Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 236 / Thursday, December 7, 2000 / Notices 76695

match between participating

organizations or departments, and

availability of sufficient number of

faculty and/or administrators willing

and able to participate in project

activities. Proposals should demonstrate

a promise of long-term impact and a

plan for follow-on activities.

5. Institutional Record/Ability:

Proposals should demonstrate an

institutional record of administering

successful exchange programs,

including responsible fiscal

management and full compliance with

all reporting requirements for past

Bureau grants as determined by the

State Department’s contracts officers.

The Bureau will consider the past

performance of prior recipients and the

demonstrated potential of new

applicants. Reviewers will also consider

the quality of exchange participants’

academic credentials, skills,

commitment and experience relative to

the goals and activities of the project

plan.

6. Project Evaluation: The proposal

should outline a methodology to assess

progress toward the achievement of

project goals. The final evaluation

should include an external component

and observations about anticipated longterm impact on the Algerian economy.

7. Cost-Effectiveness: Administrative

and program costs should be reasonable

and appropriate with cost sharing

provided as a reflection of commitment

to the pursuit of project objectives.

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

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 U.S. North African

Economic Partnership.

Notice

The terms and conditions published

in this RFGP are binding and may not

be modified by any Bureau

representative. Explanatory information

provided by the Bureau that contradicts

published language will not be binding.

Issuance of the RFGP does not

constitute an award commitment on the

part of the Government.

The Bureau 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 Bureau procedures.

Dated: November 29, 2000.

William B. Bader,

Assistant Secretary for Educational and

Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

[FR Doc. 00–31076 Filed 12–6–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710–05–P

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3490]

Bureau of Educational and Cultural

Affairs Request for Grant Proposals:

Summer Institute on Education Reform

for Nigerian Tertiary Education

Administrators and Policy Makers

SUMMARY: The African Programs Branch

of the Office of Academic Exchange

Programs of the Bureau of Educational

and Cultural Affairs announces an open

competition for a Summer Institute on

Education Reform for Nigerian Tertiary

Education Administrators and Policy

Makers. Public and private non-profit

organizations meeting the provisions

described in IRS regulation 26 CFR

1.501(c) may submit proposals to

provide a six-week program for up to 25

Nigerian tertiary level education

administrators and government officials

responsible for making and

implementing education policy.

Requested Bureau funding must not

exceed $200,000.

All Summer Institute programming

and logistics including design and

implementation of the academic,

cultural, and administrative

components will be the responsibility of

the grantee. These responsibilities

include (1) an academic component that

adheres closely to the goals and

objectives set forth in the RFGP, (2) a

cultural component that complements

and reinforces material covered in the

academic component, and includes a

stay of up to a week in Washington and

a trip to another major U.S. city, and 3)

an administrative component to provide

for the comfort and well-being of the

participants which includes arranging

and budgeting for housing, meals,

transportation in the U.S., allowances

for incidental expenses, books, and

excess baggage.

Proposals must conform to

requirements set forth in the Solicitation

Package, that is, the program

information and guidelines stated in

this Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP)

as well as the standard Proposal

Submission Instructions (PSI).

Applications not adhering to the

conditions set forth herein may be

deemed technically ineligible.

The guidelines set forth in this RFGP

are specific to the program mentioned

above and are in addition to the

standard guidelines outlined in the PSI.

In any instance that there is a perceived

disparity between the standard or

program-specific guidelines, the

program-specific guidelines listed in the

RFGP are to be the dominant reference.

The Solicitation Package contains

detailed award criteria, required

application forms, specific budget

instructions, and standard guidelines for

proposal preparation.

Please read the complete Federal

Register announcement before sending

inquiries or submitting proposals. Once

the RFGP deadline has passed, Bureau

staff may not discuss this competition

with applicants until the proposal

review process has been completed.

A. Proposal Submission Information

1. Announcement Title and Number

All correspondence with the Bureau

concerning this RFGP should reference

the above title and number ECA/A/E/

AF–01–02.

2. Application Submission Deadline

All proposal copies must be received

at the Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington,

D.C. time on Thursday, February 1,

2001. Faxed documents will not be

accepted at any time. Documents

postmarked on the due date but

received on a later date will not be

accepted.

Each applicant must ensure that the

proposals are received by the above

deadline.

Applicants must follow all

instructions in the Solicitation Package.

The original and seven (7) copies of the

application should be sent to: U.S.

Department of State, SA–44, Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs, Ref.:

ECA/A/E/AF–01–02, Program

Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 534,

301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC

20547.

3. For Further Information or To

Request a Solicitation Package

Please contact the program officer,

Carol Herrera, by mail at: African

76696 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 236 / Thursday, December 7, 2000 / Notices

Programs Branch, Office of Academic

Exchanges (ECA/A/E/AF)—Rm. 232,

U.S. Department of State, 301 4th Street,

SW., Washington, DC 20547, Ph: (202)

619–5405, F: (202)619–6137, E-mail:

cherrera@pd.state.gov.

4. To Download a Solicitation Package

Via Internet

The entire Solicitation Package may

be downloaded from the Bureau’s

website at http://exchanges.state.gov/

education/RFGPs. Please read all

information before downloading.

Note: Applicants must also submit the

‘‘Executive Summary’’ and ‘‘Proposal

Narrative’’ sections of the proposal on a 3.5’’

diskette, formatted for DOS. These

documents must be provided in ASCII text

(DOS) format with a maximum line length of

65 characters. The Bureau will transmit these

files electronically to the Public Affairs

section at the US Embassy for its review,

with the goal of reducing the time it takes to

get embassy comments for the Bureau’s

grants review process.

5. 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 FulbrightHays 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 above is provided through

the Fulbright-Hays Act.

6. Notice

The terms and conditions published

in this RFGP are binding and may not

be modified by any Bureau

representative. Explanatory information

provided by the Bureau that contradicts

published language will not be binding.

Issuance of the RFGP does not

constitute an award commitment on the

part of the Government. The Bureau

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.

B. Program Information

1. Background

Since 1998 the Clinton

Administration has launched several

special initiatives for education in

Africa to further African integration into

the global community by improving the

quality of, and technology for, education

in Africa. As a result of President

Clinton’s recent visit to Nigeria, the

Africa Programs Branch seeks to create

a Summer Institute on Education

Reform for Nigerian Tertiary Education

Administrators and Policy Makers.

Under the Fulbright banner the program

further seeks to promote mutual

understanding between the peoples of

the United States and Nigeria.

Over the past two decades, large

increases in the number of students at

every level of the education system

coupled with diminishing resources

provided by Nigeria’s military rulers

dramatically decreased the quality of

education in Nigeria. The proposed

program seeks to engage Nigerian

tertiary education administrators,

government policy makers and other

stakeholders in a detailed review of

major reform issues in the U.S. that will

help the participants identify and

explore potential areas of reform within

the Nigerian education system and

approaches to instituting reforms.

2. Program Description

The Summer Institute seeks to

encourage key stakeholders and

decision makers to promote a bolder

vision for the future of Nigerian tertiary

education and establish long-term

educational reform goals that benefit the

nation as a whole. The six-week

program is intended to improve the

quality of tertiary education in Nigeria

by (1) helping participants identify and

examine potential areas of reform in

Nigerian tertiary education by

thoughtfully reviewing American

experiences, (2) promoting cooperation,

coordination, and cross-fertilization of

ideas among the participants and with

U.S. facilitators and counterparts, (3)

through case studies, site visits and

other experiential means, examining

American examples of educational

reform efforts applicable to a Nigerian

context and, (4) strengthening

participants’ leadership, management,

and organizational skills.

The 25 participants will be selected

not only from among university

administrators but from policy makers

as well.

Half of the group will be composed of

senior university administrators

representing federal and state

universities, polytechnics, teacher

colleges, and a new private university.

The rest of the group will be education

policy makers from the Federal Ministry

of Education, some state governments,

important commissions such as the

Examination Council (WAEC), the

National Universities Commission

(NUC), the Committee of the Colleges of

Education and the National Assembly’s

Education Committee. The entire

participant selection process will be

carried out in Nigeria by the Public

Affairs Section of the American

Embassy.

3. Program Objectives

3.1 Identifying and Examining

Potential Areas of Reform in Nigerian

Tertiary Education

Although the program will reference

American examples of education

reform, the wide disparity between the

American and Nigerian contexts

demands that the focus be on the

Nigerian education system. Any

American examples that are used must

have relevance and applicability to the

realities of Nigeria. It is not enough that

the host institution provide a menu of

recent American reform efforts and

examples of successes and failures with

the hope that the participants will glean

what they need from the American

model. This should not be perceived to

be an American Studies program on

Education Administration but an

Education Administration program

specifically designed for Nigerian

education stakeholders. Specific topics

may include but will not be limited to:

establishing coordination among the

various components of the higher

education system, turning policy into

practice, education funding and

fundraising, accreditation, testing,

teacher training, certification, setting

admissions standards, hiring practices,

staff development, community outreach,

legislative oversight, publications,

student government, etc.

The host institution will prepare a

needs assessment to be carried out prior

to the participants arrival in the U.S. to

determine what areas the participants

identify as most relevant and develop

the program around those perceived

priorities. The approach should be one

that provides in-depth content on a few

selected topics rather than cursory

information on a wide variety of topics.

3.2 Promoting Cooperation,

Coordination, and Cross-fertilization of

Ideas Among the Participants and With

U.S. Facilitators and Counterparts

Sessions and activities should be

designed to enable the participants to

use critical and creative thinking skills

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 236 / Thursday, December 7, 2000 / Notices 76697

and teamwork in developing solutions

and approaches to effect realistic and

implementable reform goals in the areas

of interest identified in the needs

assessment.

3.3 Examining American Examples of

Educational Reform Efforts Applicable

to a Nigerian Context

Through case studies, site visits and

other experiential means, the

participants will study examples of

American education reform that

correspond to the areas of interest

identified in the needs assessment.

Activities should include but are not

limited to visits to a selection of

universities; pertinent government

offices, both federal and state; federal

and state legislative education

committees; meetings with university

administrators such as presidents, vice

presidents, and deans.

Examples used should, as closely as

possible, demonstrate challenges similar

to those that confront the Nigerian

administrators; i.e., lack of funding,

poorly trained staff, low staff morale

due to insufficient pay, overcrowded

classes, student unrest, etc.

3.4 Strengthening Participants’

Leadership, Management, and

Organizational Skills

Potential topics may include but are

not limited to: participatory planning;

developing clear, implementable goals

and objectives; assessment and analysis;

formulating action plans; monitoring

and evaluation (of faculty, staff,

students, curriculum, etc.); staff

development; accountability and the

ethical dimensions of leadership;

building a constituency for change;

promoting ownership and commitment;

interpreting and adapting to a changing

environment; being responsive to

constituencies, etc.

4. Program Specific Guidelines

4.1 Program Duration/ Dates

The program will be approximately

six weeks in length and should begin

and end between the dates of June 1,

2001 and September 30, 2001. These

dates will include the arrival and

departure dates of the participants.

4.2 Number/Types of Participants

There will be a maximum of 25

participants, approximately half of

whom will be university administrators

and half of whom will be policy makers.

They will come from various parts of

Nigeria and various ethnic groups and

will likely be predominantly male.

Applicants may wish to take this into

consideration in planning and logistics.

If the number of women in the group is

small, efforts may be needed to ensure

their full inclusion and participation.

Most, but not all, will have at least some

overseas experience, having attended

international conferences, participated

in international visitors programs, etc.

Some will have spent time studying

abroad, primarily in the U.K. but other

countries as well including the U.S.

Minimum qualifications for all

participants will be the equivalent of

BA/BS degrees from their national

educational system.

4.3 Grantee Administrative

Responsibilities

The following are the responsibilities

of the grantee that will be covered under

the terms of the grant and must be

included in the budget submission.

Please refer to the next section in this

document (Section 5, Budget

Guidelines) and PSI Budget Guidelines

for further details.

• Travel/transportation in the U.S.

Participants will arrive and begin their

program in Washington, DC. The host

institution will arrange all domestic

transportation (excluding travel from

Washington, DC to program site if by

air) to and from airports and for cultural

and educational activities provided

under this project. For travel between

Washington, DC and the Summer

Institute site, the host institution may

propose to substitute travel by bus or by

train for travel by commercial air

carrier, if ground transportation is a

feasible, cost-effective travel alternative.

However, if the host institution opts to

use ground transportation between

Washington, DC and the program site,

the cost must be included in the budget

proposal.

It is expected that the grantee will

make arrangements to meet the

participants upon arrival in

Washington. Departures for return travel

to Nigeria will be from the program site.

• Lodging: Accommodations in

faculty guest quarters with single rooms

or suites are preferred. Kitchen facilities

for food storage and preparation to

accommodate 25 participants should be

provided. Lodging should be within

reasonable walking distance to location

of classes and/or readily accessible to

university transportation system. Easy

access to public transportation that

enables participants to venture out into

the larger community is desirable.

• Meals: A system of cash subsistence

payments that allow participants to

shop for and prepare their own meals is

preferred. Cafeteria meal plans that can

accommodate African preferences are

possible. If using a meal plan

exclusively, show clearly how the cost

of meals will be covered when

participants’ travel away from campus

or campus cafeterias are closed.

• Incidentals allowance: Each

participant will receive an incidentals

allowance of $15 per day for the full

number of days of the Summer Institute

including at the host institution, while

in Washington, DC and/or other U.S.

city visited.

• Book Allowance: The project will

provide each participant with a

supplemental book allowance of $150

per person. The institution should plan

to assist participants in selection,

acquisition and shipment of materials

for their needs. The institution should

develop a plan that allows participants

to stretch their book allowance as far as

possible through institutional or

publishers’ discounts.

• Health Coverage Administration:

Although the Bureau assumes the

responsibility of providing limited

accident and sickness insurance

coverage for participants, the grantee is

responsible for enrolling all participants

in the Bureau’s health coverage

program. A plan on providing

participants with ready access to

medical care should be included in the

proposal.

4.4 Bureau Administrative

Responsibilities

The following are the responsibilities

of the Bureau and will not be covered

under the terms of the grant and should

not be included in the budget

submission:

• Selection of Participants: The

selection process will be carried out by

the U.S. Public Affairs Section (PAS) in

Nigeria. The Bureau will be responsible

for and facilitate all communications

between the PAS and the institution.

The Bureau will provide the grantee

with participants’ curriculum vitae and

other relevant information.

• International Travel: The Bureau is

responsible for participants’

international travel. The Bureau, in

coordination with the U.S. Embassy in

Abuja, will make international airline

reservations and purchase round-trip

international airline tickets for all

participants from Nigeria to the site of

the Summer Institute via Washington,

D.C.

The Bureau will advise the host

institution of the group’s arrival/

departure schedules.

• Health Coverage: The Bureau

provides limited accident and sickness

insurance coverage for participants in

the Summer Institute and will provide

the grantee with the necessary

instructions and forms to complete prior

to the participants’ arrival.

76698 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 236 / Thursday, December 7, 2000 / Notices

• Visas: Participants will travel on J–

1 visas, Program number G–1–5, issued

by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. Program

must comply with J–1 visa regulations.

Please refer to Proposal Submission

Instructions for further information.

5. Budget Guidelines

Applicants must submit a

comprehensive budget for the entire

program, not to exceed $200,000. The

Bureau plans to award one grant at a

level of approximately $200,000. Grants

awarded to eligible organizations with

less than four years of experience in

conducting international exchange

programs will be limited to $60,000.

There must be a summary budget as

well as breakdowns reflecting both

administrative and program budgets.

Applicants may provide separate subbudgets for each program component,

phase, location, or activity to provide

clarification.

Proposals should maximize costsharing through private sector support

as well as institutional direct funding

contributions.

In addition to the guidelines provided

here, applicants should refer to the

Budget Guidelines section of the PSI.

5.1. Allowable Costs

Allowable costs for the program

include:

• Instructional costs, i.e.; instructors’

salaries, honoraria for outside speakers,

educational course materials

• Lodging, meals, and incidentals for

participants

• Expenses associated with cultural

activities, i.e.; admission fees,

transportation

• Administrative costs as necessary

5.2 Line-item Budget

Divide the Line-item budget into

Program and Administration sections.

The line-item budget should include

and elaborate on the categories listed

below.

5.2.1 Program Section. The program

section of the budget includes (1)

academic program costs, (2) participant

maintenance and allowances, and (3)

cultural activities and other related

costs

5.2.1.1 Academic program costs. The

Institution may choose to itemize

academic program costs (I.A.1) or set a

fee per participant (I.A.2)

—Itemized academic program costs.

(I.A.1)

• Instructors’ salaries as appropriate.

Salaries, benefits, and services for

instructors’ salaries for the Institute

classes. Identify each position and

provide position title, role in the

Institute, and, as appropriate, annual

salary and percent of effort used for the

Institute. Benefit costs should be stated

separately from salary costs. Identify

how benefits and services were

computed.

• Honoraria and per diem for outside

speakers, if any. (List names and

amounts).

• Film and video rentals, educational

materials, curricular needs (i.e. texts,

course packs for classes), as appropriate.

—Fee per participant (I.A.2)

If the institution chooses to budget

academic program costs as a fee per

participant, please state what services

are provided within that fee.

5.2.1.2 Costs for maintenance and

other allowances for participants.

(Clearly indicate the unit cost of each

item.)

• Lodging. Housing may be in

graduate dormitories, faculty residences,

or other, as appropriate. Single rooms

preferred.

• Meals. Meals may be provided

through cash subsistence payments to

participants, cafeteria meal plans, or a

combination of both. If using a meal

plan exclusively, show clearly how the

cost of meals will be covered when

participants travel away from campus or

campus cafeterias are closed.

• Incidentals allowance. Include an

incidentals allowance of $15 per person

per day for full number of days of the

Summer Institute at the host institution.

• Supplemental book allowance of

$150 per person.

• Excess baggage allowance of $150

per person.

Note: Per diem rate for lodging and meals

may not exceed published U.S. government

allowance rates for the site of the Institute.

Institutions may use per diem rates that are

lower than official government rates.

5.2.1.3 Cultural activities and other

program-related costs

• Cultural activities: entrance fees,

overnight lodging, meals not provided

for in B.2.

• Costs for Washington cultural and

educational tour.

• Lodging for participants. It is

acceptable for participants to share

rooms on trips away from primary

institute site.

• Meals for participants away from

regular site.

• Incidentals allowance for

participants. (Include a $15 per person

per day incidental allowance for full

number of days in Washington and/or

other city.)

• Transportation: Ground

transportation for group cultural and

educational activities; ground

transportation for airport arrival and

departure.

• Escort Staff: Domestic

transportation costs and per diem (or

lodging and subsistence) for grantee

escort staff for overnight cultural

activities and Washington visit.

Note: The Bureau will provide round-trip

international air tickets (from home country

to Washington, D.C. to Institute site, and

return to home country) for participants. The

cost of travel for participants from

Washington, D.C. to the institute site should

not be included in a budget unless the

institution opts to use ground transportation.

If travel by means other than commercial

airline are proposed, show transportation

costs in the budget.

5.2.2 Administration Costs

• Staff requirements.

• Benefits.

• Other direct administrative

expenses.

• Indirect expenses.

6. Diversity, Freedom and Democracy

Guidelines

Pursuant to the Bureau’s authorizing

legislation, programs 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, socioeconomic 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,’’ the

Bureau ‘‘shall take appropriate steps to

provide opportunities for participation

in such programs to human rights and

democracy leaders of such countries.’’

Public Law 106–113 requires that the

governments of the countries described

above do not have inappropriate

influence in the selection process.

Proposals should reflect advancement of

these goals in their program contents, to

the full extent deemed feasible.

7. Proposal Preparation

Applicants should submit a complete

and thorough proposal describing the

program in a convincing and

comprehensive manner. Since there is

no opportunity for applicants to meet

with reviewing officials, the proposal

should respond to the criteria set forth

in the solicitation package as clearly as

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 236 / Thursday, December 7, 2000 / Notices 76699

possible. Proposals should address

succinctly, but completely, the elements

described below and must follow all

format requirements.

Proposals should include the

following items:

Table of Contents

(Tab A) Assistance Award Proposal

Cover Sheet

(Tab B) Executive Summary

(Tab C) Narrative

(Tab D) Budget Submission

(Tab E) Supporting documentation

(Tab F) Standard forms

Guidelines on specific sections

follow.

7.1 Table of Contents

List all attachments.

7.2 Assistance Award Proposal Cover

Sheet (Tab A)

One additional copy of the

application cover sheet must be

included in an envelope marked

‘‘Attention: ECA/EX/PM.’’

7.3 Executive Summary (Tab B)

In one double-spaced page, provide

the following information about the

project:

• Name of organization/participating

institutions

• Beginning and ending dates of the

program

• Proposed theme

• Nature of activity

• Funding level requested from the

Bureau, total program cost, total costsharing from applicant and other

sources—Scope and Goals

• Number and description of

participants

• Wider audience benefiting from

program (overall impact)

• Anticipated results (short and longterm)

7.4 Narrative (Tab C)

In 20 double-spaced, single-sided

pages, provide a detailed description of

the project addressing the areas listed

below.

• Statement of need, objectives, goals,

and benefits

Provide a well-defined, overarching

vision of the program and a description

of the steps/activities to be undertaken

to create from the various components

a well integrated whole. The rationale,

goals and objectives articulated in the

RFGP should be the foundation upon

which the program proposal is built.

In keeping with the Bureau’s goal of

establishing long-term academic

partnerships, the program should be

crafted as part of a potential continuum

of academic exchange opportunities that

build upon and complement one

another. The program should be seen as

mutually beneficial to participants and

program implementers, although the

benefits may differ significantly.

• The host institution’s qualifications

in education administration and African

school systems and relevance of past

experience to this program.

• Implementation Approach and

Strategy

The narrative should include a clear

description of the general strategy and

specific approach proposed to

implement the program. As much as

possible the program should be

participant-focused incorporating adult

learner strategies and oriented toward

authentic learning outcomes and

capacity-building in relation to realworld problem-solving. The program

should be geared more toward

enhancing participants’ skills and less

on providing information and materials.

• Participating Organizations (if

applicable)

Provide a brief description of any

other entities that are to play significant

roles in the performance of this contract

and how they fit into implementation.

• Work plan/Time Frame

The program should be approximately

6 weeks in length and should begin and

end between the dates of June 1, 2001

and September 30, 2001. The work plan

should clearly identify the number of

hours dedicated to the various program

components.

• Academic Component

Provide a description of the specific

learning activities undertaken to meet

goals and objectives of the program.

• Cultural Component

Include a description of those

activities not directly related to the

academic component and geared toward

providing an American experience for

the participants. To the extent possible,

cultural activities should complement

the goals and objectives of the academic

component but should not be limited to

only those with academic significance.

Program days in Washington, DC and

other major U.S. city should be included

here.

• Provide a description of housing,

maintenance and logistics including

health care provisions for participants.

• Participant monitoring

Include a plan for measuring

participant performance and tracking

the individual’s progress in meeting

learning objectives.

• Follow-on plan

Include a description of short-term,

mid-term and long-term goals in

continuing the partnership between the

host institution and the participants

beyond the provisions of the summer

institute grant. Although additional

Bureau support would not be available

for the short-term goals, mid-term and

long-term goals could be considered for

additional funding.

• Program Evaluation

The evaluation plan should identify

anticipated outcomes and performance

requirements clearly related to program

goals and activities and include

procedures for ongoing monitoring and

corrective action when necessary. The

identification of best practices relating

to project administration is also

encouraged, as is the discussion of

unforeseen difficulties.

• Program Calendar

Include all academic, cultural and

administrative activities.

7.5 Budget Submission (Tab D)

The cost to the Bureau for the

Summer Institute for Nigerian Educators

for 25 participants should not exceed

$200,000. The final budget may be

adjusted to reflect the actual number of

participants.

Note: Please review carefully Standard

Budget Preparation guidelines in Proposal

Submission Instructions in regard to a

Summary Budget and a detailed Line-Item

Budget and descriptions and limitations of

each type of administration cost. Use notes

where further explanation of line items is

required to clarify how the figures were

derived.

7.6 Supporting Documentation (Tab E)

• Letters of endorsement

• Resumes

All program staff resumes should be

included in the submission. No resume

should exceed two pages.

7.7 Standard Forms (Tab F)

• ‘‘Additional Information’’ Form

• Copy of IRS notification of current

tax-exempt status

• Four Required Certification Forms

• Certification of Compliance with

Federal Forms

• Other attachments, if applicable

8. Review Process and Criteria

The Bureau will acknowledge receipt

of all proposals and will review them

for technical eligibility. Proposals are

reviewed for adherence to legal and

budgetary requirements by Bureau

offices responsible for these functions.

Proposals will be deemed ineligible if

they do not fully adhere to the

guidelines stated herein. For program

content, cost-effectiveness, and other

criteria spelled out in the RFGP, the

review is conducted by an advisory,

assistance award-review panel

composed of Bureau and Department

officers. Additional officers, including

76700 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 236 / Thursday, December 7, 2000 / Notices

geographic area personnel, also review

proposals for feasibility as well as

potential for short- and long-term

impact. Final funding decisions are at

the discretion of the Department of

State’s Assistant Secretary for

Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final

technical authority for assistance

awards resides with a Bureau Grants

Officer. Technically eligible

applications will be competitively

reviewed according to the criteria stated

below. These criteria are not rank

ordered and all carry equal weight in

the proposal evaluation:

8.1 Quality of Program

Conceptualization and Planning

Proposals should exhibit substance,

precision, and relevance to the Bureau’s

mission as well as adherence to all

guidelines and objectives described in

the RFGP. Proposals should provide a

clear description of the general strategy

and specific approach to implement the

program. Proposals should also

demonstrate effective use of community

and regional resources to enhance both

the educational and cultural

experiences of the participants. Detailed

agenda and relevant work plan should

demonstrate substantive undertakings

and logistical capacity.

8.2 Ability to Achieve Program

Objectives

Proposals should clearly demonstrate

how the institution will meet the

program’s objectives and plan.

8.3 Area Expertise

Proposals should demonstrate

significant institutional and staff

experience in and knowledge of Africa

as well as expertise in education in

developing countries.

8.4 Multiplier Effect/Impact

Proposed program should strengthen

long-term mutual understanding,

including maximum sharing of

information and establishment of longterm institutional and individual

linkages. To ensure that Bureau

supported programs are not isolated

events, a detailed post-institute plan

(that does not require Bureau support)

for follow-on activities that promote

continued communication/involvement

and build upon program achievements

between the host institution and

participants and/or the institutions they

represent, should be incorporated into

the proposal.

8.5 Program Monitoring/Evaluation

Proposals should include a plan to

monitor program and participant

progress through the course of the

program and evaluate the overall

success upon completion of the

program. The Bureau recommends that

the proposal include a participant needs

assessment or other technique plus

description of a methodology to link

outcomes to original project objectives.

8.6 Support of Diversity

Proposals should demonstrate the

recipient’s commitment to promoting

the awareness and understanding of

diversity in both the American and

African context. Program administrators

should strive for diversity among

Institute staff, student assistants, and

host community contacts. Cultural,

ethnic, and religious diversity of the

participants should also be a

consideration in program planning.

8.7 Institutional Capacity

Proposed personnel and institutional

resources should be adequate and

appropriate to achieve a substantive

academic and cultural program.

Proposals should demonstrate an

institutional record of successful

exchange programs, including

responsible fiscal management and full

compliance with all reporting

requirements for past Bureau grants as

determined by the Bureau’s Office of

Contracts. The Bureau will consider the

past performance of prior recipients and

the demonstrated potential of new

applicants.

8.8 Cost-effectiveness

The overhead and administrative

components of the proposal, including

salaries and honoraria, should be kept

as low as possible. All other items

should be necessary and appropriate.

Proposals should maximize cost-sharing

through other private sector support as

well as institutional direct funding

contributions.

Notification

Final awards cannot be made until

funds have been appropriated by

Congress, allocated and committed

through internal Bureau procedures.

Dated: November 30, 2000.

William B. Bader,

Assistant Secretary for Educational and

Cultural Affairs, Department of State.

[FR Doc. 00–31075 Filed 12–6–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710–05–U

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3492]

Bureau of Educational and Cultural

Affairs; Project in Curriculum

Development and Faculty Training at

the University of Pristina, Kosovo;

Request for Grant Proposals

SUMMARY: The Office of Global

Educational Programs of the Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs in the

Department of State announces an open

competition for an assistance award to

support the development of programs of

instruction and faculty training at the

University of Pristina in one or both of

the following two fields: (1) Business

management and entrepreneurship; and

(2) public administration. Organizations

meeting the provisions described in IRS

regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may submit

proposals that address one or both of

these objectives. The means for

achieving these objectives may include

mentoring, teaching, consultation,

research, distance education, internship

training, and professional outreach to

public and private sector managers,

entrepreneurs, and local government

administrators in Kosovo.

Overview and Project Objectives: The

project is designed to assist the

University of Pristina to develop a

modern program in business

management education to facilitate the

development of entrepreneurial and

business activity in Kosovo. The project

is also designed to enable the University

of Pristina to develop a program of

instruction in public administration to

increase efficiency and accountability in

the administration of the public sector

in Kosovo. Applicants may submit

proposals focusing on either, or both of

the two disciplines.

In business management, proposals

should emphasize practical strategies to

assist the faculty to develop a new

curriculum in business management

focusing on accounting, finance,

banking, entrepreneurship, and the role

of women in business. In public

administration, proposed activities

should assist with curriculum design

and faculty training in local government

administration, taxation, financial

management, land registry/ownership

and property rights. The inclusion of

organizational development and

personnel management among proposed

activities is also encouraged. Proposals

should include an emphasis on

providing practical training and handson experience in local government

administration as well as techniques for

drafting legislation. Proposals should

explain how the public administration

program will equip the University to