97-26152. College and University Affiliations Program (CUAP)  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 51723-51726]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-26152]
    
    
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    UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
    
    
    College and University Affiliations Program (CUAP)
    
    ACTION: Notice--requests for proposals.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Office of Academic Programs of the United States 
    Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
    announces an open competition for an assistance award program. 
    Accredited, post-secondary educational institutions meeting the 
    provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may apply to 
    develop a partnership with (a) foreign institution(s) of higher 
    education in specified fields and themes within the humanities, social 
    sciences, business, and environmental studies.
        Subject to the availability of funding, awards will be made to 
    support free trade and market economies, and/or the environment and 
    sustainable development.
        A second Request for Proposals in this issue of the Federal 
    Register solicits proposals in support of democratic institution-
    building and/or civic education.
        Grants are subject to the availability of funds for Fiscal Year 
    1998.
        Proposed projects must be eligible in terms of country(ies)/
    localities and themes as described in the section entitled 
    ``Eligibility'' below.
        Participating institutions exchange faculty and administrators for 
    a combination of teaching, lecturing, faculty and curriculum 
    development, collaborative research, and outreach, for periods ranging 
    from one week (for planning visits) to an academic year. The FY 98 
    program will also support the establishment and maintenance of Internet 
    and/or e-mail communication facilities as well as interactive distance 
    learning programs at foreign partner institutions. Applicants may 
    propose other project activities not listed above that are in keeping 
    with the goals and activities of the College and University 
    Affiliations Program.
        The program awards up to $120,000 for a three-year period to defray 
    the cost of travel and per diem with an allowance for educational 
    materials and some aspects of project administration. Grants awarded to 
    organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting 
    international exchange programs will be limited to $60,000.
        Overall grant-making authority for this program is contained in the 
    Mutual Education 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,
    
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    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 
    cited above is provided through the Fulbright-Hays Act.
        Projects must conform with Agency requirements and guidelines 
    outlined in the Solicitation Package. The POGI, a document describing 
    College and University Affiliation Project Objectives, Goals, and 
    Implementation, is included in the Solicitation Package.
        Announcement Title and Number: All communications with USIA 
    concerning this announcement should refer to the College and University 
    Affiliations Program and reference number E/ASU-98-03.
        Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S. 
    Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday January, 
    16, 1998. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents 
    postmarked on January 16, 1998, but received on a later date. It is the 
    responsibility of each applicant to ensure compliance with the 
    deadline.
        Approximate program dates: Grants should begin on or about 
    September 1, 1998.
        Duration: September 1, 1998-August 31, 2001.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Office of Academic Programs; 
    Advising, Teaching, and Specialized Programs Division; College and 
    University Affiliations Program (CUAP), (E/ASU), Room 349, U.S. 
    Information Agency, 301 4th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20547, 
    phone: (202) 619-5289, fax: (202) 401-1433. Send a message via Internet 
    to: affiliat@usia.gov to request a Solicitation Package. The 
    Solicitation Package includes more detailed award criteria; all 
    application forms; and guidelines for preparing proposals, including 
    specific criteria for preparation of the proposal budget.
        To Download a Solicitation Package via Internet: The entire 
    Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website at http://
    www.usia.gov/education/rfps. Please read all information before 
    downloading.
        To Receive a Solicitation Package via Fax on Demand: The entire 
    Solicitation Package may be received via the Bureau's ``Grants 
    Information Fax on Demand System,'' which is accessed by calling 202/
    402-7616. Please request a ``Catalog'' of available documents and order 
    numbers when first entering the system.
        Please specify ``College and University Affiliations Program 
    Officer'' on all inquiries and correspondence. Prospective applicants 
    should read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
    addressing inquiries to the College and University Affiliations Program 
    staff or submitting their proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, 
    Agency staff may not discuss this competition in any way with 
    applicants until the Bureau proposal review process has been completed.
        Submissions: Applicants must follow all instructions given in the 
    Solicitation Package. The original and 10 copies of the complete 
    application, including the documents specified under Tabs A through I 
    in the ``Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation'' (POGI) section 
    of the Solicitation Package, should be sent to: U.S. Information 
    Agency, Ref: E/ASU-98-03, Office of Grants Management, E/XE, Room 326, 
    301 4th St., SW., Washington, DC 20547.
        Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
    ``Proposal Narrative'' and budget sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' 
    diskette, formatted for DOS. This material must be provided in ASCII 
    text (DOS) format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. USIA 
    will transmit these files electronically to U.S. Information Service 
    (USIS) posts overseas for their review, with the goal of reducing the 
    time it takes to get posts' comments for the Agency's grant review 
    process.
    
    Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines
    
        Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, projects 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,'' USIA ``shall take appropriate steps to provide 
    opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and 
    democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals should account for 
    advancement of this goal, in their program contents, to the full extent 
    deemed feasible.
    
    Eligibility
    
    U.S. Partner and Participant Eligibility
    
        In the U.S., participation in the program is open to accredited 
    two- and four-year colleges and universities, including graduate 
    schools. Applications from consortia of U.S. colleges and universities 
    are eligible. Secondary U.S. partners may include relevant non-
    governmental organizations, non-profit service or professional 
    organizations. The lead U.S. institution in the consortium is 
    responsible for submitting the application and each application from a 
    consortium must document the lead school's stated authority to 
    represent the consortium. Participants representing the U.S. 
    institution who are traveling under USIA grant funds must be faculty, 
    graduate teaching assistants, or staff from the participating 
    institution(s) and must be U.S. citizens. Please note that graduate 
    teaching assistants are eligible for USIA-funded participation only if 
    working as part of a team directed by a faculty member.
    
    Foreign Partner and Participant Eligibility
    
        Overseas, participation is open to recognized, degree-granting 
    institutions of post-secondary education, which may include 
    internationally recognized and established independent research 
    institutes. Secondary foreign partners may include relevant 
    governmental and non-governmental organizations, non-profit service or 
    professional organizations. Participants representing the foreign 
    institutions must be faculty, graduate teaching assistants, or staff 
    who are citizens nationals, or permanent residents of the country of 
    the foreign partner and be qualified to hold a valid passport and U.S. 
    J-1 visa. Please note that graduate teaching assistants are eligible 
    for USIA-funded participation only if working as part of a team 
    directed by a faculty member.
    
    Ineligibility
    
        A proposal will be deemed technically ineligible if:
        (1) It does not fully adhere to the guidelines established herein 
    and in the solicitation Package;
        (2) It is not received by the deadline;
        (3) The length of the proposed project is less than three years;
        (4) It is not submitted by the U.S. partner;
    
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        (5) One of the partner institutions is ineligible;
        (6) The foreign geographic location is ineligible;
        (7) It involves a request to fund exchanges between the United 
    States and more than one country, with the exception of trilateral 
    Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and trilateral North Africa, 
    Near East, and South Asia (NEA) projects. Please see the section on 
    eligible countries/localities for complete details;
        (8) The theme or academic discipline is not listed as eligible in 
    the RFP, herein;
        (9) The amount requested of USIA exceeds $120,000 for the three-
    year project.
    
    Eligible Theme, Academic Disciplines, and Countries/Localities
    
        This request for proposals is limited to support for free trade and 
    market economies and/or environment and sustainable development.
        Please note the following explanatory details:
    
    A. Eligible Academic Disciplines and Countries/Localities
    
        Eligible academic disciplines and countries and localities are 
    listed under each theme. Only those countries or localities and 
    partnership configurations identified under each theme qualify. 
    Specifics should be examined carefully before proposal preparation.
    
    B. Inclusion of Area Studies
    
        Area Studies are included as academic disciplines to engender a 
    broader cultural understanding and context in which to pursue a linkage 
    project within the stated theme. Area Studies may be incorporated into 
    a given project but only in conjunction with one or more of the other 
    academic disciplines listed under the theme. Area Studies includes U.S. 
    and partner country history, literature, and social sciences.
    
    C. Bilateral Projects--Except for NEA and APEC Trilateral Linkages
    
        In most instances, the program invites proposals for bilateral 
    projects only, involving the U.S. and one foreign country (as 
    specified) only. The only exceptions are North Africa, Near East, and 
    South Asia (NEA) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation member nation 
    trilateral linkages.
    
    Eligible Theme
    
        Support of free trade and market economies and/or the environment 
    and sustainable development.
        Under this theme, projects are solicited which promote higher 
    education's role in economic development and the development of market 
    economies, trade, investment overseas, through faculty and curriculum 
    development, teaching and lecturing, and outreach. Projects which also 
    focus on the environment should address the public policy aspects of 
    sustainable development.
        Affiliation projects in trade and economics are expected to 
    establish or expand mutually beneficial academic programs in business 
    and economics, and to promote international investment by strengthening 
    institutional links to the private sector. Where possible, such 
    affiliations should contribute to the formulation of more open and 
    responsible trade policy. Where appropriate and relevant, plans and 
    anticipated outcomes of these affiliation projects should reflect 
    responsible stewardship of the environment. Business/economics/trade 
    projects with the potential for having an adverse impact on the 
    environment will have a low priority.
        Environment/sustainable development projects should address 
    environmental issues having an impact on U.S. and global interests. 
    Such affiliation projects should help establish or expand environmental 
    policy studies programs through faculty and curriculum development, 
    teaching and lecturing, and outreach. For the designated countries 
    listed below, projects are encouraged which link the study of free 
    trade and market economies with the environment and sustainable 
    development.
        Whenever feasible, participants involved in either trade/economics 
    policy projects or international environmental policy studies projects 
    should make their training and personnel resources, as well as results 
    of their collaborative research, available to government, NGOs, and 
    business.
    
    Eligible Academic Disciplines
    
    Economics (Comparative and International)
    Business/Business Administration/Business Management
    International Marketing/International Trade
    Commercial Law (including Comparative Law, International Treaties, 
    Intellectual Property Rights)
    Environmental Law and Regulation
    Environmental Policy and Resource Management
    Environmental Sciences/Natural Resource Sciences
    Area Studies (in combination with one or more of the academic fields 
    above)
    
    Eligible Countries/Localities
    
        Africa: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, 
    Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia;
        American Republics: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, 
    Paraguay, Uruguay. Priority will be given to proposals that focus on 
    economic development and free trade;
        East Asia and Pacific: The following Asia Pacific Economic 
    Cooperation (APEC) member economies are eligible within a trilateral, 
    NOT bilateral, affiliation between the U.S. and two APEC member 
    economies: Australia, Canada (see the section on ``Western Europe'' 
    below), China, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, 
    Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and 
    Thailand;
        In addition, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam; are eligible for 
    bilateral projects only in the Environment and Sustainable Development 
    category;
        East Europe, Central Europe, and the Commonwealth of Independent 
    States: Moldova (projects focusing on Free Trade and Market Economies 
    only);
        North Africa, Near East, and South Asia (NEA): The following are 
    eligible for a bilateral or trilateral affiliation: Bahrain, 
    Bangladesh, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, 
    Qatar, Saudi Arabia, SRI Lanka, Syria (Environment and Sustainable 
    Development only), Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank, Yemen;
        Lebanon: USIA welcomes proposals for bilateral linkages in Lebanon 
    which include the use of distance education and Internet to facilitate 
    two-way communication since, at this writing, only one-way travel (from 
    Lebanon to the United States) is advisable.
        Western Europe: Canada, eligible only in an APEC trilateral 
    partnership. Proposals involving Canada and East Asian APEC nations are 
    encouraged in recognition of the array of trade interests and 
    environment/sustainable development issues that Canada and the United 
    States share with Asian nations.
    
    Notice
    
        The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
    not be modified by any USIA representative. Explanatory information 
    provided by the Agency that contradicts published language will not be 
    binding. Issuance of the RFP does not constitute an award commitment on 
    the part of the Government. The Agency reserves the right to reduce, 
    revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance with the needs of 
    the program and the
    
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    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 USIA procedures.
    
        Dated: September 19, 1977.
    John P. Loiello,
    Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
    [FR Doc. 97-26152 Filed 10-1-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/02/1997
Department:
United States Information Agency
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice--requests for proposals.
Document Number:
97-26152
Dates:
Grants should begin on or about September 1, 1998.
Pages:
51723-51726 (4 pages)
PDF File:
97-26152.pdf