[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 60 (Thursday, March 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16418-16426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6280]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6158]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals (RFGP): Congressionally Mandated--One-time Grants 
Program--Competition B--Professional, Cultural, and Youth One-time 
Grants Program

    Announcement Type: New Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-Comp.B

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 00.000

    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: April 24, 2008.
    Executive Summary: This competition is one of two competitions that 
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is conducting as 
directed in the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related 
Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (Div J, Pub. L. 100-161) under 
``Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs'' in support of a $10 
million ``competitive one-time grants program.'' All applications must 
be submitted by, public or private non-profit organizations, meeting 
the provisions described in Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 
501(c)(3). Total funding for this ``one-time grants program'' is $10 
million dollars. Five million dollars will be dedicated to this 
competition, (Competition B--Professional, Cultural and Youth One-time 
Grants Program-reference number ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-Comp.B), and $5 
million will be dedicated to and announced simultaneously in a separate 
RFGP, (Competition A--Academic Programs One-time Grants Program--
reference number ECA/A-08-One-time-Comp.A).

    Please note:
    The Bureau reserves the right to reallocate funds it has 
initially allocated to each of these two competitions, based upon 
factors such as the number of applications received and 
responsiveness to the review criteria outlined in each of the 
solicitations.


    Applicants may only submit ONE proposal (TOTAL) to ONE of the two 
competitions referenced above. In addition, applicants under this 
competition (ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-Comp.B) may only apply to administer 
one of the listed activities (total). If multiple proposals are 
received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared 
technically ineligible and will be given no further consideration in 
the review process. Eligible applicants are strongly encouraged to read 
both RFGPs thoroughly, prior to developing and submitting proposals, to 
ensure that proposed activities are appropriate and responsive to the 
goals, objectives and criteria outlined in each of the solicitations.
    As further directed by the Congress, ``The program shall be only 
for the actual exchange of people and should benefit a population that 
is not being addressed through existing authorized exchanges.''
    The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces a 
competition for grants that support international exchanges in order to 
increase mutual understanding and build relationships, through 
individuals and organizations, between the people of the United States 
and their counterparts in other countries. The Bureau welcomes 
proposals from organizations that have not had a previous grant from 
the Bureau as well as from those which have; see eligibility 
information below and in section III.

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 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.
    Background: The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and 
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (Div. J, Pub. L. 100-161) 
under ``Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs'' includes $10 
million ``for a competitive one-time grants program similar to 
proposals by both the House and Senate. In developing this competitive 
grants program, the Department of State is to be guided by criteria 
outlined in both the House Report 110-197 and Senate Report 110-

[[Page 16419]]

128, including the directive to consult with the Appropriations 
Committees, prior to submission of a program plan.''
    ECA anticipates awarding approximately 20-25 grants under this 
Competition B--Professional, Cultural, and Youth One-Time Grants 
Program.
    Purpose: In this competition, ECA seeks grant proposals that 
support two-way exchanges for one of the following three different 
groups: Emerging Youth Leaders, Emerging Young Professionals, and 
Emerging Cultural Leaders. Program development should begin by 
September 2008, with most exchange activities scheduled to take place 
in calendar year 2009, and continuing into 2010. These projects should 
be completed in less than two years.

Emerging Youth Leaders

    Program Contact: Carolyn Lantz, tel: 202-203-7505, e-mail 
[email protected].
    The Emerging Youth Leaders program provides opportunities for high 
school students (ages 15-17) and educators in the United States and in 
multiple countries around the world to participate in two-way 
exchanges, each three to four weeks in duration. Each project explores 
a particular theme designed to develop critical leadership skills for 
aspiring young leaders and will encourage respect for diversity, 
develop reconciliation and conflict management skills, and promote 
critical thinking. An essential element of all projects will be to 
build mutual understanding and respect among the people of the United 
States and the people of the exchange partner countries.
    The overarching goals are:
    1. To develop a sense of civic responsibility and commitment to our 
local and global communities;
    2. To promote mutual understanding between the United States and 
the people of other countries around topics of common interest; and
    3. To foster personal and institutional ties between participants 
and partner countries.
    A successful project will be one that nurtures a cadre of students 
and educators to be actively engaged in addressing issues of concern in 
their schools and communities upon their return home. Project 
activities will equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence 
to become citizen activists and ethical leaders. Participants will be 
engaged in a variety of activities such as workshops, community and/or 
school-based programs, seminars, and other activities that are designed 
to achieve the program's stated goals. Multiple opportunities for 
participants to interact with youth and educators in the host country 
must be included.
    Grant recipients will recruit and select the participants in the 
United States, as well as in the partner country(ies) through close 
consultation with the relevant U.S. Embassies; organize all exchange 
activities in the participating countries; and implement follow-on 
activities in which participants may apply at home what they have 
learned during the exchange.
    Applicants should select one of the four themes below. The projects 
will provide guidance and training that help the youth participants 
develop leadership skills, such as influential public speaking, team-
building, and goal-setting, so that they are prepared to take action 
with what they have learned. They will also learn the tools of 
persuasion, negotiation, and mediation to effectively manage 
relationships and messages in a positive manner. The exchange 
activities will also examine diversity issues and how young people can 
develop skills in critical thinking and techniques in reconciliation 
and conflict management.
    Themes:
    Participants will develop these skills by undertaking projects that 
focus on one of the following specific themes:
    (1) Media technology and media literacy:
    Projects will review the new technologies, such as weblogs, online 
videos, and social networking sites that enable people around the world 
to share information with each other. The projects will also address 
the challenges that both old and new media present to effective cross-
cultural communication, and will provide training on how to analyze the 
messages of mass media and individual voices for accuracy or bias. 
Participants will learn how to use technology and media to effect 
positive change in their communities.
    (2) Cultural leadership:
    Through these projects, participants will examine how historical 
and cultural sites in their communities reflect their identity, 
traditions, society, religion, values, and patterns of behavior. They 
will participate in workshops and seminars to see how cultural heritage 
sites can contribute to economic development through tourism and urban 
renewal, and demonstrate respect for diverse cultural identities. The 
project will include a community service activity related to 
preservation of historic treasures and interpreting their importance 
for contemporary residents and visitors.
    (3) Environmental issues:
    Projects will focus on a shared environmental interest of the 
participating countries (e.g., use of natural resources, pollution, 
sustainable energy). Participants will complete projects that 
illustrate the issue through hands-on activities and community service. 
These projects will also include a review of the impact of public 
interest and government policies on the issue, as well as a 
comprehensive discussion of proposed solutions.
    (4) Business and entrepreneurial skills:
    These projects will offer intensive study of applied economics, 
practical business skills, entrepreneurship, and related ethics and 
leadership education. Participants will gain an understanding of how a 
business plan can enable them to make an idea reality, and how good 
business practices are not only ethically right but also lead to 
prosperity through the development of consumer trust, loyalty, and 
accountability.
    Proposed Partner Countries and Regions:
    ECA will accept proposals for either single-country or multi-
country projects. We are particularly interested in receiving proposals 
for projects with the countries listed below. Proposals that target 
these countries will be considered more competitive under the review 
criterion, ``Quality of the program idea and program planning.'' A 
single-country project is a two-way exchange between the United States 
and a single partner country. With a multi-country project, 
participants from the partner countries should travel to the United 
States together; the American participants' exchange travel may be to 
just one or to all of the partner countries, depending on the applicant 
organization's program design and objectives. Applicants should present 
a rationale for their approach. No guarantee is made or implied that 
grants will be awarded in all themes and for all countries listed. 
Organizations should consider current U.S. Department of State travel 
advisories when selecting the countries with which they would like to 
work.
    Central and South America: Single country projects, excluding 
Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, and Venezuela, where the Bureau 
already has youth exchange programs underway. Proposals that outline a 
merit-based selection process designed to ensure the participation of 
diverse populations--including marginalized youth--will be considered 
more competitive under the review criterion, ``Support of diversity.''
    Europe and Eurasia:
    Ireland--Single country projects.

[[Page 16420]]

The Balkans--Single country projects.
Turkey/Greece/Cyprus--Multi-country projects for all three countries 
together.
Armenia/Azerbaijan--Two-country projects.
Minorities in Western and Central Europe--Multi-country projects.
    Africa:
Rwanda--Single country projects.
Trans-Sahara/West Africa--Multi-country projects.
    South and Central Asia:
India/Pakistan--U.S. participants travel to India for reciprocal 
exchange component.
Central Asia--Multi-country projects, excluding Uzbekistan.
    Middle East/North Africa:
Israel/Arab World--Multi-country projects with Israel and two-four Arab 
countries (which may include the Palestinian Authority).
    Multi-Regional:
France and Canada--Multi-country projects with these countries.
    U.S. applicants must have the necessary capacity in the partner 
country through their own offices or a partner institution. The 
requisite capacity overseas includes the ability to organize 
substantive exchange activities for the American participants, provide 
follow-on activities, and handle the logistical and financial 
arrangements.
    Applicants should propose the time period of the two exchanges, but 
the exact timing of the project may be altered through the mutual 
agreement of the Department of State and the grant recipient. The 
program should be no less than three weeks and up to four weeks in 
duration.
    These two-way exchanges should involve the same communities in each 
country, as the second reciprocal exchange will help reinforce the 
relationships and program content developed during the first exchange. 
Project staff should help facilitate regular program-oriented 
communication among the exchange participants between the two 
exchanges.
    The exchange participants will be high school students between the 
ages of 15 and 17 who have demonstrated leadership abilities in their 
schools and/or communities, and have at least one year of high school 
remaining after the competition of the exchange. The adult participants 
will be high school teachers or community leaders who work with youth. 
They will have a demonstrated interest in youth leadership and will be 
expected to remain in positions where they can continue to work with 
youth. The ratio of youth to adults should be between 5:1 and 10:1. 
Participants will be proficient in the English language.

Emerging Young Professionals

    Program Contact: Curtis Huff, tel: 202-453-8159, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    The Emerging Young Professionals program offers opportunities for 
young adults (approximately 22-35 years old) to participate in two-way 
exchanges of approximately three to four weeks or more in duration to 
develop their leadership skills and to increase mutual understanding 
between their countries and the United States. ECA is especially 
interested in engaging marginalized populations and women from both the 
U.S. and partner countries in the exchanges. Exchange projects should 
build participants' leadership skills, including how to conceptualize 
and develop projects to reach diverse citizenry, using clear 
objectives, solid management structures and evaluation feedback 
mechanisms for projects at the local level. Participants should be 
community leaders, political leaders, educators, and/or advocates for 
youth, or persons who show the capacity to become effective in those 
roles.
    Projects should be two-way in purpose and implementation, with 
approximately equal numbers of participants traveling to and from the 
United States for approximately equal periods of time. Consistent with 
this approach, project plans should promote learning and teaching for 
participants from all countries in the project to promote mutual 
understanding and build individual and institutional partnerships that 
are likely to continue beyond the grant project. Proposals that clearly 
delineate salient objectives in measurable terms and plan activities in 
a sequence that will progressively lead to achieving those objectives, 
will be considered more competitive under the review criterion, 
``Ability to achieve program objectives.''
    Projects should be planned around one of the following themes:
    (1) Media technology and media literacy: These projects should 
introduce participants to new technologies, such as weblogs, online 
videos, and social networking sites that enable people around the world 
to share information with each other. The projects should also address 
the challenges that both old and new media present to effective cross-
cultural communication, and should provide training on how to analyze 
the messages of mass media and individual voices for accuracy or bias. 
Participants will learn how to use media to effect positive change in 
their communities.
    (2) Reconciliation and conflict management: These projects should 
allow participants to experience creative approaches to managing 
conflict and promoting tolerance and diversity. These projects may 
offer descriptive learning opportunities, but they must include hands-
on experiential learning opportunities, as well. Participants should 
practice different methods and observe professional practitioners.
    (3) Community service: These projects should introduce participants 
to volunteerism and the ways in which different NGOs and charities give 
service to their communities. They should learn how the needs of a 
community are identified, how service organizations find their niches, 
how service projects are funded, and how they are organized.
    (4) Cultural diversity: These projects should introduce 
participants to each other's cultural backgrounds that form the basis 
of individual and group identity, and engage them in learning how 
differences in culture can be turned into respect for diversity and 
tolerance in communities. When possible, participants should interact 
with diverse communities in the United States and in the partner 
country, to develop a joint volunteer project.
    (5) Environmental issues: These projects should focus on a shared 
environmental issue of the participating countries (e.g., use of 
natural resources, pollution, sustainable energy, recycling). 
Participants should jointly examine a problem or group of issues, 
through study of public interest and government policy statements, and 
then participate in experiential learning exercises to build mutual 
approaches to the issue, and develop their own recommendations for 
addressing it.
    (6) Entrepreneurial and business management skills: These projects 
should introduce participants to the identification of business 
opportunities, the writing of business plans, the calculation of risks, 
and the management of new businesses in order to maximize the 
probability of success.
    Proposed Partner Countries and Regions:
    ECA will consider proposals for either single-country or multi-
country projects. We are particularly interested in receiving proposals 
for projects with the countries listed below. Proposals that target 
these countries will be considered more competitive under the review 
criterion ``Quality of the program idea and program planning.'' A 
single-country project is a two-way exchange between the United States 
and a single partner country. A multi-country project involves 
participants from more than one country coming to the United States 
together, and American participants

[[Page 16421]]

traveling to those countries. The Bureau prefers projects that will 
engage both Americans and international participants deeply enough that 
relationships will continue beyond the grant-funded activities. 
Competitive proposals will be those that demonstrate why any country or 
group of countries has been identified for a specific project and 
outline why the specific group of participants to be selected from that 
country / countries is the most effective group to achieve project 
objectives. Projects proposed under theme (2)--reconciliation and 
conflict management--must involve at least two countries that are 
currently in conflict (e.g., Ireland and Northern Ireland, Armenia and 
Azerbaijan, etc.) No guarantee is made or implied that grants will be 
awarded in all themes and for all countries listed. Organizations 
should consider current U.S. Department of State travel advisories when 
selecting the countries with which they would like to work.
    Europe: Ireland; the Balkans; Turkey/Greece/Cyprus; the Caucasus.
    Middle East/North Africa: Israel and two-four Arab countries (which 
may include the Palestinian Authority).
    Africa (Trans-Sahara): Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, 
Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia.
    East Asia/Pacific: Philippines, Thailand.

Emerging Cultural Leaders

    Program Contact: Makaria Green, tel: 202-203-7518, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    The Emerging Cultural Leaders program provides opportunities for 
aspiring artists (ages 25-35) and their mentors/teachers in the United 
States and in multiple countries around the world to participate in 
two-way exchanges, each three to four weeks in duration. Each project 
will explore a particular theme designed to influence the way young 
people view their own identity and how they express that identity 
through their artistic medium. Projects should focus on aspiring 
artists from under-served populations with limited exposure to foreign 
artists. Such projects should compare American approaches to an art 
form--performing, visual, literary--with those of a different cultural 
heritage, and draw from that comparison a better understanding of, and 
respect for, cultural diversity. Projects should include hands-on 
artistic creation as well as contextual learning. They must include 
physical exchanges of teachers and aspiring artists, and may also 
include distance or networked projects. An essential element of all 
projects will be to build mutual understanding and respect among the 
people of the United States and the people of the exchange partner 
countries.
    The overarching goals are:
    1. To articulate identity through artistic expression, gain respect 
for the identity and artistic expression of another culture;
    2. To incorporate cultural awareness and respect in demonstration 
of leadership;
    3. To foster continuing personal and institutional ties between 
participants and partner countries.
    A successful project will equip participating artists and teachers 
with the understanding and leadership skills to be actively engaged in 
addressing issues of concern to their communities when they return 
home. During their exchange experience, participants should engage in a 
variety of activities such as workshops, community- and/or learning-
based programs, seminars, and other activities designed to achieve the 
program's stated goals. We encourage exchange projects that require 
collaborative work across cultures, and that include a public 
presentation.
    U.S. applicant organizations must have the necessary capacity in 
the partner country through their own overseas offices or a partner 
institution to carry out the project. The requisite capacity includes 
the ability to recruit and select participants in both the United 
States and the partner countries in close consultation with the 
relevant U.S. Embassies; organize substantive exchange activities in 
the participating countries; handle the logistical and financial 
arrangements; and implement follow-on alumni activities in which 
participants may locally apply what they learned during the exchange. 
While Bureau funds may be used to support public programming, long-
standing ECA practice is that Bureau funds are not to be used for the 
public presentation of art works in the United States, including such 
costs as shipping, framing, installation, gallery rental, or security. 
Cost sharing provided by the grantee organization may be used for 
presentation costs in the United States and should be noted in the 
budget.
    Proposals must describe a selection process for American and 
international participants and demonstrate how the participant group 
represents an under-served community. For example, an under-served 
community could be economically disadvantaged, geographically isolated 
or experience low literacy rates. Selected participants should 
demonstrate a commitment to leadership in their communities. If 
participants are not fluent in English, proposals should include 
provision for interpretation as necessary.
    Applicants should identify which artistic fields will be included 
in the exchange and demonstrate how each part of the two-way exchange 
will accomplish the over-arching goals of this competition. Proposals 
might focus exclusively on an exchange in one field, such as dance. 
Alternatively, a more community based project could include artists 
from various artistic fields, as a well as a representative of a 
community arts organization. All projects must include an examination 
of cultural diversity and the arts as a means of community engagement, 
and educational outreach.

Proposed Partner Countries

    ECA will accept proposals for either single-country or multi-
country projects. We are particularly interested in receiving proposals 
for projects with the countries listed below. Proposals that target 
these countries will be considered more competitive under the review 
criterion, ``Quality of the program idea and program planning.'' A 
single-country project is a two-way exchange between the United States 
and a single partner country. With a multi-country project, 
participants from the partner countries should travel to the United 
States together; the American participants' exchange travel may be to 
just one or to all of the partner countries, depending on the applicant 
organization's program design and objectives. Applicants should present 
a rationale for their approach. No guarantee is made or implied that 
grants will be awarded in all themes and for all countries listed. 
Organizations should consider current U.S. Department of State travel 
advisories when selecting the countries with which they would like to 
work.
    East Asia and the Pacific:
     China (for minority communities in Western China).
     China (cross straits).
    Western Hemisphere:
     Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay.
    Applicants should propose the period of the two exchange components 
and explain how together the exchange in each direction will accomplish 
project objectives. The exact timing of the project may be altered 
through the mutual agreement of the Department of State and the grant 
recipient. Each exchange component should be no less than three weeks 
and up to four weeks in duration. Program development should begin in 
late summer 2008. Applicants are encouraged to include letters of 
support in their proposals.

[[Page 16422]]

II. Award Information:

    Type of Award: Grant Agreement.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY-2008.
    Approximate Total Funding: $5 million.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 20-25.
    Approximate Average Award: $250,000.
    Floor of Award Range: Depending upon an organization's length of 
experience in conducting international exchanges, grants could be 
awarded for less than $60,000. See section III.3.a., below.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $500,000
    Anticipated Award Date: August 2008.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: No later than approximately 24 
months after the start date of the grant.
    Additional Information: As stipulated in the legislation, this is a 
competitive one-time grants program.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications must 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).
    Organizations listed in the Department of State, Foreign 
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriation Act, 2008 (Division J, 
Pub.L. 100-161) under ``Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs--a 
competitive one-time grants program'' are encouraged to apply.

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

    (a.) Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four 
years of experience in conducting international exchange programs will 
be limited to $60,000. Therefore, applicants should explain their 
experience in conducting international exchanges, and, if that 
experience is less than four years, should limit their proposed grant 
budgets to $60,000.
    As directed by the Congress, ``The program shall be only for the 
actual exchange of people and should benefit a population that is not 
being addressed through existing authorized exchanges.''
    (b.) Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the 
following:
    Eligible applicants may only submit ONE proposal (TOTAL) for ONE of 
the two competitions referenced in the Executive Summary Section of 
this document. If multiple proposals are received, from the same 
applicant, all submissions will be declared technically ineligible and 
will be given no further consideration in the review process. In 
addition, applicants under this competition (ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-
Comp.B) may only apply to administer one of the listed activities 
(total).
    - Proposals requesting funding for infrastructure development 
activities, sometimes referred to as ``bricks and mortar support'' are 
not eligible for consideration under this competition and will be 
declared technically ineligible and will receive no further 
consideration in the review process.
    - The Bureau does not support proposals limited to conferences or 
seminars (i.e., one to fourteen day programs with plenary sessions, 
main speakers, panels, and a passive audience). It will support 
conferences only when they are a small part of a larger project in 
duration that is receiving Bureau funding from this competition.
    - No funding is available exclusively to send U.S. citizens to 
conferences or conference type seminars overseas; nor is funding 
available for bringing foreign nationals to conferences or to routine 
professional association meetings in the United States.
    Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document 
for additional requirements.

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 Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/PE/C, Room 220, 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20547, tel 202-453-8176, fax 202-453-8169, [email protected]. to request 
a Solicitation Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number 
ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-Comp.B located at the top of this announcement 
when making your request.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instructions (PSI) document which consists of required application 
forms, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.
    It also contains the Project Objectives, Goals and Implementation 
(POGI) document, which provides specific information, award criteria 
and budget instructions tailored to this competition.
    Please specify Program Coordinator Alice Ross, and refer to the 
Funding Opportunity Number ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-Comp.B 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 seven copies of the application should be 
sent per the instructions under IV.3e. ``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.

[[Page 16423]]

    IV.3b. All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal 
narrative and budget.
    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 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 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 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 Fourth Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20547; Telephone: (202) 401-9810; Fax: (202) 401-9809.

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 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 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 instrument 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 impact):
    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.

[[Page 16424]]

    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.
    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. 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) Travel. International and domestic airfare; visas; transit 
costs; ground transportation costs. Please note that all air travel 
must be in compliance with the Fly America Act. There is no charge for 
J-1 visas for participants in Bureau-sponsored programs.
    (2) Per Diem. For U.S.-based programming, organizations should use 
the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities. 
Domestic per diem rates may be accessed at: http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentId=17943&contentType=GSA_BASIC.
    (3) Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.

IV.3f. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: April 24, 2008.
    Methods of Submission: Applications may be submitted in one of two 
ways:
    (1) In hard copy, via nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (e.g., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    (2) Electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
    IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed, Hard Copy Applications Explanation of 
Deadlines:
    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.
    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 and eight copies of the application should be sent to: 
U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-Comp.B, Program Management, ECA/EX/
PM, Room 534, 301 Fourth 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.3f.2 Submitting Electronic Applications

    Applicants have the option of submitting proposals electronically 
through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation 
packages are available at Grants.gov in the ``Find'' portion of the 
system. Please follow the instructions available in the ``Get Started'' 
portion of the site (http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted). Several of the 
steps in the Grants.gov registration process could take several weeks. 
Therefore, applicants should check with appropriate staff within their 
organizations immediately after reviewing this RFGP to confirm or 
determine their registration status with Grants.gov. Once registered, 
the amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary 
depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application 
and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly 
recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the 
submission process through Grants.gov.
    Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and 
submission to:
    Grants.gov Customer Support.
    Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726.
    Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Time. E-mail: 
[email protected].
    Applicants have until midnight (12 a.m.), Washington, DC, time of 
the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been 
uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above 
deadline. Applications uploaded to the site after midnight of the 
application deadline date will be automatically rejected by the 
grants.gov system, and will be technically ineligible. Applicants will 
receive a confirmation e-mail from grants.gov upon the successful 
submission of an application. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of 
electronic applications.
    It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via 
the Grants.gov Web portal to ensure that proposals have been received 
by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for 
data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.
    IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 
12372 does not apply to this program.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal the Executive Summary, 
Proposal Narrative, and Budget sections of the proposal, as well as any 
essential attachments, in Microsoft Word and/or Excel on a PC-formatted 
disk. The Bureau will provide these files electronically to the 
appropriate Public Affairs Sections at the U.S. Embassies for their 
review.

[[Page 16425]]

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.
    1. Quality of the program idea and program planning: Objectives 
should be reasonable, feasible, and flexible. The proposal should 
clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the program's 
objectives and plan. The proposed program should be creative and well 
developed, respond to the design outlined in the solicitation, and 
demonstrate originality. It should be clearly and accurately written, 
substantive, and with sufficient detail. The program plan should adhere 
to the program overview and guidelines described above.
    2. 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.
    3. Support of diversity: The proposal should demonstrate the 
recipient's commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of 
diversity in participant selection and exchange program design and 
content.
    4. Institutional capacity and track record: Proposed personnel and 
institutional resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve 
the program goals. The proposal should demonstrate an institutional 
record, including solid programming and responsible fiscal management. 
The Bureau will consider the past performance, including compliance 
with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants.
    5. Program evaluation: The proposal should include a plan to 
evaluate the program's success, both as the activities unfold and at 
the end of the program. The proposal should include a draft survey 
questionnaire or other technique plus description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. Please see section 
IV.3d.3. of this announcement for more information.
    6. Cost-effectiveness and cost-sharing: The applicant should 
demonstrate efficient use of Bureau funds. 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. The proposal 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 a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) 
from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA 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 FAA 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.1b. The following additional requirements apply:
    For exchanges involving the Palestinian Authority, West Bank, and 
Gaza:
    All awards made under this competition must be executed according 
to all relevant U.S. laws and policies regarding assistance to the 
Palestinian Authority, and to the West Bank and Gaza. Organizations 
must consult with relevant Public Affairs Offices before entering into 
any formal arrangements or agreements with Palestinian organizations or 
institutions.

    Note: To assure that planning for the inclusion of the 
Palestinian Authority complies with requirements, please contact 
Curt Huff (tel. 202-453-8159; e-mail: [email protected]) for 
additional information.

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://fa.statebuy.state.gov. 

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide ECA with a hard copy original plus one copy of the 
following reports:
    1.) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    2.) Interim program and financial reports after each program phase, 
as required in the Bureau grant agreement.
    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:

[[Page 16426]]

    (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, please contact:
    Emerging Youth Leaders, Carolyn Lantz, Youth Programs Division, 
Tel: (202) 203-7505; E-mail: [email protected].
    Emerging Young Professionals, Curtis Huff, Professional Programs, 
Tel: (202) 453-8159; E-mail: [email protected].
    Emerging Cultural Leaders, Makaria Green, Cultural Programs 
Division, Tel: (202) 203-7518, E-mail: [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/PE/C-08-One-time-Comp.B.
    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.

    Dated: March 19, 2008.
C. Miller Crouch,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. E8-6280 Filed 3-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P