[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41190-41196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19460]


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

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY


International Education and Cultural Activities--Open Grant 
Program

AGENCY: United States Information Agency (USIA).

ACTION: Notice--Request for proposals.

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

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. For 
applicants' information, on October 1, 1999, the Bureau will become 
part of the U.S. Department of State. The integration will not affect 
the content of this announcement or the nature of the program 
described. Public or private non-profit organizations meeting the 
provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) 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 Educational 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.'' Proposals for exchange projects that address issues of crucial 
importance to the United States and to proposed partner countries but 
that do not respond specifically to themes included below will also be 
considered. Programs and projects must conform with Bureau requirements 
and guidelines outlined in the Application Package. Bureau 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 Open Grant Program. The 
announcement number is E/P-00-1. Please refer to title and number in 
all correspondence or telephone calls to the Office of Citizen 
Exchanges.
    Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the Bureau 
of Educational and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m., Washington, D.C. time on 
Friday, October 15, 1999. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any 
time. Documents postmarked by the due date but received at a later date 
will not be accepted. 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 15, 1999, for projects where activities will begin between 
March 1, 2000 and December 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested organizations/institutions 
must contact the Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/PL, Room 216, United 
States Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
(202) 619-5348, 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.
    To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The Solicitation 
Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://www.usia.gov/
education/rfps. Please read all information before beginning to 
download.

ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
Application Package and send only complete applications with 15 copies 
to: U.S. Information Agency (until October 1, 1999) or U.S. Department 
of State (effective October 1, 1999) REF: E/P-00-1 Annual Open Grant 
Competition Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of Grants 
Management 
(E/XE) 301--4th Street, SW, Room 336, Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicants must also submit to E/XE the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Narrative'' 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. The Bureau will transmit these 
files electronically to U.S. embassies overseas for their review, with 
the goal of reducing the time it takes to get the respective Embassy's 
comments for the Bureau's grants review process.

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,'' the Bureau ``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.

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

[[Page 41191]]

information in accordance with Federal requirements could result in 
grantees' being required to return funds that have not been accounted 
for properly. The Bureau 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.

Overview

    The Office of Citizen 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:

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the newly Independent States 
(NIS)

    Requests for proposals involving the following countries will be 
announced in separate competitions: CEE--Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, 
Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia; NIS--
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, 
Russia, Tajikistan, Turkemenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Proposals 
involving these regions will not be accepted under this competition.

Western Europe (WEU)

    Proposals involving this region will not be accepted under this 
competition.

East Asia and the Pacific (EA)

    For all of EA: We welcome proposals that track closely with the 
following suggestions and for the following countries:
    For China: We welcome proposals (1) That strengthen the role of 
NGOs in Chinese society and PRC government cooperation with NGOs 
through an exchange of representatives from NGOs and public-sector 
organizations cutting across fields such as legal aid, consumerism, 
family issues, and environmental protection to examine the role of NGOs 
and public-private sector cooperation in the U.S.; and (2) the help 
China learn to keep the social costs of economic reform tolerable 
through an exchange involving officials from the PRC Ministry of Labor 
and Social Security, Ministry of Health, local re-employment centers, 
and other relevant health and social welfare professionals, working 
with U.S. public-and private sector representatives in those fields, to 
take a comprehensive look at the American social welfare system.
    For Indonesia: We welcome proposals focused on democracy and human 
rights, especially in the specific areas of (1) Civil society/
educational reform, working with reform-minded leaders in the 
Department of Education and Culture and with NGOs to support a major 
overhaul of national curricula and teaching practices, especially one 
that emphasizes civic education, and (2) rule of law/freedom of the 
press, working with a national NGO of independent journalists and/or 
legal aid institute to provide training in defending human rights and 
producing a more independent and honest judiciary.
    For Korea: We welcome proposals that would (1) Assist NGO 
development, through teaching practical management and relevant 
administrative skills--increasing citizen participation and 
particularly the role of women in politics and (2) would promote the 
development of local autonomy by exposing those local government 
officials whose work will have lasting community impact to ideas and 
concepts about U.S. local government that they can actually use within 
the political, economic and social realities of Korea.
    For Hong Kong: We welcome proposals that would promote democratic 
development in the Hong Kong Legislative Council via a two-way exchange 
on legislative practices and procedures between the Council's 
Secretariat staff and counterparts in the U.S. Congress or appropriate 
state legislatures.
    For Mongolia: We welcome proposals that, through work with a 
Mongolian business organization or ad hoc consortium assembled by USIS 
Ulaanbaatar, would serve as the catalyst for the development of a 
private-sector, business-oriented, anti-corruption sector. Activities 
would demonstrate to the Mongolian people that, under the free-market 
system, the private sector in its own self-interest naturally takes the 
lead on anti-corruption issues and supports the rule of law in the 
marketplace and broader society.
    For Vietnam: We welcome proposals that would (1) Assist in the 
critical institution-building effort towards the development of a 
comprehensive safety program for injury and disability prevention under 
the auspices of a new national safety board in Vietnam and (2) assist 
in the development of Vietnam's economic legal framework to support the 
implementation of the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral trade agreement.
    For Japan: We welcome proposals that would foster greater 
cooperation between media and citizen action groups in Japan by 
developing cooperative strategies to improve coverage of NGO issues.
    E/P contact for EA programs: Bill Dawson, 202/260-5485; E-Mail 
[[email protected]]

Western Hemispheric Affairs (WHA)

    The Office of Western Hemispheric Affairs includes the countries of 
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. For all 
of WHA: We welcome proposals which contribute to strengthening 
democratic institution building, economic reform, environmental 
education, public administration, and municipal government for all 
countries in the region. For the countries mentioned below, some 
preference may be given to proposals that track closely the following 
suggestions:
    For Central America: We welcome proposals in the field of 
environmental education. Deforestation and the results of Hurricane 
Mitch have raised public awareness of the need for environmental 
education throughout Central America.
    Competitive proposals should involve participants in developing 
pilot environmental education programs in schools and/or with selected 
municipalities, capitalizing on the new interest of fledgling NGO 
environmental groups. For example, successful proposals might create 
regional ``Centers of Excellence'' that would serve all of Central 
America in fields such as disaster preparation/relief and local 
empowerment.

[[Page 41192]]

    For Mexico: We welcome proposals for projects that would create 
opportunities for Mexican and U.S. public administration practitioners 
and academicians to work together. Project activities might focus on 
such local government issues as responding to the needs of the people 
it serves; interacting with other levels of government, implementing 
experimental ideas, and how city administrators communicate with each 
other. Participants should have opportunities to meet with academics, 
practitioners, and with NGOs dedicated to improving governance.
    For Argentina: We welcome projects that examine capacity building 
in State (provincial) legislatures. Successful proposals should include 
two-way exchanges that would include Argentine regional legislators and 
staff members involved in training, consulting, or legislative 
information. A U.S. study tour should acquaint Argentines with 
institutions that will help them understand interrelationship and 
technical assistance among state legislatures; channels for effective 
citizen participation in the design of public policies; training and 
consulting resources; standards and techniques for drafting 
legislation; and a study of mechanisms that strengthen citizen 
participation in the formation of public policy such as popular 
referenda, voter initiatives, public hearings and lobbying.
    For Costa Rica: We welcome projects that would explore and 
strengthen the role of municipal government. Proposals might include an 
exchange for local mayors to see innovations in city government and 
citizen participation in municipal affairs; and a return visit by a 
group of U.S. mayors and city managers and municipal experts to hold 
larger workshops on the same theme.
    For Haiti: We welcome proposals focusing on compromise and conflict 
resolution training sessions for members of political parties, unions, 
advocacy groups, civic organizations and police. The most competitive 
proposals will build on earlier conflict resolution pilot programs in 
Haiti and make an attempt to institutionalize such training.
    For Peru: We welcome proposals on decentralization and resource 
management issues for local government.
    Competitive proposals should include an exchange for a group of 
local mayors and other decentralization specialists who would meet with 
U.S. local government representatives, businesses and neighborhood 
groups in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of local 
government in the U.S. E/P contact for WHA programs: Laverne Johnson, 
202/619-5337; E-Mail [[email protected]].

Africa (AF)

    Proposals are requested for projects that would advance sustainable 
democracy by building human capital in Africa and strengthening 
partnerships between the United States and Africa in the thematic 
categories delineated below. Projects that foster networking across 
political as well as government-civil society divisions are encouraged. 
Proposals that respond to the following suggested themes and 
organizational approaches will receive priority consideration in the 
awarding of grants for exchange activity in Sub-Saharan Africa. While 
not all countries suggested as participants for each project must be 
included in the exchange, projects which bring together representatives 
from multiple countries will be given preference. Proposals for 
exchange projects that address issues of crucial importance to the 
United States and to proposed partner countries, without responding 
specifically to the themes included below, also will be considered. 
Proposed activities may take place only in those countries in which 
there is a Public Diplomacy Officer (U.S. Mission). Currently there is 
no USIA presence in Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Gambia, Burundi, Central 
African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, 
Djibouti, Lesotho, Somalia, Sudan, and Mauritania.

Civic Education and Community Life

    (Requested by U.S. Missions in Ethiopia, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, 
Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia; proposals welcome throughout 
region)--Proposals should encourage the effective engagement of 
citizens in their country's political life. Preference will be given to 
projects that focus on organizations whose aim is to motivate citizens 
to exercise their rights and to meet their civic responsibilities, or 
through projects that assist key institutions of civil society (e.g., 
women's groups, grassroots/community organizations, youth-oriented 
organizations, professional associations, other NGOs) in contributing 
to democracy through volunteerism. Successful proposals will expose NGO 
leaders to democratic, team-centered approaches to organizational 
management appropriate to democratic, civil societies. Related themes 
might include building values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation and 
compromise; building skills and institutions for constructive non-
violent change; addressing cultural and other obstacles to civic 
participation; inculcating a commitment to rule of law; and teaching 
and encouraging citizens to participate fully in community and national 
development. Priority will be given to projects that encourage the 
development of networks or coalitions to address the advancement of 
civic society.

Community Dialogue and Inter-Ethnic Understanding: Seeking Common 
Ground

    (Requested by U.S. Missions in Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Tanzania)--We 
welcome proposals focusing on inter-ethic compromise and conflict 
resolution training sessions for members of political parties, 
university student/teacher/trade unions, advocacy groups, civic 
organizations and other stakeholders. The most competitive proposals 
will build on earlier conflict resolution pilot programs undertaken in 
recent years and make an attempt to institutionalize such training in 
partner countries.

Democratic Governments

    (Requested by U.S. Missions in Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania)--
Proposals should work to strengthen institutions of government whose 
work has a direct impact on the quality of a country's democracy and to 
increase their transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and 
effectiveness of operations. Especially welcome would be proposals that 
address anti-corruption methods. Projects might focus on local 
government or elements of executive branches, legislatures, or judicial 
systems.

Professionalism in Media and Strengthening Journalistic Independence

    (Requested by U.S. Missions in Ethiopia, Angola, Benin, Niger, 
Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia; proposals welcome on a regional 
basis)--Proposals are sought to improve professionalism, independence, 
and good management in the media of Sub-Saharan Africa. African 
journalists would benefit greatly from partnership with U.S. 
institutions for a wide variety of journalism education, including 
reporting, writing and editing techniques, and media ethics. Proposals 
also are welcome for projects that focus on newspapers as a business. 
Successful proposals should focus on capacity building and networking 
among journalists and media professionals. Projects could link a U.S. 
organization of journalists to facilitate training and networking of 
African participants through visits to the U.S., and follow-up 
consultations by American journalists to host countries

[[Page 41193]]

to solidify linkages and assist in efforts to train media professionals 
and organize associations in the participating countries. Using the 
Internet as a tool might be a component of the proposal.

U.S.-Africa Partnership in the 21st Century: Economic Development and 
Private Sector Reform

    (Requested by U.S. Missions in Cote 'd Ivoire, Ethiopia, Benin, 
Botswana, Zambia, Togo, Tanzania)--Proposals in the area of economic 
development and private sector expansion should address either the 
creation of free trade areas or the empowerment of women entrepreneurs.
    Free Trade Areas: Following the recent inaugural US-SADC Forum 
which focused on trade, USIA welcomes proposals which would encourage 
the creation of free trade areas through reduced tariff and non-tariff 
barriers. Such a project might be carried out with regional chambers of 
commerce and/or the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 
Secretariat. Proposals on free trade areas also would be of interest to 
posts in West and East Africa. Projects should foster an understanding 
of and commitment to policies and practices that support economic 
growth in a democratic framework through the private sector and 
international trade. Especially encouraged are proposals that focus on 
creating an ``enabling environment'' supportive of these goals. Related 
issues might include intellectual property rights, trade liberalization 
(e.g., tax and investment laws, along with other incentives), 
mechanisms of transparency and accountability, the role of business 
associations, and regional economic cooperation/integration.
    Women as Economic Partners in Nation Building: In many countries in 
Africa, women are the backbone of the economy and yet they remain 
relatively unorganized and unconnected from one another. The 
organizations for business women that do exist currently have the 
capacity to effect little systemic change, but have the potential to 
have a profound impact on the economy. Priority will be given to 
proposals that offer African business women the opportunity to interact 
with U.S. women-owned businesses and interest groups, and to see first 
hand the work they do to enable business women to network and profit 
from relationships they create, both domestically and internationally. 
Successful proposals will expose business leaders to democratic, team-
centered approaches to organizational management appropriate to 
democratic, civil societies. Proposals may also encourage the 
development of self-help/micro-enterprise programs for women in 
disadvantaged communities. Contact for AF programs: Orna Tamches, 202/
260-2754; E-mail [[email protected]]

Near East, North Africa and South Asia (NEA)

    Proposals that respond to the following suggested themes and 
organizational approaches will receive priority consideration in the 
awarding of grants for exchange activity in the Near East, North 
Africa, and South Asia. While not all countries suggested as 
participants for each project must be included in the exchange, 
projects bringing together representatives from three or more countries 
will be given preference. Proposals for exchange projects that address 
issues of crucial importance to the United States and to proposed 
partner countries but that do not respond specifically to the themes 
included below will also be considered.
    The countries/entities comprising the NEA AREA are listed below. 
Currently there is no USIA presence in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, 
or Mauritania. Please consider countries listed as potential exchange 
partners in projects that address the theme.
    Countries/Entities of the Near East, North Africa, and South Asia--
Afghanistan; Algeria; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Egypt; India; Iran; Iraq; 
Israel; Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Libya; Mauritania; Morocco; Nepal; 
Oman; Pakistan; the Palestinian Authority; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Sri 
Lanka; Sudan; Syria; Tunisia; the United Arab Emirates (UAE); Yemen.
    Citizen Participation and Advocacy (Building and Strengthening Non-
governmental Organizations) Region-wide (any country or group of 
countries). Of specific interest for Bangladesh; Egypt; Pakistan; the 
Palestinian Authority; Syria; Saudi Arabia Social and political 
activism, encouraged, focussed, and channeled through non-governmental 
organizations, is a basic underpinning of democratic society. 
Strengthening NGO advocacy skills, management, grassroots support, 
recruitment and motivation of volunteers, fundraising and financial 
management, media relations, and networking for mutual support and 
reinforcement will reinforce democratic trends in the region. Among 
other emphases, this project should focus on computer training and on 
developing cooperation between educators and NGO's for community 
action. It is essential that organizations submitting proposals in this 
category recognize that democratic activism is viewed with distrust by 
a number of governments in the area and that foreign involvement with 
local NGO's must be carefully thought out and approached with subtlety, 
as such involvement is viewed with suspicion. Close consultation with 
American Embassy/Consulate officers is critical.
    Women's Activism and Political Leadership Region-wide (any country 
or group of countries). Of specific interest for Pakistan; Egypt; 
Israel. Throughout the region, women exercise disproportionately little 
political and social influence. While some women's groups have 
organized themselves and actively campaign for equal rights and a 
greater say in local issues, women need to learn how to mobilize 
support and raise money at the municipal, state, and national levels 
and how to win elections. Once elected, how can they most effectively 
represent the interests of their constituents? What can women activists 
do, in the political realm on issues of health care, education, 
domestic violence, and equal treatment under the law?

Professionalism in Media and the Strengthening of Journalistic 
Independence

    Region-wide (any country or group of countries). Of specific 
interest for Jordan; Tunisia; Morocco The development of 
professionalism in media--gaining an appreciation for the importance of 
objective reporting; developing subject specialization; applying 
rational management techniques to newspaper publishing; etc.--remains 
an area in which serious efforts must be expended if the fourth estate 
is to fulfill its potential as a pillar of democratic society. 
Concomitantly, laws throughout the region constrain press freedoms, and 
journalists, editors, and publishers are forced to self-censor, lest 
governments punish the media for having conveyed the message. Projects 
are needed to address professionalism and to focus on training and 
advice to individuals and organizations devoted to the protection of 
press freedoms and to the defense of journalists and their right to 
practice their profession with integrity.

Judicial Reform and the Administration of Justice

    Egypt; Morocco; Tunisia; Oman; Israel; Pakistan. A well trained, 
independent judiciary is fundamental to a democratic political and 
social system. The integrity of the judicial process and, by 
extrapolation, public confidence in the ability of the judicial process 
to deliver justice, is threatened in diverse

[[Page 41194]]

countries by political interference in legal proceedings and by public 
perception of unequal and unfair treatment before the bench of women, 
members of ethnic minority communities, and the poor. Even well 
qualified and well intentioned judges are obstructed in their efforts 
to deliver justice by case backlog, by procedural delay, and by 
insufficient authority to exercise judicial discretion in court 
management. It is important that judges of both lower and higher courts 
be introduced to the principles and practices of U.S. jurisprudence and 
that such fundamental procedures as alternative dispute resolution, 
early neutral evaluation, case management, the acceptance of guilty 
pleas, continuous trial proceedings, and arbitration/mediation be 
familiar to them.

Anti-Incitement and Conflict Resolution

    Egypt; Israel; Jordan; the Palestinian Authority. The Wye 
Memorandum, signed by the representatives of Israel and the Palestinian 
Authority in November 1998, mandates that the problems of incitement to 
hatred and violence, as well as the ethnic/religious stereotyping that 
has plagued the region, be addressed. If peace is to have meaning, 
citizens of the region must begin to address one another in new ways, 
overcoming the fears and resentments that have built up over 
generations. A project that includes Israelis, Palestinians, 
Jordanians, and Egyptians is solicited in an effort to expand the 
dialogue of coexistence that must accompany formal peace agreements. 
Two major components of any effort to focus on anti-incitement are the 
media and the educational establishment. One of the most important 
areas for the promotion of dialogue and mutual respect as well as the 
management of conflict is the media. Any effort in this area would need 
to involve expertise in conflict resolution as well as in professional 
journalism ethics and the addressing of problems of prejudice, 
discrimination, and outright incitement to violence. Incitement via 
curriculum and teacher prejudice is also a legitimate focus. A regional 
project to examine how contentious historical events are treated, how 
former enemies are portrayed, and how curricula can help advance 
tolerance and peace is a high priority.

Civic Education: Educating for Democracy

    Region-wide (any country or group of countries). Of specific 
interest for Egypt; Israel; Pakistan. Enhanced citizen awareness of and 
increased participation in those activities that support democratic 
goals are a high priority. Regional or single-country exchange projects 
should be designed to assist educators, community activists, and 
journalists teach about and demonstrate the efficacy of civic 
responsibility, citizens' initiative, and tolerance while avoiding 
direct political advocacy for the establishment of ``liberal 
democracy.'' The importance of active citizenship and the potent role 
of democratically oriented institutions in social change should be 
highlighted, with emphasis on average citizens sharing a sense of 
responsibility for their national future, voluntarism, and promoting 
community initiatives for change. Participants might include teachers, 
administrators, curriculum planners, Ministry of Education policy-
makers, community activists, journalists, etc.

Young Leaders and the Building of Civil Society

    Region-wide (any country or group of countries). Of specific 
interest for Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
    Proposals should focus on the role young leaders should and can 
play in building civil society. Participants would be emergent 
leaders--recent graduates--who appear to be on a trajectory to 
prominent positions in their societies and/or work with youth 
organizations and non-governmental organizations. Issues to be 
addressed would include the meaning of civil society, the role of a 
responsible citizenry, the separation of powers, the role of non-
governmental organizations, components of democracy, the centrality of 
human rights, issues of national identity, etc. The exchange should 
encompass both the theoretical and the experiential, with participants 
working with and learning from American young leaders active in the 
development and strengthening of civil society.

International Confidence Building

India and Pakistan
    The stability of any international relationship complicated by 
weapons of mass destruction depends on the willingness and ability of 
states to understand the dynamic of mutual vulnerability, to recognize 
the potential for disaster if deterrence fails, and to assume the 
responsibilities of nuclear ownership. South Asia is becoming 
increasingly militarized, and regional disputes continue to escalate. 
Confidence building measures appropriate to the region must be devised 
through dialogue among South Asians, and this might best be 
accomplished with a third-party facilitator.
    Strategy sessions across borders, led by young, independent 
thinkers--political scientists and peace activists who are not 
political stakeholders--could be based on research papers commissioned 
for the purpose. Ideally these sessions would widen the discussion, 
build toward consensus, and sow the seeds for the group to develop into 
an independent institution of new thinkers with influence and 
credibility. An independent, American institution with South Asian 
specialists ready to help build a South Asian institution of new 
thinkers on strategic issues should be prepared to identify central 
issues and develop a framework for dialogue in the context of South 
Asia.

Economic Policy, Investment, and the Norms of International Commerce

Tunisia; Morocco; Algeria
    The countries of North Africa would welcome proposals to strengthen 
ongoing efforts to establish a degree of regional economic integration, 
to stimulate serious thinking about transnational trade and investment, 
and to link North African business groups with American counterparts. 
Relevant issues to be incorporated into an exchange would be 
decentralization of commercial regulation, support for privatization, 
and competitiveness.
    E/P contact for NEA programs: Tom Johnston, 202/619-5325; E-Mail 
[[email protected]]
    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

[[Page 41195]]

that is receiving Bureau funding from this competition. Bureau-
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 rater 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 U.S. Embassies 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, the Bureau and U.S. Embassies 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 the Bureau 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 Embassy representative in the relevant country, and pre-
selected participants will also be subject to Embassy 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 that take place exclusively in other countries when U.S. 
Embassies 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, 2000, competition 
details will be announced in the Federal Register on or about June 1, 
2000. 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 
Bureau decisions on funding. While an all-inclusive budget must be 
provided with each proposal, separate component budgets are optional. 
Competition for Bureau 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 Bureau 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.
    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 $160/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. Per diem rates may be accessed at 
[www.usia.gov/agency/ebur-ref.html].

    3. Interpreters: if needed, interpreters for the U.S. program are 
provided by the State Department's Language Services Division. 
Typically, a pair of simultaneous interpreters is provided for every 
four visitors who need interpretation. Bureau grants do not pay for 
foreign interpreters to accompany delegations from their home country. 
Grant proposal budgets should contain a flat $160/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

[[Page 41196]]

incidental expenditures incurred during international travel.
    10. All Bureau-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of 
a Bureau-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by the 
Bureau 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

    The Bureau 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 Bureau officers for advisory review. All 
eligible proposals will also be reviewed by the program office, as well 
as the U.S. Embassy officers for advisory review, where appropriate. 
Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the Legal Advisor or by 
other offices in the Department of State. Funding decisions will made 
at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational 
and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for assistance awards 
(grants or cooperative agreements) will reside with a contracts officer 
with competency for Bureau programs.

Review Criteria

    The Bureau 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/Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: 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. Objectives should 
be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program objectives and 
plan.
    3. 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.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the 
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, 
resource materials, and follow-up activities
    5. Institutional Capacity/Reputation/Ability: Proposed personnel 
and institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to 
achieve the program's or project's goal. Proposals should demonstrate 
an institutional record of successful exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by USIA's Office of 
Contracts. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    6. Follow-up Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) which ensures 
that Bureau-supported programs are not isolated events.
    7. Evaluation Plan: Proposals should provide a plan for a thorough 
and objective evaluation of the program/project by the grantee 
institution.
    8. Cost-Effectiveness/Cost Sharing: The overhead and administration 
components of the proposals, including salaries and honoraria, should 
be kept as low as possible. All other items should be necessary and 
appropriate. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through other 
private sector support as well as institutional direct funding 
contributions.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this 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. The Bureau reserves the right to reduce, 
revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the need of the 
program and the availability of funds. Organizations will be expected 
to cooperate with the Bureau in evaluating their programs under the 
principles of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, which 
requires federal agencies to measure and report on the results of their 
programs and activities.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been fully 
appropriated by the Congress, allocated, and committed through internal 
Bureau procedures. Awarded grants will be subject to periodic reporting 
and evaluation requirements.

    Dated: July 21, 1999.
William B. Bader,
Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 99-19460 Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M