[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59674-59675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26185]


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

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4514]


Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Grant 
Proposals: Human Rights and Democratization Cross-Regional Initiatives 
in the Non-Arab Muslim World

SUMMARY: The Office for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy of 
the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL/PHD) announces an 
open competition for assistance awards. Organizations may submit grant 
proposals that focus on promotion of human rights, political 
participation and freedom of opportunity in the non-Arab Muslim World.
    Awards are contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2003 
funds. Up to $4,500,000 may be available under the Economic Support 
Fund for projects that address cross-regional Bureau objectives in the 
non-Arab Muslim World. Funds will be targeted toward Muslim populations 
outside the Middle East. Regions that fall into this category may 
include Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, and Eurasia. 
Projects must be targeted at multiple countries, either within a single 
region or across regions. Projects may also include countries with 
sizeable Muslim minority populations, such as Russia, India and 
Thailand, among others. The Bureau anticipates awarding between 5-15 
grants in amounts of $250,000--$1,000,000.
    Background: DRL/PHD supports innovative, cutting-edge programs 
which uphold democratic principles, support and strengthen democratic 
institutions, promote human rights, and build civil society in 
countries and regions of the world that are geo-strategically important 
to the U.S.
    DRL/PHD funds projects that have an immediate impact but that also 
have potential for continued funding beyond DRL/PHD resources. Projects 
must not duplicate or simply add to efforts by other entities.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and 
Labor has identified the following issues as priorities. Projects that 
address these issues may receive a higher priority, but DRL is open to 
innovative programming ideas on other issues that meet our general 
criteria:
    1. Empowerment of Muslim women, including projects that promote 
capacity building and/or networks of women or women's organizations, 
especially as they relate to human-rights;
    2. Addressing the problem of disenfranchised youth and the need to 
reach out to this group to prevent growth of extremism;
    3. Political reform programs that would entail support for 
conducting free and fair elections, issues of good governance and 
corruption;
    4. Independent media and access to a diversity of sources of 
information;
    5. Judicial systems, especially in the context of Shari'a;
    6. Promotion of the compatibility of democracy with Islam; and
    7. Civil society and increasing political participation.

Project Criteria

    [sbull] Project implementation should begin no earlier than March 
2004.
    [sbull] Projects should not exceed two years in duration. Shorter 
projects with more immediate outcomes may receive preference.
    [sbull] Project activity should take place abroad. U.S.-based or 
exchange projects are strongly discouraged.
    [sbull] Projects that have a strong academic or research focus will 
not be highly considered. DRL will not fund health, technology, 
environmental, or scientific projects unless they have an explicit 
democracy, human rights, or rule of law component.
    [sbull] Projects should include a follow-on plan that extends 
beyond the grant period ensuring that Bureau-supported programs are not 
isolated events.
    In order to avoid the duplication of activities and programs, 
proposals should also indicate knowledge of similar projects being 
conducted in the regions and how the submitted proposal will complement 
them.

Applicant/Organization Criteria

    Organizations applying for a grant should meet the following 
criteria:
    [sbull] Be a U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Applicant 
must submit proof of its non-profit status in the application at the 
time of submission.
    [sbull] Have demonstrated experience administering successful 
projects in the regions in which it is proposing to administer a 
project.
    [sbull] Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active 
partnerships with in-country organization(s).
    [sbull] Organizations that have not previously received and 
successfully administered U.S. government grant funds will be subject 
to additional scrutiny before an award can be granted.


    Note: Organizations are welcome to submit more than one 
proposal, but should know that DRL wishes to reach out to as many 
different organizations as possible with its limited funds.

Budget Guidelines

    Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for 
complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.

Deadline for Proposals

    All proposals must be received at the Bureau of Democracy, Human 
Rights and Labor by 5 p.m. eastern standard time (e.s.t.) on Thursday, 
November 13, 2003. Please refer to the PSI for specific delivery 
instructions.

Review Process

    The Bureau will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will 
review them for eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if 
they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
PSI. 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.

Review Criteria

    Eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to 
the criteria stated below. Further explanation of these criteria is 
included in the PSI. These criteria are not rank-

[[Page 59675]]

ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation: Quality 
of the program idea; program planning and ability to achieve program 
objectives; multiplier effect/impact; institution's record/ability/
capacity; cost-effectiveness.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office for the Promotion of Human 
Rights and Democracy of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor 
(DRL/PHD). Please specify Sondra Govatski 202-647-9734 on all inquiries 
and correspondence.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFP 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 Solicitation Package consists of this RFP plus the Proposal 
Submission Instructions (PSI). The PSI contains detailed award 
criteria, specific budget instructions, and standard guidelines for 
proposal preparation. The PSI may be downloaded from the HRDF section 
on the Bureau's Web site at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP 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 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 needs of 
the program and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements. Final technical 
authority for assistance awards resides with the Office of Acquisition 
Management's Grants Officer.

Notification

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

    Dated: October 9, 2003.
Lorne W. Craner,
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department 
of State.
[FR Doc. 03-26185 Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-18-P