Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant Proposals: Summer Institute on Education Reform for Nigerian Tertiary Education Administrators and Policy Makers

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3490]

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant

Proposals: Summer Institute on Education Reform for Nigerian Tertiary

Education Administrators and Policy Makers

SUMMARY: The African Programs Branch of the Office of Academic Exchange

Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an

open competition for a Summer Institute on Education Reform for

Nigerian Tertiary Education Administrators and Policy Makers. Public

and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described

in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may submit proposals to provide a

six-week program for up to 25 Nigerian tertiary level education

administrators and government officials responsible for making and

implementing education policy. Requested Bureau funding must not exceed

$200,000.

All Summer Institute programming and logistics including design and

implementation of the academic, cultural, and administrative components

will be the responsibility of the grantee. These responsibilities

include (1) an academic component that adheres closely to the goals and

objectives set forth in the RFGP, (2) a cultural component that

complements and reinforces material covered in the academic component,

and includes a stay of up to a week in Washington and a trip to another

major U.S. city, and 3) an administrative component to provide for the

comfort and well-being of the participants which includes arranging and

budgeting for housing, meals, transportation in the U.S., allowances

for incidental expenses, books, and excess baggage.

Proposals must conform to requirements set forth in the

Solicitation Package, that is, the program information and guidelines

stated in this Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) as well as the

standard Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI). Applications not

adhering to the conditions set forth herein may be deemed technically

ineligible.

The guidelines set forth in this RFGP are specific to the program

mentioned above and are in addition to the standard guidelines outlined

in the PSI. In any instance that there is a perceived disparity between

the standard or program-specific guidelines, the program-specific

guidelines listed in the RFGP are to be the dominant reference. The

Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, required

application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard

guidelines for proposal preparation.

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.

A. Proposal Submission Information

1. Announcement Title and Number

All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should

reference the above title and number ECA/A/E/AF-01-02.

2. Application Submission Deadline

All proposal copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational

and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Thursday,

February 1, 2001. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time.

Documents postmarked on the due date but received on a later date will

not be accepted.

Each applicant must ensure that the proposals are received by the

above deadline.

Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation

Package. The original and seven (7) copies of the application should be

sent to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/A/E/AF-01-02, Program Management, ECA/EX/

PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547.

3. For Further Information or To Request a Solicitation Package

Please contact the program officer, Carol Herrera, by mail at:

African

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Programs Branch, Office of Academic Exchanges (ECA/A/E/AF)--Rm. 232,

U.S. Department of State, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547,

Ph: (202) 619-5405, F: (202)619-6137, E-mail: [email protected].

4. To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's

website at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/RFGPs. Please read all

information before downloading.

Note: Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and

``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette,

formatted for DOS. These documents must be provided in ASCII text

(DOS) format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. The Bureau

will transmit these files electronically to the Public Affairs

section at the US Embassy for its review, with the goal of reducing

the time it takes to get embassy comments for the Bureau's grants

review process.

5. 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 the Fulbright-Hays Act.

6. 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.

B. Program Information

1. Background

Since 1998 the Clinton Administration has launched several special

initiatives for education in Africa to further African integration into

the global community by improving the quality of, and technology for,

education in Africa. As a result of President Clinton's recent visit to

Nigeria, the Africa Programs Branch seeks to create a Summer Institute

on Education Reform for Nigerian Tertiary Education Administrators and

Policy Makers. Under the Fulbright banner the program further seeks to

promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States

and Nigeria.

Over the past two decades, large increases in the number of

students at every level of the education system coupled with

diminishing resources provided by Nigeria's military rulers

dramatically decreased the quality of education in Nigeria. The

proposed program seeks to engage Nigerian tertiary education

administrators, government policy makers and other stakeholders in a

detailed review of major reform issues in the U.S. that will help the

participants identify and explore potential areas of reform within the

Nigerian education system and approaches to instituting reforms.

2. Program Description

The Summer Institute seeks to encourage key stakeholders and

decision makers to promote a bolder vision for the future of Nigerian

tertiary education and establish long-term educational reform goals

that benefit the nation as a whole. The six-week program is intended to

improve the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria by (1) helping

participants identify and examine potential areas of reform in Nigerian

tertiary education by thoughtfully reviewing American experiences, (2)

promoting cooperation, coordination, and cross-fertilization of ideas

among the participants and with U.S. facilitators and counterparts, (3)

through case studies, site visits and other experiential means,

examining American examples of educational reform efforts applicable to

a Nigerian context and, (4) strengthening participants' leadership,

management, and organizational skills.

The 25 participants will be selected not only from among university

administrators but from policy makers as well.

Half of the group will be composed of senior university

administrators representing federal and state universities,

polytechnics, teacher colleges, and a new private university. The rest

of the group will be education policy makers from the Federal Ministry

of Education, some state governments, important commissions such as the

Examination Council (WAEC), the National Universities Commission (NUC),

the Committee of the Colleges of Education and the National Assembly's

Education Committee. The entire participant selection process will be

carried out in Nigeria by the Public Affairs Section of the American

Embassy.

3. Program Objectives

3.1 Identifying and Examining Potential Areas of Reform in Nigerian

Tertiary Education

Although the program will reference American examples of education

reform, the wide disparity between the American and Nigerian contexts

demands that the focus be on the Nigerian education system. Any

American examples that are used must have relevance and applicability

to the realities of Nigeria. It is not enough that the host institution

provide a menu of recent American reform efforts and examples of

successes and failures with the hope that the participants will glean

what they need from the American model. This should not be perceived to

be an American Studies program on Education Administration but an

Education Administration program specifically designed for Nigerian

education stakeholders. Specific topics may include but will not be

limited to: establishing coordination among the various components of

the higher education system, turning policy into practice, education

funding and fundraising, accreditation, testing, teacher training,

certification, setting admissions standards, hiring practices, staff

development, community outreach, legislative oversight, publications,

student government, etc.

The host institution will prepare a needs assessment to be carried

out prior to the participants arrival in the U.S. to determine what

areas the participants identify as most relevant and develop the

program around those perceived priorities. The approach should be one

that provides in-depth content on a few selected topics rather than

cursory information on a wide variety of topics.

3.2 Promoting Cooperation, Coordination, and Cross-fertilization of

Ideas Among the Participants and With U.S. Facilitators and

Counterparts

Sessions and activities should be designed to enable the

participants to use critical and creative thinking skills

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and teamwork in developing solutions and approaches to effect realistic

and implementable reform goals in the areas of interest identified in

the needs assessment.

3.3 Examining American Examples of Educational Reform Efforts

Applicable to a Nigerian Context

Through case studies, site visits and other experiential means, the

participants will study examples of American education reform that

correspond to the areas of interest identified in the needs assessment.

Activities should include but are not limited to visits to a selection

of universities; pertinent government offices, both federal and state;

federal and state legislative education committees; meetings with

university administrators such as presidents, vice presidents, and

deans.

Examples used should, as closely as possible, demonstrate

challenges similar to those that confront the Nigerian administrators;

i.e., lack of funding, poorly trained staff, low staff morale due to

insufficient pay, overcrowded classes, student unrest, etc.

3.4 Strengthening Participants' Leadership, Management, and

Organizational Skills

Potential topics may include but are not limited to: participatory

planning; developing clear, implementable goals and objectives;

assessment and analysis; formulating action plans; monitoring and

evaluation (of faculty, staff, students, curriculum, etc.); staff

development; accountability and the ethical dimensions of leadership;

building a constituency for change; promoting ownership and commitment;

interpreting and adapting to a changing environment; being responsive

to constituencies, etc.

4. Program Specific Guidelines

4.1 Program Duration/ Dates

The program will be approximately six weeks in length and should

begin and end between the dates of June 1, 2001 and September 30, 2001.

These dates will include the arrival and departure dates of the

participants.

4.2 Number/Types of Participants

There will be a maximum of 25 participants, approximately half of

whom will be university administrators and half of whom will be policy

makers. They will come from various parts of Nigeria and various ethnic

groups and will likely be predominantly male. Applicants may wish to

take this into consideration in planning and logistics. If the number

of women in the group is small, efforts may be needed to ensure their

full inclusion and participation. Most, but not all, will have at least

some overseas experience, having attended international conferences,

participated in international visitors programs, etc. Some will have

spent time studying abroad, primarily in the U.K. but other countries

as well including the U.S. Minimum qualifications for all participants

will be the equivalent of BA/BS degrees from their national educational

system.

4.3 Grantee Administrative Responsibilities

The following are the responsibilities of the grantee that will be

covered under the terms of the grant and must be included in the budget

submission. Please refer to the next section in this document (Section

5, Budget Guidelines) and PSI Budget Guidelines for further details.

Travel/transportation in the U.S. Participants will arrive

and begin their program in Washington, DC. The host institution will

arrange all domestic transportation (excluding travel from Washington,

DC to program site if by air) to and from airports and for cultural and

educational activities provided under this project. For travel between

Washington, DC and the Summer Institute site, the host institution may

propose to substitute travel by bus or by train for travel by

commercial air carrier, if ground transportation is a feasible, cost-

effective travel alternative. However, if the host institution opts to

use ground transportation between Washington, DC and the program site,

the cost must be included in the budget proposal.

It is expected that the grantee will make arrangements to meet the

participants upon arrival in Washington. Departures for return travel

to Nigeria will be from the program site.

Lodging: Accommodations in faculty guest quarters with

single rooms or suites are preferred. Kitchen facilities for food

storage and preparation to accommodate 25 participants should be

provided. Lodging should be within reasonable walking distance to

location of classes and/or readily accessible to university

transportation system. Easy access to public transportation that

enables participants to venture out into the larger community is

desirable.

Meals: A system of cash subsistence payments that allow

participants to shop for and prepare their own meals is preferred.

Cafeteria meal plans that can accommodate African preferences are

possible. If using a meal plan exclusively, show clearly how the cost

of meals will be covered when participants' travel away from campus or

campus cafeterias are closed.

Incidentals allowance: Each participant will receive an

incidentals allowance of $15 per day for the full number of days of the

Summer Institute including at the host institution, while in

Washington, DC and/or other U.S. city visited.

Book Allowance: The project will provide each participant

with a supplemental book allowance of $150 per person. The institution

should plan to assist participants in selection, acquisition and

shipment of materials for their needs. The institution should develop a

plan that allows participants to stretch their book allowance as far as

possible through institutional or publishers' discounts.

Health Coverage Administration: Although the Bureau

assumes the responsibility of providing limited accident and sickness

insurance coverage for participants, the grantee is responsible for

enrolling all participants in the Bureau's health coverage program. A

plan on providing participants with ready access to medical care should

be included in the proposal.

4.4 Bureau Administrative Responsibilities

The following are the responsibilities of the Bureau and will not

be covered under the terms of the grant and should not be included in

the budget submission:

Selection of Participants: The selection process will be

carried out by the U.S. Public Affairs Section (PAS) in Nigeria. The

Bureau will be responsible for and facilitate all communications

between the PAS and the institution. The Bureau will provide the

grantee with participants' curriculum vitae and other relevant

information.

International Travel: The Bureau is responsible for

participants' international travel. The Bureau, in coordination with

the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, will make international airline reservations

and purchase round-trip international airline tickets for all

participants from Nigeria to the site of the Summer Institute via

Washington, D.C.

The Bureau will advise the host institution of the group's arrival/

departure schedules.

Health Coverage: The Bureau provides limited accident and

sickness insurance coverage for participants in the Summer Institute

and will provide the grantee with the necessary instructions and forms

to complete prior to the participants' arrival.

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Visas: Participants will travel on J-1 visas, Program

number G-1-5, issued by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. Program must

comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to Proposal Submission

Instructions for further information.

5. Budget Guidelines

Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire

program, not to exceed $200,000. The Bureau plans to award one grant at

a level of approximately $200,000. Grants awarded to eligible

organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting

international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.

There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting

both administrative and program budgets. Applicants may provide

separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or

activity to provide clarification.

Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through private sector

support as well as institutional direct funding contributions.

In addition to the guidelines provided here, applicants should

refer to the Budget Guidelines section of the PSI.

5.1. Allowable Costs

Allowable costs for the program include:

Instructional costs, i.e.; instructors' salaries,

honoraria for outside speakers, educational course materials

Lodging, meals, and incidentals for participants

Expenses associated with cultural activities, i.e.;

admission fees, transportation

Administrative costs as necessary

5.2 Line-item Budget

Divide the Line-item budget into Program and Administration

sections. The line-item budget should include and elaborate on the

categories listed below.

5.2.1 Program Section. The program section of the budget includes

(1) academic program costs, (2) participant maintenance and allowances,

and (3) cultural activities and other related costs

5.2.1.1 Academic program costs. The Institution may choose to

itemize academic program costs (I.A.1) or set a fee per participant

(I.A.2)

--Itemized academic program costs. (I.A.1)

Instructors' salaries as appropriate. Salaries, benefits,

and services for instructors' salaries for the Institute classes.

Identify each position and provide position title, role in the

Institute, and, as appropriate, annual salary and percent of effort

used for the Institute. Benefit costs should be stated separately from

salary costs. Identify how benefits and services were computed.

Honoraria and per diem for outside speakers, if any. (List

names and amounts).

Film and video rentals, educational materials, curricular

needs (i.e. texts, course packs for classes), as appropriate.

--Fee per participant (I.A.2)

If the institution chooses to budget academic program costs as a

fee per participant, please state what services are provided within

that fee.

5.2.1.2 Costs for maintenance and other allowances for

participants. (Clearly indicate the unit cost of each item.)

Lodging. Housing may be in graduate dormitories, faculty

residences, or other, as appropriate. Single rooms preferred.

Meals. Meals may be provided through cash subsistence

payments to participants, cafeteria meal plans, or a combination of

both. If using a meal plan exclusively, show clearly how the cost of

meals will be covered when participants travel away from campus or

campus cafeterias are closed.

Incidentals allowance. Include an incidentals allowance of

$15 per person per day for full number of days of the Summer Institute

at the host institution.

Supplemental book allowance of $150 per person.

Excess baggage allowance of $150 per person.

Note: Per diem rate for lodging and meals may not exceed

published U.S. government allowance rates for the site of the

Institute. Institutions may use per diem rates that are lower than

official government rates.

5.2.1.3 Cultural activities and other program-related costs

Cultural activities: entrance fees, overnight lodging,

meals not provided for in B.2.

Costs for Washington cultural and educational tour.

Lodging for participants. It is acceptable for

participants to share rooms on trips away from primary institute site.

Meals for participants away from regular site.

Incidentals allowance for participants. (Include a $15 per

person per day incidental allowance for full number of days in

Washington and/or other city.)

Transportation: Ground transportation for group cultural

and educational activities; ground transportation for airport arrival

and departure.

Escort Staff: Domestic transportation costs and per diem

(or lodging and subsistence) for grantee escort staff for overnight

cultural activities and Washington visit.

Note: The Bureau will provide round-trip international air

tickets (from home country to Washington, D.C. to Institute site,

and return to home country) for participants. The cost of travel for

participants from Washington, D.C. to the institute site should not

be included in a budget unless the institution opts to use ground

transportation. If travel by means other than commercial airline are

proposed, show transportation costs in the budget.

5.2.2 Administration Costs

Staff requirements.

Benefits.

Other direct administrative expenses.

Indirect expenses.

6. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must

maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and

representative of the diversity of American political, social, and

cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest

sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to

ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic

status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to

adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program

administration and in program content. Please refer to the review

criteria under the 'Support for Diversity' section for specific

suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal. Public

Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and

cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom

and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide

opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and

democracy leaders of such countries.'' Public Law 106-113 requires that

the governments of the countries described above do not have

inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should

reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the

full extent deemed feasible.

7. Proposal Preparation

Applicants should submit a complete and thorough proposal

describing the program in a convincing and comprehensive manner. Since

there is no opportunity for applicants to meet with reviewing

officials, the proposal should respond to the criteria set forth in the

solicitation package as clearly as

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possible. Proposals should address succinctly, but completely, the

elements described below and must follow all format requirements.

Proposals should include the following items:

Table of Contents

(Tab A) Assistance Award Proposal Cover Sheet

(Tab B) Executive Summary

(Tab C) Narrative

(Tab D) Budget Submission

(Tab E) Supporting documentation

(Tab F) Standard forms

Guidelines on specific sections follow.

7.1 Table of Contents

List all attachments.

7.2 Assistance Award Proposal Cover Sheet (Tab A)

One additional copy of the application cover sheet must be included

in an envelope marked ``Attention: ECA/EX/PM.''

7.3 Executive Summary (Tab B)

In one double-spaced page, provide the following information about

the project:

Name of organization/participating institutions

Beginning and ending dates of the program

Proposed theme

Nature of activity

Funding level requested from the Bureau, total program

cost, total cost-sharing from applicant and other sources--Scope and

Goals

Number and description of participants

Wider audience benefiting from program (overall impact)

Anticipated results (short and long-term)

7.4 Narrative (Tab C)

In 20 double-spaced, single-sided pages, provide a detailed

description of the project addressing the areas listed below.

Statement of need, objectives, goals, and benefits

Provide a well-defined, overarching vision of the program and a

description of the steps/activities to be undertaken to create from the

various components a well integrated whole. The rationale, goals and

objectives articulated in the RFGP should be the foundation upon which

the program proposal is built.

In keeping with the Bureau's goal of establishing long-term

academic partnerships, the program should be crafted as part of a

potential continuum of academic exchange opportunities that build upon

and complement one another. The program should be seen as mutually

beneficial to participants and program implementers, although the

benefits may differ significantly.

The host institution's qualifications in education

administration and African school systems and relevance of past

experience to this program.

Implementation Approach and Strategy

The narrative should include a clear description of the general

strategy and specific approach proposed to implement the program. As

much as possible the program should be participant-focused

incorporating adult learner strategies and oriented toward authentic

learning outcomes and capacity-building in relation to real-world

problem-solving. The program should be geared more toward enhancing

participants' skills and less on providing information and materials.

Participating Organizations (if applicable)

Provide a brief description of any other entities that are to play

significant roles in the performance of this contract and how they fit

into implementation.

Work plan/Time Frame

The program should be approximately 6 weeks in length and should

begin and end between the dates of June 1, 2001 and September 30, 2001.

The work plan should clearly identify the number of hours dedicated to

the various program components.

Academic Component

Provide a description of the specific learning activities

undertaken to meet goals and objectives of the program.

Cultural Component

Include a description of those activities not directly related to

the academic component and geared toward providing an American

experience for the participants. To the extent possible, cultural

activities should complement the goals and objectives of the academic

component but should not be limited to only those with academic

significance. Program days in Washington, DC and other major U.S. city

should be included here.

Provide a description of housing, maintenance and

logistics including health care provisions for participants.

Participant monitoring

Include a plan for measuring participant performance and tracking

the individual's progress in meeting learning objectives.

Follow-on plan

Include a description of short-term, mid-term and long-term goals

in continuing the partnership between the host institution and the

participants beyond the provisions of the summer institute grant.

Although additional Bureau support would not be available for the

short-term goals, mid-term and long-term goals could be considered for

additional funding.

Program Evaluation

The evaluation plan should identify anticipated outcomes and

performance requirements clearly related to program goals and

activities and include procedures for ongoing monitoring and corrective

action when necessary. The identification of best practices relating to

project administration is also encouraged, as is the discussion of

unforeseen difficulties.

Program Calendar

Include all academic, cultural and administrative activities.

7.5 Budget Submission (Tab D)

The cost to the Bureau for the Summer Institute for Nigerian

Educators for 25 participants should not exceed $200,000. The final

budget may be adjusted to reflect the actual number of participants.

Note: Please review carefully Standard Budget Preparation

guidelines in Proposal Submission Instructions in regard to a

Summary Budget and a detailed Line-Item Budget and descriptions and

limitations of each type of administration cost. Use notes where

further explanation of line items is required to clarify how the

figures were derived.

7.6 Supporting Documentation (Tab E)

Letters of endorsement

Resumes

All program staff resumes should be included in the submission. No

resume should exceed two pages.

7.7 Standard Forms (Tab F)

``Additional Information'' Form

Copy of IRS notification of current tax-exempt status

Four Required Certification Forms

Certification of Compliance with Federal Forms

Other attachments, if applicable

8. Review Process and Criteria

The Bureau will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will

review them for technical eligibility. Proposals are reviewed for

adherence to legal and budgetary requirements by Bureau offices

responsible for these functions. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if

they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein. For program

content, cost-effectiveness, and other criteria spelled out in the

RFGP, the review is conducted by an advisory, assistance award-review

panel composed of Bureau and Department officers. Additional officers,

including

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geographic area personnel, also review proposals for feasibility as

well as potential for short- and long-term impact. Final funding

decisions are at the discretion of the Department of State's Assistant

Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical

authority for assistance awards resides with a Bureau Grants Officer.

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:

8.1 Quality of Program Conceptualization and Planning

Proposals should exhibit substance, precision, and relevance to the

Bureau's mission as well as adherence to all guidelines and objectives

described in the RFGP. Proposals should provide a clear description of

the general strategy and specific approach to implement the program.

Proposals should also demonstrate effective use of community and

regional resources to enhance both the educational and cultural

experiences of the participants. Detailed agenda and relevant work plan

should demonstrate substantive undertakings and logistical capacity.

8.2 Ability to Achieve Program Objectives

Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet

the program's objectives and plan.

8.3 Area Expertise

Proposals should demonstrate significant institutional and staff

experience in and knowledge of Africa as well as expertise in education

in developing countries.

8.4 Multiplier Effect/Impact

Proposed program should strengthen long-term mutual understanding,

including maximum sharing of information and establishment of long-term

institutional and individual linkages. To ensure that Bureau supported

programs are not isolated events, a detailed post-institute plan (that

does not require Bureau support) for follow-on activities that promote

continued communication/involvement and build upon program achievements

between the host institution and participants and/or the institutions

they represent, should be incorporated into the proposal.

8.5 Program Monitoring/Evaluation

Proposals should include a plan to monitor program and participant

progress through the course of the program and evaluate the overall

success upon completion of the program. The Bureau recommends that the

proposal include a participant needs assessment or other technique plus

description of a methodology to link outcomes to original project

objectives.

8.6 Support of Diversity

Proposals should demonstrate the recipient's commitment to

promoting the awareness and understanding of diversity in both the

American and African context. Program administrators should strive for

diversity among Institute staff, student assistants, and host community

contacts. Cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity of the participants

should also be a consideration in program planning.

8.7 Institutional Capacity

Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate

and appropriate to achieve a substantive academic and cultural program.

Proposals should demonstrate an institutional record of successful

exchange programs, including responsible fiscal management and full

compliance with all reporting requirements for past Bureau grants as

determined by the Bureau's Office of Contracts. The Bureau will

consider the past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated

potential of new applicants.

8.8 Cost-effectiveness

The overhead and administrative components of the proposal,

including salaries and honoraria, should be kept as low as possible.

All other items should be necessary and appropriate. Proposals should

maximize cost-sharing through other private sector support as well as

institutional direct funding contributions.

Notification

Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by

Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.

Dated: November 30, 2000.

William B. Bader,

Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of

State.

[FR Doc. 00 31075 Filed 12-6-00; 8:45 am]

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