[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 227 (Friday, November 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70626-70628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30024]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3479]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant 
Proposals: Fulbright Teacher Exchange Orientation Program

SUMMARY: The Office of Global Educational Programs, Fulbright Teacher 
Exchange Branch of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
announces an open competition for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange 
Orientation Program award. Public and private non-profit organizations 
meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may 
submit proposals to develop and administer August 2001 orientation 
activities in Washington, DC. Approximately 570 foreign and U.S. 
teachers and accompanying dependents will participate in the August 
2001 orientation program.
    The cooperating institution, through such orientation program 
activities as formal presentations and workshops, prepares program 
participants to teach (at the elementary, secondary or college level) 
in the educational system of another country. Approximately $300,000 
are expected to be available for this activity.
    The programming specifically strives: (a) To provide U.S. teachers 
with opportunities to meet face-to-face with their foreign exchange 
partners to discuss the details of their individual exchange 
assignments; (b) to provide participants with an understanding of the 
educational systems in which they will be teaching; and (c) to provide 
teachers with practical guidance on living in their countries of 
destination, with particular references to cross-cultural differences.

Program Information

    The purpose of the August orientation workshop is to provide U.S. 
and foreign teachers and their spouses and dependents with a wide range 
of briefings, training, and discussions to assist them in preparing to 
function effectively in host schools and communities here and abroad in 
order to promote the mission of the Fulbright Program--mutual 
understanding. Partners meet face-to-face and share important 
information about their workplace and other particulars concerning 
their individual exchanges.
    The workshop should focus on the teachers' need to understand 
education in the host country, the professional and personal aspects of 
the exchange and the many aspects of adjustment to living abroad, 
including cross cultural orientation.
    Through the reciprocal exchange of teachers, administrators, and 
other school or college faculty, foreign participants in the Fulbright 
Teacher Exchange Program increase the international dimension of U.S. 
schools, while U.S. participants share American values abroad. 
Participating countries arrange for non-U.S. teachers to arrive at the 
U.S. orientation site.

Agenda

    The agenda should recognize partner relationship building as a 
priority by scheduling joint sessions for U.S. and foreign partners in 
the morning, establishing training objectives for each session, and 
sequencing sessions to reinforce experiential learning. An

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equivalent of one day should be set aside for the U.S. and foreign 
teachers exchange partners to attend joint sessions and discuss their 
individual exchanges one-on-one. Sessions for U.S. and foreign teachers 
should include presentations on educational systems and cross-cultural 
matters.
    A sample detailed agenda, which incorporates the following 
guidelines, is included in the POGI. The cooperating institution should 
structure its proposed agenda based on the sample, and propose speakers 
where appropriate.
Additional Activities
    Time constraints should be considered; program sessions and 
cultural activities must not interfere with the partner joint one-on-
one discussions for which an ample amount of time should be allowed.

Speakers

    The cooperating institution, in consultation with the Bureau, will 
be required to identify and invite speakers and panelists to cover all 
sessions, and demonstrate its ability and willingness to identify such 
individuals drawing on its own resources as well as other resources 
beyond the organization. These include universities in the area, 
consulting groups, or other experts.
    Speakers may include State Department specialists, staff from 
foreign counterpart agencies, university faculty, international and 
intercultural specialists, former U.S. and foreign exchange teachers, 
U.S. administrators associated with the program and others. The Bureau 
must approve speaker/panelist selections.
    During the sessions set aside for administrative matters, Bureau 
staff will specifically designate State Department specialists and 
staff from foreign counterpart agencies to serve as resource people and 
speakers. As much as possible, presenters should incorporate Fulbright-
specific situations, issues, and materials.

Services

    In addition to developing the agenda and securing speakers, the 
cooperating institution will provide specific services in consultation 
with Bureau program officers. These will include arranging for on-site 
housing, meeting rooms, meals, child care, transportation, opening 
reception, etc. The POGI contains more specific information.

Website

    The cooperating institution will be expected to design and maintain 
a website to increase communication with participants, and to support 
easy access for participants to information pertaining to the August 
orientation program. The website should serve as an efficient source of 
information as well as an administrative tool for functions such as 
registration.
    The website should be clearly identified as a U.S. Department of 
State Fulbright Teacher Exchange Orientation Website. The orientation 
information, including agenda, should be posted well in advance and 
updated as needed.

Reports

    The institution will be expected to design and distribute an 
evaluation form for the August orientation to be completed by the 
teachers. Such a form will cover program content, including sessions, 
as well as logistical arrangements such as housing, food, and general 
meeting facilities. The form must be cleared by Bureau prior to its 
use.

Materials

    The cooperating institution will survey the literature of 
appropriate subject fields to determine materials of greatest potential 
value to teachers. If approved by the Bureau, recipient institution 
will purchase materials, up to $40 per teacher.
    The institution will also compile other materials as directed by 
the Bureau. These may include materials on U.S. education, including 
current trends and initiatives, and materials on education in selected 
foreign countries. The POGI contains more specific information.

    Note: The Bureau may also request that the cooperating 
institution arrange additional orientation and/or training, or 
workshop briefings for program participants and administrators, 
resource people, and organizers during the award period, depending 
on the availability of additional funds. The cooperating institution 
may also be asked to provide programming and other services to the 
Bureau including, but not limited to, peer committee chairpersons 
workshops, predeparture orientation activities, foreign and U.S. 
teacher debriefings, materials purchase and distribution, and the 
development of new program information, including materials and 
videos.

    Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to 
Solicitation Package for further information.

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. The FY 2001 orientation award will be approximately $300, 000. 
Grants are subject to the availability of committed funds for FY 2001.
    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.
    Administrative costs should be kept low; this will be an important 
factor in the grant competition. Also, the ability to achieve cost-
effectiveness within budget guidelines through cost-sharing will 
enhance competitive proposals. Please refer to the Solicitation Package 
for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.

Announcement Title and Number

    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/X-01-03.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: United States Department of State, 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Global 
Educational Programs, Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch, State Annex 
44, ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547; 
telephone: 202/619-4556, fax: 202/401-1433 to request a Solicitation 
Package.
    The Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, required 
application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard 
guidelines for proposal preparation. Please specify Bureau Program 
Officer Ruta Chagnon; e-mail: [email protected] on all other 
inquiries and correspondence.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP deadline has 
passed, Bureau 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 the Bureau's 
website at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/RFGPs. Please read all 
information before downloading.

Deadline for Proposals

    All proposal copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational 
and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on January 18, 2001. 
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

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that the proposals are received by the above deadline. Applicants must 
follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and 
eight copies of the application should be sent to: U.S. Department of 
State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/01-
03, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20547.

Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

    Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must 
maintain a nonpolitical 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, socioeconomic 
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.'' 
Public Law 106-113 requires that the governments of the countries 
described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection 
process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their 
program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.

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 stated herein 
and in the Solicitation Package.
    All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as 
well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate. 
Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and 
Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels 
for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of 
the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements.
    Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of 
State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final 
technical authority for assistance awards (grants or cooperative 
agreements) resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.

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 and Clarity of Program Idea

    Proposals should exhibit substance, precision, and relevance to 
Bureau mission. The work plan should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity in terms of space utilization, 
timeliness, and efficient logistical management. Agenda and plan should 
adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above. 
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the 
program's objectives and plan.

2. Support of Diversity

    Proposals should demonstrate substantive support of the Bureau's 
policy on diversity by outlining relevant aspects of the institutional 
profile. Achievable and relevant features should be cited in both 
program administration and program content (orientation sessions, 
resource materials and choice of resources).

3. Institutional Capacity and Record/Ability

    Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate 
and appropriate to achieve the program or project's goals. Proposals 
should demonstrate institutional record of successful exchange 
programs, including responsible fiscal management, and full compliance 
with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by 
the State Department's Contracts Office. The Bureau will consider the 
past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of 
new applicants.

4. Project Evaluation

    Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the activities' 
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 are 
recommended.

5. Cost-Effectiveness

    The overhead and administrative components of the proposal, 
including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible. 
All other items should be necessary and appropriate. Proposals should 
maximize cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as 
institutional direct funding contributions.

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 of the Fulbright-Hays Act.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFGP are binding and may 
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be 
binding.
    Issuance of the RFGP 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 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 Bureau procedures.

    Dated: November 17, 2000.
Helena Kane Finn,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 00-30024 Filed 11-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-U