[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 93 (Thursday, May 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26637-26640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10887]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4716]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant 
Proposals: Turkish Student Teacher Internship Project

SUMMARY: The Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the 
Turkish Student Teacher Internship Project. Public and private non-
profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal 
Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to 
administer an eight-week teacher training program for graduate students 
of education from Turkey. The focus of the program is to familiarize 
participants with U.S. student-centered teaching methods and the use of 
technology in the classroom. The exchange experience should also give 
Turkish participants an in-depth experience in American life and 
culture and contribute to mutual understanding between Turkey and the 
United States. The program should include both a theoretical component, 
provided through professional development seminars in an academic 
setting, and a practical component, provided through practice teaching 
experience under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers. 
Interested organizations should indicate strong contacts with local 
school districts in order to provide the practical student-teaching 
component, as well as a demonstrated ability to conduct a substantive 
academic program. Host schools for teacher-training internships may be 
public, private, magnet or charter schools, and should exemplify best 
practices. The successful proposal will demonstrate the organization's 
experience in international educational exchange and internship 
programs, and an understanding of Turkish history, culture, religion 
and education.
    Program Information: Overview: Participants will be twenty-six 
graduate students from Turkey enrolled in MA in Teacher Education or MA 
in Teaching English as a Foreign Language programs, innovative degree 
programs which train high school level teachers of all subjects in 
student-centered teaching methods. Participants will be drawn from 
Bilkent University or similar institutions in Turkey. Students will 
have completed one year of MA-level academic work before beginning the 
program in the U.S. The twenty-six English-speaking student teachers 
will be selected by the Commission for Educational Exchange between the 
U.S.A. and Turkey (Fulbright Commission) in coordination with the U.S. 
Embassy in Turkey. The group will demonstrate diversity in geography 
(drawn from various regions of Turkey), gender, and socio-economic 
level. Following their program, the students will return to their home 
institutions for approximately seven more months of academic study 
before starting careers as high school teachers in Turkey.
    In the long-term, this program is expected to assist Turkish 
educators as they prepare students to live in an increasingly 
interdependent world, and to provide these teachers with an in-depth 
exchange experience in the United States. It is intended that this 
experience will provide also a basis for continuing contact with the 
U.S. with a view to promoting mutual understanding between our 
countries and cultures.
    Guidelines: The eight-week program should provide participants with 
thorough exposure to student-centered teaching approaches and the use 
of technology in American schools and a substantive cultural/
educational exchange experience in the United States. After the 
participants have been selected, but prior to their departure for the 
U.S., the grantee institution will conduct a planning visit to Turkey 
to consult with representatives from the Fulbright Commission, U.S. 
Embassy, local educators, and representatives of the sending 
institutions. During this visit and in coordination with the above 
representatives, the grantee institution will also conduct a three-day 
pre-departure orientation workshop for the participants.
    The orientation should provide information about the program, the 
program's goals, and expectations of participants. It should also offer 
a

[[Page 26638]]

framework for integrating the training and its objectives into 
participants' previous training, and promote strategies for them to 
share their knowledge with professional counterparts and their own 
students. At the orientation, organizers should seek input from the 
participants about the needs of local teachers, review comparative 
teaching practices, and address issues about participants' stay in the 
U.S.
    Upon their arrival in the United States, the participants should 
receive follow-up orientation that includes a basic introduction to 
American life and customs, and how these differ from practices in their 
home country. They should also receive academic training on teaching 
methodology and procedures. Teachers should then be placed in small 
groups at local schools, paired with experienced U.S. teachers whose 
academic specialization matches their own. Internship activities should 
include: observing a variety of teaching methods (inquiry, active 
classroom, group projects, etc.) as well as computer-based lessons; 
working individually with a mentor teacher on curriculum development; 
and team teaching. While the greatest emphasis is placed on immersing 
student teachers actively in the American classroom environment, the 
participants should also participate in development seminars on related 
topics in a university academic setting. The internship and seminars 
will also help participants to create a curriculum development project 
or portfolio to use upon their return to Turkey.
    Components of U.S. program:
     Cross-cultural orientation (2-4 days): Introduction to 
U.S. government as it relates to education, U.S. education system, 
American culture through site visits and a cross-cultural adjustment 
seminar;
     Site visits in school districts (2-3 days): To all levels 
and types of schools, including economically and ethnically diverse 
schools;
     Internships in high schools (6 weeks): Each student 
teacher will work with a U.S. mentor teacher individually or with one 
other student teacher; activities include classroom observation, team 
teaching, and cultural presentations;
     Exposure to local school governance: through such 
activities as attendance at faculty, board of education, and PTA 
meetings;
     Professional development seminars planned and conducted in 
an academic setting to complement school-based training: topics may 
include classroom management, conflict resolution, diversity, and 
curriculum development. Seminars may be spread throughout the six weeks 
or take the form of a mid-program conference/debriefing;
     Final debriefing (1-2 days): Student teachers will share 
what they have observed and learned, perhaps through presentations they 
make to each other within the group;
     Curriculum development project: By the end of the eight-
week program, the student teachers should complete a project 
incorporating a new teaching method or technology that they will put 
into practice when they begin teaching. Students should be able to use 
this project to brief fellow students at seminars held at their home 
universities, and so share the knowledge they have gained during their 
exchange experience with a wider group of MA candidates in Turkey.
     Cultural experiences: The project should provide 
opportunities for participants to interact with the local community 
through home stays and non-school-based groups, take part in activities 
reflecting the diversity of American society, to speak to Americans 
about Turkish history and culture.
     Final debriefing in Washington, DC: This portion of the 
program will allow Bureau staff to discuss the program in detail with 
the participants and get input on how to improve such programs in the 
future. A cultural program will also be part of the Washington visit.
    Grantee's responsibilities:
     Plan and implement the exchange program in all aspects, 
including both the academic and practical component.
     Locate school districts to host groups for internships 
through informal competition (schools must submit a brief proposal 
outlining their interest, understanding of goals, examples of best 
practices, and commitment to mentoring). School districts should be 
within the driving distance from the administering organization, and 
should expose participants to more than one educational system or 
approach. Schools should designate an experienced mentor teacher to 
oversee the day-to-day activities of the participants;
     Conduct orientations in Turkey (pre-departure) and U.S., 
professional development seminars and debriefing;
     Monitor and evaluate the program;
     Administer all participant logistics: International 
transportation, ground transportation to local schools and training 
sites, participant per diem and housing, U.S. government forms--visas, 
tax, social security, etc.
     Arrange for home stays for at least some portion of the 
exchange visit, perhaps through local schools or other participating 
organizations; if home stays are not available for the entire period, 
arrange other cost-efficient housing; home stay hosts, as well as 
schools, should be sensitive to accommodating participants' religious 
observance;
     Administer all financial aspects of the program and comply 
with reporting requirements;
     Arrange a visit to Washington, DC, at the end of the 
group's U.S. program, to include meetings with Bureau representatives, 
a cultural program, and a school site visit if possible;
     Plan follow-on activities with host schools and 
participants in conjunction with participants' academic program.
    The Commission for Educational Exchange between the U.S.A. and 
Turkey will assist in obtaining international airline tickets; the 
grantee will pay the airline office in Ankara for the air tickets, in 
coordination with the Fulbright Commission there. The purchase of 
tickets must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. The grantee 
will prepare visa documents and enroll the student teachers in a health 
insurance policy. The Fulbright Commission and the sending universities 
will assist in the pre-departure orientation and will conduct a post-
program evaluation. The grantee will coordinate with the Fulbright 
Commission on all non-U.S. based aspects of program administration. The 
proposal should address mechanisms for communication and coordination.
    The grantee will coordinate with the Teacher Exchange Branch in the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs regarding all U.S.-based 
activities, reporting and evaluation. It will be important for the 
grantee to help create a network for participants to communicate and 
support each other in using the new methodologies after they have 
completed their academic program in Turkey and become teachers. A 
strong proposal will address follow-on activities in conjunction with 
the Fulbright Commission and the sending university or universities 
(without Bureau funding) to increase future impact and participant 
support.
    The grant will begin on or about September 1, 2004, and the grantee 
should complete all exchange activities by December 2005. The 
internship program will take place in March-April 2005 or October-
November 2005. Please refer to additional program specific guidelines 
in the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document.

[[Page 26639]]

    Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to 
Solicitation Package for further information.
    Budget Guidelines: The Bureau anticipates awarding one grant, in an 
amount up to $200,000 to support program and administrative costs. 
Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four 
years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to 
$60,000 in Bureau funding. Therefore, organizations with less than four 
years experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible 
to apply under this competition. The Bureau encourages applicants to 
provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its 
programs. 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. Cost-sharing is 
encouraged.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:

1. International Travel
2. U.S. Ground Transportation
3. Host Schools (administrative costs)
4. Professional Development Seminars/Conference and Debriefing 
(instruction, materials, logistics)
5. Participant lodging and per diem
6. Cultural Activities
7. Book Allowance/Shipping
8. Grantee Administrative Costs

    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-04-04.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Teacher Exchange Branch of the 
Office of Global Educational Programs, ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, U.S. 
Department of State, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547, 
telephone: 202-619-4569, fax: 202-401-1433, 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 Michael Kuban 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, June 18, 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 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/S/X-04-04, 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 disabilities. 
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.'' 
Pub. L. 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-

[[Page 26640]]

arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of 
participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, 
reporting and other requirements. The Grantee 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 
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.
    2. Program planning and ability to achieve program objectives: 
Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should demonstrate substantive 
undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and plan should adhere to 
the program overview and guidelines described above. Objectives should 
be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    3. Impact/Follow-on activities: Proposed programs should strengthen 
long-term mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of 
information and establishment of long-term institutional and individual 
linkages. Proposals should provide a plan for continued follow-on 
activity (without Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau supported 
programs are not isolated events.
    4. 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 (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    5. Institutional Record and Capacity: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program or project's goals. 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.
    6. 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 is recommended. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is 
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
    7. Cost-effectiveness/cost-sharing: 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.

    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: May 6, 2004.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-10887 Filed 5-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P