[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27156-27164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11432]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7450]


Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for 
Grant Proposals; Teacher Exchange Program

    Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/A/S/X-12-01.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.408.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 23, 2011.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Global Educational Programs of the 
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of 
State, announces an open competition for three assistance awards to 
administer components of the Office's Teacher Exchange Program in 
Fiscal Year 2012. Public and private non-profit organizations or 
consortia or other combinations of eligible organizations meeting the 
provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) may 
submit proposals to cooperate with the Bureau in the administration of 
the teacher exchange programs as categorized below. To facilitate 
effective communication between ECA's Teacher Exchange Branch (ECA/A/S/
X) and the organization(s) cooperating on these programs, applicant 
organizations should have offices and staffs located in Washington, DC 
at the time of application.
    In recent years, the Bureau has revised and diversified its 
programming for teachers consistent with the Bureau's emphasis on 
reaching younger and underserved, non-elite populations, given the 
influence teachers can have on these populations in classrooms in the 
U.S. and around the world. This Request for Grant Proposals is part of 
an effort to reinforce the Bureau's engagement with primary and 
secondary school educators and to present a range of teacher program 
opportunities to potential applicant organizations, which may submit 
proposals to administer and implement one, two, or all three clusters 
of the following FY 2012 Teacher Exchange Programs as outlined below 
(organizations must submit a separate proposal for each cluster for 
which they apply): Cluster A: The Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchanges 
and the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching; Cluster B: 
Professional Development Programs for International and U.S. Teachers; 
and/or Cluster C: the Educational Seminars, the Intensive Summer 
Language Institutes, and the Teachers of Critical Languages Program. 
Details about these program components are provided under the Funding 
Opportunity Description section of this document and in the Project 
Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document associated with 
this solicitation. Proposals should reflect a vision for the program, 
interpreting the goals of the Fulbright-Hays Act and the Teacher 
Exchange Program with creativity, as well as providing innovative ideas 
and recommendations.
    The cooperating organization(s) for each cluster will have 
responsibility for program administration, which includes the following 
broad categories: Program planning and management; participant 
placement; orientation and preparation of participants and host/mentor 
educators; enrichment activities; participant supervision and support 
services; fiscal management and budgeting; program reporting and 
evaluation (including ad hoc program and financial reports as requested 
by the Teacher Exchange Branch); and alumni programming and follow-on 
activities. Proposals should include schedules and timelines for 
notifying ECA, overseas partners, and participants of recruitment 
cycles, placements, travel arrangements and cross-cultural and program 
information in a timely manner. Programs must comply with J-1 visa 
regulations. Teacher exchange participants in the U.S. and abroad 
should be identified through open, merit-based competitions.
    Although the amount that will be available to support these 
programs in FY 2012 has not yet been determined, for planning purposes 
the total amount of funding that may be available to cover 
administrative and program costs of these programs will be up to 
$14,800,000. The amounts listed for each program are provided below to 
enable applicant organizations to prepare budgets for planning purposes 
and are subject to change. More specific information for each program 
is provided below and in the Project Objectives, Goals, and 
Implementation (POGI) document. All awards are pending availability of 
FY 2012 funds.

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.

Purpose

    The purpose of the program is to improve mutual understanding among 
teachers, school administrators, and their schools and communities in 
the U.S. and abroad through professional development and exchange. 
Teacher exchanges support the internationalization of schools and 
classrooms, increase the quality of classroom instruction, expand the 
knowledge of students and communities about global issues and cultures, 
and improve knowledge of English and foreign languages. Teacher 
exchanges also encourage the professional development of teachers by 
broadening their familiarity with approaches to their subjects, 
pedagogical methods, and instructional technologies.
    Applicant organizations may propose to administer and implement 
one, two, or all three clusters of the following teacher exchange 
program components.
Cluster A
    The Presidentially appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign 
Scholarship

[[Page 27157]]

Board is responsible for the two program components in Cluster A, and 
has issued overall policy guidelines and selection criteria which are 
available at the following Web site: http://fulbright.state.gov/fsb/program-policies. The Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board is 
responsible for the final selection of Fulbright candidates. 
Organizations cooperating with the Bureau must ensure full and proper 
identification of the Fulbright Program with the U.S. government and 
the Department of State.
    1. Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange Program: Under this program 
component, a teacher from the U.S. and a teacher from a participating 
foreign country exchange teaching positions and professional duties for 
a semester or a year. Countries currently anticipated for participation 
are the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, India, Mexico, Switzerland, 
and the United Kingdom, although additional countries may be added or 
deleted, depending on Bureau priorities and the availability of funds. 
Applicant organizations must demonstrate flexibility and willingness to 
work with countries that may not be identified at the present time. In 
this program model, U.S. teachers apply to participate in the program 
through the cooperating organization; international counterparts apply 
through a Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy overseas, or other 
overseas partner organization. Recruitment of U.S. participants for the 
FY 2012 program (academic year 2012-2013) is being conducted with FY 
2011 resources by the organization currently administering this program 
component. FY 2012 proposals should include the funding for the 
recruitment of participants for academic year 2013-2014. In 
consultation with the Bureau, the U.S. cooperating organization and the 
nominating entity overseas will facilitate the matching of U.S. and 
international teacher applicants with one another for the consideration 
of relevant supervising school administrators. The cooperating U.S. 
organization will provide an orientation program for all participants 
and will monitor and support their programs in consultation with 
overseas counterparts. In FY 2012, approximately 48 exchanges are 
anticipated for the 2012-2013 academic year, for an approximate total 
of 96 teachers. For planning purposes, the amount for program and 
administration is estimated at up to $2,500,000.
    2. The Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching: This program 
component recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching in the U.S. 
and selected countries abroad. Countries participating in the program 
in FY 2012 may include Argentina, Finland, India, Israel, Mexico, 
Morocco, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, although 
countries may be added or deleted from the list depending on Bureau 
priorities and the availability of funds. Applicant organizations must 
demonstrate flexibility and the willingness to work with countries that 
may not be identified at the present time. These awards provide a rich 
professional growth opportunity to the Distinguished Fulbright Teachers 
while enhancing mutual understanding among international and U.S. 
teachers, administrators, their students, and host communities. 
Teachers from participating countries are nominated by a U.S. Embassy 
or Fulbright Commission to pursue projects in the U.S. during the fall 
semester, and U.S. teachers apply to the U.S. cooperating organization 
to pursue individual projects in the participating countries for a 
period of 3 to 6 months. The Distinguished Fulbright Teachers conduct 
research, take courses for professional development, and lead master 
classes or seminars for teachers and students in the host countries. 
Based on proposals submitted by U.S. teachers to conduct these 
activities in specific eligible countries, the U.S. Embassy, Fulbright 
Commission, or other organization as applicable in each participating 
country will facilitate a relevant academic or professional affiliation 
in consultation with each U.S. Distinguished Teacher. The U.S. 
cooperating organization should propose a U.S. university to provide 
the international Distinguished Teachers with broad-ranging access to 
faculty resources, schools, and other educational opportunities. For FY 
2012, a program for approximately twenty international teachers in the 
fall of 2012 is anticipated; twenty U.S. teachers are anticipated to 
participate in the program for periods ranging from 3 to 6 months 
between August 2012 and August 2013. For planning purposes, the amount 
for program and administration is estimated at up to $1,900,000.
Cluster B
    3. Professional Development Program for International Teachers: 
This program component brings international secondary school teachers 
from a wide range of countries and regions to U.S. universities for six 
weeks or a semester to develop teaching skills, to increase subject-
matter expertise, and to pursue coursework and practical teaching 
experiences in American high schools. The six-week component for 
teachers is known as Teaching Excellence and Achievement and the 
semester-long component is known as International Leaders in Education. 
This solicitation consolidates their administration and anticipates 
additional possibilities for fluidity and synergy.
    The international teachers gain an in-depth understanding of U.S. 
schools, universities, and culture, share information about their home 
countries with U.S. audiences, and prepare training workshops for 
colleagues after returning to their home countries. Participants are 
teachers of English, math, science and social studies although the 
majority of participants are teachers of English as a Foreign Language.
    Fulbright Commissions and U.S. Embassies are responsible for 
recruiting applicants and nominating candidates. The cooperating U.S. 
organization will be responsible for reviewing applications for 
technical eligibility; and for convening independent committees to 
recommend candidates for approval by ECA (for the semester-long program 
only). This organization will also be responsible for identifying 
appropriate host universities through a national competition; 
organizing a three-day orientation session and a three-day end-of-
program review in Washington, DC; and actively monitoring program 
implementation at host universities and schools.
    International teachers in the U.S. for a semester audit two courses 
relevant to their teaching fields at U.S. graduate schools. Placed in 
cohorts of approximately 15-16 participants, the teachers help to 
internationalize courses, collaborate with U.S. professors of education 
and practicing U.S. teachers, attend professional development and 
technology seminars, workshops, and conferences on education-related 
and pedagogical topics designed especially for them, and teach or team-
teach for ninety hours in U.S. secondary school classrooms in 
cooperation with experienced U.S. partner teachers.
    The six-week model facilitates the participation of teachers who 
cannot participate in a longer program due to family or professional 
responsibilities. The program model is also attractive to some foreign 
ministries of education that cannot release teachers for longer 
periods.
    Placed in cohorts of approximately 20-22 during the spring or fall 
semester, six-week program participants take part in intensive seminars 
and teach or job-shadow for forty hours in U.S. secondary schools under 
the guidance of experienced mentor teachers or administrators.

[[Page 27158]]

    For FY 2012, approximately 75 teachers will come to the U.S. for a 
semester in the spring of 2013. Approximately 210 teachers are expected 
for six weeks in multi-national cohorts in the spring and fall of 2013. 
In addition, approximately 18-20 student teachers of English from 
Turkey are expected in a separate cohort in the summer of 2012 at a 
school of education at a U.S. university for a six-week program of 
academic seminars and practical teaching internships at U.S. high 
schools with partner teachers. For planning purposes, the amount for 
program and administration of this program is estimated at 
approximately $6,630,000.
    4. Professional Development Program for U.S. teachers: Five cohorts 
of approximately ten U.S. teachers (for a total of 50 teachers) travel 
to approximately five countries for two weeks in the spring of 2013 or 
three weeks in the summer of 2013 to visit the home schools of selected 
international teacher alumni, to develop lesson plans on courses for 
use in U.S. classrooms, and to gain a deeper understanding of the 
educational systems and cultures of the host countries. To prepare for 
the visits, U.S. teachers also participate in online workshops, group 
meetings, and mentored preparation administered by the U.S. cooperating 
partner organization with the goal of maximizing the eventual 
integration of the participants' experience with U.S. classroom 
activities and curricula. For planning purposes, the amount available 
for program and administration is estimated at up to approximately 
$540,000.
Cluster C
    5. Educational Seminars:
    (a) Seminar on U.S. Education for International Educators: 
Teachers, administrators and other educators travel to the U.S. to 
learn about the U.S. educational system in a three-week seminar that 
includes work shadowing arrangements with U.S. partner educators in 
U.S. schools. Currently anticipated for participation in the seminar 
are Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay; countries may be added or dropped, 
depending on Bureau priorities. Applicant organizations must 
demonstrate the flexibility and willingness to work in countries that 
may not be identified at the present time. These seminars provide an 
introduction to the U.S. educational system and to U.S. society and 
culture. Fulbright Commissions, U.S. Embassies, or other partner 
organizations in participating countries recruit and select 
international educators for the seminars; the U.S. cooperating 
organization is responsible for recruiting and selecting geographically 
and socially diverse U.S. candidates to host the international 
educators, for implementing a three-day orientation in Washington, DC, 
and for conducting an end-of-program review. Seminars will require 
translation and interpretation services as noted in the POGI. For FY 
2012, approximately 45 international participants are anticipated for a 
seminar to be held in October, 2012. For planning purposes, the amount 
for program and administration is estimated at up to approximately 
$590,000.
    (b) Seminars for U.S. Educators on International Education: U.S. 
educators from the host schools for the Seminar for International 
Educators on U.S. Education will travel in cohorts of six to twelve 
participants to the host countries for three weeks in summer 2013 to 
share best practices, engage in professional development, shadow their 
international colleagues, and work on collaborative projects with their 
international partners. Seminars are organized by the Fulbright 
Commission or the U.S. Embassy in the host country. The U.S. 
cooperating organization is responsible for organizing pre-departure 
orientations and coordinating travel arrangements. For FY 2012, 
approximately 24 U.S. participants are anticipated. For planning 
purposes, the amount for program and administration is estimated at up 
to approximately $380,000.
    (c) Classics Seminars for U.S. Teachers: Approximately 16 U.S. 
secondary school teachers of Greek, Latin, or the Classics attend 
intensive courses lasting from six to eight weeks in the summer of 2012 
and organized by the Fulbright Commissions and non-profit partner 
organizations in Greece and Italy. The Fulbright Commissions arrange 
orientation meetings for the participants upon their arrival in Greece 
and Italy. The U.S. cooperating organization is responsible for 
notifying participants of their selection, coordinating transportation 
arrangements, and providing participants with maintenance allowances. 
For planning purposes, the amount for program and administration is 
estimated at up to approximately $110,000.
    (d) Approximately 10 U.S. teachers will travel to India for a four-
week summer program with Indian teachers and students. The U.S. 
cooperating organization is responsible for administering an open 
competition to select the participants, and for administering their 
awards. The Fulbright Commission in India organizes the program in 
Indian schools for discussions, team-teaching, and observation of best 
practices with Indian counterpart teachers. For planning purposes, the 
amount for program and administration is estimated at up to 
approximately $110,000.
    Recruitment of U.S. participants for the FY 2012 Educational 
Seminars is being undertaken by an incumbent organization with FY 2011 
resources. Proposals for FY 2012 should support the costs of 
recruitment for the 2013 seminars.
    6. Intensive Summer Language Institutes (ISLI): U.S. Kindergarten 
through grade 12 (K-12) teachers and community college instructors of 
Mandarin and Arabic study these languages intensively abroad. The U.S. 
cooperating organization is responsible for recruiting and selecting 
approximately 20 U.S. teachers; implementing a one-day orientation in 
Washington, DC; and overseeing an end-of-program review. The 
cooperating organization partners with academic institutions in the 
People's Republic of China and in an Arabic-speaking country to provide 
language instruction for academic credit under the supervision of a 
U.S. Resident Director, who also oversees in-country orientations at 
the institute sites, peer language tutors, home hospitality visits, 
cultural excursions, and curriculum projects. Language materials, 
shipping allowances, and follow-on grants are also features of this 
program. For planning purposes, the amount for program and 
administration of the summer language institutes is estimated at up to 
approximately $360,000.
    7. Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP): Approximately 16 
teachers from China and 10 teachers from Egypt teach Chinese and Arabic 
in U.S. elementary and secondary schools for the 2012-13 academic year. 
The cooperating U.S. organization recruits U.S. host schools, oversees 
the placement of Chinese and Arabic teachers, provides a comprehensive 
two-week orientation session in the U.S. on relevant U.S. pedagogical, 
educational, and social issues, and monitors and supports the teachers 
and their engagement with the U.S. host schools. The cooperating 
organization is responsible for issuing a sub-award to a partner 
organization in each partner country to assist with recruitment and 
selection of teachers in China and Egypt. For planning purposes, the 
amount for program and administration is estimated at up to 
approximately $1,680,000.

[[Page 27159]]

Program Administration
    In a Cooperative Agreement, ECA/A/S/X is substantially involved in 
program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. Bureau 
activities and responsibilities for all seven teacher exchange program 
components in all three clusters include:
    (1) Participation in the design and direction of program 
activities;
    (2) Approval of key personnel;
    (3) Approval and input on program timelines, agendas and 
administrative procedures;
    (4) Guidance in execution of all program components;
    (5) Review and approval of all program publicity and recruitment 
materials;
    (6) Approval of participating teachers and administrators, in 
cooperation with Fulbright commissions, U.S. embassies, and other 
partner organizations (Fulbright program candidates are also subject to 
selection by the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board);
    (7) Approval of decisions related to special circumstances or 
problems throughout the duration of the program;
    (8) Assistance with non-immigration status and other SEVIS-related 
issues;
    (9) Assistance with participant emergencies;
    (10) Liaison with relevant U.S. embassies, Fulbright commissions 
and country desk officers at the State Department.
    Programs must conform with Bureau requirements and guidelines 
outlined in the Solicitation Package which includes the Request for 
Grant Proposals (RFGP), the Project Objectives, Goals and 
Implementation (POGI) and the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI).
Cooperating Agency Responsibilities
    For all clusters, the cooperating agency or agencies is/are 
responsible for various aspects of outreach, recruitment, and screening 
of applicants; SEVIS duties and preparation of form DS-2019 under a G 
Program Number under the Bureau's responsibility on behalf of the 
Teacher Exchange Branch; orientation programs, professional in-service 
meetings, and debriefings; placement and, as required for the classroom 
teacher exchanges and some of the Educational Seminars, matching U.S. 
teachers with international counterparts; briefing and training/
orientation of host U.S. educators and mentor teachers; monitoring, 
supervision, and support of participants; administering sub-award 
competitions as necessary; and fiscal management, evaluation, and 
follow-on and alumni activities for the program components described 
above. Please see the POGI for details pertaining to these activities 
for each program component. The Bureau's program office and the 
cooperating agency or agencies will meet regularly regarding program 
implementation. The Bureau's program office and the cooperating agency 
or agencies will also maintain regular telephone, email, and fax 
communications with each other.
Additional Guidelines
    Applicant organizations should submit separate proposals with 
budgets and narratives outlining a comprehensive strategy for the 
administration and implementation of each cluster of program components 
for which they are applying: (Cluster A: Fulbright Classroom Teacher 
Exchanges/Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching; Cluster B: 
Professional Development Program for International Teachers/
Professional Development Program for U.S. Teachers; Cluster C: 
Educational Seminars/Intensive Summer Language Institutes/Teachers of 
Critical Languages Programs. Organizations may apply for more than one 
cluster of components: a separate proposal must be submitted for each 
program cluster. Organizations may not apply to administer program 
components except in the combinations prescribed for each cluster. 
Proposals should reflect a vision for the programs, interpreting the 
goals of the Fulbright-Hays Act and the Teacher Exchange Program with 
creativity, as well as providing innovative ideas and recommendations. 
The Bureau places a priority on ensuring that the positive impact of 
the Teacher Exchange Program is visible to the public in U.S. and host 
school communities. Applicant organizations should outline a plan to 
work with the media and other organizations, in close consultation with 
the Bureau, to ensure that the program and its awards and achievements 
receive appropriate publicity.
    The narrative portion of the proposal for each cluster of program 
components should not exceed 20 pages. Proposals may utilize appendices 
to illustrate elements of the narrative.
    Applicants must also provide a separate administrative and program 
budget for each program cluster. Organizations should submit a separate 
budget and narrative for each program within each cluster of programs 
for which they apply. Where possible, proposals should reflect 
economies of scale and should demonstrate administrative efficiencies.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for further information.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement(s). ECA's level of involvement 
in this program is listed under number I above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2012.
    Approximate Total Funding: $14,800,000 pending availability of 
funds.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 3 awards.
    Anticipated Award Date: Pending availability of funds, October 1, 
2011.
    Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2015.
    Additional Information: Pending successful implementation of this 
program and the availability of funds in subsequent fiscal years, it is 
ECA's intent to renew the agreements for a period of two additional 
fiscal years, before openly competing the programs again.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit 
organizations or consortia of institutions meeting the provisions 
described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).
    Consortia of eligible organizations applying for grants should 
designate one organization to be the recipient of the Cooperative 
Agreement award. Proposals from consortia should provide a detailed 
description of the responsibilities of each partner organization. 
Organizations with primary responsibility for any of the seven program 
components must have a staff based in Washington, DC, at the time of 
application.

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 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,

[[Page 27160]]

(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 three 
Cooperative Agreement awards in (an) amount(s) 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 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 Ms. Patricia Mosley in the Teacher Exchange Branch, 
ECA/A/S/X, SA-5, 4th floor, U.S. Department of State, 2200 C St., NW., 
Washington, DC 20037, telephone: (202) 632-6338 and fax number: (202) 
632-9479, e-mail: [email protected], to request a Solicitation 
Package. Please refer to the Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/S/X-12-01 
located at the top of this announcement when making your request.
    Alternatively, an electronic application package may be obtained 
from www.grants.gov. Please see section IV.3f. for further information.
    The Solicitation Package contains the Proposal Submission 
Instruction (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 Michael Kuban and refer to the Funding Opportunity 
Number (ECA/A/S/X-12-01) located at the top of this announcement on all 
other inquiries and correspondence.

IV.2. To Download a Solicitation Package Via the Internet

    The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's 
Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html or from the 
Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov.
    Please read all information before downloading.

IV.3. Content and Form of Submission

    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The application should be submitted per the instructions under 
IV.3f. ``Application Deadline and Methods of Submission'' 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 one executive summary, one 
proposal narrative, and a separate budget for each program within the 
program cluster(s) for which the applicant applies. Applicant 
organizations may apply to administer cluster A, B or C; however, 
organizations must submit a separate proposal for each cluster for 
which they are applying. The proposal narrative for each program 
cluster should not exceed twenty (20) double-spaced pages in length.
    Please Refer to the Solicitation Package. It contains the mandatory 
Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document and the Project 
Objectives, Goals and Implementation (POGI) document for additional 
formatting and technical requirements.
    IV.3c. All federal award recipients and sub-recipients must 
maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration 
(CCR) database and have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number. Recipients and sub-recipients must maintain 
accurate and up-to-date information in the CCR until all program and 
financial activity and reporting have been completed. All entities must 
review and update the information at least annually after the initial 
registration and more frequently if required information changes or 
another award is granted.
    You must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of 
application. Please note: Effective January 7, 2009, all applicants for 
ECA federal assistance awards must include in their application the 
names of directors and/or senior executives (current officers, 
trustees, and key employees, regardless of amount of compensation). In 
fulfilling this requirement, applicants must submit information in one 
of the following ways:
    (1) Those who file Internal Revenue Service Form 990, ``Return of 
Organization Exempt From Income Tax,'' must include a copy of relevant 
portions of this form.
    (2) Those who do not file IRS Form 990 must submit information 
above in the format of their choice.
    In addition to final program reporting requirements, award 
recipients will also be required to submit a one-page document, derived 
from their program reports, listing and describing their grant 
activities. For award recipients, the names of directors and/or senior 
executives (current officers, trustees, and key employees), as well as 
the one- page description of grant activities, will be transmitted by 
the State Department to OMB, along with other information required by 
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and 
will be made available to the public by the Office of Management and 
Budget on its USASpending.gov website as part of ECA's FFATA reporting 
requirements.
    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 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs places critically 
important emphasis on the secure and proper administration of Exchange 
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by grantees and sponsors to all 
regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should 
demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing 
the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 
CFR part 62, including the oversight of Responsible

[[Page 27161]]

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 Grantee will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to 
participants in this program.
    A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of 
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from:
    Office of Designation, Private Sector Programs Division, U.S. 
Department of State, ECA/EC/D/PS, SA-5, 5th Floor, 2200 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20037.
    Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.
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 technique plus a description of a methodology to 
use to link outcomes to original project objectives. The Bureau expects 
that the recipient organization 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 cluster(s)). (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.)
    Recipient organizations 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.3d.4. Describe your plans for: i.e. sustainability, overall 
program management, staffing, coordination with ECA and PAS or any 
other requirements, etc.
    IV.3e. Please take the following information into consideration 
when preparing your budget:
    IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit SF-424A--``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs'' along with 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. It is anticipated that 
funding for the Cooperative Agreement awards for program administration 
of the three clusters of teacher exchange programs described here will 
be approximately $14,800,000.
    IV.3e.2. Allowable costs and additional budget guidance are 
outlined in detail in the POGI document. Please refer to the 
Solicitation Package for

[[Page 27162]]

complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
    IV.3f. Application Deadline and Methods of Submission:
    Application Deadline Date: June 23, 2011
    Reference Number: ECA/A/S/X-12-01
    Methods of Submission:
    Applications may be submitted in one of two ways:
    1. In hard-copy, via a nationally recognized overnight delivery 
service (i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, or U.S. 
Postal Service Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or
    2. Electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
    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.1. Submitting Printed Applications
    Applications must be shipped no later than the above deadline. 
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. ECA will not 
notify you upon receipt of application. It is each applicant's 
responsibility to ensure that each package is marked with a legible 
tracking number and to monitor/confirm delivery to ECA via the 
Internet. Delivery of proposal packages may not be made via local 
courier service or in person for this competition. Faxed documents will 
not be accepted at any time. Only proposals submitted as stated above 
will be considered.

    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 10 copies of the application should be sent to: 
Program Management Division, ECA-IIP/EX/PM, Ref.: ECA/A/S/X-12-01, SA-
5, Floor 4, Department of State, 200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037.
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. In 
addition, validation of an electronic submission via Grants.gov can 
take up to two business days.
    Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the submission process through 
Grants.gov.
    The Grants.gov website includes extensive information on all 
phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive 
section on frequently asked questions, located under the ``For 
Applicants'' section of the website. ECA strongly recommends that all 
potential applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov website, well in 
advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA 
bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or 
conversion processes.
    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, 
Email: [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.
    Please refer to the Grants.gov website, for definitions of various 
``application statuses'' and the difference between a submission 
receipt and a submission validation. Applicants will receive a 
validation e-mail from grants.gov upon the successful submission of an 
application. Again, validation of an electronic submission via 
Grants.gov can take up to two business days. Therefore, we strongly 
recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the 
submission process through Grants.gov. 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.

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 
Cooperative Agreements resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.

V.2. Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Quality of the program idea: Proposals should exhibit 
originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the Bureau's 
mission. Proposals should demonstrate a commitment to excellence and 
creativity in the implementation and management of this program in its 
various formats, including the recruitment, matching, and placement of 
U.S. and international teachers and administrators, quality of 
professional and pre-academic

[[Page 27163]]

workshops, and effectiveness of program design.
    2. Program planning: Proposals should respond precisely to the 
planning requirements outlined in the RFGP and POGI. Planning should 
demonstrate substantive rigor. Detailed agendas and relevant work 
plans, including timelines, should demonstrate feasibility and the 
applicant's logistical capacity to implement the programs.
    3. Ability to achieve program objectives: Proposals should 
demonstrate clearly how the applicant will fulfill the programs' 
objectives and implement plans, while demonstrating innovation and a 
commitment to academic excellence and programmatic impact. Proposals 
should demonstrate a capacity for flexibility in the management of the 
programs.
    4. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional 
resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve program goals. 
Applicants should demonstrate established links to secondary schools 
and institutions of higher education in the U.S and knowledge of the 
overseas educational environment, particularly an awareness of 
conditions in societies and educational institutions outside the United 
States as they apply to academic exchange programs. Applicants should 
demonstrate prior experience or the capacity to negotiate significant 
cost savings for international teachers from American institutions. 
Applicants should also demonstrate their capacity to provide an 
information management/database system that meets program requirements, 
is compatible with the Bureau's systems, and provides for electronic 
applications, electronic data storage, and electronic payment of 
maintenance allowances. In its review of proposals, the Bureau will 
consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated 
potential of new applicants.
    5. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (recruitment 
and selection of participants, placements, and program evaluation) and 
program content (orientation programs, professional meetings, 
debriefings). Proposals should articulate a diversity plan, not just a 
statement of compliance.
    6. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the programs' success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the programs. The Bureau recommends that proposals include a draft 
survey questionnaire or other instrument plus description of a 
methodology to use to link outcomes to original objectives.
    7. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing: The overhead and administrative 
components of the proposal, including salaries, should be kept as low 
as possible while adequate and appropriate to provide the required 
services. Proposals should document plans to realize innovative cost-
sharing, cost-savings and other efficiencies through use of technology, 
administrative streamlining, and other management techniques. Private 
sector support as well as institutional direct funding contributions 
are encouraged.

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 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.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 two copies of 
the following reports:
    (1) An annual program report no more than 90 days after the end of 
each fiscal year for awards longer than one year;
    (2) A final program and financial report no more than 90 days after 
the expiration of the award;
    (3) A concise, one-page final program report summarizing program 
outcomes no more than 90 days after the expiration of the award. This 
one-page report will be transmitted to OMB, and be made available to 
the public via OMB's USAspending.gov Web site--as part of ECA's Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting 
requirements.
    (4) A SF-PPR, ``Performance Progress Report'' Cover Sheet with all 
program reports.
    (5) Quarterly financial reports.
    Award recipients 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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For questions about this announcement, contact: Mr. Michael Kuban, 
Teacher Exchange Branch, ECA/A/S/X-12-01, U.S. Department of State, SA-
5, 4th floor, 2200 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037, phone: (202) 
632-6346, fax: (202) 632-9479; e-mail: [email protected].
    All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should 
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/X-12-01.
    Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or 
submitting proposals. All inquiries about the RFGP or any aspect of the 
Teacher Exchange Program should be submitted in writing via e-mail to 
Mr. Kuban. Any questions or requests for information from overseas 
Fulbright commissions or Public Affairs Sections

[[Page 27164]]

of U.S. embassies should be submitted in writing via e-mail to Ms. 
Mosley for transmission to those overseas offices. 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: May 3, 2011.
Ann Stock,
Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2011-11432 Filed 5-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P