(ies)/
localities and themes as described in the section entitled 
``Eligibility'' below.
    Participating institutions exchange faculty and administrators for 
a combination of teaching, lecturing, faculty and curriculum 
development, collaborative research, and outreach, for periods ranging 
from one week (for planning visits) to an academic year. The FY 98 
program will also support the establishment and maintenance of Internet 
and/or e-mail communication facilities as well as interactive distance 
learning programs at foreign partner institutions. Applicants may 
propose other project activities not listed above that are in keeping 
with the goals and activities of the College and University 
Affiliations Program.
    The program awards up to $120,000 for a three-year period to defray 
the cost of travel and per diem with an allowance for educational 
materials and some aspects of project administration. Grants awarded to 
organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting 
international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.
    Overall grant-making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Pub. L. 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 Fulbright-Hays Act.
    Projects must conform with Agency requirements and guidelines 
outlined in the Solicitation Package. The POGI, a document describing 
College and University Affiliation Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation, is included in the Solicitation Package.
    Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA 
concerning this announcement should refer to the College and University 
Affiliations Program and reference number E/ASU-98-02.
    Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday January 
16, 1998. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents 
postmarked on Jan. 16, 1998, but received on a later date. It is the 
responsibility of each applicant to ensure compliance with the 
deadline.
    Approximate program dates: Grants should begin on or about 
September 1, 1998.
    Duration: September 1, 1998-August 31, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Academic Programs; Advising, 
Teaching, and Specialized Programs Division; College and University 
Affiliations Program (CUAP), (E/ASU), Room 349, U.S. Information 
Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, phone: (202) 619-
5289, fax: (202) 401-1433. Send a message via Internet to: 
[email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. The Solicitation 
Package includes more detailed award criteria; all application forms; 
and guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for 
preparation of the proposal budget.
    To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://
www.usia.gov/education/rfps. Please read all information before 
downloading.
    To Receive a Solicitation Package via Fax On Demand: The entire 
Solicitation Package may be received via the Bureau's ``Grants 
Information Fax on Demand System,'' which is accessed by calling 202/
401-7616. Please request a ``Catalog'' of available documents and order 
numbers when first entering the system.
    Please specify ``College and University Affiliations Program 
Officer'' on all inquiries and correspondence. Prospective applicants 
should read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
addressing inquiries to the College and University Affiliations Program 
staff or submitting their 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 complete 
application, including the documents specified under Tabs A through I 
in the ``Project Objectives, Goals, and Impoementaiton'' (POGI) section 
of the Solicitation Package, should be sent to: U.S. Information 
Agency, Ref: E/ASU-98-02, Office of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 
301 4th St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547.
    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 U.S. Information Service (USIS) posts 
overseas for their review, with the goal of reducing the time it takes 
to get posts' comments for the Agency's grant review process.

[[Page 51722]]

Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

    Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, projects 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. Public 
Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and 
cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom 
and democracy,'' USIA ``shall take appropriate steps to provide 
opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and 
democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals should account for 
advancement of this goal, in their program contents, to the full extent 
deemed feasible.

Eligibility

U.S. Partner and Participant Eligibility

    In the U.S., participation in the program is open to accredited 
two- and four-year colleges and universities, including graduate 
schools. Applications from consortia of U.S. colleges and universities 
are eligible. Secondary U.S. partners may include relevant non-
governmental organizations, non-profit service or professional 
organizations. The lead U.S. institution in the consortium is 
responsible for submitting the application and each application from a 
consortium must document the lead school's stated authority to 
represent the consortium. Participants representing the U.S. 
institution who are traveling under USIA grant funds must be faculty, 
graduate teaching assistants, or staff from the participating 
institution(s) and must be U.S. citizens. Please note that graduate 
teaching assistants are eligible for USIA-funded participation only if 
working as part of a team directed by a faculty member.

Foreign Partner and Participant Eligibility

    Overseas, participation is open to recognized, degree-granting 
institutions of post-secondary education, which may include 
internationally recognized and established independent research 
institutes. Secondary foreign partners may include relevant 
governmental and non-governmental organizations, non-profit service or 
professional organizations. Participants representing the foreign 
institutions must be faculty, graduate teaching assistants, or staff 
who are citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the country of 
the foreign partner and be qualified to hold a valid passport and U.S. 
J-1 visa. Please note that graduate teaching assistants are eligible 
for USIA-funded participation only if working as part of a team 
directed by a faculty member.

Ineligibility

    A proposal will be deemed technically ineligible if:
    (1) It does not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein 
and in the Solicitation Package;
    (2) It is not received by the deadline;
    (3) The length of the proposed project is less than three years;
    (4) It is not submitted by the U.S. partner;
    (5) One of the partner institutions is ineligible;
    (6) The foreign geographic location is ineligible;
    (7) It involves a request to fund exchanges between the United 
States and more than one country, with the exception of trilateral 
North Africa, Near East, and South Asia (NEA) projects. Please see the 
section on eligible countries/localities for complete details;
    (8) The theme or academic discipline is not listed as eligible in 
the RFP, herein;
    (9) The amount requested of USIA exceeds $120,000 for the three-
year project.

Eligible Theme, Academic Disciplines, and Countries/localities

    This Request for Proposals is limited to support for democratic 
institution building and/or civic education.
    Please note the following explanatory details:

A. Eligible Academic Disciplines and Countries/Localities

    Eligible academic disciplines and countries and localities are 
listed under each sub-theme. Only those countries or localities and 
partnership configurations identified under each sub-theme qualify. 
Specifics should be examined carefully before proposal preparation.

B. Inclusion of Area Studies

    Area Studies are included as academic disciplines to engender a 
broader cultural understanding and context in which to pursue a linkage 
project within the stated theme. Area Studies may be incorporated into 
a given project but only in conjunction with one or more of the other 
academic disciplines listed under the theme. Area Studies includes U.S. 
and partner country history, literature, and social sciences.

C. Bilateral Projects--Except for NEA Trilateral Linkages

    In most instances, the program invites proposals for bilateral 
projects only, involving the U.S. and one foreign country (as 
specified) only. The only exceptions are Near East, North Africa, and 
South Asia (NEA) trilateral linkages.

Eligible Theme

    Support of democratic institution-building and/or civic education.
    Projects are solicited which promote democratic institution-
building to encourage accountable governments and the rule of law, to 
strengthen political and economic stability and to protect both 
political rights and free market economies.
    Within this context, affiliation projects should help build 
democratic institutions, promote the development of civil societies and 
civic education, and increase expertise in the rule of law and the 
administration of justice through faculty and curriculum development, 
teaching and lecturing, and outreach. It is anticipated that exchange 
participants involved in cross-cultural democracy-building partnerships 
will generate ideas and projects which will contribute to modernization 
and development in the higher education community, public policy arena, 
NGOs, government, and the media.
    USIA has a particular interest in reviewing proposals whose goal is 
to nurture the culture of democracy by focusing on the role of civic 
education in a democratic society.
    A linkage project incorporating a focus on participation in civil 
society (in which citizens--in addition to working with the 
government--organize to resolve national problems rather than leaving 
them to the government to resolve), and on civic education (to prepare 
them for competent and responsible participation in local, state, and 
national civic and political life) might include such topics as: the 
philosophy of democratic institutions; the philosophy and goals of 
public and private education; the role of citizen behavior and social 
responsibility in a democracy; the role of volunteerism,

[[Page 51723]]

public interest groups, and major players such as public and private 
schools, government, religious institutions, public libraries, private 
organizations, and parents. A civic education linkage might also 
address political practices such as the balance of individual rights 
and group rights; reconciliation and compromise within the democratic 
process; the philosophy and practice of majority rule and minority 
rights.
    Projects promoting civil society and civic education may combine 
one or more of the academic disciplines listed below in order to pursue 
an affiliation whose activities are those of the overall College and 
University Affiliations Program--namely teaching, lecturing, faculty 
development, curriculum development (e.g., for teacher training), 
collaborative research, and community outreach.

Eligible Academic Disciplines

(1) For Law Projects
Law (may include Constitutional, Comparative, Administrative, 
Regulatory, and Civil Law, Conflict Resolution, and Intellectual 
Property Rights)
Political Science/Government/Public Policy/Public Administration
Area Studies (in combination with one or more of the academic fields 
listed here)
(2) For Media Projects
Journalism (Broadcast, Print, Electronic)
Communications Law
Area Studies (in combination with one or more of the academic fields 
listed here)
(3) For Projects in Civic Education
Secondary-Level Curriculum Development and Teacher Training
Sociology
Government
History
Social Studies Education
Area Studies (in combination with one or more of the academic fields 
listed here)

Eligible Countries/Localities

    Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and 
Uganda;
    American Republics: Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, 
Dominican Republic (All projects for the preceding countries are 
limited to Civic Education and Law); Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
    Priority will be given to proposals that focus on civic education, 
ethics in government, grassroots democracy and citizen participation, 
women and leadership, the administration of justice, judicial reform, 
and alternative dispute resolution.
    East Asia and Pacific: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea 
(all projects for the preceding countries are limited to Civic 
Education and Law); Taiwan (Media projects only); Vietnam (Civic 
Education only);
    East Europe, Central Europe, and the New Independent States: 
Armenia (Civic Education and Media projects only), Bosnia (Media 
projects only), Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova (Law only), and 
Slovakia;
    North Africa, Near East, and South Asia: The following are eligible 
for bilateral or trilateral affiliations: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Gaza, 
Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri 
Lanka, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank, Yemen;
    Lebanon: USIA welcomes proposals for bilateral linkages in Lebanon 
which include the use of distance education and/or Internet to 
facilitate two-way communication since, at this writing, only one-way 
travel (from Lebanon to the United States) is currently advisable.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
not be modified by an 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: September 27, 1997.
John P. Loiello,
Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-26151 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M