[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74282-74286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31579]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4562]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant 
Proposals: 2004 Summer Institute for English Language Educators from 
South Africa

SUMMARY: The African Programs Branch, Office of Academic Exchange 
Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an 
open competition for the 2004 Summer Institute for English Language 
Educators from South Africa. 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 provide a six-week 
academic training program for approximately 28 English language 
educators form South Africa. Subject to availability of funds, one 
grant will be awarded to conduct the 2004 Institute.

    Important Note: This Request for Grant Proposals contains 
language in the ``Shipment and Deadline for Proposals'' section that 
is significantly different from that used in the past. Please pay 
special attention to procedural changes as outlined.


[[Page 74283]]



Program Information

Overview

    American institutions of higher education having an acknowledged 
reputation in the field of English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) and in 
curriculum design may apply to develop and deliver a six-week summer 
program for approximately twenty-eight English language educators from 
South Africa. The Summer Institute should be programmed to encompass 
about 45 days and should begin on or about June 14, 2004. A variation 
in start date, up to one week beyond June 14, 2004, will be considered 
if it is necessitated by the host institution's academic calendar. The 
first five weeks of the program will consist of academic coursework 
specializing in project-based ESL materials development/delivery 
focusing on three content-based areas: HIV-AIDS, civic education and 
civil society, and economics/entrepreneurship). The Institute will 
include instruction in classroom management and curriculum design to 
support these ESL content-based projects at the secondary and tertiary 
levels. Participants, with the help of the host institution, will 
develop a web site for all projects. The sixth week will consist of an 
escorted cultural and educational tour of Washington DC.
    The 2004 Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South 
Africa will provide participants with intensive training in the 
fundamentals of content-based ESL materials development/delivery, 
continuous assessment, classroom management and curriculum design. 
These four areas are critical in South Africa where educators are 
attempting to create a new English curriculum in a context of 
educational transformation and Outcomes Based Education (OBE). Given 
the need to teach content-based English across the South African 
curriculum, English language educators are key personnel for quality 
learning. Presently, there exists a severe shortage of skilled 
classroom educators. South African teachers will need to produce and 
deliver culturally appropriate and pedagogically sound content-based 
materials in a multi-cultural setting.
    The Summer Institute will also provide structured exposure to U.S. 
culture and the diversity of America. The challenges of teaching in a 
multi-cultural society should be a component of the program. The 
program should maintain a relative balance among discussion sessions, 
lectures and collaborative workshops. A web site is recommended for 
participants' projects. Lengthy lectures should be kept to a minimum. 
Participants should be given ample opportunity to work together and 
learn from each other as well as from their American instructors. Given 
the project-based orientation exploring the themes of HIV-AIDS, civic 
education and civil society, and economics/ entrepreneurship, 
participants will be able to share not only content but relevant ESL 
materials with their colleagues and home institutions. Participants 
will receive an educational materials allowance.
    Few participants will have visited the United States previously. In 
view of this, an initial orientation to the university community and a 
brief introduction to U.S. society and education should be an integral 
part of the Institute and should be held on the first two to three days 
of the program.

Guidelines

    Applicants should design a two-part program:
    (1) A five-week academic program supporting South Africa's goal of 
education transformation through the delivery of intensive training in 
content-based materials development, classroom management, continuous 
assessment and curriculum design for Outcomes Based Education (OBE) and 
ESL learning (English across the curriculum) at the secondary and 
tertiary levels. Division of the group into 3-4 manageable project 
teams, each with a selected thematic/content focus and each targeting 
the particular needs of the secondary and tertiary levels is essential. 
Training should be sensitive to any special needs of the South African 
participants.
    (2) A one-week escorted visit to Washington, DC, planned, arranged, 
and conducted by the Institute Program Director and principal Institute 
staff. The Washington program should be seen as an integral part of the 
Summer Institute, complementing and reinforcing both the academic and 
thematic content. This escorted visit should take place at the end of 
the Institute. Programming in Washington will include a half-day 
briefing session at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
United States Department of State. Additionally, visits to such 
organizations as TESOL, a regional university, local school systems and 
teacher resource centers, are encouraged. A visit to the Embassy of 
South Africa should also be planned. Proposals may include cultural and 
educational visits en route to Washington, if such stops contribute to 
program quality and are cost-effective. The participants will return to 
South Africa at the conclusion of the Washington program.
    Specific areas to address in the Institute are:
    1. Materials development/delivery with an emphasis on content-based 
ESL instruction. Techniques for continuous assessment should also be 
addressed. Thematic issues should include HIV-AIDS, civic education and 
civil society and entrepreneurship/economics.
    2. Classroom management (for secondary levels).
    3. Education Technology:
    (a) Introduction and/or enrichment of computer-based word 
processing and appropriate software for participants who lack these 
skills. Introduction to computer networks for ESL professionals.
    (b) Introduction and/or enrichment of knowledge of e-mail and the 
Internet as pedagogic and research tools.
    4. Visits to:
    (a) Local institutions and organizations related to thematic areas.
    (b) On-going ESL classes at the host institution, other 
universities, and in local educational or community centers, providing 
participants with opportunities to observe ESL methodology, materials, 
and multi-cultural classrooms featuring content-based language learning 
across the curriculum.
    5. Involvement of participants in American culture through 
community/cultural activities. This should include interaction with 
Americans from a variety of backgrounds.
    6. Formative evaluation and adjustment of program components 
accordingly, as well as summative evaluation of the entire Institute 
upon its completion.
    In accordance with the objectives of the Summer Institute, 
participants will concentrate on their thematic program projects. 
However, the academic program should provide time for interaction with 
American students, faculty, and school administrators, and the local 
community to promote mutual understanding between the people of the 
United States and South Africa. In this regard, the Institute should 
incorporate cultural features such as community and cultural 
activities, field trips to places of local interest; home stays with 
families in the area (with other educators if possible), and events 
that will bring the participants into contact with Americans from a 
variety of backgrounds.
    Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to 
Solicitation Package for further information.

[[Page 74284]]

Participants

    Participants, to be selected by Public Affairs Section of the U.S. 
Embassy in Pretoria, will be South African educators involved with 
English language instruction. Professionally, they can be teacher-
trainers, subject advisors, curriculum developers, and learning 
facilitators/coordinators. The selected participants will be drawn from 
public and private sectors including the national and provincial 
departments of education, teacher resource centers, non-governmental 
organizations, university departments of education and teacher training 
colleges.
    Minimum qualification for all participants will be a three-year 
teacher-training diploma with preference given to candidates with 
university degrees. Recruitment will concentrate on English language 
educators who are actively involved at secondary and tertiary levels, 
some of whom may be relatively inexperienced but are identified as 
having leadership potential. Depending upon availability of funds, 
approximately 28 participants from South Africa will participate in the 
Institute.

Program Elements

    The proposal should be designed to support the following specific 
activities:
    1. Pre-program communication among participants and the U.S. 
institution to facilitate an exchange of ideas developed for the 
Institute. Communication should be e-mail based.
    2. Creation of a Web site identifying the program goals/syllabus 
and on-going participant thematic projects. The site should be a 
dynamic resource, with weekly updates during the duration of the 
program, and regular updates in South Africa following program 
completion. The web site should display each of the three completed 
theme-based projects. The participants should develop site content, 
while site construction and Internet hosting should be provided by the 
grantee institution. All Institute participants should receive a CD-ROM 
of their Web site creation.
    3. A five-week academic program comprising coursework on

--Project-based English for content-based instruction,
--Theory and practice of continuous assessment,
--Use of the Internet and web resources for educators,
--Leadership training to enable participants to conduct workshops upon 
return to their countries. Training should meet the special needs of 
participants from South Africa.

    4. Cultural activities facilitating interaction among the South 
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 South Africa, planned 
within the five-week academic program.
    5. A one-week, escorted, cultural and educational visit to 
Washington, DC, complementing and reinforcing the academic material. 
The visit will be planned, arranged and conducted by the Institute 
Program Director and staff.
    6. Follow-on communication among participants and the U.S. 
institution to continue exchanges of ideas developed during the 
Institute.
    7. Assistance to participants in selecting, purchasing and shipping 
materials to use in follow-on activities and training projects in South 
Africa.
    Orientation: The host institution should plan to conduct either a 
pre-program needs assessment if time allows, or a needs assessment upon 
the arrival of the participants. The Institute Director should be 
prepared to adjust program emphasis as necessary to respond to 
participants' professional concerns.
    The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy, Pretoria, will hold 
a pre-departure orientation for all participants in South Africa. The 
grantee institution will be expected to provide general orientation 
materials for this meeting. This material might include a tentative 
program outline with suggested goals and objectives, relevant 
background information about the U.S. institutions and individuals 
involved in the project, and information about the local housing, 
climate, and available services.

Program Administration

    All Summer Institute programming and administrative logistics, 
management of the academic program and the educational tour, and on-
site arrangements will be the responsibility of the grantee 
institution.
    The grantee institution is responsible for arrangements for 
lodging, food, maintenance and local travel for participants while at 
the host institution and in Washington. The host institution should 
strive to balance cost-effectiveness in accommodations and meal plans 
with flexibility for differing diets and personal habits among the 
participants. Single rooms or housing in residential suites, which 
offer privacy, are preferable.
    The Bureau will provide the grantee institution with participants' 
curricula vitae and travel itineraries and will be available to offer 
guidance throughout the Institute. The Bureau will arrange 
participants' international travel. The participants will arrive 
directly at the Institute site from their home countries. It is 
expected that the Institute program staff will make arrangements to 
have participants met upon arrival at the airport nearest the host 
campus. Departures will be from Washington, DC. Participants will be 
given international tickets, which will include the leg from the host 
institution to Washington, DC, if necessary. The Institute staff will 
plan for ground transportation to and from Washington area airports.
    Proposals should describe the available health care system and the 
plan to provide health care access to Institute participants. The 
Department of State will provide limited health insurance coverage to 
all participants. The host institution will be responsible for 
enrolling the participants in the insurance program with materials 
supplied by the Department.
    Budget Guidelines: Applicants must submit a comprehensive line-item 
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 in order to provide clarification.
    The Bureau anticipates awarding one grant in an amount not-to-
exceed $175,000 to support program and administrative costs required to 
implement this program. Grants awarded to eligible organizations with 
less than four years of experience in conducting international exchange 
programs are limited to $60,000. Therefore, such organizations are 
ineligible for this competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to 
provide maximum levels of cost-sharing and funding from private sources 
in support of its programs.
    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;
    4. Administrative costs as necessary.
    5. U.S. ground transportation costs to U.S. appointments, meetings 
and to/from airports.
    Proposals should maximize cost sharing through private sector 
support

[[Page 74285]]

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-04-01.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The African Programs Branch, ECA/A/E/
AF, Room 232, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547, Tel: (202) 619-5376 and fax (202) 619-6137, 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, Ellen Berelson 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 Web site at 
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/RFGPs. Please read all information 
before downloading.
    New OMB Requirement: An OMB policy directive published in the 
Federal Register on Friday, June 27, 2003, requires that all 
organizations applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements 
must provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System 
(DUNS) number when applying for all Federal grants or cooperative 
agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The complete OMB policy 
directive can be referenced at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/062703_grant_identifier.pdf. Please also visit the ECA Web site at 
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/menu.htm for additional 
information on how to comply with this new directive.

Shipment and Deadline for Proposals

    Important Note: The deadline for this competition is Friday, 
February 6, 2004. In light of recent events and heightened security 
measures, proposal submissions must be sent via a nationally 
recognized overnight delivery service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, 
UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service Express Overnight 
Mail, etc.) and be shipped no later than the above deadline. The 
delivery services used by applicants must have in-place, centralized 
shipping identification and tracking systems that may be accessed 
via the Internet and delivery people who are identifiable by 
commonly recognized uniforms and delivery vehicles. Proposals 
shipped on or before the above deadline but received at ECA more 
than seven days after the deadline will be ineligible for further 
consideration under this competition. Proposals shipped after the 
established deadlines are ineligible for consideration under this 
competition. It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure that 
each package is marked with a legible tracking number and to 
monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the Internet. Delivery of 
proposal packages may not be made via local courier service or in 
person for this competition. Faxed documents will not be accepted at 
any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above will be 
considered.

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and 8 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-04-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal in text (.txt) format 
on a PC-formatted disk. The Bureau will provide these files 
electronically to the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy for 
its review.

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.

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 
62, 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 grants resides with the 
Bureau's Grants Officer.

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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 demonstrate effective use of community and 
regional resources to enhance the cultural and educational experiences 
of participants.
    2. Program planning: Relevant work plan and a detailed calendar 
should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. 
Plan and calendar should adhere to the program overview and guidelines 
described above. The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the 
institution will meet the program's objectives.
    3. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve a substantive 
academic program and effective cross-cultural communication with South 
African participants. Proposal should show evidence of strong on-site 
administrative capabilities with specific discussion of how logistical 
arrangements will be undertaken.
    4. 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.
    5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration and program 
content (orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource 
materials and follow-up activities).
    6. Institution's Record/Ability: 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 Bureau Grant 
Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of prior 
recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    7. 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.
    8. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity'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 are recommended.
    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 above is provided through legislation.

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: December 17, 2003.
Patricia S. Harrison,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 03-31579 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P