FY2023 BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund NOFO.pdf

Department of State

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO):

FY 2023 BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0009199

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) Number: 19.451

Key Date/Application Deadline: November 14, 2022

Executive Summary: The Office of Private Sector Exchange (BridgeUSA) of the Bureau of

Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for the administration of the FY 2023 BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund. The Office plans to issue one cooperative agreement of approximately $260,000, pending the availability of FY 2022 recovery funds that are being carried over for obligation in FY 2023, to implement the BridgeUSA STEM

Scholarship Fund in the academic and professional categories. 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 approximately 50 STEM scholarships to foreign university students, scholars, and professionals evenly distributed across Africa (AF), East Asia and Pacific (EAP), and Western Hemisphere (WHA) regions. Proposals must include a focus on climate change and should include U.S. partnership collaboration with institutions that focus on various STEM fields shared across continents, including improving understanding of climate systems, developing precision agricultural capabilities, enhancing risk assessment tools, and increasing societal resilience in the face of catastrophic natural or human induced disasters.

AF: Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. 22 participants across the region.

EAP: Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New

Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. 10 participants across the region.

WHA: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican

Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. 18 participants across the region.

ECA reserves the right to add or remove eligible countries and/or regions prior to the issuance of the award. The proposal must demonstrate the applicant’s flexibility to work with ECA and demonstrate the interest and ability to deliver customized experiences. No invitations to participate in the BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Initiative may be issued without U.S.

Department of State approval.

The award recipient will recruit exchange visitors from marginalized populations (social, political, and economic). The program will be administered over 36 months from the date the award is made. The scholarships would cover exchange visitors’ program fees, including placement at a U.S.-based host organization, health benefits coverage, visa, and SEVIS-related fees, and airfare. These scholarships will allow exchange visitors from underrepresented communities to participate in an invaluable exchange program. Exchange visitors may receive stipends/ wages from their placement host organizations. Exchange visitors are not to be compensated through grant/award funds. The award recipient shall abide by the rules and regulations governing the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) as stipulated at 22 CFR Part 62. The award recipient must either be a designated J-1 visa sponsor or, if not currently designated, must identify a designated J-1 visa sponsor as a subaward recipient. Applications must include a

Letter of Commitment from the chosen sub-award recipient.

The purpose of the BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund is to provide underserved foreign college and university students, scholars, and professionals with opportunities to interact with

U.S. citizens, experience U.S. culture while sharing their own cultures with Americans they meet, travel in the United States, and train or conduct research in fields related to their areas of study or expertise. The BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund would further ECA’s goal of increasing the number of STEM focused educational and cultural exchanges in the United States.

Following the issuance of the Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education in July 2021, and the release of the Interim National Security Strategy, the U.S. Department of

State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) worked with the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to create the BridgeUSA Early Career STEM

Research Initiative, which launched on January 19, 2022.

The Initiative seeks to connect BridgeUSA private sector exchange sponsors with interested

U.S.-based STEM host institutions to foster exchanges that increase STEM research, training, and teaching by exchange visitors. The BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund furthers this initiative by providing approximately 50 exchange visitors with scholarships in the Intern, Trainee, College/University Student, and Research Scholar EVP categories evenly distributed across AF, EAP, and WHA regions with a focus on climate change. Applicants should also address the following: In AF, emphasis should be on critical and emerging technologies and eco-innovation with regards to waste, along with global health, emerging technology, women, and underrepresented groups in STEM. In WHA, emphasis should be placed on the intersection of environment and public health. In EAP (Pacific Islands), emphasis should be clean-energy innovation and deployment, climate adaptation, resilience, and preparedness.

The BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund award recipient will have the primary oversight responsibility for recruitment and selection of a diverse group of exchange visitors. Participating

U.S. Embassies would be encouraged to identify eligible exchange visitors and submit candidate nominations to the award recipient through the ECA program office. The U.S. Embassies and award recipient would publicly award the STEM scholarships, provide exchange visitors with additional screening, host organization placements, and support for the duration of their scholarships. The award recipient will work in partnership with BridgeUSA to coordinate the administration of the exchange program, as outlined in 22 CFR Part 62 EVP regulations (Subpart

A and Subpart B), support networking and alumni activities for program exchange visitors, and develop a robust evaluation system to measure program effectiveness. This will include developing program marketing and recruitment resources, administering pre-arrival and in-country orientations, and managing all other program-related activities. Additionally, the award recipient will launch and facilitate, for the duration of this cooperative agreement, a BridgeUSA

STEM Scholarship Fund social media site (e.g., LinkedIn; Facebook) for exchange visitors and alumni, who must sign a written media consent waiver. The social media platform will be used for current and former exchange visitors to share experiences, exchange ideas, and stay connected beyond the end of the program. The award recipient will work with BridgeUSA to connect exchange visitors and alumni with ECA’s International Exchange Alumni network.

The BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship recipients may be subject to 212(e) 2-year home residency requirement. More information on this requirement can be found at travel.state.gov.

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.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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.

Purpose: In order to enhance the U.S. Department of State’s engagement with BridgeUSA program exchange visitors in support of U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy objectives, ECA’s BridgeUSA is issuing a NOFO for $260,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds, to conduct the FY 2023 the BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund. One of the most effective ways to combat disinformation about the United States and democracy is to provide people with a new cognitive framework for seeing the United States and understanding democracy --- and that can only happen via first-hand experience. This is an opportunity for foreign students and professionals to study, train, and travel to the United States for longer periods of time so they can better understand the United States and Americans. The BridgeUSA programs are a unique opportunity to experience first-hand American culture and traditions.

Background: BridgeUSA supports ECA’s mission by facilitating educational and cultural exchange programs for approximately 300,000 exchange visitors who come to the United States each year to participate in 13 different program categories. BridgeUSA designates and monitors approximately 1,500 “sponsor organizations” that recruit, place, and monitor “exchange visitors” from more than 200 countries and territories. Through people-to-people exchanges, BridgeUSA supports the Department’s foreign policy objectives and strategic priorities, including creating resilient communities, addressing disinformation by supporting civil society, open transparent institutions, global health, climate change, emerging technology, women and underrepresented groups in STEM, diversity and inclusion, and human rights. Since 2006, over four million exchange visitors have participated in BridgeUSA programs. Exchange visitors who experience successful BridgeUSA programs become “citizen ambassadors” who share their new understanding of American values with their friends and family upon return home. In partnership with designated sponsors, BridgeUSA recognizes that the foundation of successful exchanges is ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all exchange visitors. Other factors that contribute to successful experiences include safe and secure housing and transportation;

integration into the community/workplace; and acquisition of new skills, including improved

English language proficiency. The Department and program sponsors continuously seek ways to improve all programmatic components to ensure the development of a large cadre of program alumni who serve as lifelong citizen ambassadors.

This cooperative agreement seeks to further expand BridgeUSA’s engagement with exchange visitors from underrepresented regions by offering 50 BridgeUSA scholarships in the Intern, Trainee, College/University Student, and Research Scholar categories, focusing on students or scholars working or studying in STEM fields from WHA, EAP, and AF. STEM fields are defined by ECA on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated

Degree Program List, which is a complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields. Additional information can be found at: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stemList2022.pdf.

In close coordination with BridgeUSA, the award recipient should be prepared to administer the

BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund in accordance with 22 CFR Part 62 EVP regulations, and as specified in the cooperative agreement, including but not limited to recruitment, screening and selection of candidates, distribution of scholarship funds to exchange visitors, placement of exchange visitors with pre-selected host organizations, providing pre-arrival and in-country orientations, monitoring of program exchange visitors, and evaluation of program the effectiveness.

The award recipient shall have the major responsibility of selecting and placing exchange visitors with vetted host organization that correctly matches the exchange visitors’ background and interests for STEM-related programs. Exchange visitors under the Intern/Trainee J-1 categories will require structured training using the Training/ Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP)

Form DS-7002. For this program, duration of participation shall be no less than 6 months and no more than 12 months for Intern category; no more than 18 months for Trainee category; and for

Research Scholar category participation would be for the length of time necessary to complete his or her program, provided such time does not exceed three years. For the College/University

Student category, duration of participants will depend on whether the exchange visitor is https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stemList2022.pdf pursuing a degree, non-degree, or Student Intern program. Program activities should be individualized to meet the needs of the individual intern, trainee, college/university student, or research scholar.

Proposals should demonstrate the proposed program activities for the STEM program including how various activities/ components of program will enrich the exchange visitors in the U.S.

including collaborations to, 1) Expand enrollment and development for underrepresented minorities in STEM academic careers and undergraduate STEM studies, 2) Explore research of climate change mitigation methods and training of change makers/young people from vulnerable countries currently struggling with persistent drought, extreme temperatures, and rising sea levels. For example, the proposal may submit Letters of Commitment from U.S. organizations with whom they will collaborate on exchange visitor placements. These placements should allow for meaningful discussions and learning about the challenges and opportunities shared by both U.S. regions and international locations and discuss ways in which their strategies are translatable across communities.

Proposals must include a focus on climate change for all three regions. In AF, emphasis should be on critical and emerging technologies and eco-innovation with regards to waste, along with global health, emerging technology, and women and underrepresented groups in STEM. In

WHA, emphasis should be placed on the intersection of environment and public health. In EAP

(Pacific Islands), emphasis should be clean-energy innovation and deployment, climate adaptation, resilience, and preparedness. Proposals should include U.S. partnership collaboration with institutions that focus on the various STEM fields shared across continents, including but not limited to 1) Supporting climate change research to improve understanding and predictability of the climate systems and related human and environmental systems; 2) Advancing precision agriculture capabilities – this component aims to support training/research to improve the use of advanced sensing systems in rural agricultural areas/ communities, and highlight improving productivity as a goal for activities; and 3) Cultivating Risk and Resilience – this component supports training, studies/research related to risk assessment and predictability, and development of tools and technologies for increased societal resilience in the face of catastrophic natural or human induced disasters.

The award recipient, in coordination with participating U.S. embassies and ECA, will be responsible for but not limited to recruitment, screening and selection of candidates, distribution of scholarship funds to exchange visitors, placement of exchange visitors with pre-selected host organizations, providing pre-arrival and in-country orientations, monitoring of exchange visitors, and evaluation of program the effectiveness.

Prior to departing for the U.S., all individuals selected are required to have a pre-departure orientation and are enrolled in compliant health and accident coverage. Upon completion of their programs, exchange visitors shall be required to return to their home country and contribute to the goals of their respective host-country organizations, as a condition of accepting

Department of State sponsorship. Exchange visitors are supervised by host organization’s specific location who have full supervisory authority and receive direct and/or indirect guidance and supervision from the staff of the award recipient and host organization during their U.S.

programs.

BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund Program Administration and Implementation:

Pre-departure Information, Advising, and Support

Pre-departure support must be coordinated closely across ECA, U.S. Embassies and host/ placement organizations. Support will include participation in pre-departure orientations, the development of printed and electronic pre-departure materials, access to English-language learning materials, and direct engagement with host organizations prior to departure to assess any needs for individual program accommodations and to ensure readiness for travel and participation in the program. The applicant is encouraged to propose additional virtual or in-country programming between the cooperating partner/host organization and exchange visitors, including with program alumni, to support exchange visitors prior to departure. Programming and materials should be designed for exchange visitors who may be traveling abroad for the first time.

U.S. Arrival and Pre-program Orientation

A U.S. arrival orientation must be provided for all exchange visitors prior to the start of the program activities year, anticipated in summer 2023. Programs shall be no less than 80 hours of orientation and arrival content over a span of no more than three weeks. Applicant organizations must clearly justify the length of time proposed.

The pre-program activities must provide incoming exchange visitors with English language immersion and orientation to U.S. academic and organizational culture to improve their readiness for a U.S. higher education system or corporate environment. In addition to building familiarity with the resources available at host organizations, the pre-program preparedness also aims to facilitate success outside of the campus by building skills for success and familiarizing exchange visitors with expectations for behavior and program participation, the rules and regulations of the host organizations, and the laws of the U.S. communities with a focus on navigating topics such as gender and diversity within the U.S. context. The pre-program orientation must also provide scholars with opportunities for cultural exchange as well as foster a basic understanding of current issues in U.S. society and U.S. social values to foster richer intercultural exchange and engagement with their host communities. Programming should represent the diversity of U.S.

society and culture and include a balance of speakers that represent American diversity and offer diverse perspectives and viewpoints.

Current BridgeUSA program eligibility requirements state that applicants need a basic working knowledge of the English language as demonstrated by meeting standardized minimum testing scores or hailing from countries or schools where English language is the main mode of instruction in schools.

Participants must also have opportunities to share their cultures and perspectives with

Americans. For example, activities may include exchange visitor presentations about their country or culture to college classes, local schools and community groups, and participation in community-programming.

Health, Safety, and Security of Exchange Visitors

Proposals must demonstrate how the program administrator will safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of exchange visitors in the program design and through exchange visitor monitoring.

Proposals shall also include flexibilities and contingency planning to demonstrate the proposed institutions’ ability to respond to needs that may arise during implementation of the program.

For example, best practices for responding to local, national, or international events or emergencies, such as the Coronavirus pandemic and/or natural disasters, should be incorporated into planning and implementation for program exchange visitors. Proposals should include clear protocols on responding to exchange visitor emergencies.

Alumni Engagement, Follow-on Activities, and Reporting

Alumni activities are an important part of the Bureau’s academic exchange programs. Activities ease the returnees’ transitions home, strengthen the BridgeUSA alumni network, and will build the BridgeUSA STEM brand. Alumni programming in the form of professional development activities, virtual programming, blogs, newsletters, and use of social media provides critical program follow-on and maximizes and extends the benefit of the exchange visitors’ experiences in the United States. Proposals should outline how host organization or colleges will creatively organize and support alumni activities in close collaboration with ECA and the appropriate U.S.

Embassies. Proposals should describe how long-term links with BridgeUSA alumni will be fostered and maintained. Proposals should provide a purposeful plan with an anticipated timeline for continued follow-on BridgeUSA STEM and country-specific alumni engagement using both ECA and BridgeUSA resources and networks and in partnership with the U.S.

Embassy. Plans should be designed to be sustainable without continued ECA support.

Alumni tracking is critical for the evaluation of the program and for the implementation of worthwhile follow-on programs. Exchange visitor and alumni data must be transferable to the database maintained at ECA. Alumni impact stories and social media properties must also be transferred to ECA at the end of any award agreement. Recipients are required to collect, maintain, store, and transfer data on exchange visitors/alumni, ensuring personally identifiable information (PII) is protected per Bureau guidelines. Proposals must demonstrate capacity to manage exchange visitor data per Bureau guidelines, respond to Bureau data requests, and maintain or transfer historical records beyond the duration of the cooperative agreement.

Goals: The mission of BridgeUSA is to provide countless opportunities for international candidates looking to travel and gain experience in the United States. The multifaceted programs enable foreign nationals to come to the United States to teach, study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills or receive on the job training for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years. BridgeUSA’s mission – to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries – remains vital to U.S. national security and building people-to-people connections around the world. Through the FY 2023 BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund, BridgeUSA aims to:

1. Promote mutual understanding and lasting partnerships between exchange visitors from foreign countries and the United States;

2. Provide opportunities for exchange visitors to collaborate and share ideas, approaches, and strategies to develop solutions to pressing local and global challenges;

3. Increase Americans’ global competitiveness by expanding education to restore the nation’s historic strengths by ensuring our policy incentivizes the world’s best and brightest to study and work in America;

4. Pursue a science and technology approach to climate change and migration;

5. Increase STEM research, training, and teaching opportunities for exchange visitors from priority countries that advance U.S. foreign policy objectives;

6. Build a global network of like-minded professionals committed to creating positive change in their workplaces and communities.

Organizational Capacity: Applicant organizations must demonstrate in their proposals their capacity for conducting international educational and cultural exchanges, supporting exchange alumni engagement activities, and providing substantive programming for students and scholars.

Proposals should also illustrate in their proposals the breadth of their experience working in international exchange and a record of flexibility and adaptability in programming under short timelines or challenging conditions. Proposals should include concrete examples in which the organization has responded quickly to rapidly evolving circumstances, including, if possible, examples that demonstrate the ability to recruit exchange visitors from a diverse and geographically dispersed community.

Partner/ Host Organizations: Applicants should provide examples of organizations with whom they would partner to host organizations. In addition, applicants must demonstrate the breadth of their experience working with exchange visitor students and scholars, including professional development programming, virtual engagement, and the development of

Training/Internship Placement Plans (T/IPP) and alumni networks. Applicant organizations must demonstrate the ability to provide appropriate professional host organization placements for a diverse group of exchange visitors. Strong proposals should include partners that may assist in the selection and placement of exchange visitors and are STEM-related institutions.

Guidelines:

The cooperative agreement will begin on or about January 1, 2023. The award period should be approximately 36 months in duration, and cover all aspects of program planning, recruitment, professional development activities, and connecting scholarship program alumni. Applicants should provide a proposed a timeline covering the three years of the award implementation, including recruitment schedule and planning milestones.

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

A.1. Recipient Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the recipient organization are as follows:

Oversee all aspects of BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund including, but not limited to recruitment, screening and selection of candidates, distribution of scholarship funds to exchange visitors, placement of exchange visitors with pre-selected host organizations, providing pre-arrival and in-country orientations, monitoring of program exchange visitors, and evaluation of program the effectiveness.

The obligations for administering training and internship programs are outlined in 22 CFR 62

Part 62.22.

Recipient Obligations of training and internship program.

1) Award recipients designated by the Department to administer training and internship programs must:

(i) Ensure that trainees and interns are appropriately selected, placed, oriented, supervised, and evaluated;

(ii) Be available to trainees and interns (and host organizations, as appropriate) to assist as facilitators, counselors, and information resources;

(iii) Ensure that training and internship programs provide a balance between the trainees' and interns' learning opportunities and their contributions to the organizations in which they are placed;

(iv) Ensure that the training and internship programs are full-time (minimum of 32 hours a week); and

(v) Ensure that any host organizations and third parties involved in the recruitment, selection, screening, placement, orientation, evaluation for, or the provision of training and internship programs are sufficiently educated on the goals, objectives, and regulations of the Exchange

Visitor Program and adhere to all regulations set forth in this part as well as all additional terms and conditions governing Exchange Visitor Program administration that the Department may from time to time impose.

2) Award recipient must certify that they or any host organization acting on its behalf:

(i) Have sufficient resources, plant, equipment, and trained personnel available to provide the specified training and internship program;

(ii) Provide continuous on-site supervision and mentoring of trainees and interns by experienced and knowledgeable staff;

(iii) Ensure that trainees and interns obtain skills, knowledge, and competencies through structured and guided activities such as classroom training, seminars, rotation through several departments, on-the-job training, attendance at conferences, and similar learning activities, as appropriate in specific circumstances;

(iv) Conduct periodic evaluations of trainees and interns, as set forth in CFR 62.22(l);

(v) Do not displace full- or part-time or temporary or permanent American workers or serve to fill a labor need and ensure that the positions that trainees and interns fill exist primarily to assist https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-62.22#p-62.22(l) trainees and interns in achieving the objectives of their participation in training and internship programs; and

3) Award recipients or any third parties acting on their behalf must complete thorough screening of potential trainees or interns, including a documented interview conducted by the recipient either in-person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option.

(4) Sponsors must retain all documents referred to in CFR 62.22(f) for at least three years following the completion of all training and internship programs. Documents and any requisite signatures may be retained in either hard copy or electronic format.

Use of third parties -

1) Sponsors use of third parties. Award recipients may engage third parties (including, but not limited to host organizations, partners, local businesses, governmental entities, academic institutions, and other foreign or domestic agents) to assist them in the conduct of their designated training and internship programs. Such third parties must have an executed written agreement with the sponsor to act on behalf of the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's program. This agreement must outline the obligations and full relationship between the sponsor and third party on all matters involving the administration of their exchange visitor program. A sponsor's use of a third party does not relieve the sponsor of its obligations to comply with and to ensure third party compliance with Exchange Visitor Program regulations. Any failure by any third party to comply with the regulations set forth in this part or with any additional terms and conditions governing Exchange Visitor Program administration that the Department may from time to time impose will be imputed to the sponsors engaging such third party.

2) Screening and vetting third parties operating outside the United States. Sponsors must ascertain that third parties operating outside the United States are legitimate entities within the context of their home country environment. For third parties that operate as businesses, sponsors must obtain relevant home country documentation, such as a business registration or certification. Such home country documentation must include an English Language translation for any business registration or certification documents submitted in a foreign language. Written agreements between sponsors and third parties operating outside the United States must include annually updated price lists for training and internship programs offered by each third party and must indicate that such overseas third parties are sufficiently trained in all aspects of the programs they represent, including the regulations set forth in this part.

3) Screening and vetting host organizations. Sponsors must adequately screen all potential host organizations at which a trainee or intern will be placed by obtaining the following information:

(i) Employer Identification Number (EIN) used for tax purposes;

(ii) Third party verification of telephone number, address, and professional activities, e.g., via advertising, brochures, Web site, and/or feedback from prior participants; and

(iii) Verification of Worker's Compensation Insurance Policy or equivalent in each state or, if applicable, evidence of state exemption from requirement of coverage.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-62.22#p-62.22(f)

4) Site visits of host organizations. Sponsors must conduct site visits of host organizations that have not previously participated successfully in the sponsor's training and internship programs and that have fewer than 25 employees or less than three million dollars in annual revenue.

Placements at academic institutions or at federal, state, or local government offices are specifically excluded from this requirement. The purpose of the site visits is for the sponsors to ensure that host organizations possess and maintain the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences according to individualized T/IPPs and that host organizations understand and meet their obligations set forth in this part.

Host organization obligations. Sponsors/ Recipients must ensure that:

1) Host organizations sign a completed Form DS-7002 to verify that all placements are appropriate and consistent with the objectives of the trainees or interns as outlined in their program applications and as set forth in their T/IPPs. All parties involved in internship programs should recognize that interns are seeking entry-level training and experience. Accordingly, all placements must be tailored to the skills and experience level of the individual intern;

2) Host organizations notify sponsors promptly of any concerns about, changes in, or deviations from T/IPPs during training and internship programs and contact sponsors immediately in the event of any emergency involving trainees or interns;

3) Host organizations abide by all federal, state, and local occupational health and safety laws;

4) Host organizations abide by all program rules and regulations set forth by the sponsors, including the completion of all mandatory program evaluations.

Training/internship placement plan (Form DS-7002).

1) Sponsors/Recipients must fully complete and obtain all requisite signatures on a Form DS-

7002 for each trainee or intern before issuing a Form DS-2019. Sponsors must provide each signatory an executed copy of the Form DS-7002. Upon request, trainees and interns must present their fully executed Form DS-7002 to Consular Officials during their visa interview.

2) To further distinguish between bona fide training for trainees or work-based learning for interns, which are permitted, and unskilled or casual labor positions which are not, all T/IPPs must:

(i) State the specific goals and objectives of the training and internship program (for each phase or component, if applicable);

(ii) Detail the knowledge, skills, or techniques to be imparted to the trainee or intern (for each phase or component, if applicable); and

(iii) Describe the methods of performance evaluation and the supervision for each phase or component, if applicable.

3) A T/IPP for trainees must be divided into specific and various phases or components, and for each phase or component must:

(i) Describe the methodology of training and

(ii) Provide a chronology or syllabus.

4) A T/IPP for interns must:

(i) Describe the role of the intern in the organization and, if applicable, identify various departments or functional areas in which the intern will work; and

(ii) Identify the specific tasks and activities the intern will complete.

Program exclusions. Sponsors designated by the Department to administer training and internship programs must not:

1) Place trainees or interns in unskilled or casual labor positions, in positions that require or involve child care or elder care; or in clinical or any other kind of work that involves patient care or patient contact, including any work that would require trainees or interns to provide therapy, medication, or other clinical or medical care (e.g., sports or physical therapy, psychological counseling, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, social work, speech therapy, early childhood education);

2) Place trainees or interns in positions, occupations, or businesses that could bring the Exchange

Visitor Program or the Department into notoriety or disrepute; or

3) Engage or otherwise cooperate or contract with a Staffing/Employment Agency to recruit, screen, orient, place, evaluate, or train trainees or interns, or in any other way involve such agencies in an Exchange Visitor Program training and internship program.

4) Issue a T/IPP for any trainee or intern for which the duties involve more than 20 per cent clerical work.

Recruitment, Selection, and Placement:

• Establish a system for receiving candidate applications or nominations, review each application for technical eligibility, and manage review of each candidate for medical clearance;

• Create and maintain an up-to-date file on each selected exchange visitor;

• Follow up with participating U.S. embassies regarding applications, documents, and visa appointments, and respond to their inquiries, copying the appropriate program officer in BridgeUSA;

• Review candidate applications and determine the best organization or college placement for each exchange visitor that will meet his/her academic and professional goals;

• Ensure that final placements establish diverse cohorts of exchange visitors at each host organization.

• Obtain approval of the relevant U.S. embassy Public Affairs Section and BridgeUSA program office on final candidate lists.

Pre-departure Support and Programming:

• Prepare and distribute pre-departure materials for U.S. Embassies or local partners to use during their in-country pre-departure orientations and coordinate virtual participation of consortia and ECA representatives in these events;

• Prepare pre-departure materials for individual exchange visitors that describe program components, participation expectations, and preparation guidelines, and oversee the dissemination of these materials to exchange visitors through U.S. Embassies or in-country partners;

• Ensure that each exchange visitor signs a Terms and Conditions document (approved by ECA) and completes all other participation requirements and necessary pre-travel paperwork;

• Prepare and send Forms DS-2019 and DS-7002 as soon as possible after placement to facilitate the visa application and adjudication process and at least 60 days before departure;

• Notify the U.S. Embassies of each candidate’s proposed U.S. arrival date and the date for sending travel itineraries for each exchange visitor;

• Arrange round-trip travel for the exchange visitors from their home cities to their U.S.

host institutions that is compliant with the Fly America Act and send this itinerary along with general travel information to each exchange visitor and the respective U.S.

Embassy;

• Coordinate pre-departure communication between award recipient and individual exchange visitors with pre-existing physical or mental health needs to facilitate pre-departure preparations and appropriate accommodations, as needed

Program Planning and Exchange Visitor Monitoring

• Arrange housing for each exchange visitor in conjunction with host organizations and share rules and regulations for housing with exchange visitors;

• Ensure that each exchange visitor receives an orientation upon arrival in the United

States;

• Enroll exchange visitors in ECA’s ASPE health benefits plan or alternative plan that meets J-1 visa requirements and is approved by ECA, advise exchange visitors about the benefits plan, and assist with claims as necessary;

• Monitor exchange visitors’ adjustment, health and well-being, and program performance. Oversee the coordination and implementation of health and safety protocols and procedures between all individual host campuses and the administrative partner. Manage exchange visitor issues and emergencies at all times in coordination with BridgeUSA, and submit exchange visitor incident report forms, as needed, based on ECA policy guidelines;

• Assist exchange visitors in developing an individual development plan;

• Develop and facilitate programming that will increase exchange visitors’ employability skills and assist them in applying for, obtaining, and participating in a professional training or continuing education directly related to the exchange visitors’ professional background;

• Assist exchange visitors in contributing to service-learning opportunities and developing leadership skills;

• Develop and facilitate educational and cultural enrichment activities;

• Plan and implement at least one BridgeUSA STEM-program cultural exchange event that facilitates exchange visitor personal and professional development and helps exchange visitors maximize their BridgeUSA experiences;

• Assist exchange visitors in preparing for re-entry and their transitions upon return home;

• Manage and monitor the J-1 visa duration and SEVIS status of the exchange visitors;

• Manage financial aspects of the program where applicable including accident and sickness benefits, host university agreements, taxes, and other activity costs;

• Assume overall responsibility for complying with all applicable tax treaties and federal, state, and local laws on tax withholding and reporting for exchange visitors;

Alumni Programming and Ongoing Engagement

• Track and maintain updated lists of alumni and facilitate follow-on activities with alumni after they return home; and

• Plan and coordinate activities that would create opportunities for BridgeUSA STEM-wide alumni engagement and amplify host organization alumni engagement efforts to strengthen both the program-specific brand and the BridgeUSA alumni network.

Additional Information:

All materials, publicity, and correspondence related to the program will acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The

Bureau will retain copyright use of and be allowed to distribute materials related to this program as it sees fit.

What to Include in Your Proposal

Executive Summary. The Executive Summary should be one page in length, formatted in Times

New Roman 12 with one-inch margins. The Executive Summary should include program title, goals of the program, names of potential partner organizations responsible for project implementation, and proposed numbers of exchange visitors.

Background Information on Implementing/ Host Organizations. Information on proposed organizations and staff involved in the implementation of the project, including the mission, relevant expertise in conducting programs of a related nature, including on-going and planned activities not including the proposed project. If the applicant has received awards from ECA in the past, please list examples of relevant projects by office (e.g., Citizen Exchanges, International

Visitors, Academic Exchanges, etc.), including project name, countries, year, and amount.

Roles and Responsibilities. A clear delineation of proposed roles and responsibilities for the potential award recipient and sub-recipient(s) in terms of project logistics, management, resources, and oversight.

Support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. A description on how the Bureau’s policy on

Support of Diversity will be integrated into all aspects of the program, including but not limited to program materials and training methodology. Please refer to guidance in the Proposal

Submission Instructions (PSI) and under section D.9. “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and

Freedom and Democracy Guidelines.”

Budget. Please refer to section D.13.a. in this document for allowable costs and the PSI for guidance on formatting your budget.

Acknowledging ECA’s Financial Support. An acknowledgment to follow guidance in the PSI entitled "Acknowledgment of ECA’s Financial Support and Use of the Department Seal."

Proposals should also indicate agreement to use the "BridgeUSA" logo in all relevant program materials, applications, websites, and other related materials.

Resumes. Resumes of principal staff of all partner/host organizations involved in the implementation of the program should be included. Resumes should be no more than two pages in length.

Letters of Commitment and/or Letters of Support. Letters of commitment or support from partner organizations/partner institutions that demonstrate a capacity to arrange and conduct U.S.

and overseas activities should also be included.

Unsolicited Documents. Attachments that do not directly address the proposed project (i.e., organization brochures, pamphlets, unsolicited reports) are strongly discouraged.

A.2. Substantial Involvement: In a cooperative agreement, ECA is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. BridgeUSA’s activities and responsibilities for the FY 2023 BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Fund are as follows:

1. Assist with connecting scholarship program alumni with relevant U.S. Embassy and

BridgeUSA Alumni Network;

2. Reviewing and approving of all final program publicity and other material;

3. Assisting with all exchange visitor emergencies;

4. Liaising with relevant U.S. embassies and country desk officers at the U.S. Department of State, specifically in terms of recruitment and selection efforts;

5. Assisting in arrangements for the debriefing session with Department of State and Public

Affairs Sections (PASs) at U.S. embassies/consulates overseas;

6. Coordinating with the award recipient to publicize the program through various media outlets and social media platforms of ECA and Public Affairs Sections (PASs) at U.S.

embassies/consulates overseas.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. ECA’s level of involvement in this program is listed under A1. Substantial Involvement under A. Program Description.

Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2023

Approximate Total Funding: $260,000. pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.

Approximate Number of Awards: One.

Approximate Average Award: $260,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.

Minimum “Floor” of Award: $260,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.

Maximum “Ceiling” of Award: $260,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.

Anticipated Award Date: January 1, 2023, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: January 1, 2026.

Additional Information:

The Department reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets and exchange visitor numbers 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 Proposal Submission Instructions

(PSI) for additional information.

All applicants must also have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and be registered in

SAM.gov (see additional information about this requirement in D.3. and D.5. below).

C.2. Other Eligibility Requirements

The following additional eligibility requirements apply to this NOFO announcement:

a.) ECA’s grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $130,000 in ECA funding. ECA anticipates making one cooperative agreement, in an amount of $260,000 to support all costs required to implement this exchange program. Therefore, organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.

b.) For this proposal

All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO, POGI (if applicable), and the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI); non-compliance will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

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.

U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in

Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) that represent consortia or other combinations of accredited U.S. colleges/universities may submit only one proposal to cooperate with the Bureau under this competition.

U.S. institutions with J-1/ EVP designations in academic categories including the

Student, College/ University, Research Scholar, Intern, Trainee categories, may submit proposals.

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 Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document.

C.2.1 Eligible Countries: Under this NOFO, a single award will be issued for participating countries in the following regions: Africa (AF), East Asia and Pacific (EAP), and Western

Hemisphere (WHA).

ECA reserves the right to add or remove eligible countries and/or regions prior to the issuance of the award. The proposal must demonstrate the applicant’s flexibility to work with ECA and demonstrate the interest and ability to deliver customized experiences. No invitations to participate in the BridgeUSA STEM Scholarship Initiative may be issued without U.S.

Department of State approval.

The BridgeUSA award recipient will have the primary responsibility for recruitment…