[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 222 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70017-70022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22921]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5231]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals: Summer Language Institute for American Youth

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/PY-06-16.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: January 18, 2006.
    Executive Summary: The Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen 
Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, announces 
an open competition for projects to provide Arabic or Chinese language 
instruction overseas for American high school students in Summer 2006. 
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 implement six-to eight-week summer institutes in an 
Arabic-speaking country and/or a Chinese-speaking country (hereafter 
referred to as China and understood to include mainland China and 
Taiwan as training sites) for U.S. students aged 15 to 18 to have both 
formal and informal Arabic or Chinese language instruction through a 
comprehensive exchange experience. ECA plans to award one or two grants 
for either an Arabic Institute or a Chinese Institute, or both. 
Applicants may apply to implement institutes in one or both languages.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

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 that 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.

Purpose

    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is supporting 
the participation of youth in intensive, substantive educational 
experiences that will promote language learning as well as engage the 
successor generation in a dialogue for greater understanding.
    Promoting the study of critical languages among American youth is a 
vital element of America's security in the post-9/11 world, as well as 
promoting mutual understanding and respect between the people of the 
United States and the citizens of strategically important countries 
around the world.
    The goals of the Summer Language Institute for American Youth are:
     To improve the ability of Americans to engage with the 
people of Arabic or Chinese-speaking countries through the shared 
language of the partner country;
     To develop a cadre of Americans with advanced linguistic 
skills and cultural understanding who are able to advance the 
international dialogue, promote the security of the United States, and 
compete effectively in the global economy;
     To provide a tangible incentive for the learning and use 
of foreign languages.
    In order to achieve these goals, the Bureau is offering the 
opportunity for American secondary school students to gain basic to 
intermediate skills in the Arabic language or the Chinese language. ECA 
plans to award one or two grants for either an Arabic Institute or a 
Chinese Institute, or both. Applicants may apply to implement 
institutes in one or both languages. The

[[Page 70018]]

Bureau reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal 
budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the 
availability of funds.
    The Summer Language Institutes for American Youth are to be 
conducted in an Arabic-speaking country (Egypt or Jordan) or in China. 
Through these institutes, a total of 30 to 40 high school students from 
the United States will spend six to eight weeks on a program abroad in 
the summer of 2006. The Arabic Institute and the Chinese Institute will 
provide not only intensive language instruction in a classroom setting 
but will also provide language-learning opportunities through immersion 
in the cultural, social, educational, and home life of the partner 
country. The exchange program will enhance the participants' knowledge 
of the host country's history, culture, and political system.

Indicators of a successful program

     Pre- and post-institute language testing of participants 
will demonstrate a substantive increase in language skills.
     Participants will demonstrate--for example, through 
surveys, essays, focus groups, or presentations--a deeper understanding 
of the host country's culture, including its customs, beliefs, and 
practices.
     Alumni will continue their foreign language study and/or 
participate in other exchanges to Arabic-speaking countries or to 
China.
     Students and families from the host country who engage 
with the U.S. participants demonstrate an interest in learning more 
about the United States.
    Capacity of administering organization: U.S. applicant 
organizations must have the necessary capacity in the partner country 
to implement the program through either its own offices or a partner 
institution. Organizations applying for this grant must demonstrate 
their (or their partners') capacity for conducting projects of this 
nature, focusing on three areas of competency: (1) Provision of foreign 
language instruction programs and provision of educational and cultural 
exchange activities as outlined in this document; (2) age-appropriate 
programming for the target audience; and (3) experience in working with 
the proposed partner country or countries.

Country Selection

    For the Arabic Institute: Applicant organizations should plan to 
send students to Egypt or Jordan, in consideration of both linguistic 
and safety issues.
    For the Chinese Institute: Applicant organizations should plan to 
send students to Mandarin-speaking regions of mainland China or Taiwan.
    Participant Selection: The grant recipient will recruit, screen, 
and select a group of students, aged 15 to 18, representing the ethnic, 
racial, socio-economic, and religious diversity of the United States. 
Participants may be beginning Arabic/Chinese speakers who have had 
little or no instruction in the language or they may be students with 
basic language skills who are ready for intermediate instruction. The 
delegation may be a mix of both groups, as long as the proposed 
institute makes explicit accommodation for learners of varying skill 
levels. Selected students will also demonstrate suitability for an 
intensive exchange experience.
    Institute Summary: This six to eight-week summer institute overseas 
for high school students will focus on language study and cultural 
immersion and will include four to six hours per day of formal language 
training, plus excursions, briefings and discussions on key issues.
    The grant recipient will provide instruction in the Arabic or 
Chinese language for a delegation of teenagers who may be beginning 
and/or intermediate students of the language. While teaching 
conversational Arabic or Chinese will be necessary to help students 
cope with their immersion setting, classes should also provide formal 
instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, and will cover 
reading, speaking, listening, and writing.
    Arabic: The institute should emphasize the acquisition of 
colloquial Arabic, though it is useful for students to learn Modern 
Standard Arabic and its study may also be woven into the program.
    Chinese: Students must learn Mandarin. Teaching materials used in 
the program should be available in both simplified and traditional 
character versions. The Hanyu pinyin romanization system should be 
used.
    During the exchange, the students will also have the opportunity to 
participate in activities designed to teach them about community life, 
citizen participation, and the culture and history of the host country. 
Activities should engage host country teenagers as much as possible. 
The program activities will introduce the students to the community--
its leaders and institutions, the ways citizens participate in local 
government, and the resolution of societal problems--and will include 
educational excursions that serve to enhance the visitors' 
understanding of the history, culture, media, political institutions, 
ethnic diversity, and environment of the region. ECA requires 
participation in a community service project that also involves youth 
of a similar age from the host country. Participants should also have 
opportunities to give presentations on their lives in the United States 
in community forums.
    Since the purpose of the institute is to provide an immersion 
program for the language learners and increase their language skills, 
ECA strongly urges organizations to arrange homestays with local 
families for as much of the duration of the institute as possible, 
balancing this with time spent in a hotel or dormitory setting where 
the participants may be more inclined to speak English.
    The delegation should have an adult accompany them on the 
international flight, and adult staff should be available to support 
the participants during the course of the institute.
    Applicants must provide a plan of follow-up with alumni by e-mail, 
through a Web site or Web log, and/or in person, and should assist 
alumni in maintaining connections with organizations and individuals in 
the host country. The grant recipient will be expected to work in 
coordination with ECA to track the activities of alumni and their 
continued interest in studying the language.
    Grant funding includes recruitment and selection of participants, 
orientation, travel, tuition and maintenance costs, educational 
enhancements, cultural and social activities, alumni activities, and 
administrative costs.


    Note: All printed materials and formal oral communications 
should acknowledge the role of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau 
of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Drafts of printed materials 
developed for this program should be submitted to ECA for review and 
distribution as it sees fit. Copies of materials given to and 
prepared by the students should be provided to the ECA program 
office in a timely fashion.

Proposal Contents

    In a maximum 20-page, one-sided, double-spaced narrative, please 
describe the proposed project in detail. Clearly outline whether you 
are applying to implement an Arabic Institute, a Chinese Institute, or 
both. We recommend using the following outline to organize your 
narrative. Refer to the proposal review criteria in this document for 
further guidance.
    (1) Vision--Statement of the applicant's objectives as they relate 
to the Department's goals.

[[Page 70019]]

    (2) Preparation--Describe the program planning and the recruitment, 
selection, orientation of participants.
    (3) Institute Activities--Outline with detail the exchange activity 
(language instruction, educational excursions, cultural activities, 
community service, participant monitoring, logistics). Include a sample 
itinerary under Tab E.
    (4) Follow-on Activities--Describe programming and support provided 
for exchange alumni.
    (5) Diversity--Describe how various aspects of the program will 
promote an understanding of geographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic 
diversity in the U.S. and the partner country or countries.
    (6) Program Evaluation Plan--Describe the design and methodology.
    (7) Organization Capacity and Program Management--Describe the 
organization and program staffing (identify individuals and their 
responsibilities, both in the U.S. and overseas), structure, and 
resources. Indicate plan for working with ECA and PAS.
    (8) Work Plan/Time Frame.
    Please include any attachments in Tab E of your proposal. Limit the 
attachments to those essential for completing an understanding of the 
proposal.
    Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to the 
Proposal Submission Instructions for further information.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2006.
    Approximate Total Funding: $300,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One or two.
    Approximate Average Award: Two awards at approximately $150,000 or 
one award at $300,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, the proposed 
start date is April 15, 2006.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: February 28, 2007.

III. Eligibility Information

    III.1. Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
    III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds: There is no minimum or 
maximum percentage required for this competition. However, the Bureau 
encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and 
funding in support of its programs.
    When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the 
applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its 
proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement. Cost 
sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For 
accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs 
which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by 
the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis 
for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in 
accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23--Cost 
Sharing and Matching. In the event you do not provide the minimum 
amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's 
contribution will be reduced in like proportion.
    III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: Bureau grant guidelines 
require that organizations with less than four years experience in 
conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in Bureau 
funding. ECA anticipates awarding a grant (or grants) in an amount over 
$60,000 to support program and administrative costs required to 
implement this exchange program. 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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Note: 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.


    IV.1 Contact Information to Request an Application Package: Please 
contact the Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/
PE/C/PY), room 568, U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20547, Telephone (202) 203-7502, Fax (202) 203-
7529, or E-mail [email protected] to request a Solicitation Package. 
Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/PE/C/PY-06-16) when 
making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    Please specify Bureau Program Officer Carolyn Lantz and refer to 
the Funding Opportunity Number (ECA/PE/C/PY-06-16) located at the top 
of this announcement on all other inquiries and correspondence.
    IV.2. 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/menu.htm. Please read all 
information before downloading.
    IV.3. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all 
instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and eight copies 
of the application should be sent per the instructions under IV.3f. 
``Submission Dates and Times section'' below.
    IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the U.S. Government. This number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. Please ensure that your DUNS number is included in the 
appropriate box of the SF-424 which is part of the formal application 
package.
    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. If your organization is a private nonprofit which has not 
received a grant or cooperative agreement from ECA in the past three 
years, or if your organization received nonprofit status from the IRS 
within the past four years, you must submit the necessary documentation 
to verify nonprofit status as directed in the PSI document. Failure to 
do so will cause your proposal to be declared technically ineligible.
    IV.3d. Please take into consideration the following information 
when preparing your proposal narrative:
    IV.3d.1--Adherence To All Regulations Governing The J Visa. The 
Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs is the official program sponsor of the exchange program covered 
by this RFGP, and an employee of the Bureau will be the ``Responsible 
Officer'' for the program under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, which 
covers the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program (J visa

[[Page 70020]]

program). Under the terms of 22 CFR part 62, organizations receiving 
grants under this RFGP will be third parties ``cooperating with or 
assisting the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's program.'' The 
actions of grantee program organizations shall be ``imputed to the 
sponsor in evaluating the sponsor's compliance with'' 22 CFR part 62. 
Therefore, the Bureau expects that any organization receiving a grant 
under this competition will render all assistance necessary to enable 
the Bureau to fully comply with 22 CFR part 62 et seq.
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places great 
emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange Visitor (J 
visa) Programs and adherence by grantee program organizations and 
program participants to all regulations governing the J visa program 
status. Therefore, proposals should explicitly state in writing that 
the applicant is prepared to assist the Bureau in meeting all 
requirements governing the administration of Exchange Visitor Programs 
as set forth in 22 CFR part 62. If your organization has experience as 
a designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, the applicant should 
discuss their record of compliance with 22 CFR part 62 et. seq., 
including the oversight of their 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.
    The Office of Citizen Exchanges of ECA will be responsible for 
issuing any DS-2019 forms to foreign participants.
    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) 203-5029. 
FAX: (202) 453-8640.
    IV.3d.2 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 your 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.
    IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation. Proposals must include 
a plan to monitor and evaluate the project's success, both as the 
activities unfold and at the end of the program. The Bureau recommends 
that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other 
technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes 
to original project objectives. The Bureau expects that the grantee 
will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key 
evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning 
as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the 
program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in 
which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan 
should include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as 
well as substantive knowledge.
    Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting 
clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation 
plan should include a description of your project's objectives, your 
anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure 
these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are 
``smart'' (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and 
placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct 
the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link 
to the goals of the program described in this RFGP.
    Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish 
between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services 
delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important 
to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot 
substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the 
results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people 
trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, 
represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is 
usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and 
outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.
    We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, 
as they relate to the program goals set out in the RFGP (listed here in 
increasing order of importance):
    1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange 
experience.
    2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, 
skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both 
substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
    3. Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in 
work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic 
organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new 
knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community 
members, and others.
    4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and 
partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational 
improvements.


    Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate 
timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, 
satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas 
behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-
term outcomes.


    Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be 
judged on how well it (1) specifies intended outcomes; (2) gives clear 
descriptions of how each outcome will be measured; (3) identifies when 
particular outcomes will be measured; and (4) provides a clear 
description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., 
surveys, interviews, or focus groups). (Please note that evaluation 
plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] 
will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. All 
data collected, including survey responses and contact information, 
must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to the 
Bureau upon request.

[[Page 70021]]

    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the 
entire program. Grant requests may not exceed $300,000. The anticipated 
unit cost for a six-to-eight-week program is $8,000 to $10,000. 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.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the program include the following:
    (1) Recruitment/selection.
    (2) Preparation/orientation.
    (3) Visas and associated costs.
    (4) Travel.
    (5) Institute costs, including language instruction, program 
activities, and monitoring.
    (6) Room and board, as necessary.
    (7) Follow-on activities.
    (8) Evaluation.
    (9) Administration.
    Maximum limits on grant funding are as follows: Books and 
educational materials allowance--$100 per participant; Conference room 
rental costs--$250 per day per room; Consultant fees and honoraria--
$250/day; Cultural allowance--$150 per participant; Per diem--standard 
government rates; Working meals--one per project; Evaluation costs--2% 
to 5% of the grant.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times:
    Application Deadline Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2006.

Explanation of Deadlines

    Due to 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. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of 
application. 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. Applications may not be submitted electronically at 
this time.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package.


    Important note:
    When preparing your submission please make sure to include one 
extra copy of the completed SF-424 form and place it in an envelope 
addressed to ``ECA/EX/PM''.


    The original, one fully-tabbed copy, and seven copies of the 
application with Tabs A-E (for a total of 9 copies) should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C/PY-06-16, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 
534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.
    Along with the Project Title, all applicants must enter the above 
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF-424 contained in the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) of the solicitation document.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.
    IV.3h. With the submission of the proposal package, please also 
submit the Executive Summary, Proposal Narrative, and Budget sections 
of the proposal as e-mail attachments in Microsoft Word and/or Excel to 
the program officer at [email protected]. The Bureau will provide these 
files electronically to the Public Affairs Sections at the relevant 
U.S. embassies for their review.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Review Process

    The Bureau will review all proposals 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) 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 display an understanding of the goals of the 
program. Proposals will demonstrate a commitment to excellence and 
creativity in the implementation and management of the program.
    2. Program planning and ability to meet program objectives: 
Objectives should be reasonable, feasible, flexible, and respond to the 
priorities outlined in this announcement. Proposals should clearly 
demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's objectives and 
plan. A detailed agenda and relevant work plan will demonstrate 
substantive undertakings and logistical capacity. The agenda and plan 
should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above 
and will show the timetable by which major tasks will be completed. The 
substance of the instruction and the exchange activities should be 
described in detail and included as an attachment. The responsibilities 
of partner organizations will be clearly delineated.
    3. Follow-on/Alumni Activities: Proposals should provide a strategy 
for maximizing the opportunities for alumni to further their study of 
the language and culture of the host country, presenting plans that are 
within the context of the grant (with Bureau support) and after its 
completion (without the Bureau's financial support).
    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. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan and 
methodology to evaluate the project's successes and challenges, both as 
the activities unfold and at the end of the program. The evaluation 
plan should show a clear link between program objectives and expected 
outcomes, and should include

[[Page 70022]]

a description of performance indicators and measurement tools. 
Applicants should provide draft questionnaires or other techniques for 
use in surveying participants to facilitate the demonstration of 
results. Applicants will indicate their willingness to submit periodic 
progress reports in accordance with the program office's expectations.
    6. Institutional Capacity: Applicants should demonstrate knowledge 
of each country's educational environment and the capacity for hosting 
this language institute. Proposals should include detailed information 
about the applicant's capacity in the United States and about in-
country support for the program, including descriptions of experienced 
personnel who will implement it. Institutional resources should be 
adequate and appropriate to achieve the 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 Grants Staff. The Bureau will consider the past performance of 
prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.
    7. Cost-effectiveness/Cost sharing: The overhead and administrative 
components of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be 
kept as low as possible. While lower ``per participant'' figures will 
be favorably viewed, the Bureau expects all figures to be realistic. 
All other items must be necessary and appropriate. Proposals should 
maximize cost sharing through other private sector support as well as 
institutional direct funding contributions.

VI. Award Administration Information

    VI.1a. Award Notices: Final awards cannot be made until funds have 
been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal 
Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive an Assistance 
Award Document (AAD) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The AAD and the 
original grant proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) 
shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient 
and the U.S. Government. The AAD will be signed by an authorized Grants 
Officer, and mailed to the recipient's responsible officer identified 
in the application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification 
of the results of the application review from the ECA program office 
coordinating this competition.
    VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Terms and 
Conditions for the Administration of ECA agreements include the 
following:
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122, ``Cost Principles 
for Nonprofit Organizations.''
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, ``Cost Principles 
for Educational Institutions.''
    OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian 
Governments''.
    OMB Circular No. A-110 (Revised), Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.
    OMB Circular No. A-102, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants-in-Aid to State and Local Governments.
    OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Government, and 
Non-profit Organizations.
    Please reference the following Web sites for additional 
information:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.

    VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You must provide ECA with a hard copy 
original plus two copies of the following reports:
    (1) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (2) Quarterly program and financial reports that include 
information on the progress made on the program plan and program 
results to date.
    Grantees will be required to provide reports analyzing their 
evaluation findings to the Bureau in their regular program reports. 
(Please refer to IV. Application and Submission Instructions (IV.3.d.3) 
above for Program Monitoring and Evaluation information.
    All data collected, including survey responses and contact 
information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and 
provided to the Bureau upon request.
    All reports must be sent to the ECA Grants Officer and ECA Program 
Officer listed in the final assistance award document.
    VI.4. Program Data Requirements: Organizations awarded grants will 
be required to maintain specific data on program participants and 
activities in an electronically accessible database format that can be 
shared with the Bureau as required. As a minimum, the data must include 
the following:
    (1) Name, address, contact information and biographic sketch of all 
persons who travel internationally on funds provided by the grant or 
who benefit from the grant funding but do not travel.
    (2) Itineraries of international and domestic travel, providing 
dates of travel and cities in which any exchange experiences take 
place. Final schedules for in-country and U.S. activities must be 
received by the ECA Program Officer at least three work days prior to 
the official opening of the activity.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Carolyn Lantz, 
Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs, ECA/PE/C/PY-06-16, U.S. Department of 
State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 568, Washington, DC 20547, 
Telephone (202) 203-7505, Fax (202) 203-7529, E-mail [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C/PY-06-16.
    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.

VIII. Other Information

    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 per section 
VI.3 above.
    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 per section VI.3 
above.

    Dated: November 14, 2005.
C. Miller Crouch,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-22921 Filed 11-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P