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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No.

119 / Thursday, June 21, 2007 / Notices 34333

Dated: June 12, 2007. backgrounds from Guatemala and Affairs, Branch for the Study of the U.S.,
C. Miller Crouch, Mexico, and will be conducted in will administer a series of Study of the
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational Spanish as the primary language of U.S. Institutes for up to 120
and Cultural Affairs, Department of State. instruction. The second of these undergraduate student leaders from the
[FR Doc. E7–12027 Filed 6–20–07; 8:45 am] summer programs will also be Western Hemisphere during the winter
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P conducted in Spanish for undergraduate and summer of 2008. Study of the U.S.
students from Costa Rica, the Institutes for Student Leaders are
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, intensive academic programs whose
DEPARTMENT OF STATE Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The purpose is to provide groups of
third summer program for undergraduate student leaders with a
[Public Notice 5840]
undergraduates will invite students deeper understanding of the United
Bureau of Educational and Cultural from Colombia, Ecuador, and States, while concurrently enhancing
Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Venezuela, and will be conducted in their leadership skills.
Proposals: Study of the United States English. The principal objective of the
ECA plans to award a single grant for Institutes is to heighten the participants’
Institutes for Student Leaders From
the administration of this program. The awareness of the history and evolution
the Western Hemisphere
award will be contingent upon the of U.S. society, culture, and values. All
Announcement Type: New availability of FY–2008 funds. campus programs should include
Cooperative Agreement. cultural enrichment activities and
Funding Opportunity Number: I. Funding Opportunity Description should actively engage American
ECA/A/E/USS–08–02. Authority undergraduate or graduate student peers
Catalog of Federal Domestic as mentors or escorts for the
Assistance Number: 00.000. Overall grant making authority for participants.
Key Dates: January–February, June– this program is contained in the Mutual In addition to promoting a better
August 2008. Educational and Cultural Exchange Act understanding of the United States, an
Application Deadline: August 16, of 1961, Public Law 87–256, as important objective of the Institutes is to
2007. amended, also known as the Fulbright- develop the participants’ leadership and
Executive Summary: The Branch for Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is ‘‘to collective problem-solving skills. In this
the Study of the United States, Office of enable the Government of the United context, the academic program should
Academic Exchange Programs, States to increase mutual understanding include group discussions, training, and
announces an open competition for six between the people of the United States exercises that focus on such topics as
Study of the United States Institutes for and the people of other countries * * *; leadership, teambuilding, collective
Student Leaders from selected countries to strengthen the ties which unite us problem-solving skills, effective
of the Western Hemisphere, a series of with other nations by demonstrating the communication, and management skills
five-week academic programs, three of educational and cultural interests, for diverse organizational settings.
which will take place at three distinct developments, and achievements of the There should also be a community
host institutions during January and people of the United States and other service component, in which the
February 2008, while the remaining nations * * * and thus to assist in the students experience firsthand how not-
three will take place at three distinct development of friendly, sympathetic for-profit organizations and
host institutions during June, July, and and peaceful relations between the volunteerism play a key role in
August 2008. Each Institute should be United States and the other countries of American civil society.
similar in structure and content, take the world.’’ The funding authority for Local site visits and educational travel
place at accredited post-secondary the program above is provided through should provide opportunities to observe
education institutions, and provide a legislation. varied aspects of American life and to
group of up to 20 highly motivated discuss lessons learned in the academic
Purpose
undergraduate students from the program. The program should also
Western Hemisphere with an integrated In March 2007, President Bush include opportunities for participants to
academic and educational travel traveled to Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, meet American citizens from a variety of
program that will give them a deeper Guatemala, and Mexico to highlight the backgrounds, to interact with their
understanding of U.S. society and Administration’s commitment to American peers, and to speak to
culture, while enhancing their advance the cause of social justice in the appropriate student and civic groups
leadership skills. Western Hemisphere. This region has about their experiences and life in their
Three programs will take place in made great strides toward freedom and home countries.
January and February of 2008. The first prosperity—strengthening democratic
winter program will target institutions and the rule of law and Administering Organization
undergraduate students of indigenous bringing stability to their economic The Bureau is seeking detailed
backgrounds from Bolivia and Peru, and structures. Yet despite these advances, proposals for the Institutes from public
will be conducted in Spanish as the tens of millions in the Western and private non-profit organizations, or
primary language of instruction. The Hemisphere remain deep in poverty. consortia of such organizations with
second winter program will be The President has pledged to help these expertise in administering academic
conducted in English for undergraduate democracies advance further exchange programs, which will
students from Argentina, Chile, and economically and politically and has administer the Institute directly or in
Uruguay. The third will be a program announced a new partnership for Latin collaboration with partner institutions.
for undergraduates from Brazil and will American youth to help thousands more Consortia must designate a lead
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also be conducted in English. young people improve their English and institution to receive the grant award.
Three programs will take place in have the opportunity to study in the Organizations that choose to include
June, July, and August of 2008. The first United States. sub-grant arrangements should clearly
summer program will target As part of this new initiative, the outline all duties and responsibilities of
undergraduate students of indigenous Bureau of Educational and Cultural the sub-grant partner organization,

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34334 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 119 / Thursday, June 21, 2007 / Notices

ideally in the form of sub-grant participation in community service institution who exhibit cultural
agreements and accompanying budgets. activities. sensitivity, an understanding of the
Each institute should take place on a The Institute must not simply program’s objectives, and a willingness
U.S. college or university campus. Host replicate existing or previous lectures, to accompany the students throughout
institutions must be selected from workshops, or group activities designed the program.
among accredited four-year liberal arts for American students. Rather, it should
colleges, community colleges, be a specially designed and well- Participants
universities, other not-for-profit integrated seminar that creatively Participants will be identified and
academic organizations or a consortia of combines lectures, discussions, nominated by the U.S. Embassies,
these institutions with an established readings, debates, local site visits and Consulates and/or Fulbright
reputation in one or more of the educational travel into a coherent Commissions in the participating
following fields: political science, whole. The grantee institution should countries, with final selection made by
international relations, law, history, take into account that the participants ECA. Each Institute will host up to 20
sociology, American studies, and/or may have little or no prior knowledge of participants, for a total of approximately
other disciplines or sub-disciplines the United States and varying degrees of 120 students. Participation in the six
related to the study of the United States. experience in expressing their opinions Institutes will be organized by country,
Organizations or consortia applying in a classroom setting; it should tailor or region, as follows:
for this grant must demonstrate their (or the curriculum and classroom activities (1) Bolivia and Peru (Spanish, winter).
their partners’) capacity for conducting accordingly. Every effort should be (2) Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay
projects of this nature. ECA strongly made to encourage active student (English, winter).
prefers that each institution host only participation in all aspects of the (3) Brazil (English, winter).
one institute per season, meaning that a Institute. The program should provide (4) Guatemala and Mexico (Spanish,
host institution is discouraged from ample time and opportunity for summer).
hosting two winter (January–February) discussion and interaction among (5) Costa Rica, the Dominican
programs or two summer (June–August) students, lecturers and guest speakers, Republic, El Salvador, Honduras,
programs. However, a single institution not simply standard lectures or broad Nicaragua, and Panama (Spanish,
may host both a winter and a summer survey reading assignments. summer).
program. Applicants are encouraged to select (6) Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela
accredited four-year liberal arts colleges, (English, summer).
Program Design Participants in the Study of the U.S.
community colleges, universities,
Each Study of the U.S. Institute for academic organizations or a consortium Institutes for Student Leaders will be
Student Leaders should provide a group of these institutions to design highly motivated undergraduate
of up to 20 students with a uniquely thematically coherent programs in ways students from colleges, universities and
designed program that focuses on U.S. that draw upon the particular strengths, other institutions of higher education in
society and culture. Each Institute will faculty and resources of their selected countries overseas who
consist of a challenging academic institutions, as well as upon the demonstrate leadership through
program, as well as educational travel to nationally recognized expertise of academic work, community
illustrate the various topics explored in scholars and other experts throughout involvement, and extracurricular
class. Each Institute should be tailored the United States. activities. Their major fields of study
for the particular group of students and will be varied, and will include the
include a discussion of relevant issues Program Administration
sciences, social sciences, humanities,
facing their countries and region. The The grantee organization should education and business.
Bolivia-Peru program and the Mexico- designate a project director to oversee Recruitment of participants will be
Guatemala program should include a all of the Institutes, coordinate logistical focused on historically underserved,
component on Native American issues and administrative arrangements, indigenous groups and ethnic minority
within the broader context of U.S. ensure an appropriate level of communities. Every effort will be made
society. continuity between the various host to select a balanced mix of male and
Each program should be five weeks in institution programs, and serve as the female participants, and to recruit
length; participants will spend four principal liaison between ECA and all participants who are from non-elite or
weeks at the host institution for the the host institutions and thus, as ECA’s underprivileged backgrounds, from both
academic program, and approximately primary point of contact. rural and urban areas, and have had
one week on the related educational The grantee organization should also little or no prior experience in the
study tour, including two to three days designate an academic director at each United States or elsewhere outside of
in Washington, DC, at the conclusion of host institution who will be present their home country.
the Institute. The educational travel throughout the program to ensure the
component should directly complement continuity, coherence and integration of Program Dates
the academic program, and should all aspects of the academic program, The Institutes should be five weeks in
include visits to cities and other sites of including the related educational study length. The three winter programs
interest in the region around the host tour. In addition to the academic should begin on or around the same
institution. director, an administrative coordinator date in January 2008, while the three
Each Institute should be designed as should be assigned at each host summer programs should begin on or
an intensive academic program with an institution to oversee all student around the same date in late June 2008.
educational travel component that is support services, including supervision
organized through a carefully integrated of the program participants and Program Guidelines
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series of panel presentations, seminar budgetary, logistical, and other It is essential that proposals provide
discussions, debates, individual and administrative arrangements. For a detailed and comprehensive narrative
group activities, lectures and reading purposes of this program, it is important describing how the partner
assignments, as well as local site visits, that the grantee organization also retain organizations and/or host institutions
regional educational travel, and qualified mentors or escorts at each host will achieve the objectives of the

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 119 / Thursday, June 21, 2007 / Notices 34335

Institutes; the title, scope and content of Fiscal Year Funds: FY–2008 (pending IV. Application and Submission
each session; planned site visits, availability of funds). Information
including educational travel; and how Approximate Total Funding:
each session relates to the overall $1,500,000. Note: Please read the complete
institute theme. announcement before sending inquiries or
Approximate Number of Awards: 1. submitting proposals. Once the RFGP
The proposal must list the institutions Anticipated Award Date: Pending deadline has passed, Bureau staff may not
that will host the various programs, and availability of funds, November 1, 2007. discuss this competition with applicants
for which group of students. until the proposal review process has been
Anticipated Project Completion Date:
A sample template should be December 31, 2008. completed.
provided that lays out the academic IV.1 Contact Information to Request
program, including lectures, panel Additional Information: Pending
successful implementation of this an Application Package: Please contact
discussions, group presentations or the Branch for the Study of the United
other activities. A description of plans program and the availability of funds in
subsequent fiscal years, it is ECA’s States, ECA/A/E/USS, Room 314, U.S.
for public and media outreach in Department of State, SA–44, 301 4th
connection with the Institutes should intent to renew this grant for two
additional fiscal years, before openly Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547; tel.
also be included. (202) 453–8540; fax (202) 453–8533 to
competing it again.
Please Note: Since three of the six request a Solicitation Package. Please
programs will be conducted in Spanish, it is III. Eligibility Information refer to the Funding Opportunity
imperative that the applicant demonstrate Number ECA/A/E/USS–08–02 located at
their (or their partners’) capacity to III.1. Eligible Applicants: Applications
may be submitted by public and private the top of this announcement when
implement an academic program in Spanish.
All principal staff for these three programs non-profit organizations meeting the making your request. Alternatively, an
(academic director, administrative provisions described in Internal electronic application package may be
coordinator, student mentors) must be fluent Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. obtained from grants.gov. Please see
in Spanish. Arrangements for professionally- 501(c)(3). section IV.3f for further information.
trained, Spanish-English interpreters should The Solicitation Package contains the
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds:
be made for guest speakers, local site visits, Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI)
and other circumstances when needed.
There is no minimum or maximum
document, which consists of required
percentage required for this
Overall, proposals will be reviewed application forms, and standard
competition. However, the Bureau
on the basis of their responsiveness to guidelines for proposal preparation. It
strongly encourages applicants to
RFGP criteria, coherence, clarity, and also contains the Project Objectives,
provide maximum levels of cost sharing
attention to detail. Goals and Implementation (POGI)
and funding in support of its programs.
document, which provides specific
Please Note: In a cooperative agreement, When cost sharing is offered, it is
information, award criteria and budget
the Bureau is substantially involved in understood and agreed that the
instructions tailored to this competition.
program activities above and beyond routine applicant must provide the amount of
Please specify Bureau Program Officer
grant monitoring. The Bureau will assume cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal
the following responsibilities for the Jennifer Phillips and refer to the
and later included in an approved grant
Institutes: participate in the selection of Funding Opportunity Number ECA/A/
agreement. Cost sharing may be in the
participants; review and confirm syllabi and E/USS–08–02 located at the top of this
form of allowable direct or indirect
proposed speakers for each of the Institutes; announcement on all other inquiries
costs. For accountability, you must
monitor the Institutes through one or more and correspondence.
site visits; meet with participants in maintain written records to support all IV.2. To Download a Solicitation
Washington, DC at the conclusion of the costs that are claimed as your Package Via Internet: The entire
Institute; work with the cooperating agency contribution, as well as costs to be paid Solicitation Package may be
to publicize the program through various by the Federal Government. Such downloaded from the Bureau’s Web site
media outlets; and engage in follow-on records are subject to audit. The basis
communication with the participants after
at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/
for determining the value of cash and rfgps/menu.htm, or from the grants.gov
they return to their home countries. in-kind contributions must be in Web site at http://www.grants.gov.
The Bureau may request that the accordance with OMB Circular A–110 Please read all information before
grantee institution make modifications (Revised), Subpart C.23—Cost Sharing downloading.
to the academic residency and/or and Matching. In the event you do not IV.3. Content and Form of
educational travel components of the provide the minimum amount of cost Submission: Applicants must follow all
program. The recipient will be required sharing as stipulated in the approved instructions in the Solicitation Package.
to obtain approval of any significant budget, ECA’s contribution will be The application should be submitted
program changes in advance of their reduced in like proportion. per the instructions under IV.3f,
implementation. III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements: ‘‘Application Deadline and Methods of
Note: All materials, publicity, and a. Grants awarded to eligible Submission’’ below.
correspondence related to the program must organizations with less than four years IV.3a. You are required to have a Dun
acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau of experience in conducting and Bradstreet Data Universal
of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. international exchange programs will be Numbering System (DUNS) number to
Department of State. The Bureau will retain limited to $60,000. ECA anticipates apply for a grant or cooperative
copyright use of and distribute materials awarding one grant in an amount up to agreement from the U.S. Government.
related to this program as it sees fit. $1,500,000 to support program and This number is a nine-digit
administrative costs required to identification number, which uniquely
II. Award Information
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implement this exchange program. identifies business entities. Obtaining a


Type of Award: Cooperative Therefore, organizations with less than DUNS number is easy and there is no
Agreement. ECA’s level of involvement four years experience in conducting charge. To obtain a DUNS number,
in this program is detailed in the international exchanges are ineligible to access http://
previous paragraph. apply under this competition. www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1–

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34336 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 119 / Thursday, June 21, 2007 / Notices

866–705–5711. Please ensure that your programs must maintain a non-political should also show how your project
DUNS number is included in the character and should be balanced and objectives link to the goals of the
appropriate box of the SF–424 which is representative of the diversity of program described in this RFGP.
part of the formal application package. American political, social, and cultural Your monitoring and evaluation plan
IV.3b. All proposals must contain an life. ‘‘Diversity’’ should be interpreted should clearly distinguish between
executive summary, proposal narrative in the broadest sense and encompass program outputs and outcomes. Outputs
and budget. Please refer to the differences including, but not limited to are products and services delivered,
Solicitation Package. It contains the ethnicity, race, gender, religion, often stated as an amount. Output
mandatory PSI and POGI documents for geographic location, socio-economic information is important to show the
additional formatting and technical status, and disabilities. Applicants are scope or size of project activities, but it
requirements. strongly encouraged to adhere to the cannot substitute for information about
IV.3c. You must have nonprofit status advancement of this principle both in progress towards outcomes or the
with the IRS at the time of application. program administration and in program results achieved. Examples of outputs
If your organization is a private content. Please refer to the review include the number of people trained or
nonprofit which has not received a grant criteria under the ’Support for Diversity’ the number of seminars conducted.
or cooperative agreement from ECA in section (V.2.) for specific suggestions on Outcomes, in contrast, represent
the past three years, or if your incorporating diversity into your specific results a project is intended to
organization received nonprofit status proposal. Public Law 104–319 provides achieve and is usually measured as an
from the IRS within the past four years, that ‘‘in carrying out programs of extent of change. Findings on outputs
you must submit the necessary educational and cultural exchange in and outcomes should both be reported,
documentation to verify nonprofit status countries whose people do not fully but the focus should be on outcomes.
as directed in the PSI document. Failure enjoy freedom and democracy,’’ the We encourage applicants to assess the
to do so will cause your proposal to be Bureau ‘‘shall take appropriate steps to following four levels of outcomes, as
declared technically ineligible. provide opportunities for participation they relate to the program goals set out
IV.3d. Please take into consideration in such programs to human rights and in the RFGP (listed here in increasing
the following information when democracy leaders of such countries.’’ order of importance):
preparing your proposal narrative: Public Law 106–113 requires that the 1. Participant satisfaction with the
IV.3d.1. Adherence to All Regulations governments of the countries described program and exchange experience.
Governing the J Visa. The Bureau of above do not have inappropriate 2. Participant learning, such as
Educational and Cultural Affairs is influence in the selection process. increased knowledge, aptitude, skills,
placing renewed emphasis on the secure Proposals should reflect advancement of and changed understanding and
and proper administration of Exchange these goals in their program contents, to attitude. Learning includes both
Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence the full extent deemed feasible. substantive (subject-specific) learning
by grantees and sponsors to all IV.3d.3. Program Monitoring and
and mutual understanding.
regulations governing the J visa. Evaluation: Proposals must include a
Therefore, proposals should 3. Participant behavior, concrete
plan to monitor and evaluate the
demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to actions to apply knowledge in work or
project’s success, both as the activities
meet all requirements governing the community; greater participation and
unfold and at the end of the program.
administration of the Exchange Visitor responsibility in civic organizations;
The Bureau strongly recommends that
Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, interpretation and explanation of
your proposal include a draft survey
including the oversight of Responsible experiences and new knowledge gained;
questionnaire or other technique plus a
Officers and Alternate Responsible description of a methodology to use to continued contacts between
Officers, screening and selection of link outcomes to original project participants, community members, and
program participants, provision of pre- objectives. The Bureau expects that the others.
arrival information and orientation to grantee will track participants or 4. Institutional changes, such as
participants, monitoring of participants, partners and be able to respond to key increased collaboration and
proper maintenance and security of evaluation questions, including partnerships, policy reforms, new
forms, record-keeping, reporting and satisfaction with the program, learning programming, and organizational
other requirements. as a result of the program, changes in improvements.
The Grantee may be responsible for behavior as a result of the program, and Please note: Consideration should be given
issuing DS–2019 forms to participants effects of the program on institutions to the appropriate timing of data collection
in this program, as an alternate (institutions in which participants work for each level of outcome. For example,
responsible officer under the Bureau’s J or partner institutions). The evaluation satisfaction is usually captured as a short-
term outcome, whereas behavior and
Designation. plan should include indicators that
institutional changes are normally
A copy of the complete regulations measure gains in mutual understanding considered longer-term outcomes.
governing the administration of as well as substantive knowledge.
Exchange Visitor (J) programs is Successful monitoring and evaluation Overall, the quality of your
available at http://exchanges.state.gov depend heavily on setting clear goals monitoring and evaluation plan will be
or from: United States Department of and outcomes at the outset of a program. judged on how well it (1) specifies
State, Office of Exchange Coordination Your evaluation plan should include a intended outcomes; (2) gives clear
and Designation, ECA/EC/ECD—SA–44, description of your project’s objectives, descriptions of how each outcome will
Room 734, 301 4th Street, SW., your anticipated project outcomes, and be measured; (3) identifies when
Washington, DC 20547, Telephone: how and when you intend to measure particular outcomes will be measured;
(202) 203–5029, FAX: (202) 453–8640. these outcomes (performance and (4) provides a clear description of
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Please refer to Solicitation Package for indicators). The more that outcomes are the data collection strategies for each
further information. ‘‘smart’’ (specific, measurable, outcome (i.e., surveys, interviews, or
IV.3d.2. Diversity, Freedom and attainable, results-oriented, and placed focus groups). (Please note that
Democracy Guidelines. Pursuant to the in a reasonable time frame), the easier evaluation plans that deal only with the
Bureau’s authorizing legislation, it will be to conduct the evaluation. You first level of outcomes [satisfaction] will

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 119 / Thursday, June 21, 2007 / Notices 34337

be deemed less competitive under the deadline. Delivery services used by determine their registration status with
present evaluation criteria.) applicants must have in-place, Grants.gov.
Grantees will be required to provide centralized shipping identification and Once registered, the amount of time it
reports analyzing their evaluation tracking systems that may be accessed can take to upload an application will
findings to the Bureau in their regular via the Internet and delivery people vary depending on a variety of factors
program reports. All data collected, who are identifiable by commonly including the size of the application and
including survey responses and contact recognized uniforms and delivery the speed of your internet connection.
information, must be maintained for a vehicles. Proposals shipped on or before Therefore, we strongly recommend that
minimum of three years and provided to the above deadline but received at ECA you not wait until the application
the Bureau upon request. more than seven days after the deadline deadline to begin the submission
IV.3d.4. Describe your plans for will be ineligible for further process through Grants.gov.
overall program management, staffing, consideration under this competition. Direct all questions regarding
and coordination with the Bureau. The Proposals shipped after the established Grants.gov registration and submission
Bureau considers these to be essential deadlines are ineligible for to: Grants.gov Customer Support,
elements of your program; please be consideration under this competition. Contact Center Phone: 800–518–4726,
sure to give sufficient attention to them ECA will not notify you upon receipt of Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 7
in your proposal. application. It is each applicant’s a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern Time, E-mail:
IV.3e. Please take the following responsibility to ensure that each support@grants.gov.
information into consideration when package is marked with a legible Applicants have until midnight (12
preparing your budget: tracking number and to monitor/confirm a.m.), Washington, DC time of the
IV.3e.1. Applicants must submit a delivery to ECA via the Internet. closing date to ensure that their entire
comprehensive budget for the entire Delivery of proposal packages may not application has been uploaded to the
program. Awards may not exceed be made via local courier service or in Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions
$1,500,000. While there is no rigid ratio person for this competition. Faxed to the above deadline. Applications
of administrative to program costs, the documents will not be accepted at any uploaded to the site after midnight of
Bureau urges applicant organizations to time. Only proposals submitted as the application deadline date will be
keep administrative costs as low and stated above will be considered. automatically rejected by the grants.gov
reasonable as possible. There must be a system, and will be technically
Important note: When preparing your
summary budget as well as breakdowns ineligible.
submission please make sure to include one
reflecting both administrative and extra copy of the completed SF–424 form and Applicants will receive a
program budgets. Applicants may place it in an envelope addressed to ‘‘ECA/ confirmation e-mail from grants.gov
provide separate sub-budgets for each EX/PM.’’ upon the successful submission of an
program component, phase, location, or application. ECA will not notify you
activity to provide clarification. The original and eight (8) copies of
the application should be sent to: U.S. upon receipt of electronic applications.
Applicants should also provide copies
Department of State, SA–44, Bureau of It is the responsibility of all
of any sub-grant agreements that would
Educational and Cultural Affairs, applicants submitting proposals via the
be implemented under terms of this
Reference Number: ECA/A/E/USS–08– Grants.gov Web portal to ensure that
award.
02, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, proposals have been received by
IV.3e.2. Allowable costs for the
Room 534, 301 4th Street, SW., Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA
program and additional budget guidance
Washington, DC 20547. bears no responsibility for data errors
are outlined in detail in the POGI
resulting from transmission or
document. Please refer to the Applicants submitting hard-copy
conversion processes.
Solicitation Package for complete applications must also submit the
budget guidelines and formatting IV.3g. Intergovernmental Review of
‘‘Executive Summary’’ and ‘‘Proposal
instructions. Applications: Executive Order 12372
Narrative’’ sections of the proposal in
IV.3f. Application Deadline and does not apply to this program.
text (.txt) format on a PC-formatted disk.
Methods of Submission: The Bureau will provide these files V. Application Review Information
Application Deadline Date: August electronically to regional bureaus and
16, 2007. V.1. Review Process: The Bureau will
Public Affairs Sections at U.S. review all proposals for technical
Reference Number: ECA/A/E/USS– embassies and for their review, as
08–02. eligibility. Proposals will be deemed
appropriate. ineligible if they do not fully adhere to
Methods of Submission: Applications
IV.3f.2. Submitting Electronic the guidelines stated herein and in the
may be submitted in one of two ways:
1. In hard-copy, via a nationally Applications. Applicants have the Solicitation Package. All eligible
recognized overnight delivery service option of submitting proposals proposals will be reviewed by the
(i.e., DHL, Federal Express, UPS, electronically through Grants.gov program office, as well as the Public
Airborne Express, or U.S. Postal Service (http://www.grants.gov). Complete Diplomacy section overseas, where
Express Overnight Mail, etc.), or solicitation packages are available at appropriate. Eligible proposals will be
2. Electronically through http:// Grants.gov in the ‘‘Find’’ portion of the subject to compliance with Federal and
www.grants.gov. system. Please follow the instructions Bureau regulations and guidelines and
Along with the Project Title, all available in the ‘Get Started’ portion of forwarded to Bureau grant panels for
applicants must enter the above the site (http://www.grants.gov/ advisory review. Proposals may also be
Reference Number in Box 11 on the SF– GetStarted). reviewed by the Office of the Legal
424 contained in the mandatory Several of the steps in the Grants.gov Adviser or by other Department
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Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) registration process could take several elements. Final funding decisions are at
of the solicitation document. weeks. Therefore, applicants should the discretion of the Department of
IV.3f.1. Submitting Printed check with appropriate staff within their State’s Assistant Secretary for
Applications. Applications must be organizations immediately after Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final
shipped no later than the above reviewing this RFGP to confirm or technical authority for cooperative

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34338 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 119 / Thursday, June 21, 2007 / Notices

agreements resides with the Bureau’s VI. Award Administration Information be maintained for a minimum of three
Grants Officer. VI.1. Award Notices: Final awards years and provided to the Bureau upon
V.2. Review Criteria: Technically request.
cannot be made until funds have been
eligible applications will be All reports must be sent to the ECA
appropriated by Congress, allocated and
competitively reviewed according to the Grants Officer and ECA Program Officer
committed through internal Bureau
criteria stated below. These criteria are listed in the final assistance award
procedures. Successful applicants will
not rank ordered and all carry equal document.
receive an Assistance Award Document
weight in the proposal evaluation:
1. Quality of Program Idea/Plan: (AAD) from the Bureau’s Grants Office. VII. Agency Contacts
Proposals should exhibit originality, The AAD and the original grant
proposal with subsequent modifications For questions about this
substance, precision, and relevance to
the Bureau’s mission. Detailed agenda (if applicable) shall be the only binding announcement, contact: Jennifer
and relevant work plan should authorizing document between the Phillips, Branch for the Study of the
demonstrate substantive undertakings recipient and the U.S. Government. The United States, ECA/A/E/USS, Room
and logistical capacity. AAD will be signed by an authorized 314, U.S. Department of State, SA–44,
2. Ability to Achieve Overall Program Grants Officer, and mailed to the 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC
Objectives: Objectives should be recipient’s responsible officer identified 20547; tel. (202) 453–8537; fax (202)
reasonable, feasible, and flexible. in the application. 453–8533; e-mail, PhillipsJA@state.gov.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate Unsuccessful applicants will receive All correspondence with the Bureau
how the institution will meet the notification of the results of the concerning this RFGP should reference
program’s objectives and plan. application review from the ECA the title ‘‘Study of the U.S. Institutes for
3. Support for Diversity: Proposals program office coordinating this Student Leaders’’ and number
should demonstrate substantive support competition. ECA/A/E/USS–08–02.
of the Bureau’s policy on diversity. VI.2. Administrative and National Please read the complete
Achievable and relevant features should Policy Requirements: Terms and announcement before sending inquiries
be cited in both program administration Conditions for the Administration of or submitting proposals. Once the RFGP
(program venue, study tour venue, and ECA agreements include the following: deadline has passed, Bureau staff may
program evaluation) and program Office of Management and Budget not discuss this competition with
content (orientation and wrap-up Circular A–122, ‘‘Cost Principles for applicants until the proposal review
sessions, site visits, program meetings Nonprofit Organizations.’’ process has been completed.
and resource materials). Office of Management and Budget
4. Evaluation and Follow-On: Circular A–21, ‘‘Cost Principles for VIII. Other Information
Proposals should include a plan to Educational Institutions.’’ Notice
evaluate the Institute’s success, both as OMB Circular A–87, ‘‘Cost Principles
the activities unfold and at the end of for State, Local and Indian The terms and conditions published
the program. A draft survey Governments’’. in this RFGP are binding and may not
questionnaire or other technique plus OMB Circular No. A–110 (Revised), be modified by any Bureau
description of a methodology to use to Uniform Administrative Requirements representative. Explanatory information
link outcomes to original institute for Grants and Agreements with provided by the Bureau that contradicts
objectives is strongly recommended. Institutions of Higher Education, published language will not be binding.
Proposals should provide a plan for Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Issuance of the RFGP does not
continued follow-on activity (without Organizations. constitute an award commitment on the
Bureau support) ensuring that Bureau OMB Circular No. A–102, Uniform part of the Government. The Bureau
supported programs are not isolated Administrative Requirements for reserves the right to reduce, revise, or
events. Grants-in-Aid to State and Local increase proposal budgets in accordance
5. Cost-effectiveness/Cost-sharing: Governments. with the needs of the program and the
The overhead and administrative OMB Circular No. A–133, Audits of availability of funds. Awards made will
components of the proposal, including States, Local Government, and Non- be subject to periodic reporting and
salaries and honoraria, should be kept profit Organizations. evaluation requirements per section VI.3
as low as possible. All other items Please reference the following Web above.
should be necessary and appropriate. sites for additional information: http:// Dated: June 12, 2007.
Proposals should maximize cost-sharing www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants.
C. Miller Crouch,
through other private sector support as http://exchanges.state.gov/education/
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational
well as institutional direct funding grantsdiv/terms.htm#articleI.
and Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
contributions. VI.3. Reporting Requirements: You
6. Institutional Track Record/Ability: [FR Doc. E7–12029 Filed 6–20–07; 8:45 am]
must provide ECA with a hard copy
Proposals should demonstrate an BILLING CODE 4710–08–P
original plus one (1) copy of the final
institutional record of successful program and financial report no more
exchange programs, including than 90 days after the expiration of the
responsible fiscal management and full award.
compliance with all reporting Grantees will be required to provide DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
requirements for past Bureau grants as reports analyzing their evaluation Federal Highway Administration
determined by Bureau Grants Staff. The findings to the Bureau in their regular
Bureau will consider the past program reports. Please refer to Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES

performance of prior recipients and the Application and Submission on a Proposed Highway Project in
demonstrated potential of new Instructions (IV.3d.3) above for Program California
applicants. Proposed personnel and Monitoring and Evaluation information.
institutional resources should be fully All data collected, including survey AGENCY:Federal Highway
qualified to achieve the Institute’s goals. responses and contact information, must Administration (FHWA), U.S. DOT.

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