[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 248 (Thursday, December 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78850-78853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32599]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4241]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant 
Proposals: Summer Institute for English Language Administrators From 
Francophone and Lusophone Sub-Saharan Africa

    Summary:The African Programs Branch, Office of Academic Exchange 
Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) 
announces an open competition for an assistance award. Accredited, 
post-secondary educational institutions meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may 
submit proposals to develop a Summer Institute for English-as-a-Foreign 
Language (EFL) Administrators from Francophone and Lusophone Sub-
Saharan Africa. The Summer Institute will provide a six-week program in 
education management for 16 secondary school EFL supervisors/inspectors 
and school administrators with strong EFL backgrounds selected from 
French and Portuguese-speaking countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Program Information

Overview

    The Bureau asks for detailed proposals from U.S. institutions of 
higher education, which have an acknowledged reputation in the fields 
of education administration and EFL. Special expertise in handling 
cross-cultural programs and experience with educational systems in Sub-
Saharan Africa and African education administrators are highly desired. 
Note: Applicant organizations should demonstrate a proven record (at 
least four years) of experience in international exchange.
    The general objective of the Institute is to support and encourage 
the upgrading of English language programs in secondary schools in 
French and Portuguese-speaking African countries through enhancing 
participants' management and organizational skills and broadening their 
understanding of U.S. institutions and culture.

Guidelines

    Pending availability of FY 2003 funds, the Institute should begin 
on or about June 1, 2003, and end before September 30, 2003. Programs 
must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to Solicitation 
Package for further information.
    The proposal should be designed to support the following specific 
activities:
    (a) A five-week academic program with emphasis on developing the 
capacities of 16 Sub-Saharan African supervisors/inspectors/
administrators to strengthen EFL programs through more effective 
management of teachers, students, and resources. Detailed academic 
objectives are set forth in the Solicitation Package.
    (b) Cultural activities facilitating interaction among the African 
participants, American students, faculty, and administrators and the 
local community to promote mutual understanding between the people of 
the United States and the people of African countries, planned within 
the five-week academic program.
    (c) One week of escorted, cultural and educational site visits in 
Washington, DC, complementing and reinforcing the academic program. 
Site visits include a meeting at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs.
    (d) Follow-on communication among participants and the U.S. 
institution to continue exchanges of ideas developed during the 
Institute.
    (e) Assistance to participants to select, purchase and ship 
professional

[[Page 78851]]

materials to use in follow-on activities and training projects in their 
home countries.
    Participants will be selected by the Bureau, based on nominations 
from U.S. Embassies. Minimum qualifications for all participants will 
be (1) adequate proficiency in English to be able to participate in and 
benefit from the program, (2) the equivalent of BA/BS degrees from 
their national education systems, and (3) job responsibilities related 
to school/program administration. Participants will enter the United 
States on J-visas, using DS-2019 forms issued by ECA.
    The U.S. institution should plan to conduct an initial needs 
assessment of participants and should be prepared to adjust program 
emphasis as necessary to respond to participants' concerns for EFL 
education. Specific areas to address in the five-week academic program 
follow:
    1. Managing the teaching staff: Evaluating, supporting, motivating 
teachers; designing and conducting in-service training programs; 
promoting professional ethics; building staff cohesiveness.
    2. Student development: Setting behavioral/learning standards, 
evaluating student progress, creating a school culture conducive to 
learning, fostering parental involvement.
    3. Managing resources: conducting resource inventories, allocating/
tracking resources, budgeting, optimizing limited resources, developing 
access to outside resources.
    4. Education Technology: introduction and/or enrichment of 
computer-based word processing and appropriate software for 
participants who lack these skills, introduction to computer networks 
for EFL professionals, introduction/enrichment of knowledge of e-mail 
and the Internet as pedagogic and research tools.
    Few participants will have visited the United States previously. In 
view of this, an initial orientation to the host institution community 
and an introduction to U.S. society and system of education should be 
considered an integral part of the Institute.
    Management of the academic program, the week in Washington, DC and 
on-site arrangements will be the responsibility of the Institute 
grantee. The host institution is responsible for arrangements for 
lodging, food, maintenance and local travel for participants while at 
the host institution and in Washington. The Bureau will arrange 
participants' international travel. The Bureau will provide the host 
institution with participants' curricula vitae and travel itineraries 
and will be available to offer guidance throughout the Institute.

Budget Guidelines

    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program. 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. The cost to the Bureau 
for the Summer Institute should not exceed $125,000 based on 16 
participants. Subject to availability of funds, one grant will be 
awarded to conduct the 2003 Summer Institute.
    Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years 
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be 
limited to $60,000.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Instructional costs (for example: instructors' salaries, 
honoraria for outside speakers, educational course materials);
    (2) Lodging, meals, and incidentals for participants;
    (3) Expenses associated with cultural activities planned for the 
group of participants (for example: tickets, transportation);
    (4) Administrative costs as necessary.
    Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through private sector 
support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.
    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/
E/AF-03-01.
    For Further Information Contact: Office of Academic Exchanges, 
African Programs Branch, ECA/A/E/AF, Room 232, U.S. Department of 
State, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: (202) 260-
2754, fax: (202) 619-6137 or e-mail: [email protected] 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 Wylita Bell 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 Friday, February 
14, 2003. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents 
postmarked the due date but received on a later date will not be 
accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the proposals are received by 
the above deadline.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and seven 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-03-01, 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 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

[[Page 78852]]

these goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed 
feasible.

Adherence to All Regulations Governing the J Visa

    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is placing renewed 
emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J 
visa) Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all 
regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should 
demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing 
the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 
6Z, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and Alternate 
Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, 
provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, 
monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, 
record-keeping, reporting and other requirements. ECA will be 
responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from: United States Department of State, Office 
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD-SA-44, Room 734, 
301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: (202) 401-9810. 
FAX: (202) 401-9809.

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 of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission. Proposals should exhibit quality, rigor and appropriateness of 
proposed syllabus to the academic objectives the Summer Institute. 
Proposals should demonstrate effective use of community and regional 
resources to enhance the cultural and educational experiences of 
participants. Teaching objectives should be reasonable, feasible, and 
flexible.
    2. Program planning: Detailed calendar and relevant work plan 
should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. 
Calendar 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.
    3. Multiplier effect/impact: Proposed program should contribute to 
long-term, mutual understanding and sharing of information about Africa 
among Americans, as well as to the understanding of and knowledge of 
the U.S. among the African participants.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the 
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity. Program administrators should strive for diversity among 
Institute staff, university students, and the host community who 
interact with participants.
    5. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve a substantive 
academic program and effective cross-cultural communication with 
African participants. Proposal should show evidence of strong on-site 
administrative capabilities with specific discussion of how logistical 
arrangements will be undertaken. Proposals should demonstrate 
institutional experience in and knowledge of Africa (Francophone and 
Lusophone) as well as expertise in education in developing countries.
    6. Experience: Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record 
of successful implementation of exchange programs, including 
responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting 
requirements for past Bureau grants as determined by Bureau Grant 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    7. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the Summer Institute's success, both as the activities unfold and at 
the end of the program. A draft survey questionnaire or other technique 
plus description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is 
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
    8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for 
continued follow-on activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that 
Bureau supported programs are not isolated events.
    9. 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.
    10. Cost-sharing: 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 cited above is provided through 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.

[[Page 78853]]

Notification

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

    Dated: December 18, 2002.
Patricia S. Harrison,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 02-32599 Filed 12-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P