International Educational and Cultural Activities Discretionary Grant Program

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

International Educational and Cultural Activities Discretionary

Grant Program

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges (E/P) of the United States

Information Agency's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs announces

an open competition for an assistance award program. Public or private

nonprofit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS

regulation 501(c)(3) may apply to develop projects that link their

international exchange interests with counterpart institutions/groups

in ways supportive of the aims of the Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs.

Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the

Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended,

Public Law 87-256, 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.'' Programs and projects must

conform with Agency requirements and guidelines outlined in the

Application Package. USIA projects and programs are subject to the

availability of funds.

Interested applications should read the complete Federal Register

announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office of Citizen

Exchanges or submitting their proposals. Once the RFP deadline has

passed, the Office of Citizen Exchanges may not discuss this

competition in any way with applicants until after the Bureau program

and project review process has been completed.

ANNOUNCEMENT NAME AND NUMBER: All communications concerning this

announcement should refer to the Fall Discretionary Grant Program. The

announcement number is E/P-95-29. Please refer to title and number in

all correspondence or telephone calls to USIA.

DATES: Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.

Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday, March 10,

1995. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents

postmarked on March 10, 1995, but received at a later date. It is the

responsibility of each grant applicant to ensure that proposals are

received by the above deadline. This action is effective from the

publication date of this notice through March 10, 1995, for projects

where activities will begin between July 1, 1995 and December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Interested organizations/institutions

must contact the Office of Citizen Exchanges, E/PL, Room 216, United

States Information Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.

20547, (202) 619-5326, to request detailed application packets, which

include award criteria, all application forms; and guidelines for

preparing proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of the

proposal budget. Please direct inquiries and correspondences to USIA

Program Officer Laverne Johnson, E-Mail ([email protected]).

ADDRESSES: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the

Application Package and send only complete applications to: U.S.

Information Agency, REF: E/P-95-29 Spring Discretionary Grant

Competition, Grants Management Division (E/XE), 301 4th Street, S.W.,

Room 336, Washington, D.C. 20547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-

economic status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly

encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle.

Overview

The Office of Citizen Exchanges works with U.S. private sector non-

profit organizations on cooperative international group projects that

introduce American and foreign participants to each others' social,

economic, and political structures; and international interests. The

Office supports international projects in the United States or overseas

involving leaders or potential leaders in the following fields and

professions: Urban planners, jurists, specialized journalists

(specialists in economic, business, political analysis, international

affairs), business professionals, NGO leaders, environmental

specialists, parliamentarians, educators, economic planning, and other

government officials.

Guidelines

Applicants should carefully note the following restrictions/

recommendations for proposals in specific geographical areas:

The Newly Independent States: USIA and other agencies of the U.S.

government have numerous programs in the countries of the NIS (Armenia,

Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia,

Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan). As such, the amount

of funds for that part of the world in this competition will be

extremely limited. Proposals which would normally be considered for

other USIA grant competitions will not be accepted. E/P encourages

organizations to seek clarification on these points before presenting a

proposal.

Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Baltics (EU): Projects are

encouraged involving Western Europe (including Canada). Priority will

be given to projects relating to conflict resolution, tolerance,

diversity, and the environment. Due to the fact that the Office has or

is in the process of conducting specific competitions in Eastern Europe

and the Baltics, we will not accept proposals for youth exchange

programs or for programs in the following thematic areas: public

administration, business management, independent media development,

journalism training, and local government administration and municipal

management.

East Asia and the Pacific (EA): Priority consideration will be

given to regional or subregional proposals that focus on the following

themes: (1) APEC-related economic and trade issues; (2) The information

superhighway: technological changes and effects on the individual and

society; (3) Press professionalism, press ethics and good governance;

and (4) The evolving security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.

American Republics (AR): Priority will be given to projects in the

following areas: Civil-military relations, effective administration/

decentralization, American studies, judicial reform, and the

protection/promotion of minority and indigenous rights. Preference will

be given to projects involving Haiti which focus on: democracy

building, support for indigenous non-governmental organization (NGOs),

and the environment.

Africa (AF): While proposals in all fields are encouraged, emphasis

will be given to proposals which focus on strengthening democratic

institutions.

North Africa, Near East and South Asia (NEA): Priority will be

given to projects which promote civil society, democratization,

economic reform, free markets, tolerance and pluralism, conflict

resolution, and Israeli and Arab understanding.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges strongly encourages the

coordination of activities with respected universities, professional

associations, and major cultural institutions in the U.S. and abroad,

but particularly in the U.S. Projects should be intellectual and

cultural, not technical. Vocational training (an occupation other than

one requiring a baccalaureate or higher academic degree; i.e., clerical

work, auto maintenance, etc, and other occupations requiring less than

two years of higher education) and technical training (special and

practical knowledge of a mechanical or a scientific subject which

enhances mechanical, narrowly scientific, or semi-skilled capabilities)

are ineligible for support. In addition, scholarship programs are

ineligible for support.

The Office 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 insofar as they are part of a larger project in

duration and scope which is receiving USIA funding from this

competition. USIA-supported projects may include internships; study

tours; short-term, non-technical training; and extended, intensive

workshops taking place in the United States or overseas. The themes

addressed in exchange programs must be of long-term importance rather

than focused exclusively on current events or short-term issues. In

every case, a substantial rationale must be presented as part of the

proposal, one that clearly indicates the distinctive and important

contribution of the overall project, including where applicable the

expected yield of any associated conference. No funding is available

exclusively to send U.S. citizens to conferences or conference-type

seminars overseas; neither is funding available for bringing foreign

nationals to conferences or to routine professional association

meetings in the United States. Projects that duplicate what is

routinely carried out by private sector and/or public sector operations

will not be considered. The Office of Citizen Exchanges strongly

recommends that applicants consult with host country USIS posts, prior

to submitting proposals.

Selection of Participants

All grant proposals should clearly describe the type of persons who

will participate in the program as well as the process by which

participants will be selected. It is recommended that programs in

support of U.S. internships include letters tentatively committing host

institutions to support the internships. In the selection of foreign

participants, USIA and USIS posts abroad retain the right to nominate

all participants and to accept or deny participants recommended by

grantee institutions. However, grantee institutions are often asked by

USIA to suggest names of potential participants. The grantee

institution will also provide the names of American participants and

brief (two pages) biographical data on each American participant to the

Office of Citizen Exchanges for information purposes. Priority will be

given to foreign participants who have not previously travelled to the

United States.

Additional Guidance

The Office of Citizen Exchanges offers the following additional

guidance to prospective applicants:

1. The Office of Citizen Exchanges encourages project proposals

involving more than one country. Pertinent rationale which links

countries in multi-country projects should be included in the

submission. Single-country projects that are clearly defined and

possess the potential for creating and strengthening continuing

linkages between foreign and U.S. institutions are also welcome.

2. Proposals for bilateral programs are subject to review and

comment by the USIS post in the relevant country, and pre-selected

participants will also be subject to USIS post review.

3. Bilateral programs should clearly identify the counterpart

organization and provide evidence of the organization's participation.

4. The Office of Citizen Exchanges will consider proposals for

activities which take place exclusively in other countries when USIS

posts are consulted in the design of the proposed program and in the

choice of the most suitable venues for such proposals.

5. Office of Citizen Exchanges grants are not given to support

projects whose focus is limited to technical or vocational subjects, or

for research projects, for publications funding, for student and/or

teacher/faculty exchanges, for sports and/or sports related programs.

Nor does this office provide scholarships or support for long-term (a

semester or more) academic studies. Competitions sponsored by other

Bureau offices are also announced in the Federal Register.

For projects that would begin after December 31, 1995, competition

details will be announced in the Federal Register on or about June 1,

1995. Inquiries concerning technical requirements are welcome prior to

submission of applications.

Funding

Although no set funding limit exists, proposals for less than

$150,000 will receive preference. Organizations with less than four

years of successful experience in managing international exchange

programs are limited to $60,000. Applicants are invited to provide both

an all-inclusive budget as well as separate sub-budgets for each

program component, phase, location, or activity in order to facilitate

USIA decisions on funding. While an all-inclusive budget must be

provided with each proposal, separate component budgets are optional.

Competition for USIA funding support is keen.

The selection of grantee institutions will depend on program

substance, cross-cultural sensitivity, and ability to carry out the

program successfully. Since USIA grant assistance constitutes only a

portion of total project funding, proposals should list and provide

evidence of other anticipated sources of financial and in-kind support.

Proposals with substantial private sector support from foundations,

other institutions, et. al. will be deemed highly competitive. The

Recipient must provide a minimum of 33 percent cost sharing of the

total project cost.

Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect

costs. The Recipient must maintain written records to support all

allowable costs which are claimed as being its contribution to cost

participation, 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, Attachment E-Cost Sharing and Matching and should be

described in the proposal. In the event the Recipient does not provide

a minimum of 33 percent cost sharing, the Agency's contribution will be

reduced in proportion to the Recipient's contribution. The Recipient's

proposal shall include the cost of an audit that: (1) Complies with the

requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of Institutions of

Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions; (2) complies with

the requirements of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

(AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) No. 92-9; and (3) includes review

by the recipient's independent auditor of a recipient-prepared

supplemental schedule of indirect cost rate computation, if such a rate

is being proposed. The audit costs shall be identified separately for:

(1) Preparation of basic financial statements and other accounting

services; and (2) preparation of the supplemental reports and schedules

required by OMB Circular No. A-133, AICPA SOP 92-9, and the review of

the supplemental schedule of indirect cost rate computation.

The following project costs are eligible for consideration for

funding:

1. International and domestic air fares; visas; transit costs;

ground transportation costs.

2. Per Diem. For the U.S. program, organizations have the option of

using a flat $140/day for program participants or the published U.S.

Federal per diem rates for individual American cities. For activities

outside the U.S., the published Federal per diem rates must be used.

Note: U.S. escorting staff must use the published Federal per

diem rates, not the flat rate.

3. Interpreters: If needed, interpreters for the U.S. program are

provided by the U.S. State Department Language Services Division.

Typically, a pair of simultaneous interpreters is provided for every

four visitors who need interpretation. USIA grants do not pay for

foreign interpreters to accompany delegations from their home country.

Grant proposal budgets should contain a flat $140/day per diem for each

Department of State interpreter, as well as home-program-home air

transportation of $400 per interpreter plus any U.S. travel expenses

during the program. Salary expenses are covered centrally and should

not be part of an applicant's proposed budget.

4. Book and cultural allowance: Participants are entitled to and

escorts are reimbursed on one-time cultural allowance of $150 per

person, plus a participant book allowance of $50. U.S. staff do not get

these benefits.

5. Consultants. May be used to provide specialized expertise or to

make presentations. Daily honoraria generally do not exceed $250 per

day. Subcontracting organizations may also be used, in which case the

written agreement between the prospective grantee and subcontractor

should be included in the proposal.

6. Room rental, which generally should not exceed $250 per day.

7. Materials development. Proposals may contain costs to purchase,

develop, and translate materials for participants.

8. One working meal per project. Per capita costs may not exceed

$5-8 for a lunch and $14-20 for a dinner; excluding room rental. The

number of invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a

factor of two to one.

9. A return travel allowance of $70 for each participant which is

to be used for incidental expenditures incurred during international

travel.

10. All USIA-funded delegates will be covered under the terms of a

USIA-sponsored health insurance policy. The premium is paid by USIA

directly to the insurance company.

11. Other costs necessary for the effective administration of the

program, including salaries for grant organization employees, benefits,

and other direct and indirect costs per detailed instructions in the

application package.

Note: the 20 percent limitation of ``administrative costs''

included in previous announcements does not apply to this RFP.

Please refer to the Application Package for complete budget

guidelines.

Review Process

USIA will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will review them

for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they

do not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein and in the

Application Packet. Eligible proposals will be forwarded to panels of

USIA officers for advisory review. All eligible proposals will also be

reviewed by the budget and contract offices, as well as the USIA

geographic regional office and the USIS post overseas, where

appropriate. Proposals may also be reviewed by the USIA's Office of

General Counsel or by other Agency elements. Funding decisions are at

the discretion of the USIA Associate Director for Educational and

Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for grant awards resides

with USIA's contracting officer.

Review Criteria

USIA will consider proposals based on their conformance with the

objectives and considerations already stated in this RFP, as well as

the following criteria:

1 Quality of Program Idea: Proposals should exhibit originality,

substance, precision, and relevance to the Agency mission.

2. Program Planning: Detailed agenda and relevant work plan should

demonstrate substance undertakings and logistical capacity. Agenda and

plan should adhere to the program overview and guidelines described

above.

3. Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Objectives should be

reasonable, feasible, and flexible. Proposal should clearly demonstrate

how the institution will meet the program objectives and plan.

4. Multiplier Effect: Proposed programs should strengthen long-term

mutual understanding, including maximum sharing of information and

establishment of long-term institutional and individual linkages.

5. Value of U.S.-Partner Country Relations: Proposed projects

should receive positive assessments by USIA's geographic area desk and

overseas officers of program need, potential impact, and significance

in the partner.

6. Institutional Capacity: Proposed personnel and institutional

resources should be adequate and appropriate to achieve the program or

project's goal.

7. Institution Reputation/Ability: Proposals should demonstrate an

institutional record of successful exchange programs, including

responsible fiscal management and full compliance with all reporting

requirements for past Agency grants as determined by USIA's Office of

Contracts. The Agency will consider the past performance of prior

recipients and the demonstrated potential of new applicants.

8. Follow-on Activities: Proposals should provide a plan for

continued follow-on activity (without USIA support) which ensures that

USIA supported programs are not isolated events.

9. Evaluation Plan: Proposals should provide a plan for a thorough

and objective evaluation of the program/project by the grantee

institution.

10. Cost-Effectiveness: The overhead and administrative components

of the proposal, including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as

low as possible. All other items should be necessary and appropriate.

11 Cost-Sharing: Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through

other private sector support as well as institutional direct funding

contributions.

12. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate the

recipients' commitment to promoting the awareness and understanding of

diversity throughout the program. This can be accomplished through

documentation (such as a written statement or account) summarizing past

and/or on-going activities and efforts that further the principle of

diversity within both their organization and their activities.

Notice

The need of the program may require the award to reduced, revised,

or increased. The terms and conditions published in the RFP are binding

and may not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory

information provided by USIA that contradicts published language will

not be binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award

commitment on the part of the Government. Final awards cannot be made

until funds have been fully appropriated by the Congress, allocated and

committed through internal USIA procedures.

Notification

All applicants will be notified of the results of the review

process on or about June 1, 1995. Awarded grants will be subject to

periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

Dated: December 8, 1994.

Dell Pendergrast,

Deputy Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

[FR Doc. 94-30842 Filed 12-14-94; 8:45 am]

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