0FY24 LLOD NOFO.pdf

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2024 Leaders Lead On-Demand Program

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0010306 Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) Number: 19.415 Deadline for Applications: May 20, 2024

Executive Summary: The Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposals for the FY 2024 Leaders Lead On- Demand program (LLOD). LLOD takes ideas generated across the U.S. Department of State and develops them into uniquely tailored, multi-segmented projects. LLOD supports U.S. foreign policy goals by enabling ECA to quickly respond to emerging foreign policy priorities. U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide a series of multi-segmented exchange projects ranging in size and scope, each involving current or potential government, business, and civil society leaders. It is anticipated that this cooperative agreement will support four to six distinct exchange projects for approximately 75 participants including approximately 55 foreign participants and 20 from the United States.

A central component of each project will include a group of foreign participants who will ideally travel to the United States for an intensive, tailored program. Activities could offer a range of program components that may include participation in workshops, meetings, events, mentorships, or working placements in U.S. organizations or businesses. Any U.S.-based program should be complemented by at least one additional segment overseas that should include U.S. participants. Both foreign and U.S. participants should have experience or expertise in the field of the exchange project and U.S. participants should engage with the foreign participants during both the U.S. and foreign program components. The award recipient will work closely with ECA, other Department of State representatives, in-country or regionally-based partner organizations, as appropriate, to recruit, screen, and select the participants and develop program activities that best address the specific project goal(s). The final list of participants should be approved by ECA. U.S. participants will be selected in close consultation with ECA. Additional project components, such as regional gatherings of participants overseas, small grants competitions, or local trainings should be developed, as appropriate, based on the scope and goals of the specific exchange.

Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

It is ECA’s intent to award a cooperative agreement of one base year plus two non-competitive continuations (NCCs). Please see section B.) Federal Award Information and NCCs in section

D.16. below for additional details.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. 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 above is provided through legislation.

A.2. Purpose

To complement existing public diplomacy efforts supporting emerging leaders/young professionals, and to allow the Department of State to respond to emerging foreign policy issues and events more nimbly around the world, ECA has developed the LLOD program. The

LLOD program will allow participants from countries around the world to take part in a specially designed exchange focused on a specific urgent or emerging U.S. foreign policy priority or goal.

While the subject matter of individual LLOD projects will differ, they should focus on strengthening the capacity of civil society, private sector, and government to respond to pressing challenges in any region or country.

A.3. Program Specific Guidelines

The FY 2024 LLOD program supports the following broad goals:

1. To provide tailored support for urgent or emerging foreign policy priority issues where existing public diplomacy resources are not immediately available or accessible;

2. To create lasting partnerships between emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States in specific and substantive focus areas;

3. To provide opportunities for foreign and U.S. emerging leaders to collaborate and share ideas, approaches, and strategies regarding challenges to pressing issues;

4. To enhance professional and leadership skills for both foreign and U.S. participants to create positive change in their communities and countries.

During this cooperative agreement, it is anticipated that approximately four to six projects will be approved for implementation during each of the three years on a broad range of themes.

Each project will be identified by ECA in consultation with other Department of State entities and the award recipient. ECA will ultimately approve individual LLOD projects. Once officially approved by ECA, work on a new project will commence. It is highly likely that multiple projects will take place on overlapping timelines and the award recipient needs to be able to manage several projects in various phases of design and implementation at the same time.

Projects: “Projects” are defined as a set of exchanges focused on specific and often urgent or emerging foreign policy priorities. A past project example is the African Descent Social

Entrepreneurship Program that brought together 60 young social entrepreneurs of African descent from around the world to share experiences, perspectives, and best practices. During the U.S. phase of the program, participants visited Historically Black Colleges and Universities in

Louisiana and Georgia. They worked on capacity development through case studies of how social entrepreneurs found creative solutions for social problems. The program launched the

African Descent Social Entrepreneurship Network (ADSEN), an independent organization for collaboration, which will serve as an ongoing tool for collaboration. The Exchange for Rising

Think Tank Leaders from Quad Countries included participants who are think tank professionals from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Their program included exchanges in each of the four countries where they explored the respective policymaking landscapes in areas of mutual collaboration.

Participants: "Participants" are defined as those who travel under federal award funding from their country of origin to a designated exchange country of a project. Ideally, foreign participants should, as appropriate, be selected through a merit-based, competitive process.

Unless requested otherwise, participants should be mid-career emerging leaders/young professionals in government, business, or civil society with experience and current employment directly relevant to the exchange project. It is preferable that all selected participants be proficient in written and oral English, have demonstrated leadership ability, and a professional commitment to the project goal(s). It should be possible to include participants without strong English skills and specific provisions for non-English speaking participants should be included in the proposal and budget, if applicable.

U.S. participants should include professionals with relevant expertise in the project’s subject matter or policy issue area. U.S. participants should be individuals who have had or will have significant engagement with the foreign participants during their U.S. exchange program.

Organizational Capacity: Applicant organizations must demonstrate their capacity for conducting international professional exchanges; supporting a range of different kinds of exchange activities, subject areas, and geographic regions; implementing exchange programs that address specific policy challenges and providing substantive programming and leadership training for up-and-coming professionals.

Proposals should illustrate the organization’s breadth of experience working in difficult environments, establishing individually tailored working placements in a range of fields, and demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, and creativity in programming under challenging conditions. Proposals should include concrete examples in which the organization has responded quickly to rapidly evolving circumstances, and ideally including examples that demonstrate an ability to program in countries in which they have not previously worked.

Proposals should clearly articulate a staffing plan that allows the organization to conduct multiple On-Demand projects concurrently.

Partner Organizations: Applicant organizations should provide examples of programs, businesses, institutions, organizations, and individuals with whom they would collaborate to implement projects and should describe any previous collaborative activities. A proposal could identify a hypothetical project theme and goal and include a proposed approach to developing a project with examples of organizations or individuals who might assist with program design.

Proposals must demonstrate capacity for developing professionally relevant, substantive programming in the United States. As it is likely that program activity will take place in countries where an organization does not have a presence, the proposal should demonstrate the ability to identify and work with in-country or regional partners on a short timeframe, as needed. Applicant organizations should include a participant recruitment plan, which may include a list of foreign partner organizations who have assisted the organization with participant recruitment in other programs.

Broader U.S. Department of State Involvement: It is anticipated that State Department entities will generate initial project ideas and be actively engaged in each project. State Department entities, including U.S. embassies and consulates, may work closely with the award recipient on program activities including, but not limited to, recruitment and selection of the participants;

pre-departure briefings; U.S. visas; and follow-on projects. The proposal should discuss how the award recipient plans to consult regularly with relevant State Department entities to implement the exchange projects. While State Department entities may be actively engaged in any project, it is the award recipient’s responsibility to manage the overall program activities.

Projected Timeline: The exact dates of each exchange project will not be determined until a proposed project is officially approved. Applicant organizations should propose at least one sample timeline and outline for a hypothetical project.

A.4. Recipient Responsibilities The award recipient will be responsible for the following:

Development of Project Model: Once projects have been officially approved by ECA, the award recipient will begin designing project activities and will submit a detailed outline to the Global Leaders Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges. Each project will be unique and will likely need a different program model or design. The size, scope, and timing of each project should be designed with a flexible and collaborative approach to maximize project effectiveness and demonstrate significance. All projects should be multi-segmented with at least one component based in the United States and at least one component hosted in a foreign country, if appropriate.

Recruitment and Selection: The award recipient will work closely with the relevant State Department entities and, if appropriate, an in-country regional partner to recruit and select qualified participants for an approved project. The recruitment strategy should include:

1. A recruitment campaign that targets individuals meeting the eligibility criteria for each project, supports a merit-based competition, and adheres to the project’s goals;

2. A web-based application tool that securely collects applicants’ data across projects;

3. A transparent review process to evaluate candidates. The award recipient will work closely with ECA on the development and implementation of review criteria, involving the appropriate State Department entities in the selection process, and proposing a participant list to ECA for final approval; and

4. Interviews conducted in English (virtual or in-person), if appropriate, for semi-finalists as part of the selection process.

Project Promotional Materials: The award recipient will be responsible for creating promotional materials both for the LLOD program and for individual projects, as needed. ECA will provide final approval for all created materials.

Pre-Departure Orientation and/or Arrival Orientation: For both foreign and U.S. participants, the award recipient will be responsible for conducting an in-person or virtual pre-departure orientation (PDO) before exchange components and/or an in-person arrival orientation at the beginning of an exchange component. The recipient should provide pre-departure materials and program information to prepare participants for the exchange. The PDO and arrival orientation should cover, at a minimum:

• travel logistics, including arrival and lodging information and J-1 visa regulations;

• project goals and expectations;

• a detailed program schedule and host community information; and

• a cross-cultural orientation.

Issue DS-2019 forms and facilitate the Visa Process: All foreign participants will travel on a U.S.

Government designation for the J Exchange Visitor Program. The award recipient will be responsible for preparing and issuing DS-2019 forms required for J-1 visas. The award recipient will work with the U.S. embassy or consulate to assist foreign participants with the J-1 visa application process and with foreign embassies to arrange visas for U.S. travelers, as needed.

Logistics: The award recipient will manage all logistical arrangements, including international and domestic travel, ground transportation, accommodations, and meals. The award recipient will comply with all federal regulations regarding the use of U.S. government funds, including the Fly America Act.

Health Benefits: The award recipient will enroll all U.S. and foreign participants in ECA’s Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) for the duration of the program and issue health benefits identification cards. More information on ASPE is available at https://www.sevencorners.com/about/gov/usdos.

Participant Monitoring: The award recipient will develop and implement a plan to monitor participants’ safety and well-being while on program. Proposals should articulate how the program will ensure effective communication, so potential problems are resolved promptly.

Proposals should demonstrate staffing structures that support program activity and ensure safe and rewarding programs.

Program Closing: The award recipient should conduct an appropriate program closing session at the end of each project.

Collection and Maintenance of Program and Participant Data & Reporting: In addition to the reporting requirements outlined in section F.4. Reporting Requirements, the award recipient should create and maintain a means of tracking all On-Demand projects initiated, ongoing, and https://www.sevencorners.com/about/gov/usdos completed projects, for the period of performance. Tracking information should include budget information, total participant numbers and numbers by country, and other key data to be determined in consultation with ECA. Tracking data should be included in regular reporting and provided to ECA upon request. The award recipient must ensure the protection of personally identifiable information.

A.5. Substantial Involvement:

In a cooperative agreement, the Department is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. ECA’s activities and responsibilities for the LLOD Program are as follows:

1. Approve each LLOD project;

2. Approve partner organizations, including in-country partner organizations and sub-award recipients;

A.6. Non-Competitive Continuations (NCCs)

Proposal narratives should include a commitment to implement the program for the base year, plus two additional NCCs, pending successful performance and the availability of funds. The narrative should focus on details specific to the implementation of the base year program, with the understanding that the program design, duration, and participant numbers would be similar when/if the subsequent two NCCs are exercised. ECA will perform an annual performance evaluation/review to determine if a NCC will be exercised. Satisfactory performance and the availability of funds is a condition of continued administration of the program and execution of all NCCs.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION for NCCs

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement, ECA’s level of involvement in this program is listed under section A.5., “Substantial Involvement.”.

Fiscal Year Funds: FY2024 – base year funding amount $1,000,000, pending the availability of funds; FY2025 – NCC year one funding amount $1,000,000; FY2026 – NCC year-two funding amount, $1,000,000, will be pending successful performance and the availability of funds.

Approximate Total Funding: $3,000,000, pending the availability of funds.

Approximate Number of Awards: One

Minimum “Floor” of Award: $1,000,000, pending the availability of funds.

Maximum “Ceiling” of Award: $1,000,000, pending the availability of funds

Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2024, pending the availability of funds.

Anticipated Award Completion Date: December 31, 2028. This date reflects the anticipated duration of the award – one base year plus two NCC years.

Additional Information: A Cooperative agreement will be awarded for a period of 18 months (base year) with NCCs for two additional 12 month periods (NCC years one and two). ECA will notify the recipient of its intention to exercise or not to exercise a NCC at least 90 days in advance of expiration of the current year after an internal evaluation of the recipient’s performance. The decision to exercise a NCC will depend both on the satisfactory performance of the recipient and the availability of funds.

ECA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets, participant numbers, and the number of projects in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants

U.S. public and private academic and cultural institutions, exchange-of-persons, and other not-for-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition. Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please see the PSI for additional information.

C.2. Other Eligibility Requirements

The following additional eligibility requirements apply to this NOFO announcement:

1. ECA’s grant guidelines require that organizations demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to be eligible for awards exceeding $130,000 in ECA funding. As noted in section B above, ECA anticipates issuing one cooperative agreement, for approximately $1,000,000. Therefore, organizations that do not demonstrate four years of experience in conducting international exchanges in their proposal are ineligible to apply under this competition.

2. All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO, and the PSI;

non-compliance will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

3. In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 & D.5. for more information.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

4. Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the PSI document.

Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO and the PSI; non-compliance will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

C.3. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost sharing required for this competition.

However, ECA encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs. When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s Guidance 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600, entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, ECA's contribution may be reduced in like proportion.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.

Once the NOFO deadline has passed, ECA staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.

D.1. Solicitation Package Location The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov or from ECA website at https://eca.state.gov/organizational-funding.

D.2. Content and Form of Submission Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation Package, including the PSI document, which consists of required application forms and standard guidelines for proposal preparation.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://eca.state.gov/organizational-funding

The application should be submitted per the instructions under D.17. “Application Deadline and Method of Submission” section below.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier Number All organizations are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the U.S. Government. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications. A UEI is issued as part of the required SAM.gov registration below in section D.5.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

D.4. Required Proposal Elements All proposals must contain a SF-424, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget (SF 424A), detailed budget, and budget narrative.

D.5. Required Registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) All organizations must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database in order to submit a proposal in response to an open competition on Grants.gov. Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

Please begin your registration as early as possible. Failure to register in SAM.gov will render applicants ineligible to receive funding.

All federal award recipients must maintain a current registration in the SAM database.

Recipients must maintain accurate and up-to-date information in www.SAM.gov until all program and financial activity and reporting is completed on any issued award. Recipients must review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration and more frequently if required information changes or another award is granted. There is no cost associated with registering or updating SAM.gov accounts.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov.

D.6. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov (formerly, FAPIIS) http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

1. The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

2. An applicant, at its option, may review and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. Currently, federal agencies create integrity records in the integrity module of the Contractor Performance Assessment and Reporting System (CPARS) and these records are visible as responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov;

3. The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.206 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

D.7. Required Registration with MyGrants All ECA award recipient organizations and recipient contacts and signatories must be registered with the U.S. Department of State’s MyGrants by accessing https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com and clicking the “create an account” link. MyGrants is the U.S. Department of State’s grants management system and is supported by the Department’s Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS). Recipient organizations and recipient contacts and signatories that have previously used MyGrants as a U.S. Department of State award recipient do not need to register again. If the organization is not able to access the system, please contact the ILMS Help Desk for help in gaining access.

Support for Recipient Organizations and recipient contacts and signatories is available 24 hours, 7 days a week (except federal holidays), and can be reached at 1-888-313-ILMS (4567) or through the ILMS Self Service Portal at https://afsitsm.servicenowservices.com/ilms/.

Please take into consideration the following information when preparing your proposal narrative:

D.8. Adherence To All Regulations Governing the J Visa ECA places critically important emphasis on the security and proper administration of the Exchange Visitor (J visa) Programs and adherence by award recipients and sponsors to all regulations governing the J visa. Therefore, proposals should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to meet all requirements governing the administration of the Exchange Visitor Programs as set forth in 22 CFR 62, including the oversight of Responsible Officers and https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/ https://afsitsm.servicenowservices.com/ilms/

Alternate Responsible Officers, screening and selection of program participants, provision of pre-arrival information and orientation to participants, monitoring of participants, proper maintenance and security of forms, record-keeping, reporting and other requirements.

The award recipient will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program. A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor

(J) programs is available at http://j1visa.state.gov or from:

Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation U.S. Department of State SA-5, Floor C2, Room C2L13 2200 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20522

Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.

D.9. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Freedom and Democracy Guidelines Pursuant to ECA's authorizing legislation, “diversity” should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, geographic location, education, income, socio-economic status, and other diversity dimensions, that may hinder inclusion. Proposals should demonstrate how diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility will enhance the program’s goals and objectives and the participants’ exchange experience.

Proposals should demonstrate how the program will further engage diverse and underserved communities. Programs must maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and representative of the diversity of political, social, and cultural life in the United States and abroad. Please refer to the “Support of DEIA” review criterion of this document for more information on how this will be reviewed as a part of any application. Please also refer to the “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility” section in the “Proposal Submission Instructions” document for specific suggestions on incorporating DEIA into the 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," ECA "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.

D.10. Program Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Distinct from grants or cooperative agreement monitoring and participant monitoring, http://j1visa.state.gov/ performance monitoring is designed to assess progress against a program’s goals and objectives. A performance monitoring framework is vital to tracking the direction, pace, and magnitude of change that result from ECA programs.

ECA created the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework to measure the performance of ECA programs. The MODE Framework provides standard indicators and corresponding survey questions to ensure consistent measures across all ECA programs. More resources and guidance documents on the MODE Framework are available online at:

https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and.

For this proposal, ECA requires the applicant include the MODE Framework objectives and indicators listed below (note that, because not all MODE objectives and indicators are relevant for a program, the numbering below will not be sequential). In addition to the ECA-required objectives and indicators, applicants may also select additional MODE Framework indicators (see the Indicator Book on the MODE Framework website), or design custom objectives and indicators that are specific to the proposed program and this proposal.

The below section will be customized for every solicitation and provided by ECA/P/MELI as a part of the drafting process. All objectives, sub-objectives, and indicators here are samples, illustrating what this language will look like. Your solicitation will include only the aspects that apply.

• Demographic Questions as outlined in the Indicator Book on page vi, and Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and)

• Objective 1: Advance participant and beneficiary cross-cultural competence and global perspective o Sub-Objective 1.1: Promote cultural exchanges and enhance understanding between participants and their host communities.

▪ E1.1.01: Percent of participants reporting that their program experience offered opportunities to engage with other cultures

▪ E1.1.04: Percent of participants with more favorable opinions of the United

States Government (core indicator)

▪ E1.1.09: Percent of participants who traveled abroad for the first time because of their program (core indicator)

▪ E1.1.10: Percent of foreign participants who traveled to the United States for the first time during their program (core indicator)

▪ E1.1.11: Percent of American participants indicating a change in their understanding of their host country's culture and values

▪ E1.1.12: Percent of foreign participants indicating a change in understanding of third-party countries’ cultures and values https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and

▪ E1.1.17: Percent of foreign participants with more favorable opinions of the American people (core indicator)

▪ E1.1.18: Percent of foreign participants indicating an increase in understanding of United States culture and values (core indicator)

▪ E1.1.19: Percent of participants agreeing with statements in support of democratic values (core indicator)

• Objective 2: Increase the impact that participants and alumni have on their communities / countries.

o Sub-Objective 2.2: Foster participants’ belief that civic engagement benefits communities/countries

▪ E2.2.01: Percent of participants who have more confidence in their ability to have an impact in their home country (core indicator)

• Objective 3: Strengthen engagement among participants, alumni, beneficiaries, and institutions

▪ E3.0.02: Percent of foreign participants who report increasing their network of Americans (core indicator)

▪ E3.0.04: Percent of foreign participants who report increasing their network of third country nationals

▪ E3.0.07: Percent of participants who identify as a Department of State program participant (core indicator) o Sub-Objective 3.1: Alumni subscribe to platforms for resources and information-sharing

▪ E3.1.02: Percent of participants who learned about new resources

• Objective 4: Strengthen personal, professional, and technical abilities and aptitudes of participants and beneficiaries

▪ E4.0.01: Percent of participants reporting increases in their job skills as a result of their program participation

▪ E4.0.03: Percent of participants reporting an increase in soft skills as a result of their program participation

▪ E4.0.05: Percent of participants who report an increase in technical skills as a result of their program participation

▪ E4.0.09: Percent of participants reporting an increase in language skills as a result of their program participation o Sub-Objective 4.1: Participants engage in language, academic, professional, and cultural exchange programs

▪ E4.1.01: Total number of participants (core indicator)

▪ E4.1.02: Total number of program cohorts (core indicator)

▪ E4.1.04: Number of professional placements

• Objective 6: Increase Capacity of ECA partner institutions to achieve program strategic goals o Sub-Objective 6.1: Increase capacity of implementing partners and educational institutions for the internationalization of programs

▪ E6.1.02: Number of exchange participants from or hosted by Minority-Serving Institutions participating in ECA (both funded and private sector) exchanges (core indicator)

• Objective 8: Enhance the quality and effectiveness of ECA programs by leveraging the Bureau’s resources, policy, and stakeholder relationships

▪ E8.0.03: Response rate for participant surveys (core indicator)

Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs) ECA recommends the use of a PMP to serve as the primary reference document for performance monitoring for this award. If used, the PMP is an important part of any proposal, as it outlines how the applicant plans to track progress towards the proposed program’s goals and objectives through indicators and corresponding data collection questions. A PMP document that includes all MODE Framework indicators is a part of this solicitation’s attachments. Specific instructions on how to modify the PMP to be responsive to this solicitation are included in that document. While ECA recommends the applicant use the PMP format provided, this is not a requirement. If a PMP is not included in the proposal, applicants should provide similar information to that found in the suggested PMP format, in a presentation of your choice. A training on how to complete a PMP is available here:

https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and . Successful PMPs (or similar documentation) should include the following:

• Objectives: Programmatic objectives are statements of the condition(s) that state what the program is designed to achieve. Objectives are therefore bound by the resources and timeframe of the program and must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound (SMART; see the ECA Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation (MELI) Unit’s pages on the ECA website for more information: https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-evaluation-division/capacity-building).

In addition to those outlined above, the applicant may propose other program objectives from the MODE Framework, the Functional Bureau Strategy (https://eca.state.gov/about-bureau), or other applicant-designed program-specific objectives.

• Indicators: Performance indicators are measures used to gauge progress toward programmatic objectives and sub-objectives. Indicators should be as specific as possible (following the SMART principles) and include any proposed disaggregations (meaning, breakdowns of the data by subgroups, such as gender or country; the PMP lists the demographic questions required to obtain the information necessary to report the disaggregations). Each indicator should also include a target number to be achieved. A target is a planned level of result to be achieved within an explicit timeframe.

https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-monitoring-evaluation-learning-and-innovation-meli-unit/mode-framework-eca-applicants-and https://eca.state.gov/impact/eca-evaluation-division/capacity-building https://eca.state.gov/about-bureau

• If you do not use the PMP format provided, note that any performance monitoring reference document the applicant submits should include the information in the column headers (Indicator Name, Definition, Target, Survey Question, etc.) in the PMP attachment at a minimum.

• In addition to those indicators outlined in above, the applicant may propose additional custom, program-specific indicators in the PMP (ECA recommends the proposed PMPs include a minimum of one indicator for each custom programmatic objective).

• During the period of performance of the award, the ECA program office may further revise, add, or remove indicators. Therefore, the applicant’s PMP and data collection instruments should be flexible enough to incorporate those once established.

Award recipients are responsible for collecting indicator data only on participant outcomes during the period of performance of the award itself (see the PMP for guidelines as to when these data collection efforts should occur). ECA will measure outcomes of ECA participants at one, three, five, and 10 years after the exchange has ended to capture the long-term impact of ECA programming unless otherwise specified in the NOFO and/or POGI. In this instance, the recipient will be responsible for coordinating with ECA on any alumni surveys to de-duplicate questions and minimize potential survey fatigue.

Award recipients will be required to submit an upload of the raw data (in CSV format) along with the MyGrants RPM reporting (see below). Regardless of the survey platform used, all MODE Framework survey questions outlined above are required (i.e., should be forced response); please see the Consent Language in the MODE Framework Indicator Book for more information on how to convey this to participants/survey respondents.

Program Performance M&E Narrative The applicant should include information within the program narrative section(s) of the proposal that outlines how the applicant intends to measure the indicators listed above. This will be separate from the PMP and should include but not be limited to:

• An overview of resources available to the applicant that outline the team structure and responsibilities surrounding performance monitoring.

• The mechanism(s) through which surveys and other data collection tools (if applicable) will be administered, including which platform will be used, and when and how surveys will be advertised to participants – detailing strategies to ensure adequate survey response rates (https://eca.state.gov/files/bureau/eca_eval_division_survey_response_rates.pdf), and to reduce selection and non-response bias.

• A brief explanation of data analysis and reporting procedures.

https://eca.state.gov/files/bureau/eca_eval_division_survey_response_rates.pdf

• An overview of a proposed learning plan and feedback loops to ensure that the Grant Officer (GO)/Grant Officer Representative (GOR) are informed on performance monitoring issues at regular intervals.

MyGrants RPM Reporting Requirements MyGrants is a database solution that serves as the official system of record for all U.S.

Department of State and ECA awards. The Results Performance Monitoring (RPM) module within MyGrants is an extension module that enables users to report performance monitoring data in the same system where they currently manage federal assistance actions. As part of ECA’s efforts to streamline data collection and management, the recipient(s) of this award will be required to input performance reporting data outlined in this solicitation into the MyGrants RPM. The data stored in the MyGrants RPM will provide ECA with a bureau-wide, uniform M&E reporting tool that is already linked with other elements of the awards familiar to existing awardees.

D.11. Virtual Exchange Component When changing political, health, environmental, or other similar circumstances require a suspension or halt of in-person activities and where ECA determines that a virtual alternative is appropriate and viable, award recipients should demonstrate the ability and capacity to transition from in-person to virtual exchanges. Proposals should demonstrate the organization’s capacity to provide innovative options for virtual activities to substitute for in-person engagement for program participants. Organizations should consider how they will implement virtual exchange activities, given the potential limits to internet access from participants in some locations and while continuing to advance foreign policy objectives and achieve lasting benefits for U.S. citizens and international participants.

In addition to planning for virtual exchange activities if in-person programming is prohibited, ECA welcomes innovative ideas on how organizations can leverage virtual programming technologies during or in addition to in-person programming. ECA encourages organizations submitting proposals in response to this solicitation to suggest one or more virtual exchange components to complement the in-person exchange. The virtual exchange component(s) could come before, during and/or after the physical exchange. The objective for the virtual exchange component(s) is to augment the impact of the in-person exchange described in this solicitation.

ECA encourages organizations to propose virtual exchange ideas that take advantage of ECA’s existing web and social networking platforms. Virtual exchange components would be coordinated with and approved by the ECA program office and U.S. missions abroad on a project-by-project basis.

D.12. Communications Guidance for ECA Recipients All ECA Recipients must adhere to the requirements in ECA’s Communications Guidance on the creation of program branding and attribution, websites, social media, and press.

https://eca.state.gov/comms-guidance

D. 13. Celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial ECA is excited to play a key role in making the Semiquincentennial – commonly known as “America250” – a truly global celebration. As the period of performance for this award is scheduled to cover part or all of calendar year (CY) 2026, the applicant may wish to consider ways the program can celebrate America250. Any America250 focused activities or plans will be subject to ECA approval and direction, and changes may be requested by ECA. Use of any ECA-provided America250 brand elements will be subject to advance ECA approval and require adherence to Department of State and ECA guidelines for such branding.

D.14. Budget Format Applicants must submit SF-424A (Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs) along with a detailed, line-item budget for the entire program and a budget narrative. There must be a summary budget as well as breakdowns reflecting both overhead and staffing and participant support costs. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.

D.14.a. Allowable costs for the program include, but are not limited to, the following:

Travel: International and domestic airfare; airline baggage and seat fees; visas; transit costs;

ground transportation costs. Please note that all air travel must comply with the Fly America Act. There is no charge for J-1 visas for participants in Bureau-sponsored projects.

Per Diem: For U.S.-based programming, organizations should use up to the published Federal per diem rates for individual U.S. cities.

Book and Cultural Allowances: Participants, as appropriate, are entitled to a cultural allowance of $150 per person, plus a book allowance of $50.

Consultants: Consultants may be used to provide specialized expertise or to make presentations. Honoraria rates should not exceed $250 per day per session. Organizations are encouraged to cost-share rates that would exceed that figure.

Sub-Award Costs: Should a proposal include sub-award organizations a draft written agreement between the prospective awardee and sub-awardee should be included in the proposal. Such subawards should detail the division of responsibilities and proposed costs, and subcontracts should be itemized in the budget.

Room Rental: The rental of meeting space should not exceed $250 per day per activity. Any rates that exceed this amount should be cost shared.

Materials: Proposals may contain costs to purchase, develop and translate materials for participants, as needed.

Supplies: Applicants may propose to use award funds to purchase supplies and should be justified in the budget narrative.

Working Meal: One working meal may be provided during U.S.-based and foreign-based components. Per capita costs for working meals may not exceed $45/person, excluding room rental and other overhead charges. The number of invited guests may not exceed participants by more than a factor of two-to-one.

Return Travel Allowance: A return travel allowance of $70 for participants may be included in the budget. This allowance would cover incidental expenses incurred during international travel.

Health Benefits and Travel Insurance: The award recipient will be responsible for working with ECA to ensure that both foreign and U.S. participants are enrolled in the ECA-sponsored ASPE.

The premium is paid by ECA and should not be included in the proposal budget. Applicants may include costs for travel insurance for both foreign and U.S. participants in the budget.

Wire Transfer Fees: When necessary, applicants may include costs to transfer funds to foreign-based partner organizations. Award recipients are urged to research applicable taxes that may be imposed on these transfers by host governments.

In-Country Travel Costs for Visa Processing Purposes: Visas for foreign fellows are provided by the U.S. Department of State and should not be included in the budget.