[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31346-31349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14836]


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

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


FY99 Burma Refugee Scholarship Program; Request for Proposals

SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs of the United States 
Information Agency's (USIA) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces an open competition for the Burma Refugee Scholarship Program 
(BRSP) which will begin recruitment and selection in FY99 (Academic 
year 1999-2000) and enrollment in FY00. Public and private non-profit 
organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 
1.501(c) may submit proposals to develop an educational program for 
approximately five Burmese students and professionals, living in India 
as refugees, to receive undergraduate and/or graduate training in a 
variety of fields in the humanities and sciences in U.S. colleges and 
universities for a three year grant period running until 2002. The 
requirements are outlined in this letter and in the attached Program 
Goals, Objectives, and Implementation (POGI) document.

Program Information

    Overview: The goal of the program is to support the economic and 
democratic development of Burma by helping to educate potential leaders 
living outside of Burma who could assist in its future transition to a 
democratic government. It is USIA's intent to provide grantees with 
programs of the highest quality that meet their academic and personal 
needs and to further the Agency's mission to promote mutual 
understanding. We also request that administration efficiencies and 
cost-sharing be actively sought.
    Guidelines: The applicant organization shall design a proposal with 
a cost of up to $300,000 to conduct the recruitment, selection, and 
placement of no more than five Burmese undergraduate students living in 
India in an appropriate U.S. academic setting. Monitoring the students' 
academic progress will be a requirement of the organizations. Grant 
administration should begin October 1, 1999. Students with 
undergraduate degrees who are bridging to a master's program would also 
be eligible. We estimate that these funds will support five students 
for up to a year of intensive English-language training and two years 
towards an associate, bachelor's or master's degree program.
    Administration in the Region: The organization must work closely 
with USIA, the U.S. Information Service (USIS), Immigration and 
Naturalization Service, and the U.S. Embassy in India to coordinate 
appropriate documentation for grantees' entry into the United States. 
The USIS representative administering the BRSP is in India, but it may 
be difficult for USIS officers to provide extensive facilitative 
assistance for this program. Applicant proposals should therefore 
include a plan to provide for publicity, recruitment, and selection in 
India, should USIS support be unavailable. The organization will be 
responsible for administering the program through its own resources and 
subcontractors, as required. The organization must also provide 
relocation or transition assistance to the students in the U.S. at the 
time their studies are terminated.
    Requirements and Implementation: The proposal should respond to and 
describe the following major requirements:
     Planning and monitoring the entire exchange program;
     Selection and notification of participants, including 
publicizing the program to appropriate audiences in India using such 
methods as media, alumni networks, and local educational institutions 
and NGOs; and plans for distributing, answering inquiries about, and 
receiving applications--which may require the assistance of volunteers 
or paid staff in the region and/or special mailing arrangements;
     Travel;
     Placement at U.S. universities;
     Orientations;
     Provision of housing/stipends;
     On-going advising and student services;
     Cross cultural counseling;
     Cultural and community enrichment activities about the 
U.S.;
     Internships and professional development;
     Evaluation and alumni activities; and
     Fiscal management.
    To the extent possible, the applicant should designate a contact 
person in India who would provide assistance with dissemination and 
submission of applications. Please review the application form to 
ensure that it includes all the information needed for review panel 
deliberations.
    Length of Program: The proposed length of the Burmese scholarships 
is three years--up to one year of intensive English-language training 
followed by up to two years of academic study. The duration of the USIA 
grant cannot exceed three years. Students must understand this policy 
in advance. Where there are compelling circumstances, students may 
receive a limited extension to complete their degrees at the discretion 
of the project director and the USIA program officer. Summer periods 
should be used for a mix of academic, professional and enrichment 
activities.
    Pre-Academic and English-Language Training: Applicants must 
describe plans for pre-academic preparation and English-language 
training. USIA recommends that immediately after the initial 
orientation, participants be tested to determine which level of 
English-language courses are appropriate. Several levels of intensive 
English-language courses, from beginning to advanced, should be made 
available. It is assumed that most participants in this scholarship 
program will need up to one year of English-language instruction. 
Students who need additional instruction beyond the first year will be 
required to take the additional instruction at their placement 
universities.
    Recruitment: The recruitment material and award publicity should 
provide all relevant information to potential applicants. The key 
conditions, benefits, and terms of the program--what is, and what is 
not covered under the grant--should be fully described to candidates 
and nominees before they accept an award and travel to the U.S. The 
description of study opportunities should be basic and include 
essential information for applicants who are unfamiliar with the U.S. 
educational system, and the policy on dependents should be described. 
All individuals should be fully informed of these policies before they 
accept an award.
    Stipends: Please address the question of participant stipend levels 
in the narrative, including what expenses the stipend is intended to 
cover and the estimated monthly cost of housing provided to students. 
The USIA program officer must be informed in advance of any proposed 
adjustment in stipend levels and must approve such changes prior to 
implementation.
    Fields of Study: Eligibility fields for the FY-99 program should 
respond to critical development needs in Burma, promote mutual 
understanding and potential linkages with the U.S., and attract 
academically qualified students who are likely to become future leaders 
in Burma. The program announcement

[[Page 31347]]

might include a statement such as: ``Eligible fields of study are drawn 
from the standard university curriculum, with priority given to 
agriculture, business administration, community/public health, 
economics, education, environmental studies, journalism, legal studies, 
natural resources management political science, and public 
administration. If a subject area is proposed that is not among these 
priority fields, candidates should give special attention to explaining 
how this course of study would support the goals of the program.'' The 
final list of eligible fields and the text of the announcement must be 
reviewed and approved by the Office of Academic Programs, in 
consultation with USIA's East Asia and Pacific Area Office, prior to 
program implementation.
    Selection Criteria: The Burma Refugee Scholarship Program is 
directed toward Burmese students and professionals who are outside 
Burma. The proposal should outline the selection criteria and selection 
process for the program. A corresponding statement of the selection 
criteria should be included in the program announcement for potential 
applicants. The leadership elements and the expectation that students 
will be active alumni following the conclusion of the program should be 
mentioned. Applicants should plan to work closely with USIA in 
developing the selection criteria.
    Timeline: The proposed should include a projected timeline, from 
first announcement to student arrival and placement in the U.S., which 
takes into consideration the logistical and communications obstacles in 
the region. These include immigration requirements, travel 
arrangements, time required to obtain student records, and the like. 
The timeline should include dates of key elements, such as ``candidates 
notified,'' ``pre-arrival materials mailed,'' etc.
    U.S. Educational System, American Culture and Institutions: It is 
essential that prior to arrival, as well as during orientation, 
applicants and participants be informed of the general nature, 
philosophy and goals of U.S. higher education, particularly with regard 
to the broad scope of a liberal arts bachelor's degree program. 
Applicants and participants should clearly understand that they will be 
required to take courses in a variety of academic fields and should be 
briefed about the specifics of this grant. Students should receive 
guidance from the academic advisor to assist them in choosing 
appropriate courses outside their major field.
    To support the mutual understanding goal of the exchange, USIA is 
particularly interested in opportunities for academic and enrichment 
experiences related to U.S. institutions, society, and culture. It is 
recommended that the applicant stipulate that students take one or more 
courses in a U.S. Studies field, such as American history, literature, 
or government. USIA welcomes other creative ideas for exposing students 
to American institutions, such as ``issues'' discussion groups for 
students, visits to political campaign offices and polling places, 
attendance at school board or city council meetings, exposure to 
American religious institutions, and civic-related volunteer work. 
Student attendance at museums, concerts, plays, and other cultural 
events featuring American content should be encouraged and facilitated 
wherever possible. The awardee will be requested to keep USIA informed 
of the status of this part of the program throughout the year.
    Program Activities: Applicants should describe plans for 
orientation, including pre-departure orientation; goals and approaches 
for the academic portion of the program, including any special 
activities such as internships or academic enrichment; cultural and 
community projects; evaluation and follow-up; and alumni-tracking. For 
example, volunteer work, student presentations to the local community, 
and matching of students with a local host family might be among the 
enrichment activities proposed. Internships should be designed to 
provide a close match with a student's field of academic or 
professional interest. USIA requests that applicants provide support 
systems (such as tutoring, counseling, host family, mentor or buddy 
system, consultation with student advisor and project director) to the 
students during the program.
    Pre-Arrival Information: Please provide a sample copy of the pre-
arrival information in advance to the USIA program officer. Information 
should be complete, accurate for the program site and detailed. Key 
points about academic requirements, academic departments and available 
courses, housing, what to bring with them, personal budgeting 
considerations, policies on dependents, and other critical issues 
should be included in the material. The material should be designed to 
serve as a useful post-arrival reference as well, supplemented with 
additional information. Students should also receive a summary of key 
points in addition to the complete package. This should include 
exchange policy matters as well as ``what to bring.''
    GPRA-Outcomes and Results: Applicants must include a statement of 
goals and expected outcomes for the program, including how results, as 
necessitated by Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 
requirements would be measured. Outcomes might include, but are not 
limited to, the following areas: developing a cadre of Burmese leaders 
with first-hand experience in the U.S., advancement of development 
goals for Burma, conflict resolution and building viable non-
governmental institutions in Burma, and expansion of professional 
relationships between individuals and institutions in the U.S. and 
Burma. Project goals and planning should be linked to desired outcomes. 
For example, if it is a goal to produce or influence leaders in Burma, 
potential leadership qualities should be among the selection criteria 
for applicants.
    Measurements might include: alumni achievements and activities; the 
quality and quantity of institutional linkages established as a result 
of the program; and degree of positive change in participant and/or 
public attitudes as a result of the program.

Budget Guidelines

    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for 
the entire program. Awards may not exceed $300,000. There must be a 
summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both administrative and 
program budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each 
program component, phase, location, or activity to provide 
clarification.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:

A. Program Costs

    (1) One-way economy fare international travel from their overseas 
location;
    (2) Domestic travel;
    (3) Tuition, room and board, incidental expenses, maintenance for 
university vacation periods;
    (4) Education materials;
    (5) Cost of standardized test fees;
    (6) Per diem for orientation, professional, academic and cultural 
enrichment.

B. Administrative Costs (Not To Exceed 20% of the Budget)

    (1) Staff salaries and benefits;
    (2) Staff travel;

[[Page 31348]]

    (3) Communications (including telephone, fax, postage, etc.);
    (4) Office supplies;
    (5) Other direct costs.
    For the budget presentation, applicants should submit a three-
column budget which includes the following information:

Column 1--FY-99 USIA funds requested
Column 2--Amount of cost-sharing in FY-99
Column 3--Total FY-99 Budget (Total of Columns 1 and 2)

    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions. Applicants will find those 
federally required forms which must be included in the proposal 
submission in the Proposal Submission Instructions section of the 
solicitation package.

Announcement Title and Number

    All correspondence with USIA concerning this RFP should reference 
the title and number E/AEF-99-04. Please submit a one-page Executive 
Summary and a narrative as part of the proposal. The Executive Summary 
should contain an overview of the goals and activities of the program 
in order to set the context for modifications and budget requests. The 
narrative should deal with program facts only, and not contain the 
history of the organization or program philosophy, except as directly 
relevant to the proposed activity. It should outline the purpose of the 
program and the major activities funded under the award which meet the 
goals of the program. Concurrently, this will provide background 
information for a review of the proposed budget and program 
modifications.
    Applicants should explain in the narrative any personnel changes 
which are anticipated in the coming year. Please also indicate briefly 
the responsibilities of all staff listed as working on this project, 
including those whose employment is cost-shared. Please submit resumes 
for employees under Tab E.
    Further Information: For further information, or to request a 
Solicitation Package, contact the Office of Academic Programs, E/AEF, 
Room Number 208, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20547, telephone (202) 619-5406, fax number (202) 401-
1728. The Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, 
required application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard 
guidelines for proposal preparation. Please specify USIA Program 
Officer, Tim Gerhandson, on all other inquiries and correspondence.
    Please 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 with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

    The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's 
website at http://e.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 requested from the Bureau's 
``Grants Information Fax on Demand System,'' which is accessed by 
calling 202401-7616. The ``Table of Contents'' listing available 
documents and order numbers should be the first order when entering the 
system.

Deadline for Proposals

    All proposal copies must be received at the US. Information Agency 
by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on June 30, 1999. Faxed documents will 
not be accepted at any time. Documents postmarked the due date but 
received on a later date will not be accepted. Each applicant must 
ensure that the proposals are received by the above deadline. The FY99 
BRSP applications (the original proposal), 10 hard copies, and one 
extra application cover sheet should be submitted to: United States 
Information Agency, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Reference: E/AER-99-04, Grants Management Division, E/XE, Room 326, 301 
4th St. SW, Washington, DC 20547.

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. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the 
program office, as well as the USIA EA area office(s) and the USIA 
post(s) overseas, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be 
forwarded to panels of USIA officers for advisory review. Proposals may 
also be reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel or by other 
Agency elements. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of 
USIA's Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for assistance awards (grants or cooperative 
agreements) resides with the USIA Grants Officer. Awards will be 
subject to the availability of FY99 funding. The Agency reserves the 
right to reduce, revise or increase proposal budgets in accordance with 
the needs of the program.
    The narrative is not a program report or an annual report, nor does 
it replace any reporting requirements outlined in the grant. However, 
the grant proposal is the only document that the review panel will 
consider during its deliberations, so it should provide all relevant 
information for a full review. It should not be assumed that panelists 
will have prior familiarity with applicants or this particular 
scholarship program.

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 of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Agency's 
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's objectives and 
plan.
    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 
linkages.
    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 (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resources and 
follow-up activities).
    6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
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 USIA's Office of 
Contracts. The Agency will consider the past

[[Page 31349]]

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) ensuring that USIA 
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. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is 
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
    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.
    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 assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and 
overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance 
in the partner country(ies).

Diversity, Freedom and Democracy 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. 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 reflect 
advancement of this goal to the full extent deemed feasible.

Year 2000 Compliance Requirement (Y2K Requirement)

    The Year 2000 (Y2K) issue is a broad operational and accounting 
problem that could potentially prohibit organizations from processing 
information in accordance with Federal management and program specific 
requirements including data exchange with USIA. The inability to 
process information in accordance with Federal requirements could 
result in grantees' being required to return funds that have not been 
accounted for properly.
    USIA therefore requires all organizations use Y2K compliant systems 
including hardware, software, and firmware. Systems must accurately 
process data and dates (calculating, comparing and sequencing) both 
before and after the beginning of the year 2000 and correctly adjust 
for leap years. Additional information addressing the Y2K issue may be 
found at the General Services Administration's Office of Information 
Technology website at http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov.

Authority

    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 above is provided through legislation.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal USIA procedures. For 
further information, please contact my designee for this program, Tim 
Gerhardson, at (202) 619-5406, or [email protected] on e-mail.

    Dated: June 18, 1999.
Judith Siegel,
Deputy Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 99-14836 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M