[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 236 (Thursday, December 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76695-76700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X00-11207]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3490]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant 
Proposals: Summer Institute on Education Reform for Nigerian Tertiary 
Education Administrators and Policy Makers

SUMMARY: The African Programs Branch of the Office of Academic Exchange 
Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an 
open competition for a Summer Institute on Education Reform for 
Nigerian Tertiary Education Administrators and Policy Makers. Public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may submit proposals to provide a 
six-week program for up to 25 Nigerian tertiary level education 
administrators and government officials responsible for making and 
implementing education policy. Requested Bureau funding must not exceed 
$200,000.
    All Summer Institute programming and logistics including design and 
implementation of the academic, cultural, and administrative components 
will be the responsibility of the grantee. These responsibilities 
include (1) an academic component that adheres closely to the goals and 
objectives set forth in the RFGP, (2) a cultural component that 
complements and reinforces material covered in the academic component, 
and includes a stay of up to a week in Washington and a trip to another 
major U.S. city, and 3) an administrative component to provide for the 
comfort and well-being of the participants which includes arranging and 
budgeting for housing, meals, transportation in the U.S., allowances 
for incidental expenses, books, and excess baggage.
    Proposals must conform to requirements set forth in the 
Solicitation Package, that is, the program information and guidelines 
stated in this Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) as well as the 
standard Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI). Applications not 
adhering to the conditions set forth herein may be deemed technically 
ineligible.
    The guidelines set forth in this RFGP are specific to the program 
mentioned above and are in addition to the standard guidelines outlined 
in the PSI. In any instance that there is a perceived disparity between 
the standard or program-specific guidelines, the program-specific 
guidelines listed in the RFGP are to be the dominant reference. The 
Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, required 
application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard 
guidelines for proposal preparation.
    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.

A. Proposal Submission Information

1. Announcement Title and Number

    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/AF-01-02.

2. Application Submission Deadline

    All proposal copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational 
and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Thursday, 
February 1, 2001. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. 
Documents postmarked on 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.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and seven (7) copies of the application should be 
sent to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E/AF-01-02, Program Management, ECA/EX/
PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.

3. For Further Information or To Request a Solicitation Package

    Please contact the program officer, Carol Herrera, by mail at: 
African

[[Page 76696]]

Programs Branch, Office of Academic Exchanges (ECA/A/E/AF)--Rm. 232, 
U.S. Department of State, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
Ph: (202) 619-5405, F: (202)619-6137, E-mail: [email protected].

4. 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.

    Note: Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette, 
formatted for DOS. These documents must be provided in ASCII text 
(DOS) format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. The Bureau 
will transmit these files electronically to the Public Affairs 
section at the US Embassy for its review, with the goal of reducing 
the time it takes to get embassy comments for the Bureau's grants 
review process.

5. 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 the Fulbright-Hays Act.

6. 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.

B. Program Information

1. Background

    Since 1998 the Clinton Administration has launched several special 
initiatives for education in Africa to further African integration into 
the global community by improving the quality of, and technology for, 
education in Africa. As a result of President Clinton's recent visit to 
Nigeria, the Africa Programs Branch seeks to create a Summer Institute 
on Education Reform for Nigerian Tertiary Education Administrators and 
Policy Makers. Under the Fulbright banner the program further seeks to 
promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States 
and Nigeria.
    Over the past two decades, large increases in the number of 
students at every level of the education system coupled with 
diminishing resources provided by Nigeria's military rulers 
dramatically decreased the quality of education in Nigeria. The 
proposed program seeks to engage Nigerian tertiary education 
administrators, government policy makers and other stakeholders in a 
detailed review of major reform issues in the U.S. that will help the 
participants identify and explore potential areas of reform within the 
Nigerian education system and approaches to instituting reforms.

2. Program Description

    The Summer Institute seeks to encourage key stakeholders and 
decision makers to promote a bolder vision for the future of Nigerian 
tertiary education and establish long-term educational reform goals 
that benefit the nation as a whole. The six-week program is intended to 
improve the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria by (1) helping 
participants identify and examine potential areas of reform in Nigerian 
tertiary education by thoughtfully reviewing American experiences, (2) 
promoting cooperation, coordination, and cross-fertilization of ideas 
among the participants and with U.S. facilitators and counterparts, (3) 
through case studies, site visits and other experiential means, 
examining American examples of educational reform efforts applicable to 
a Nigerian context and, (4) strengthening participants' leadership, 
management, and organizational skills.
    The 25 participants will be selected not only from among university 
administrators but from policy makers as well.
    Half of the group will be composed of senior university 
administrators representing federal and state universities, 
polytechnics, teacher colleges, and a new private university. The rest 
of the group will be education policy makers from the Federal Ministry 
of Education, some state governments, important commissions such as the 
Examination Council (WAEC), the National Universities Commission (NUC), 
the Committee of the Colleges of Education and the National Assembly's 
Education Committee. The entire participant selection process will be 
carried out in Nigeria by the Public Affairs Section of the American 
Embassy.

3. Program Objectives

3.1  Identifying and Examining Potential Areas of Reform in Nigerian 
Tertiary Education
    Although the program will reference American examples of education 
reform, the wide disparity between the American and Nigerian contexts 
demands that the focus be on the Nigerian education system. Any 
American examples that are used must have relevance and applicability 
to the realities of Nigeria. It is not enough that the host institution 
provide a menu of recent American reform efforts and examples of 
successes and failures with the hope that the participants will glean 
what they need from the American model. This should not be perceived to 
be an American Studies program on Education Administration but an 
Education Administration program specifically designed for Nigerian 
education stakeholders. Specific topics may include but will not be 
limited to: establishing coordination among the various components of 
the higher education system, turning policy into practice, education 
funding and fundraising, accreditation, testing, teacher training, 
certification, setting admissions standards, hiring practices, staff 
development, community outreach, legislative oversight, publications, 
student government, etc.
    The host institution will prepare a needs assessment to be carried 
out prior to the participants arrival in the U.S. to determine what 
areas the participants identify as most relevant and develop the 
program around those perceived priorities. The approach should be one 
that provides in-depth content on a few selected topics rather than 
cursory information on a wide variety of topics.
3.2  Promoting Cooperation, Coordination, and Cross-fertilization of 
Ideas Among the Participants and With U.S. Facilitators and 
Counterparts
    Sessions and activities should be designed to enable the 
participants to use critical and creative thinking skills

[[Page 76697]]

and teamwork in developing solutions and approaches to effect realistic 
and implementable reform goals in the areas of interest identified in 
the needs assessment.
3.3  Examining American Examples of Educational Reform Efforts 
Applicable to a Nigerian Context
    Through case studies, site visits and other experiential means, the 
participants will study examples of American education reform that 
correspond to the areas of interest identified in the needs assessment. 
Activities should include but are not limited to visits to a selection 
of universities; pertinent government offices, both federal and state; 
federal and state legislative education committees; meetings with 
university administrators such as presidents, vice presidents, and 
deans.
    Examples used should, as closely as possible, demonstrate 
challenges similar to those that confront the Nigerian administrators; 
i.e., lack of funding, poorly trained staff, low staff morale due to 
insufficient pay, overcrowded classes, student unrest, etc.
3.4  Strengthening Participants' Leadership, Management, and 
Organizational Skills
    Potential topics may include but are not limited to: participatory 
planning; developing clear, implementable goals and objectives; 
assessment and analysis; formulating action plans; monitoring and 
evaluation (of faculty, staff, students, curriculum, etc.); staff 
development; accountability and the ethical dimensions of leadership; 
building a constituency for change; promoting ownership and commitment; 
interpreting and adapting to a changing environment; being responsive 
to constituencies, etc.

4. Program Specific Guidelines

4.1  Program Duration/ Dates
    The program will be approximately six weeks in length and should 
begin and end between the dates of June 1, 2001 and September 30, 2001. 
These dates will include the arrival and departure dates of the 
participants.
4.2  Number/Types of Participants
    There will be a maximum of 25 participants, approximately half of 
whom will be university administrators and half of whom will be policy 
makers. They will come from various parts of Nigeria and various ethnic 
groups and will likely be predominantly male. Applicants may wish to 
take this into consideration in planning and logistics. If the number 
of women in the group is small, efforts may be needed to ensure their 
full inclusion and participation. Most, but not all, will have at least 
some overseas experience, having attended international conferences, 
participated in international visitors programs, etc. Some will have 
spent time studying abroad, primarily in the U.K. but other countries 
as well including the U.S. Minimum qualifications for all participants 
will be the equivalent of BA/BS degrees from their national educational 
system.
4.3  Grantee Administrative Responsibilities
    The following are the responsibilities of the grantee that will be 
covered under the terms of the grant and must be included in the budget 
submission. Please refer to the next section in this document (Section 
5, Budget Guidelines) and PSI Budget Guidelines for further details.
     Travel/transportation in the U.S. Participants will arrive 
and begin their program in Washington, DC. The host institution will 
arrange all domestic transportation (excluding travel from Washington, 
DC to program site if by air) to and from airports and for cultural and 
educational activities provided under this project. For travel between 
Washington, DC and the Summer Institute site, the host institution may 
propose to substitute travel by bus or by train for travel by 
commercial air carrier, if ground transportation is a feasible, cost-
effective travel alternative. However, if the host institution opts to 
use ground transportation between Washington, DC and the program site, 
the cost must be included in the budget proposal.
    It is expected that the grantee will make arrangements to meet the 
participants upon arrival in Washington. Departures for return travel 
to Nigeria will be from the program site.
     Lodging: Accommodations in faculty guest quarters with 
single rooms or suites are preferred. Kitchen facilities for food 
storage and preparation to accommodate 25 participants should be 
provided. Lodging should be within reasonable walking distance to 
location of classes and/or readily accessible to university 
transportation system. Easy access to public transportation that 
enables participants to venture out into the larger community is 
desirable.
     Meals: A system of cash subsistence payments that allow 
participants to shop for and prepare their own meals is preferred. 
Cafeteria meal plans that can accommodate African preferences are 
possible. If using a meal plan exclusively, show clearly how the cost 
of meals will be covered when participants' travel away from campus or 
campus cafeterias are closed.
     Incidentals allowance: Each participant will receive an 
incidentals allowance of $15 per day for the full number of days of the 
Summer Institute including at the host institution, while in 
Washington, DC and/or other U.S. city visited.
     Book Allowance: The project will provide each participant 
with a supplemental book allowance of $150 per person. The institution 
should plan to assist participants in selection, acquisition and 
shipment of materials for their needs. The institution should develop a 
plan that allows participants to stretch their book allowance as far as 
possible through institutional or publishers' discounts.
     Health Coverage Administration: Although the Bureau 
assumes the responsibility of providing limited accident and sickness 
insurance coverage for participants, the grantee is responsible for 
enrolling all participants in the Bureau's health coverage program. A 
plan on providing participants with ready access to medical care should 
be included in the proposal.
4.4  Bureau Administrative Responsibilities
    The following are the responsibilities of the Bureau and will not 
be covered under the terms of the grant and should not be included in 
the budget submission:
     Selection of Participants: The selection process will be 
carried out by the U.S. Public Affairs Section (PAS) in Nigeria. The 
Bureau will be responsible for and facilitate all communications 
between the PAS and the institution. The Bureau will provide the 
grantee with participants' curriculum vitae and other relevant 
information.
     International Travel: The Bureau is responsible for 
participants' international travel. The Bureau, in coordination with 
the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, will make international airline reservations 
and purchase round-trip international airline tickets for all 
participants from Nigeria to the site of the Summer Institute via 
Washington, D.C.
    The Bureau will advise the host institution of the group's arrival/
departure schedules.
     Health Coverage: The Bureau provides limited accident and 
sickness insurance coverage for participants in the Summer Institute 
and will provide the grantee with the necessary instructions and forms 
to complete prior to the participants' arrival.

[[Page 76698]]

     Visas: Participants will travel on J-1 visas, Program 
number G-1-5, issued by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. Program must 
comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to Proposal Submission 
Instructions for further information.

5. Budget Guidelines

    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program, not to exceed $200,000. The Bureau plans to award one grant at 
a level of approximately $200,000. Grants awarded to eligible 
organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting 
international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.
    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.
    Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through private sector 
support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.
    In addition to the guidelines provided here, applicants should 
refer to the Budget Guidelines section of the PSI.
5.1.  Allowable Costs
    Allowable costs for the program include:
     Instructional costs, i.e.; instructors' salaries, 
honoraria for outside speakers, educational course materials
     Lodging, meals, and incidentals for participants
     Expenses associated with cultural activities, i.e.; 
admission fees, transportation
     Administrative costs as necessary
5.2 Line-item Budget
    Divide the Line-item budget into Program and Administration 
sections. The line-item budget should include and elaborate on the 
categories listed below.
    5.2.1 Program Section. The program section of the budget includes 
(1) academic program costs, (2) participant maintenance and allowances, 
and (3) cultural activities and other related costs
    5.2.1.1 Academic program costs. The Institution may choose to 
itemize academic program costs (I.A.1) or set a fee per participant 
(I.A.2)

--Itemized academic program costs. (I.A.1)

     Instructors' salaries as appropriate. Salaries, benefits, 
and services for instructors' salaries for the Institute classes. 
Identify each position and provide position title, role in the 
Institute, and, as appropriate, annual salary and percent of effort 
used for the Institute. Benefit costs should be stated separately from 
salary costs. Identify how benefits and services were computed.
     Honoraria and per diem for outside speakers, if any. (List 
names and amounts).
     Film and video rentals, educational materials, curricular 
needs (i.e. texts, course packs for classes), as appropriate.

--Fee per participant (I.A.2)

    If the institution chooses to budget academic program costs as a 
fee per participant, please state what services are provided within 
that fee.
    5.2.1.2 Costs for maintenance and other allowances for 
participants. (Clearly indicate the unit cost of each item.)
     Lodging. Housing may be in graduate dormitories, faculty 
residences, or other, as appropriate. Single rooms preferred.
     Meals. Meals may be provided through cash subsistence 
payments to participants, cafeteria meal plans, or a combination of 
both. If using a meal plan exclusively, show clearly how the cost of 
meals will be covered when participants travel away from campus or 
campus cafeterias are closed.
     Incidentals allowance. Include an incidentals allowance of 
$15 per person per day for full number of days of the Summer Institute 
at the host institution.
     Supplemental book allowance of $150 per person.
     Excess baggage allowance of $150 per person.

    Note: Per diem rate for lodging and meals may not exceed 
published U.S. government allowance rates for the site of the 
Institute. Institutions may use per diem rates that are lower than 
official government rates.

    5.2.1.3 Cultural activities and other program-related costs
     Cultural activities: entrance fees, overnight lodging, 
meals not provided for in B.2.
     Costs for Washington cultural and educational tour.
     Lodging for participants. It is acceptable for 
participants to share rooms on trips away from primary institute site.
     Meals for participants away from regular site.
     Incidentals allowance for participants. (Include a $15 per 
person per day incidental allowance for full number of days in 
Washington and/or other city.)
     Transportation: Ground transportation for group cultural 
and educational activities; ground transportation for airport arrival 
and departure.
     Escort Staff: Domestic transportation costs and per diem 
(or lodging and subsistence) for grantee escort staff for overnight 
cultural activities and Washington visit.

    Note: The Bureau will provide round-trip international air 
tickets (from home country to Washington, D.C. to Institute site, 
and return to home country) for participants. The cost of travel for 
participants from Washington, D.C. to the institute site should not 
be included in a budget unless the institution opts to use ground 
transportation. If travel by means other than commercial airline are 
proposed, show transportation costs in the budget.

    5.2.2 Administration Costs
      Staff requirements.
      Benefits.
      Other direct administrative expenses.
      Indirect expenses.

6. 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,'' 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.

7. Proposal Preparation

    Applicants should submit a complete and thorough proposal 
describing the program in a convincing and comprehensive manner. Since 
there is no opportunity for applicants to meet with reviewing 
officials, the proposal should respond to the criteria set forth in the 
solicitation package as clearly as

[[Page 76699]]

possible. Proposals should address succinctly, but completely, the 
elements described below and must follow all format requirements.
    Proposals should include the following items:

Table of Contents
(Tab A) Assistance Award Proposal Cover Sheet
(Tab B) Executive Summary
(Tab C) Narrative
(Tab D) Budget Submission
(Tab E) Supporting documentation
(Tab F) Standard forms

    Guidelines on specific sections follow.
7.1  Table of Contents
    List all attachments.
7.2  Assistance Award Proposal Cover Sheet (Tab A)
    One additional copy of the application cover sheet must be included 
in an envelope marked ``Attention: ECA/EX/PM.''
7.3  Executive Summary (Tab B)
    In one double-spaced page, provide the following information about 
the project:
     Name of organization/participating institutions
     Beginning and ending dates of the program
     Proposed theme
     Nature of activity
     Funding level requested from the Bureau, total program 
cost, total cost-sharing from applicant and other sources--Scope and 
Goals
     Number and description of participants
     Wider audience benefiting from program (overall impact)
     Anticipated results (short and long-term)
7.4  Narrative (Tab C)
    In 20 double-spaced, single-sided pages, provide a detailed 
description of the project addressing the areas listed below.
     Statement of need, objectives, goals, and benefits
    Provide a well-defined, overarching vision of the program and a 
description of the steps/activities to be undertaken to create from the 
various components a well integrated whole. The rationale, goals and 
objectives articulated in the RFGP should be the foundation upon which 
the program proposal is built.
    In keeping with the Bureau's goal of establishing long-term 
academic partnerships, the program should be crafted as part of a 
potential continuum of academic exchange opportunities that build upon 
and complement one another. The program should be seen as mutually 
beneficial to participants and program implementers, although the 
benefits may differ significantly.
     The host institution's qualifications in education 
administration and African school systems and relevance of past 
experience to this program.
     Implementation Approach and Strategy
    The narrative should include a clear description of the general 
strategy and specific approach proposed to implement the program. As 
much as possible the program should be participant-focused 
incorporating adult learner strategies and oriented toward authentic 
learning outcomes and capacity-building in relation to real-world 
problem-solving. The program should be geared more toward enhancing 
participants' skills and less on providing information and materials.
     Participating Organizations (if applicable)
    Provide a brief description of any other entities that are to play 
significant roles in the performance of this contract and how they fit 
into implementation.
     Work plan/Time Frame
    The program should be approximately 6 weeks in length and should 
begin and end between the dates of June 1, 2001 and September 30, 2001. 
The work plan should clearly identify the number of hours dedicated to 
the various program components.
     Academic Component
    Provide a description of the specific learning activities 
undertaken to meet goals and objectives of the program.
     Cultural Component
    Include a description of those activities not directly related to 
the academic component and geared toward providing an American 
experience for the participants. To the extent possible, cultural 
activities should complement the goals and objectives of the academic 
component but should not be limited to only those with academic 
significance. Program days in Washington, DC and other major U.S. city 
should be included here.
     Provide a description of housing, maintenance and 
logistics including health care provisions for participants.
     Participant monitoring
    Include a plan for measuring participant performance and tracking 
the individual's progress in meeting learning objectives.
     Follow-on plan
    Include a description of short-term, mid-term and long-term goals 
in continuing the partnership between the host institution and the 
participants beyond the provisions of the summer institute grant. 
Although additional Bureau support would not be available for the 
short-term goals, mid-term and long-term goals could be considered for 
additional funding.
     Program Evaluation
    The evaluation plan should identify anticipated outcomes and 
performance requirements clearly related to program goals and 
activities and include procedures for ongoing monitoring and corrective 
action when necessary. The identification of best practices relating to 
project administration is also encouraged, as is the discussion of 
unforeseen difficulties.
     Program Calendar
    Include all academic, cultural and administrative activities.
7.5  Budget Submission (Tab D)
    The cost to the Bureau for the Summer Institute for Nigerian 
Educators for 25 participants should not exceed $200,000. The final 
budget may be adjusted to reflect the actual number of participants.

    Note: Please review carefully Standard Budget Preparation 
guidelines in Proposal Submission Instructions in regard to a 
Summary Budget and a detailed Line-Item Budget and descriptions and 
limitations of each type of administration cost. Use notes where 
further explanation of line items is required to clarify how the 
figures were derived.

7.6  Supporting Documentation (Tab E)
     Letters of endorsement
     Resumes
    All program staff resumes should be included in the submission. No 
resume should exceed two pages.
7.7  Standard Forms (Tab F)
     ``Additional Information'' Form
     Copy of IRS notification of current tax-exempt status
     Four Required Certification Forms
     Certification of Compliance with Federal Forms
     Other attachments, if applicable

8. Review Process and Criteria

    The Bureau will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will 
review them for technical eligibility. Proposals are reviewed for 
adherence to legal and budgetary requirements by Bureau offices 
responsible for these functions. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if 
they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein. For program 
content, cost-effectiveness, and other criteria spelled out in the 
RFGP, the review is conducted by an advisory, assistance award-review 
panel composed of Bureau and Department officers. Additional officers, 
including

[[Page 76700]]

geographic area personnel, also review proposals for feasibility as 
well as potential for short- and long-term impact. 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 resides with a Bureau Grants Officer. 
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:
8.1  Quality of Program Conceptualization and Planning
    Proposals should exhibit substance, precision, and relevance to the 
Bureau's mission as well as adherence to all guidelines and objectives 
described in the RFGP. Proposals should provide a clear description of 
the general strategy and specific approach to implement the program. 
Proposals should also demonstrate effective use of community and 
regional resources to enhance both the educational and cultural 
experiences of the participants. Detailed agenda and relevant work plan 
should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity.
8.2  Ability to Achieve Program Objectives
    Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet 
the program's objectives and plan.
8.3  Area Expertise
    Proposals should demonstrate significant institutional and staff 
experience in and knowledge of Africa as well as expertise in education 
in developing countries.
8.4  Multiplier Effect/Impact
    Proposed program should strengthen long-term mutual understanding, 
including maximum sharing of information and establishment of long-term 
institutional and individual linkages. To ensure that Bureau supported 
programs are not isolated events, a detailed post-institute plan (that 
does not require Bureau support) for follow-on activities that promote 
continued communication/involvement and build upon program achievements 
between the host institution and participants and/or the institutions 
they represent, should be incorporated into the proposal.
8.5  Program Monitoring/Evaluation
    Proposals should include a plan to monitor program and participant 
progress through the course of the program and evaluate the overall 
success upon completion of the program. The Bureau recommends that the 
proposal include a participant needs assessment or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to link outcomes to original project 
objectives.
8.6  Support of Diversity
    Proposals should demonstrate the recipient's commitment to 
promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity in both the 
American and African context. Program administrators should strive for 
diversity among Institute staff, student assistants, and host community 
contacts. Cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity of the participants 
should also be a consideration in program planning.
8.7  Institutional Capacity
    Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate 
and appropriate to achieve a substantive academic and cultural program. 
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 the Bureau's Office of Contracts. The Bureau will 
consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated 
potential of new applicants.
8.8  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.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.

    Dated: November 30, 2000.
William B. Bader,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 00 31075 Filed 12-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-U