**Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program**

**2011 Overview of Webinar Presentation**

[Based on MS PowerPoint Slides]

**Slide 1**

Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program (GPA)

Advanced Overseas Intensive Language Training Program

Department of EducationInternational and Foreign Language Education (IFLE)Michelle Guilfoil—Senior Program Officer(202) 502-7625michelle.guilfoil@ed.gov

**Slide 2**

What is the Fulbright Program?

Originated with legislation sponsored by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946 to promote mutual understanding between people of the United States and those of other countries. 

Under the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, the U.S. Department of Education receives an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress. 

**Slide 3**

2008–2012 Grant Cycle

Foreign Language Projects: 18

Number of Languages Studied: 25

Total Four Years of Funding:  10,963,675

Total Number of Participants:  1,577

**Slide 4**

GPA Language Studied in 2008-2012 Cycle

Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Filipino, Georgian, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Khmer, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba, Zulu

**Slide 5**

GPA Host Countries in 2008-2012 Cycle

Cambodia, China/Taiwan, Egypt, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam

**Slide 6**

Purpose of Foreign Language GPA Grants

To provide institutional grants to support advanced overseas training in modern foreign languages

**Slide 7**

Eligible Applicants

· Institutions of higher education (IHE)

· State departments of education

· Private nonprofit educational organizations

· Consortia of IHEs, departments, and organizations

**Slide 8**

Eligible Project Participants

· U.S. citizen or permanent resident

 AND

· Elementary or secondary teacher

· Postsecondary faculty

· Education administrator

· Undergraduate/graduate student planning a teaching career or will use foreign language in future career in areas important to U.S. security

**Slide 9**

Eligible Project Participants (continued)

All participants must be teaching/studying in the following disciplines or interdisciplinary areas:

· Humanities, social sciences, foreign languages and/or area studies; or

· Business, health, social work, math, science, counseling, engineering, the environment and technology. 

· Area studies – including the study of geography, history, culture, economy, politics, international relations, or languages of a world region.

**Slide 10**

GPA Project Requirements

· Language indigenous to host country, maximum use of local institutions and personnel;

· Training must be at advanced level (equivalent to completion of at least two academic years of language training); and 

· Project must take advantage of advanced language training opportunities present in host country and not available in the United States.****

**Slide 11**

Time Frame & Participant Numbers

· Project activities:  full year, academic year, semester, trimester, quarter, and/or summer in host country (six weeks minimum).

· Contact hours:  Minimum of 120 

· Project length:  Four Years (consists of four 12-month performance periods

· Participant number:  At least 10 participants plus Resident Director = 11 minimum for each cohort

Maximum Grant Award:  $375,000/year

Average Grant Award:  $150,000/year 

**Slide 12**

GPA – Advanced Overseas Intensive Language Training

Financial Provisions

**Slide 13**

GPA Allowable Expenses

· International travel; and 

· Within host country:

· Lodging and meals

· Local travel

· Educational materials

· Honoraria

· Meeting room space

· Host country instructors

· Pre- and post-language assessment *(REQUIRED)*

· Host country evaluators

· Local administrative services

**Slide 14**

Funding Restrictions

*Restrictions:  The grant does not provide funds for project related expenses within the United States, including pre-departure orientation and follow-up activities.*

**Slide 15**

Program Priorities 

· Absolute (requirement)

· Competitive Preference (for additional points)

· Invitational (special invitation from the Secretary, but no points assigned) 

**Slide 16**

GPA Foreign Language Absolute Priority

· Study in non-western European countries

· United States must have official diplomatic relationship with host country

**Slide 17**

GPA Competition Highlights

· Well-developed evaluation plans, data collection, participant tracking

· Innovative plans to showcase strength and importance of advanced language learning through data collection and reporting

· Longer and more intense time abroad

· Higher numbers of students

· Same application package as for GPA short-term:  be sure to indicate applying for GPA Foreign Language, 84.021B

**Slide 18**

Components of the Application

**Slide 19**

A/ Introduction

· Profile of Applicant

· Need for the Project

· Selection of the Language to be Studied

· Selection of the Host Country

· Objectives of Project

**Slide 20**

B/ Pre-Departure Phase

· Pre-departure preparation

· Lectures on the country of study

· Advanced reading materials

· Group Dynamics

· Pre-departure orientation

· Guidelines on conduct

· Discussions on daily living/traveling in host country/security issues

· Team building

· Team assignments and individual proposed projects

· Cross cultural training

· Minimum of 16 hours

**Slide 21**

C/ Overseas Phase

1. Description of language program including assessment, placement, and instructional content and format

2. Information on faculty, instructors, tutors including qualifications and experience

3. Cultural immersion experience including excursions, field work, internships, etc.

4. Special learning projects

5. Travel arrangements and accommodations 

6. Debriefings/evaluations

**Slide 22**

D/ Follow-Up Phase

· Program evaluation:  results and impact

· Reporting (project and participant)

· Staff professional development and training 

· Dissemination and outreach plans

· Publicizing and recruiting for next group of students 

· Possible future activities (collaboration, cooperation and networking)

**Slide 23**

Evaluation Criteria

1. Plan of Operation(20 points)

2. Key Personnel(10 points)

3.  Budget and Cost Effectiveness(10 points)

4.  Evaluation(20 points)

5.  Adequacy of Resources(5 points)

6.  Impact(15 points)

7.  Relevance to Institutional Development(5 points)

8.  Need for Overseas Experience(10 points)

9.  Program Priorities(15 points)

****TOTAL110 points

**Slide 24**

THANK YOU

Questions and Discussion

Michelle Guilfoil—Senior Program Officer(202) 502-7625michelle.guilfoil@ed.gov

###

9/20/2011