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[Federal Register: November 24, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 227)]
[Notices]
[Page 70626-70628]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24no00-101]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 3479]
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant
Proposals: Fulbright Teacher Exchange Orientation Program
SUMMARY: The Office of Global Educational Programs, Fulbright Teacher
Exchange Branch of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
announces an open competition for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange
Orientation Program award. Public and private non-profit organizations
meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may
submit proposals to develop and administer August 2001 orientation
activities in Washington, DC. Approximately 570 foreign and U.S.
teachers and accompanying dependents will participate in the August
2001 orientation program.
The cooperating institution, through such orientation program
activities as formal presentations and workshops, prepares program
participants to teach (at the elementary, secondary or college level)
in the educational system of another country. Approximately $300,000
are expected to be available for this activity.
The programming specifically strives: (a) To provide U.S. teachers
with opportunities to meet face-to-face with their foreign exchange
partners to discuss the details of their individual exchange
assignments; (b) to provide participants with an understanding of the
educational systems in which they will be teaching; and (c) to provide
teachers with practical guidance on living in their countries of
destination, with particular references to cross-cultural differences.
Program Information
The purpose of the August orientation workshop is to provide U.S.
and foreign teachers and their spouses and dependents with a wide range
of briefings, training, and discussions to assist them in preparing to
function effectively in host schools and communities here and abroad in
order to promote the mission of the Fulbright Program--mutual
understanding. Partners meet face-to-face and share important
information about their workplace and other particulars concerning
their individual exchanges.
The workshop should focus on the teachers' need to understand
education in the host country, the professional and personal aspects of
the exchange and the many aspects of adjustment to living abroad,
including cross cultural orientation.
Through the reciprocal exchange of teachers, administrators, and
other school or college faculty, foreign participants in the Fulbright
Teacher Exchange Program increase the international dimension of U.S.
schools, while U.S. participants share American values abroad.
Participating countries arrange for non-U.S. teachers to arrive at the
U.S. orientation site.
Agenda
The agenda should recognize partner relationship building as a
priority by scheduling joint sessions for U.S. and foreign partners in
the morning, establishing training objectives for each session, and
sequencing sessions to reinforce experiential learning. An
[[Page 70627]]
equivalent of one day should be set aside for the U.S. and foreign
teachers exchange partners to attend joint sessions and discuss their
individual exchanges one-on-one. Sessions for U.S. and foreign teachers
should include presentations on educational systems and cross-cultural
matters.
A sample detailed agenda, which incorporates the following
guidelines, is included in the POGI. The cooperating institution should
structure its proposed agenda based on the sample, and propose speakers
where appropriate.
Additional Activities
Time constraints should be considered; program sessions and
cultural activities must not interfere with the partner joint one-on-
one discussions for which an ample amount of time should be allowed.
Speakers
The cooperating institution, in consultation with the Bureau, will
be required to identify and invite speakers and panelists to cover all
sessions, and demonstrate its ability and willingness to identify such
individuals drawing on its own resources as well as other resources
beyond the organization. These include universities in the area,
consulting groups, or other experts.
Speakers may include State Department specialists, staff from
foreign counterpart agencies, university faculty, international and
intercultural specialists, former U.S. and foreign exchange teachers,
U.S. administrators associated with the program and others. The Bureau
must approve speaker/panelist selections.
During the sessions set aside for administrative matters, Bureau
staff will specifically designate State Department specialists and
staff from foreign counterpart agencies to serve as resource people and
speakers. As much as possible, presenters should incorporate Fulbright-
specific situations, issues, and materials.
Services
In addition to developing the agenda and securing speakers, the
cooperating institution will provide specific services in consultation
with Bureau program officers. These will include arranging for on-site
housing, meeting rooms, meals, child care, transportation, opening
reception, etc. The POGI contains more specific information.
Website
The cooperating institution will be expected to design and maintain
a website to increase communication with participants, and to support
easy access for participants to information pertaining to the August
orientation program. The website should serve as an efficient source of
information as well as an administrative tool for functions such as
registration.
The website should be clearly identified as a U.S. Department of
State Fulbright Teacher Exchange Orientation Website. The orientation
information, including agenda, should be posted well in advance and
updated as needed.
Reports
The institution will be expected to design and distribute an
evaluation form for the August orientation to be completed by the
teachers. Such a form will cover program content, including sessions,
as well as logistical arrangements such as housing, food, and general
meeting facilities. The form must be cleared by Bureau prior to its
use.
Materials
The cooperating institution will survey the literature of
appropriate subject fields to determine materials of greatest potential
value to teachers. If approved by the Bureau, recipient institution
will purchase materials, up to $40 per teacher.
The institution will also compile other materials as directed by
the Bureau. These may include materials on U.S. education, including
current trends and initiatives, and materials on education in selected
foreign countries. The POGI contains more specific information.
Note: The Bureau may also request that the cooperating
institution arrange additional orientation and/or training, or
workshop briefings for program participants and administrators,
resource people, and organizers during the award period, depending
on the availability of additional funds. The cooperating institution
may also be asked to provide programming and other services to the
Bureau including, but not limited to, peer committee chairpersons
workshops, predeparture orientation activities, foreign and U.S.
teacher debriefings, materials purchase and distribution, and the
development of new program information, including materials and
videos.
Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Please refer to
Solicitation Package for further information.
Budget Guidelines
Grants awarded to eligible organizations with less than four years
of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be
limited to $60,000.
Applicants must submit a comprehensive budget for the entire
program. The FY 2001 orientation award will be approximately $300, 000.
Grants are subject to the availability of committed funds for FY 2001.
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.
Administrative costs should be kept low; this will be an important
factor in the grant competition. Also, the ability to achieve cost-
effectiveness within budget guidelines through cost-sharing will
enhance competitive proposals. Please refer to the Solicitation Package
for complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.
Announcement Title and Number
All correspondence with the Bureau concerning this RFGP should
reference the above title and number ECA/A/S/X-01-03.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: United States Department of State,
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Global
Educational Programs, Fulbright Teacher Exchange Branch, State Annex
44, ECA/A/S/X, Room 349, 301 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547;
telephone: 202/619-4556, fax: 202/401-1433 to request a Solicitation
Package.
The Solicitation Package contains detailed award criteria, required
application forms, specific budget instructions, and standard
guidelines for proposal preparation. Please specify Bureau Program
Officer Ruta Chagnon; e-mail: RChagnon@pd.state.gov on all other
inquiries and correspondence.
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.
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.
Deadline for Proposals
All proposal copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on January 18, 2001.
Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents postmarked
the due date but received on a later date will not be accepted. Each
applicant must ensure
[[Page 70628]]
that the proposals are received by the above deadline. Applicants must
follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package. The original and
eight copies of the application should be sent to: U.S. Department of
State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Ref.: ECA/01-
03, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534, 301 4th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20547.
Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must
maintain a nonpolitical 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, socioeconomic
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.
Review Process
The Bureau 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 stated herein
and in the Solicitation Package.
All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as
well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas, where appropriate.
Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and
Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels
for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of
the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements.
Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the Department of
State's Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final
technical authority for assistance awards (grants or cooperative
agreements) resides with the Bureau's Grants Officer.
Review Criteria
Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Quality and Clarity of Program Idea
Proposals should exhibit substance, precision, and relevance to
Bureau mission. The work plan should demonstrate substantive
undertakings and logistical capacity in terms of space utilization,
timeliness, and efficient logistical management. Agenda and plan should
adhere to the program overview and guidelines described above.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the institution will meet the
program's objectives and plan.
2. Support of Diversity
Proposals should demonstrate substantive support of the Bureau's
policy on diversity by outlining relevant aspects of the institutional
profile. Achievable and relevant features should be cited in both
program administration and program content (orientation sessions,
resource materials and choice of resources).
3. Institutional Capacity and Record/Ability
Proposed personnel and institutional resources should be adequate
and appropriate to achieve the program or project's goals. Proposals
should demonstrate 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 State Department's Contracts Office. The Bureau will consider the
past performance of prior recipients and the demonstrated potential of
new applicants.
4. Project Evaluation
Proposals should include a plan to evaluate the activities'
success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. A
draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus description of a
methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives are
recommended.
5. 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.
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 of the Fulbright-Hays Act.
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.
Notification
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.
Dated: November 17, 2000.
Helena Kane Finn,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 00-30024 Filed 11-22-00; 8:45 am]
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