[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36152-36155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14600]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4751]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant 
Proposals: Survey of International Educational Exchange Activity in the 
United States (Foreign Students and Scholars in the U.S. and U.S. 
Students Studying Abroad)

    Summary: The Educational Information and Resources Branch, Office 
of Global Educational Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs (the Bureau) announces an open competition for a survey of 
International Educational Exchange Activity in the United States. 
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 conduct a statistical survey (census) of foreign 
nationals affiliated with institutions of higher learning in the United 
States. The survey, which should be conducted in the most economical 
way possible, should identify the number of foreign students and 
scholars studying, conducting research, or teaching at all accredited 
universities and colleges in the United States during the 2004/2005 
academic year (fall 2004 through spring 2005). It must also provide 
detailed individual student profile data, country-specific aggregate 
data that enumerate the numbers of foreign students and scholars from a 
given country affiliated with individual U.S. institutions. Finally, as 
an indicator of U.S. institutional support for international 
educational exchange, the report should also include data about the 
number of American students studying abroad in credit-bearing programs 
of all types (year-long, semester, short-term and summer). Proposals 
should describe the methodology that will be used to collect the data, 
whether by survey, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland 
Security or some combination thereof, and how the material will be 
analyzed and presented to the public. The proposal must also include 
plans to establish an advisory board to provide assistance in 
identifying and framing policy issues that may need to be addressed by 
policymakers.

Program Information

    Overview: The State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, with its mandate under the Fulbright-Hays Act to promote 
mutual understanding through international educational exchange, has 
supported a survey of foreign students in the United States since 1974 
in order to gain an accurate and up-to-date picture of international 
educational exchange activity in the United States. Recent reports have 
expanded on the original survey's parameters to include foreign 
scholars and U.S. students studying overseas.
    Proposals to conduct this project should describe plans for a 
statistical survey that would offer a detailed and comprehensive 
picture of the number and academic characteristics (major fields of 
study or program, level of study, etc.) of non-immigrant foreign 
nationals (that is, excluding permanent residents and refugees) 
affiliated with (i.e., enrolled at, employed by, etc.) American 
institutions of higher learning, as well the number of U.S. students 
studying abroad. Topics that should be covered in the survey include 
the number of foreign students and scholars, their gender and countries 
of origin. Information about students' academic level (undergraduate, 
graduate, post-doctorate), fields of study, primary source of financial 
support, financial contributions they make while in the United States, 
and location of study should be included.
    Proposals may request Bureau funding of a publication, Web site, 
database, newsletter, or another medium that is presented as a viable 
vehicle for making this data widely available in a timely manner and in 
a clear and concise format. The Bureau reserves the right to reproduce, 
publish or otherwise use any work developed under this grant for U.S. 
Government purposes.
    Pending successful implementation of this program and the 
availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA's intent to 
renew this grant for two additional fiscal years before the next 
competition. Future support will be contingent upon accurate data 
collection, quality of presentation of that data, and prompt 
publication of the census.
    Guidelines: Proposals should include a precise description of the 
methodology to be used to obtain the data called for in this 
solicitation. Applicants are reminded of the need to find the most 
economical approach to gathering the data and are encouraged to explore 
electronic data collection. Applicants should also seek ways of making 
the information available within the academic year that it is 
collected.
    Data collected should be published annually for public consumption. 
Applicants are also encouraged to include information about their 
capacity to carry out electronic surveys and report on findings at the 
request of the Bureau that would focus on one or more critical issues 
that may arise during the period in which census data is being 
gathered.
    To provide for a more detailed analysis and cross tabulation of the 
characteristics of foreign students studying in the United States, 
individual student profile data should also be collected. This 
individual student profile data should be provided to the Bureau in a 
format that is country-specific and should show the number of students 
from a specific country attending selected institutions of higher 
education in each state of the U.S.
    The Bureau seeks a clear presentation and rigorous analysis of the 
data collected that will draw conclusions about trends in foreign 
student enrollments, numbers of foreign scholars on U.S. campuses and 
American students studying abroad that can be used to guide policy 
discussions for both government and academia.
    The grantee must establish an advisory board on the annual survey 
to provide assistance in identifying and framing policy issues to be 
addressed; the board should meet at least once a year. Board members 
would likely be drawn from a broad range of educational associations 
and organizations such as NAFSA: Association of International 
Educators, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and 
Admissions Officers and the Council of Graduate Schools, among others, 
and would be expected to provide perspectives on topics that are 
related to the internationalization of higher education.
    Scholarly analyses of survey data addressing pertinent policy 
issues should be included in the final report, which will be read by 
policymakers in government, academia, and business, as well as 
practitioners in international educational exchange. The report should 
also include a narrative on the mechanics and uses of data analysis, 
highlighting how conclusions can be drawn from the data collected, some 
of the limitations of that analysis, and how the data can benefit the 
educational institutions supplying it, for example, as a campus 
advocacy or recruiting tool.

[[Page 36153]]

Applicants should include with the proposal a complete list of proposed 
chapter headings and sample analyses.
    The Bureau welcomes innovative approaches to the presentation of 
material, including possible breakdowns for minority-serving 
institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 
the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. The Bureau also 
encourages applicants to consider including comment on other topics of 
current interest in the final report, such as:
    (1) How the international exchange population is affected by U.S. 
visa policies;
    (2) How student flows to the U.S. may have been affected by efforts 
of other countries to attract foreign students, by the expansion of the 
European Union and its efforts to build an academic market via the 
Bologna Agreement, etc.
    (3) How political and economic trends in other countries are 
reflected in student flows to the U.S.;
    (4) How economic trends in the U.S., including the rise in tuition 
levels and the cost of living, may have affected student flows to the 
U.S.;
    (5) As an element of global trade, how international student flows 
may have commercial significance for the development of foreign markets 
for U.S. education and training;
    (6) The impact of international students and scholars on U.S. 
academic institutions and departments;
    (7) Demonstrated benefits of study abroad; for example, as seen by 
employers;
    (8) U.S. institutions' activities to educate foreign students in 
their home countries, through, for example, overseas campuses or 
distance education programs to complement the data now collected on 
education of foreign students in the United States.
    (9) The numbers of foreign students studying in intensive English 
language programs in the United States.
    The grant should begin on or about October 1, 2004, and run through 
September 30, 2005.
    Budget Guidelines: Grants awarded to eligible organizations with 
less than four years experience in conducting international exchange 
programs will be limited to $60,000. The Bureau anticipates awarding 
one grant in the amount of $190,000 to support program and 
administrative costs required to implement this program. The Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost-sharing and 
funding from private sources in support of its programs.
    Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire 
program. Awards may not exceed $190,000. There must be a summary budget 
as well as breakdown reflecting both administrative and program 
budgets. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program 
component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.
    Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Salaries and fringe benefits; travel and per diem;
    (2) Other direct costs, inclusive of rent, utilities, etc.;
    (3) Overhead expenses and auditing costs.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    Announcement Title and Number: All communications with the Bureau 
concerning this RFGP should refer to the announcement's title and 
reference number ECA/A/S/A 05-01.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Global Educational 
Programs, Educational Information and Resource Branch, U.S. Department 
of State, 301 4th Street, SW., (SA-44), Washington, DC 20547, tel: 
(202) 619-5549, 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 Ann Prince 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 July 30, 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 10 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/A-05-01, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must also enter the 
above Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the 
mandatory Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document.
    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.

[[Page 36154]]

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.'' 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 
part 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.
    If applicable, 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: 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.
    (3) Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be 
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan.
    (4) Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity.
    (5) Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or 
project's goals.
    (6) Institution's Record/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an 
institutional record of successful data collection and statistical 
analysis, as well as 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 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. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is 
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.
    (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.
    (9) 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.

[[Page 36155]]

Notification

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

    Dated: June 22, 2004.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-14600 Filed 6-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P