[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44673-44676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22300]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
College and University Affiliations Program (CUAP)
ACTION: Notice--Request for Proposals.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
pursue objectives in specified fields and themes within the humanities,
the social or environmental sciences, law, or business administration
in partnership with overseas institutions of higher education. Awards
will be made to support educational partnerships with the general goal
of strengthening civil society through projects on the rule of law,
journalism and media studies, or civic education; or with the general
goal of assisting with the development of a foundation for
international trust through projects on business relations or
environmental cooperation.
Partner institutions may pursue these goals through exchanges of
teachers or administrators for any appropriate combination of teaching,
lecturing, college or university teacher and curriculum development,
collaborative research, and outreach, for periods ranging from one week
(for planning visits) to an academic year. Also eligible as activities
to support the pursuit of these objectives in the FY99 program are the
establishment and maintenance of Internet and/or e-mail communication
facilities as well as interactive distance-learning programs at foreign
partner institutions in conjunction with eligible projects. Applicants
may propose other project activities not listed in this paragraph that
are consistent with the overall goals and activities of the College and
University Affiliations Program.
One-way projects that provide technical assistance from one
institution to another are strongly discouraged. Substantial project
benefits must accrue to all partner institutions, although the benefits
may differ significantly for each institution.
The program awards up to $120,000 for a three-year period to defray
the costs of travel and per diem, 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.
Grants are subject to the availability of funds for Fiscal Year
1999.
Proposed projects must be eligible in terms of country(ies)/
locations and themes as described in the section entitled
``Eligibility'' below.
Overall grant-making authority for this program is contained in the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Pub. L. 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 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-99-02.
Deadline for Proposals: All copies must be received at the U.S.
Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday, December
11, 1998. Faxed documents will not be accepted, nor will documents
postmarked on December 11, 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 August
1, 1999.
Duration: August 1, 1999--July 31, 2002.
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, SW, Washington, DC 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 Bureaus' ``Grants
Information Fax on Demand System,'' which is accessed by calling 202/
401-7616. 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
[[Page 44674]]
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-99-02, 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'' 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 needed to
make the comments of overseas posts available in 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. Pub. L.
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 United States,
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 non-governmental organizations as
well as non-profit service and professional organizations. The lead
U.S. institution in the consortium is responsible for submitting the
application. Each application from a consortium must document the lead
institutions' authority to represent the consortium. With the exception
of outside evaluators on contract with the U.S. institution,
participants representing the U.S. institution who are traveling under
USIA grant funds must be teachers, post-baccalaureate teaching
assistants, or staff from the participating institution(s) and must be
U.S. citizens. Post-baccalaureate teaching assistants are eligible for
USIA-funded participation in this program only if they are working as
part of a team directed by a college or university teacher.
Foreign Partner and Participant Eligibility: Overseas,
participation is open to recognized, degree-granting institutions of
post-secondary education, which may include established,
internationally recognized independent research institutes. Secondary
foreign partners may include relevant governmental and non-governmental
organizations, as well as non-profit service and professional
organizations. Participants representing the foreign institutions must
be teachers, post-baccalaureate teaching assistants, or staff who are
citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the country of the
foreign partner and who are qualified to hold a valid passport and U.S.
J-1 visa.
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) It is not submitted by the U.S. partner;
(4) One of the partner institutions is ineligible;
(5) The foreign country or geographic location is ineligible;
(6) It involves a request to fund exchanges between the United
States and more than one country, with the exception of the trilateral
partnerships between the United States and two foreign institutions
specified below (see the section on eligible countries/locations for
complete details);
(7) The theme or academic discipline is not listed as eligible in
the RFP, herein;
(8) the amount requested of USIA exceeds $120,000.
Eligible Themes, Academic Disciplines, and Countries/Locations
Eligible Themes
Proposals submitted in response to this request should be designed
to strengthen civil society through projects on the rule of law,
journalism or media studies, or civic education; or to assist with the
development of a foundation for international trust through projects to
encourage business or environmental cooperation. Outreach from academic
institutions to larger communities of citizens and practitioners is
especially encouraged.
The range of projects for which proposals are encouraged within
these themes is suggested in the following descriptions:
(1) Rule of Law projects may include as goals the promotion of
democratic and civic values; the expansion of citizens participation in
government at all levels; the encouragement of analytical approaches to
the development and evaluation of public policy or government
performance; or the education of citizens and legal specialists about
their civil rights and civic responsibilities. These projects may also
focus on the balance between individual rights and group rights;
conflict resolution; reconciliation and compromise within the
democratic process; the reasonable discussion of social and political
issues and policy options; and the practice of majority rule in the
context of minority rights.
(2) Media Studies and Journalism projects may focus on the
development of media organizations, journalistic ethics and
responsibility, investigative journalism, and the development and
definition of editorial content and priorities. Projects should be
proposed with sensitivity to the relationships of the media with
government and the private sector in a democratic society.
(3) Civic Education projects may include such topics as democratic
theory and practice; the philosophy and goals of education; the
development of learner-oriented teaching methodologies and the training
of teachers in their utilization; the importance to a democracy of
citizen behavior and social responsibility; and the relationships of
public interest groups, educational and religious institutions,
governments, and voluntary associations to one another and to society.
(4) Business projects may enable institutions of tertiary education
to contribute to economic development and to the extension of relations
between and among market economies through trade and investment.
Projects in trade and economics may establish or expand mutually
beneficial academic programs in business and economics, especially by
strengthening educational links to business communities. Projects with
the potential for having an adverse
[[Page 44675]]
impact on the environment are discouraged.
(5) Environmental Cooperation projects may address environmental
issues and public policy approaches to sustainable development in the
context of U.S. and global interests. Projects may support the
establishment or expansion of environmental policy studies programs
through faculty and curriculum development, teaching, or outreach.
Within this theme, projects that link the study of free trade and
market economics with the environment and sustainable development are
encouraged.
Area Studies (including American Studies) are eligible if they
address eligible themes in cooperation with one or more of the academic
disciplines listed below. Area Studies are understood to include
scholarly approaches to the current affairs, politics, society, or
culture of the United States or partner country or countries or
region(s).
The following two sections list Eligible Academic Disciplines
(Section A Below) within each eligible theme and Eligible Countries or
Locations (Section B Below) within six world regions, together with any
thematic limitation or emphasis applicable within the region or
country. Only those themes and disciplines, countries or locations, and
partnership configurations listed are eligible for consideration.
A. Eligible Academic Disciplines
(1) For Rule of Law projects:
Law (Constitutional, Comparative, Administrative, Commercial,
Regulatory, and Civil Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution; and
Intellectual Property Rights)
Political Science/Government/Public Policy/Public Administration
Conflict Resolution
Area Studies (in combination with one or more of the academic fields
listed here)
(2) For Media Studies and Journalism projects:
Journalism (Broadcast, Print, Electronic)
Communications Law
Area Studies (in combination with one or more of the academic fields
listed here).
(3) For Civic Education projects:
Higher Education Administration, including Financial Management,
Community Service and Outreach, University Governance, Private Sector
Relations, and Curriculum Development and Modernization
Secondary-Level Curriculum Development and Teacher Training
Sociology
History
Political Science/Government/Public Policy/Public Administration
Social Studies (especially Curriculum Development and Teacher Training)
Area Studies (in combination with one or more of the academic fields
listed here)
(4) For projects in Business:
Economics (Comparative and International)
Business/Business Administration/Business Management
Financial Management and Markets
International Marketing/International Trade
Commercial Law (including Comparative Law, International Treaties,
Intellectual Property Rights)
Area Studies (in combination with one of the academic fields listed
here)
(5) For projects on Environmental Cooperation:
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)
B. Eligible Countries/Locations
Institutions in the following countries are eligible for a
bilateral exchange with a U.S. institution; in addition, trilateral
configurations are eligible as noted:
(1) Africa: In addition to bilateral proposals, trilateral
configurations involving a college or university in the United States
and counterpart institutions in any two of the following countries are
eligible, but not required:
Benin (Business, especially Economics and Management; and Higher
Education Administration projects only, especially those related to
Financial Management, Community Service and Outreach, University
Governance, Private Sector Relations, and Curriculum Modernization);
Ghana (Rule of Law only);
Malawi (Higher Education Administration projects only, especially
those related to Financial Management, Community Service and Outreach,
University Governance, Private Sector Relations, and Curriculum
Modernization);
Mozambique (Rule of Law, Civic Education, Environment and
Sustainable Development projects only);
Rwanda (Rule of Law only):
Senegal (Higher Education Administration projects only, especially
those related to Financial Management, Community Service and Outreach,
University Governance, Private Sector Relations, and Curriculum
Modernization);
Uganda (Business and Higher Education Administration projects only,
especially those related to University Financial Management, Community
Service and Outreach, University Governance, Private Sector Relations,
and Curriculum Modernization);
Zimbabwe (Rule of Law, Business, and Civic Education only).
(2) American Republics:
Costa Rica (Rule of Law, Business, and Civic Education projects
only);
El Salvador (Rule of Law, Business, and Civic Education projects
only);
Guatemala (Rule of Law, Business, and Civic Education projects
only);
Honduras (Rule of Law, Business, and Civic Education projects
only);
Mexico (bilateral projects in Public Administration only; in
addition, the program invites proposals for North American Trilateral
Linkages that include Mexico and Canada in specified disciplines, as
described below);
Nicaragua (Rule of Law, Business, and Civic Education projects
only);
Panama (Rule of Law, Business, and Civic Education projects only);
North American Trilateral Exchanges: Projects linking U.S.,
Canadian, and Mexican institutions are eligible for trilateral
affiliations in Teaching Methodology, Business, Public Administration,
Trade, Economics, and Environmental Studies.
[Note: Eligibility of countries among the American Republics is
expected to rotate within a three-year cycle beginning with this
solicitation.]
(3) East Asia and the Pacific:
China (Civic Education and Rule of Law only);
Indonesia (Civic Education and Rule of Law only, especially Public
Policy or Public Administration);
Laos (Rule of Law, especially Public Administration; Business; and
Civic Education only, especially Teacher Training);
Philippines (Rule of Law, especially Administration of Justice; and
Civic Education only);
Taiwan (Journalism and Media Studies only, with special interest in
issues of journalistic ethics and responsibility);
Thailand (Rule of Law and Civic Education only, with special
interest in projects framing either of these themes in the context of
American Studies);
Vietnam (Rule of Law, with special interest in Public
Administration or Intellectual Property Rights; Civic Education; and
Business only).
(4) Eastern and Central Europe and the Newly Independent States:
The following countries are eligible for
[[Page 44676]]
bilateral partnerships; in addition, trilateral configurations between
a college or university in the United States and counterpart
institutions in two countries within any one of the following three
subregions are eligible, but not required. (Not every country in every
subregion is eligible. Cross-subregional trilateral affiliations are
ineligible.) For all countries listed, eligible themes are limited to
Business and the Rule of Law, with special interest in Public
Administration and Public Policy.
Baltics: Estonia, Lithuania;
Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Macedonia, Serbia/
Montenegro;
Central Europe: Czech Republic, Slovakia.
[Note: In addition, institutions interested in partnerships with
institutions of tertiary education in countries of the Newly
Independent States should consult a separate request for proposals
that will be announced by the Office of Academic Programs for the
N.I.S. College and University Partnerships Program. For information
about this program, contact the Office of Academic Programs;
Advising, Teaching, and Specialized Programs Division (NISCUPP), (E/
ASU), Room 349, U.S. Information Agency, 301 4th Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20547, phone: (202) 619-5289, fax: (202) 401-1433.]
(5) North Africa, Near East, and South Asia: The following
countries are eligible for bilateral affiliations; in addition;
trilateral proposals by U.S. colleges or universities for collaboration
with counterpart institutions in two countries within any one of the
following three subregions are eligible but not required. (Not every
country in every subregion is eligible. Cross-subregional trilateral
affiliations are ineligible.) Any eligible theme for discipline may be
proposed for any country. Applicants are invited to contact USIS posts
in the early stages of proposal development, especially in cases where
the U.S. institution lacks recent experience in the region.
Gulf: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab
Emirates, Yemen;
Near East/North Africa: Israel, Gaza, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon
(proposals for linkages with Lebanese institutions that include
distance education and/or Internet to facilitate two-way communication
are encouraged), Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt;
South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
(6) Western Europe and Canada:
Turkey is eligible only for projects in the Rule of Law or Civic
Education that hold potential for developing and strengthening
democratic institutions;
United Kingdom (only Northern Ireland is eligible).
In addition, projects are solicited for the following trilateral
configurations:
U.S./Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland Partnerships: United
Kingdom (only Northern Ireland) is eligible for trilateral affiliations
with the United States and the Republic of Ireland for projects in
Cross-Cultural Communications or Conflict Resolution only.
North American Trilateral Exchanges. Projects linking U.S.,
Canadian, and Mexican institutions are eligible for trilateral
affiliations in Teaching Methodology, Business, Public Administration,
Trade, Economics, and Environmental Studies.
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 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: August 13, 1998.
James D. Whitten,
Acting Associate Director for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-22300 Filed 8-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M
