18782 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Notices 

18See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59358 

(Feb. 4, 2009), 74 FR 6928 (Feb. 11, 2009) (Order 

Approving File No. SR–FINRA–2008–051). 

19 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). 20 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 

(7) the rules of some arbitration forums 

may impose time limits for bringing a 

claim in arbitration; in some cases, a 

claim that is ineligible for arbitration 

may be brought in court. 

The proposed rule change transfers 

NASD Rule 3080 into the Consolidated 

FINRA Rulebook as FINRA Rule 2263 

with several minor changes. First, the 

proposed rule change amends the 

current title ‘‘Disclosure to Associated 

Person When Signing Form U–4’’ to 

clarify that the rule relates to arbitration 

disclosures. Accordingly, the new 

proposed title is ‘‘Arbitration Disclosure 

to Associated Persons Signing or 

Acknowledging Form U4.’’ 

Second, proposed FINRA Rule 2263 

clarifies that a member must provide the 

required arbitration disclosures 

whenever a member asks an associated 

person, pursuant to proposed FINRA 

Rule 1010 (as described above), to 

manually sign an initial or amended 

Form U4, or to otherwise provide 

written (which may be electronic) 

acknowledgement of an amendment to 

the Form. 

Lastly, the proposed rule change 

updates the rule language to reflect 

recent amendments to FINRA’s Code of 

Arbitration Procedure requiring 

arbitrators to provide an explained 

decision to the parties in eligible cases 

if there is a joint request by all parties 

at least 20 days before the first 

scheduled hearing date.18

FINRA will announce the 

implementation date of the proposed 

rule change in a Regulatory Notice to be 

published no later than 90 days 

following Commission approval. 

2. Statutory Basis 

FINRA believes that the proposed rule 

change is consistent with the provisions 

of Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,19 which 

requires, among other things, that 

FINRA rules must be designed to 

prevent fraudulent and manipulative 

acts and practices, to promote just and 

equitable principles of trade, and, in 

general, to protect investors and the 

public interest. FINRA believes that the 

proposed changes to NASD Rule 1140 

will clarify and streamline the Form U4 

electronic filing and amendment 

requirements for both members and 

members’ associated persons, consistent 

with the goals of investor protection. 

FINRA also believes that the proposed 

changes to NASD Rule 3080 will clarify 

the required arbitration disclosures and 

when members must provide those 

disclosures to their associated persons. 

B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement on Burden on Competition 

FINRA does not believe that the 

proposed rule change will result in any 

burden on competition that is not 

necessary or appropriate in furtherance 

of the purposes of the Act. 

C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s 

Statement on Comments on the 

Proposed Rule Change Received From 

Members, Participants, or Others 

Written comments were neither 

solicited nor received. 

III. Date of Effectiveness of the 

Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 

Commission Action 

Within 35 days of the date of 

publication of this notice in the Federal 

Register or within such longer period (i) 

as the Commission may designate up to 

90 days of such date if it finds such 

longer period to be appropriate and 

publishes its reasons for so finding or 

(ii) as to which the self-regulatory 

organization consents, the Commission 

will: 

(A) By order approve such proposed 

rule change, or 

(B) Institute proceedings to determine 

whether the proposed rule change 

should be disapproved. 

IV. Solicitation of Comments 

Interested persons are invited to 

submit written data, views and 

arguments concerning the foregoing, 

including whether the proposed rule 

change is consistent with the Act. 

Comments may be submitted by any of 

the following methods: 

Electronic Comments 

• Use the Commission’s Internet 

comment form (http://www.sec.gov/ 

rules/sro.shtml); or 

• Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File 

Number SR–FINRA–2009–019 on the 

subject line. 

Paper Comments 

• Send paper comments in triplicate 

to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, 

Securities and Exchange Commission, 

100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 

20549–1090. 

All submissions should refer to File 

Number SR–FINRA–2009–019. This file 

number should be included on the 

subject line if e-mail is used. To help the 

Commission process and review your 

comments more efficiently, please use 

only one method. The Commission will 

post all comments on the Commission’s 

Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/ 

rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the 

submission, all subsequent 

amendments, all written statements 

with respect to the proposed rule 

change that are filed with the 

Commission, and all written 

communications relating to the 

proposed rule change between the 

Commission and any person, other than 

those that may be withheld from the 

public in accordance with the 

provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be 

available for inspection and copying in 

the Commission’s Public Reference 

Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, 

DC 20549, on official business days 

between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

Copies of such filing also will be 

available for inspection and copying at 

the principal office of FINRA. All 

comments received will be posted 

without change; the Commission does 

not edit personal identifying 

information from submissions. You 

should submit only information that 

you wish to make available publicly. All 

submissions should refer to File 

Number SR–FINRA–2009–019 and 

should be submitted on or before May 

15, 2009 

For the Commission, by the Division of 

Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated 

authority.20

Florence E. Harmon, 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. E9–9372 Filed 4–23–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8010–01–P 

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 

Agency Information Collection 

Activities: Proposed Request and 

Comment Request 

The Social Security Administration 

(SSA) publishes a list of information 

collection packages requiring clearance 

by the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB) in compliance with 

Public Law (Pub. L.) 104–13, the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 

effective October 1, 1995. This notice 

includes revisions and extensions of 

OMB-approved Information Collections 

and a new collection. 

SSA is soliciting comments on the 

accuracy of the agency’s burden 

estimate; the need for the information; 

its practical utility; ways to enhance its 

quality, utility, and clarity; and ways to 

minimize the burden on respondents, 

including the use of automated 

collection techniques or other forms of 

information technology. Mail, e-mail, or 

fax your comments and 

mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES

Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Notices 18783 

recommendations on the information 

collection(s) to the OMB Desk Officer 

and the SSA Reports Clearance Officer 

to the addresses or fax numbers listed 

below. 

(OMB), Office of Management and 

Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for SSA, 

Fax: 202–395–6974. E-mail address: 

OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. 

(SSA), Social Security Administration, 

DCBFM, Attn: Reports Clearance 

Officer, 1332 Annex Building, 6401 

Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235. 

Fax: 410–965–6400. E-mail address: 

OPLM.RCO@ssa.gov. 

I. The information collection below is 

pending at SSA. SSA will submit it to 

OMB within 60 days from the date of 

this notice. To be sure we consider your 

comments, we must receive them no 

later than June 23, 2009. Individuals can 

obtain copies of the collection 

instrument by calling the SSA Reports 

Clearance Officer at 410–965–3758 or by 

writing to the e-mail address listed 

above. 

1. Social Security Benefits 

Application—20 CFR 404.310–.311, 

.315–.322, .330–.333, .601–.603, and 

.1501–.1512—0960–0618. This 

collection comprises the various 

application modalities for retirement, 

survivors, and disability benefits. These 

modalities include paper forms (SSA 

Forms SSA–1, SSA–2, and SSA–16), 

Modernized Claims System (MCS) 

screens for in-person field office 

interview applications, and the Internetbased iClaim application. This 

information collection request (ICR) will 

expand the potential user base for the 

iClaim. 

Type of Collection: Revision to an 

existing OMB-approved information 

collection. 

Paper Forms/Accompanying MCS 

Screens Burden Information: 

FORM SSA–1 

Collection method Number of 

respondents 

Frequency of 

response 

Average 

burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

MCS ................................................................................................................. 172,200 1 11 31,570 

MCS/Signature Proxy ...................................................................................... 1,549,800 1 10 258,300

Paper ............................................................................................................... 21,000 1 11 3,850 

Medicare-only MCS ......................................................................................... 299,000 1 7 34,883 

Medicare-only Paper ........................................................................................ 1,000 1 7 117 

Totals ........................................................................................................ 2,043,000 ........................ ........................ 328,720 

FORM SSA–2 

Collection method Number of 

respondents 

Frequency 

of response 

Average 

burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

MCS ................................................................................................................. 36,860 1 15 9,215 

MCS/Signature Proxy ...................................................................................... 331,740 1 14 77,406 

Paper ............................................................................................................... 3,800 1 15 950 

Totals ........................................................................................................ 372,400 ........................ ........................ 87,571 

FORM SSA–16 

Collection method Number of 

respondents 

Frequency 

of response 

Average 

burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

MCS ................................................................................................................. 218,657 1 20 72,886 

MCS/Signature Proxy ...................................................................................... 1,967,913 1 19 623,172

Paper ............................................................................................................... 24,161 1 20 8,054 

Totals ........................................................................................................ 2,210,731 ........................ ........................ 704,112 

ICLAIM BURDEN INFORMATION

Form type Number of 

respondents 

Frequency of 

response 

Average 

burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

iClaim 3rd Party ............................................................................................... 28,118 1 15 7,030 

iClaim Applicant after 3rd Party Completion ................................................... 28,118 1 5 2,343 

First Party iClaim ............................................................................................. 541,851 1 15 135,463 

Medicare-only iClaim ....................................................................................... 200,000 1 10 33,333 

Totals ........................................................................................................ 798,087 ........................ ........................ 178,169 

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18784 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Notices 

Aggregate Public Reporting Burden: 

1,298,572 hours. 

2. Electronic Records Express (Third 

Parties)—20 CFR 404.1700–404.1715— 

0960–0767. Electronic Records Express 

is an online system that enables medical 

providers and various third party 

representatives to submit disability 

claimant information electronically to 

SSA as part of the disability application 

process. We are revising this OMB 

number to add new functionality for 

third parties who use this system. 

Type of Request: Revision of an 

existing OMB-approved information 

collection. 

Number of Respondents: 66,000. 

Frequency of Response: 40. 

Average Burden per Response: 1 

minute. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 44,000 

hours. 

3. Registration of Individual for 

Appointed Representative Services— 

0960–0732. SSA uses Form SSA–1699 

to register the following people: 

• Individuals appointed as 

representatives; 

• Individuals who will perform 

advocacy services on behalf of an 

appointed representative; 

• Individuals who will act on behalf 

of an appointed representative and want 

access to our electronic services; 

• Individuals who will serve as 

administrators for an entity appointed 

as a representative. 

By registering these individuals, SSA: 

(1) Authenticates and authorizes them 

to do business with us; (2) allows them 

access to our records for the claimants 

they represent; (3) facilitates direct 

payment of authorized fees to appointed 

representatives; and (4) collects 

information needed to meet Internal 

Revenue Service (IRS) requirements to 

issue specific IRS forms, if we pay these 

representatives in excess of a specific 

amount ($600). 

This ICR is for changes we will 

implement later in the year. The 

respondents are appointed claimant 

representatives. 

Type of Request: Revision to an OMBapproved information collection. 

Collection 

method 

Number of 

respondents 

Frequency of 

response 

Average 

burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

SSA–1699 (paper form) ................................................................................... 52,800 1 30 26,400 

Internet-based SSA–1699 ............................................................................... 13,200 1 22 4,840 

Totals ........................................................................................................ 66,000 ........................ ........................ 31,240 

4. State Agency Report of Obligations 

for SSA Disability Programs (SSA– 

4513); Time Report of Personnel 

Services for Disability Determination 

Services (SSA–4514); State Agency 

Schedule of Equipment Purchased for 

SSA Disability Programs (SSA–871)—20 

CFR 404.1626—0960–0421. SSA uses 

Forms SSA–4513, SSA–4514, and SSA– 

871 to collect data necessary for detailed 

analysis and evaluation of costs State 

Disability Determination Services (DDS) 

incur in making disability 

determinations for SSA. SSA also 

utilizes the data to determine funding 

levels for each DDS. Respondents are 

State DDSs. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 54. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 756 hours. 

Respondents Frequency of 

response 

Total annual 

responses 

Average burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

SSA–4513 & Addendum .................................. 54 4 216 90 324 

SSA–4514 ........................................................ 54 4 216 90 324 

SSA–871 .......................................................... 54 4 216 30 108 

Total .......................................................... 162 ............................ ............................ ............................ 756 

5. Application for Special Benefits for 

World War II Veterans—20 CFR 408, 

Subparts B, C and D—0960–0615. Title 

VIII of the Social Security Act (Special 

Benefits for Certain World War II 

Veterans) allows a qualified World War 

II veteran who resides outside the 

United States to receive monthly 

payments. The regulations set out the 

requirements an individual needs to 

meet to qualify for and become entitled 

to Special Veterans Benefits (SVB). SSA 

uses Form SSA–2000–F6 to elicit the 

information necessary to determine 

entitlement to SVB. The respondents are 

individuals who are applying for SVB 

under Title VIII of the Social Security 

Act. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Section No. Number of 

respondents 

Frequency of 

response 

Average burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

§ 408.202(d); § 408.210; § 408.230(a); § 408.305; §§ 408.310-.315 100 1 20 33 

§ 408.232(a) ..................................................................................... 1 1 15 0 

§ 408.320 ......................................................................................... 1 1 15 0 

§ 408.340 ......................................................................................... 1 1 15 0 

§ 408.345 ......................................................................................... 1 1 15 0 

§ 408.351(d) & (f) ............................................................................. 1 1 30 1 

§ 408.355(a) ..................................................................................... 1 1 15 0 

§ 408.360(a) ..................................................................................... 1 1 15 0 

§ 408.404(c) ..................................................................................... 6 1 15 2 

§§ 408.410–.412 .............................................................................. 6 1 15 2 

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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Notices 18785 

Section No. Number of 

respondents 

Frequency of 

response 

Average burden 

per response 

(min) 

Estimated 

annual burden 

(hours) 

§ 408.420(a), (b) .............................................................................. 71 1 15 18 

§§ 408.430 & .432 ............................................................................ 66 1 30 33 

§ 408.435(a), (b), (c) ........................................................................ 71 1 15 18 

§ 408.437(b), (c), (d) ........................................................................ 6 1 30 3 

Totals ........................................................................................ 333 ............................ ............................ 110 

II. SSA has submitted the information 

collections listed below to OMB for 

clearance. Your comments on the 

information collections would be most 

useful if OMB and SSA receive them 

within 30 days from the date of this 

publication. To be sure we consider 

your comments, we must receive them 

no later than May 26, 2009. You can 

obtain a copy of the OMB clearance 

packages by calling the SSA Reports 

Clearance Officer at 410–965–3758 or by 

writing to the above e-mail address. 

1. Request for Withdrawal of 

Application—20 CFR 404.640—0960– 

0015. Individuals complete Form SSA– 

521 to request withdrawal of an 

application for benefits. SSA uses the 

information from Form SSA–521 to 

process the request for withdrawal. The 

respondents are applicants for Old Age, 

Survivors, and Disability Insurance 

(OASDI) benefits. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 100,000. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 5 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 8,333 

hours. 

2. Application for Search of Census 

Records for Proof of Age—20 CFR 

404.716—0960–0097. SSA uses the 

information from Form SSA–1535–U3 

to provide the Census Bureau with 

identification information sufficient to 

allow an accurate search of census 

records to establish proof of age for an 

individual applying for Social Security 

benefits. When preferred evidence of 

age is not available and the available 

evidence is not convincing, SSA may 

request the U.S. Department of 

Commerce, Bureau of the Census, to 

search its records to establish a 

claimant’s date of birth. The Census 

Bureau uses the information from a 

completed, signed SSA–1535–U3 to bill 

SSA for the search. The respondents are 

applicants for Social Security benefits 

who need to establish their date of birth 

as a factor of entitlement. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 18,030. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 12 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 3,606 

hours. 

3. Workers’ Compensation/Public 

Disability Questionnaire—20 CFR 

404.408—0960–0247. Section 224 of the 

Social Security Act provides for the 

reduction of disability insurance 

benefits (DIB) when the combination of 

DIB and any workers’ compensation 

(WC) and/or certain Federal, State, or 

local public disability benefits (PDB) 

exceeds 80 percent of the worker’s 

average current earnings. SSA uses 

Form SSA–546 to collect the data 

necessary to determine if the worker’s 

receipt of WC/PDB payments will cause 

a reduction of DIB. The respondents are 

applicants for Title II DIB. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 100,000. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 15 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 25,000 

hours. 

4. Claimant’s Medication—20 CFR 

404.1512, 416.912—0960–0289. In cases 

where a claimant is requesting a hearing 

after denial of his or her claim for Social 

Security benefits, SSA uses Form HA– 

4632 to request information from the 

claimant regarding the medications he 

or she is using. This information helps 

the Administrative Law Judge hearing 

the case to inquire fully into the medical 

treatment the claimant is receiving and 

the effect of medications on the 

claimant’s medical impairments and 

functional capacity. Respondents are 

applicants for OASDI benefits and/or 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 

payments. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 200,000. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 15 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 50,000 

hours. 

5. Statement of Funds You Provided 

to Another and Statement of Funds You 

Received—20 CFR 416.1103(f)—0960– 

0481. Forms SSA–2854 and SSA–2855 

collect information on an SSI 

beneficiary’s allegations that he or she 

borrowed funds informally from a noncommercial lender; e.g., a relative or 

friend. The borrower/beneficiary and 

the lender of the funds complete these 

statements. SSA requires information 

from Forms SSA–2854 and SSA–2855 to 

determine whether the proceeds from 

the transaction are income to the 

borrower. If the transaction constitutes a 

bona fide loan, the proceeds are not 

income to the borrower. Form SSA– 

2855 (Statement of Funds You 

Received) requests information from the 

SSI applicant/recipient by personal 

interview. Form SSA–2854 (Statement 

of Funds You Provided to Another) 

requests information by mail from the 

other party to the transaction. The 

respondents are SSI recipients who 

informally borrow money and those 

persons who lend the funds. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 40,000. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 10 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 6,667 

hours. 

6. Self-Employment/Corporate Officer 

Questionnaire—20 CFR 404.435(e), 

404.446—0960–0487. SSA uses Form 

SSA–4184 to develop earnings and 

corroborate the claimant’s allegations of 

retirement when the claimant is selfemployed or a corporate officer. SSA 

uses the information to determine an 

individual’s OASDI benefit amount. The 

respondents are self-employed 

individuals or corporate officers who 

apply for OASDI benefits. 

Type of Request: Revision of an OMBapproved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 50,000. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 20 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 16,667 

hours. 

Note: This is a correction notice. SSA 

published this information collection as an 

extension on February 17, 2009 at 74 FR 

7506. Since we are revising the Privacy Act 

Statement, this is now a revision. 

7. Application for SSA Employee 

Testimony—20 CFR 403.100–155— 

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18786 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Notices 

0960–0619. SSA regulations at 20 CFR 

403.100–155 establish policies and 

procedures for an individual, 

organization, or governmental entity to 

request official agency information, 

records, or testimony of an agency 

employee in a legal proceeding when 

the agency is not a party. The request, 

which must be in writing to the 

Commissioner, must fully set out the 

nature and relevance of the sought 

testimony. Respondents are individuals 

or entities who request testimony from 

SSA employees in a legal proceeding. 

Type of Request: Extension of an 

OMB-approved information collection. 

Number of Respondents: 100. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 60 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 100 hours. 

8. Authorization for the Social 

Security Administration To Obtain 

Account Records from a Financial 

Institution and Request for Records 

(Medicare Low-Income Subsidy)—0960– 

0729. Under the aegis of the Medicare 

Modernization Act of 2003, Medicare 

beneficiaries can apply for a subsidy for 

the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 

(Part D) program. In some cases, SSA 

will verify the details of applicants’ 

accounts at financial institutions to 

determine if they are eligible for the 

subsidy. Form SSA–4640 gives SSA the 

authority to contact financial 

institutions about applicants’ accounts. 

Financial institutions will also use the 

form to verify the information SSA 

requested. The respondents are 

applicants for the Medicare Part D 

program subsidy and financial 

institutions where applicants have 

accounts. 

Type of Request: Extension of an 

OMB-approved information collection. 

Medicare part D subsidy 

applicants Financial institutions Totals 

Number of Respondents .......................................................... 10,000 .................................... 10,000 .................................... 20,000. 

Frequency of Response .......................................................... 1 ............................................. 1 ............................................. 1. 

Average Burden per Response (minutes) ............................... 1 minute ................................. 4 minutes ............................... 5 minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden (hours) ........................................... 167 hours ............................... 667 hours ............................... 834 hours. 

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 834 

hours. 

9. Request To Pay Civil Monetary 

Penalty by Installment Agreement—20 

CFR 498–0960–NEW. SSA uses Form 

SSA–640 to obtain the information 

necessary to determine a repayment rate 

for individuals who have a civil 

monetary penalty imposed on them for 

fraudulent conduct related to SSAadministered programs. SSA needs this 

financial information to ensure the 

repayment rate is in the best interest of 

both the individual and the agency. The 

respondents are recipients of Social 

Security benefits and non-entitled 

individuals who must pay a civil 

monetary penalty. 

Type of Request: New information 

collection. 

Number of Respondents: 400. 

Frequency of Response: 1. 

Average Burden per Response: 120 

minutes. 

Estimated Annual Burden: 800 hours. 

Dated: April 17, 2009. 

John Biles, 

Reports Clearance Officer, Center for Reports 

Clearance, Social Security Administration. 

[FR Doc. E9–9318 Filed 4–23–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4191–02–P 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

[Public Notice 6592] 

Bureau of Educational and Cultural 

Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant 

Proposals: E-Teacher Scholarship 

Program and Professional 

Development Workshop 

Announcement Type: New 

Cooperative Agreement. 

Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/ 

A/L–09–04. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance Number: 00.000. 

Key Dates: (Pending award of funds). 

Anticipated Award Date: September 

1, 2009. 

Anticipated Program Start Date: 

September 14, 2009. 

Anticipated Program End Date: 

December 31, 2010. 

Application Deadline: June 8, 2009. 

Executive Summary: The Office of 

English Language Programs of the 

Bureau of Educational and Cultural 

Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open 

competition for the E-Teacher 

Scholarship Program and Professional 

Development Workshop. Accredited 

U.S. post-secondary educational 

institutions or consortia of such 

institutions meeting the provisions 

described in Internal Revenue Code 

section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit 

proposals to implement the following 

two components: (1) Seven different 

ten- to twelve-week Online, university 

level English as a Foreign Language 

(EFL) professional development courses 

for a total of approximately five 

hundred EFL teachers from throughout 

the world, and (2) a three-week 

professional development workshop for 

approximately twenty-six EFL 

professionals from diverse geographic 

regions of the world. For the Online 

courses, participants will receive 

university level instruction in the most 

recent English language teaching 

methods and techniques as well as an 

introduction to U.S. educational values 

and will interact with U.S. experts via 

innovative distance learning. The 

professional development workshop 

will provide the participants a basis for 

their continuing contact with U.S. 

counterparts in order to promote mutual 

understanding between the people of 

the U.S. and other countries. 

Post-secondary educational 

institutions are encouraged to apply in 

a consortium with other post-secondary 

institutions, although they may apply 

independently. The E-Teacher 

Scholarship Program and Professional 

Development Workshop advance the 

U.S. Department of State’s goals by 

improving the quality of English 

language teaching throughout the world. 

ECA will award one Cooperative 

Agreement for the administration of 

these two program components to be 

implemented during the academic year 

2009–2010. The total funding available 

for program and administrative 

purposes is anticipated to be 

approximately $750,000. 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

Authority: Overall grant making authority 

for this program is contained in the Mutual 

Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 

1961, Public Law 87–256, as amended, also 

known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The 

purpose of the Act is ‘‘to enable the 

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