FY22 SUSIs for GSL_NOFO.pdf

Department of State

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Notice of Funding Opportunity

(NOFO): FY 2022 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Global Student Leaders

Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement

Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0008583

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) Number: 19.009

Key Date/Application Deadline: April 7, 2022

Executive Summary: The Study of the U.S. Branch (ECA/A/E/USS), Office of Academic

Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), invites proposal submissions from accredited U.S. post-secondary education institutions (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public and private universities) and other U.S. public and private non-profit organizations (see Section C. Eligibility Information) for the design and implementation of five

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Global Student Leaders. Four Institutes will take place over the course of five weeks in summer 2023 and one Institute will take place in winter 2024.

See details in section A.4. Program Administration.

The SUSIs for Global Student Leaders provide multinational groups of undergraduate students with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions. Each of the five Institutes focuses on a theme or topics in U.S. studies and will be five weeks in duration, including an approximately four-week academic residency at a U.S. academic institution and an approximately one-week integrated educational study tour. The academic residency should take place on a U.S. university or college campus and should include academic coursework as well as weekly community service activities, weekly leadership and skills development sessions, and opportunities for interaction with speakers from diverse backgrounds and interaction with

American peers. The study tour should take participants to another region of the United States and complement the academic residency. The program should include opportunities for continued follow-on engagement once participants return home.

Each Institute should be organized for twenty (20) undergraduate students for a total of 100 participants across five Institutes. Each Institute will focus on one of the following selected themes: Civic Engagement (2 Institutes); Economic Empowerment; Climate Change and the

Environment; and Religious Diversity and Democracy. See details in section A.3. Institutes.

The award recipient will be responsible for planning, overseeing, and implementing the program, including the administration of all five Institute and the oversight and management of all subaward recipients under the award. 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 for an estimated total amount of $5,250,000. The awarding of the non-competitive continuations in FY 2023 and FY 2024 is contingent on the availability of funding and successful performance. Please see section B. Federal Award Information, below for additional details. ECA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets, participant numbers and countries, the number of Institutes, Institute themes and subtopics, and

Institute formats based on program needs and the availability of U.S. government funding.

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.

A.1. Purpose: Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders are intensive academic programs that provide groups of foreign undergraduate students with a deeper understanding of U.S.

society, culture, and institutions. Institutes include academic sessions; an integrated study tour;

leadership and skills development; community service activities; and opportunities to interact with a wide range of Americans. The primary goal is to provide foreign student leaders with an in-depth examination of a specific field of study while developing leadership skills and improving participants’ understanding of the United States.

A.2. Overview: The five Institutes should be five weeks in length. Participants should spend a minimum of four weeks at an academic host institution and one week on an integrated educational study tour. The educational study tour for each Institute should directly complement the academic residency and should include visits to cities and other sites of interest in the area surrounding the host institution as well as to another geographic region of the United States.

The academic program should include interactive lectures, group discussions, experiential learning activities, and educational exercises exploring the Institute theme. Weekly leadership and skills development sessions should focus on teambuilding, collective problem-solving, and effective communication, among other skills. Therefore, participants should gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills through the academic residency. Institutes should foster an inclusive environment by incorporating speakers and hosts from diverse backgrounds and encouraging open and collaborative discussion. Institutes should also include a community service component that facilitates weekly participation in volunteer activities, allowing participants to experience firsthand how non-profit organizations and volunteerism play a key role in U.S. civil society. Once participants return home, the program should include opportunities for continued follow-on engagement with their fellow SUSI alumni. Activities could include, but are not limited to, small grants, webinars, workshops, collaborative publications, or other ways to continue building on the five-week SUSI experience.

Four of the Institutes will take place in summer 2023 and one Institute will occur in winter 2024.

Each Institute will host approximately 20 foreign undergraduate students, for a total of 100 participants. All Institutes should take place on an accredited U.S. university or college campus.

Applicants are encouraged to propose institutes at a diverse range of host institutions that may include Minority Serving Institutions, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Predominantly Black Institutions, and Hispanic Serving Institutions; community colleges; as well as institutions in different geographic regions of the U.S., and in rural and urban communities. One cooperative agreement of up to $1,750,000 will support the program in the

FY 2022 base year of funding. Each U.S. academic institution selected to host an Institute should plan for costs of approximately $240,000 per Institute.

All Institutes should foster ECA’s mission to promote mutual understanding between citizens of other countries and citizens of the United States. Thus, the programs should include robust opportunities for participants to meet Americans from a variety of backgrounds, interact with their U.S. peers, and speak to appropriate student and civic groups about their experiences and life in their home countries. Please see the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation

(POGI) document for more information.

ECA’s goal is to conduct the SUSIs for Student Leaders in-person in summer 2023. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on travel and university operations, it is unclear when current travel restrictions and health advisories will allow for in-person program activities to take place. As such, proposals should include language to demonstrate maximum flexibility, creativity, and a rapid response capability for program planning and administration.

Applicants should also include plans to ensure continuity of services should the current situation continue for an extended period. The applicant should present innovative options for virtual activities to augment and/or substitute for in-person engagement with all program stakeholders if exchange travel is limited or not possible.

A.3. Institutes: All Institutes should enhance participants’ knowledge of U.S. history, government, institutions, society, and culture, while developing their leadership capacity and skills. The Institutes should incorporate a focus on U.S. historical events as well as contemporary American life, including current political, social, and economic debates in a pluralistic society. The overall themes and topics for these programs reflect global U.S. foreign policy priorities. The themes for the selected Institutes are:

• Civic Engagement: Topics may include, but are not limited to, responsibilities of citizens in a democracy; civil rights movements; social justice; gender equity;

community-building; grassroots and youth activism; strengthening democracy and defending against authoritarianism; addressing and fighting corruption; promoting respect for human rights; media literacy and countering disinformation; and the role of the voluntary sector. Two Institutes (one Institute for the Caucasus in summer 2023 and one

Institute for Sub-Saharan Africa in winter 2024).

• Economic Empowerment: Topics may include, but are not limited to, an overview of the U.S. economic system and structures; economic prosperity and opportunity; building sustainable economies; inequities within economies; financial access and inclusion;

entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems; social entrepreneurship; social capital development; financial literacy; organizational development and management; and adapting to the future of work. One Institute for the Middle East and North Africa.

• Climate Change and the Environment: Topics may include, but are not limited to, climate change impacts and mitigation; sustainable development; clean energy;

conservation; environmental justice; ocean protection; pollution; economic impact; public health; and the impact of climate change on underserved, youth, and minority populations and communities, including indigenous peoples. One Institute for multiple world regions, to be determined after award issuance. Regions may include East Asia and the

Pacific; the Middle East and North Africa; South and Central Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa;

and the Western Hemisphere.

• Religious Diversity and Democracy: Topics may include, but are not limited to, the intersection of religious diversity and pluralism with American democracy; the First

Amendment and separation of church and state; early religious traditions and the current religious landscape of the United States; conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue in a democracy; and the engagement of faith groups in civil society and the voluntary sector.

One Institute for multiple world regions, to be determined after award issuance. Regions may include East Asia and the Pacific; the Middle East and North Africa; and South and

Central Asia.

A.4. Program Administration: ECA is seeking detailed proposals from U.S. public and private non-profit organizations and accredited post-secondary U.S. higher education institutions

(community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public and private universities) meeting the eligibility requirements outlines under section C. Eligibility Information below. ECA intends to issue one cooperative agreement for the design, oversight, and implementation of all five SUSIs for Global

Student Leaders. The recipient may choose to conduct one Institute and provide and monitor sub-awards to three to four U.S. host institutions to conduct the other four Institutes. The recipient may also choose to provide sub-awards for all five SUSIs. Each institution may only host one Institute in summer 2023 but may choose to host one Institute in summer 2023 and one in winter 2024.

All proposals should demonstrate thematic expertise as well as any regional expertise, if applicable. Participating countries will be determined by ECA in coordination with regional bureaus and public affairs sections at U.S. embassies abroad.

ECA reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets, participant numbers and countries, the number of Institutes, Institute themes and subtopics, and

Institute formats based on program needs and the availability of U.S. government funding.

A.5. Participants: Participants in the SUSIs for Student Leaders will be highly motivated undergraduate students from around the world. All participants will be proficient in English.

Each Institute will host approximately 20 student leaders for a total of 100 participants in all five

Institutes. The recipient will NOT participate in the selection of participants. The U.S. embassy and consulates in each participating country will nominate candidates and ECA will make final participant selections. Every effort will be made to select gender-balanced groups. ECA will send a final list of participants to the award recipient in the spring prior to the summer Institutes and in the fall prior to the winter Institute. Please note that ECA reserves the right to amend participating countries should conditions change in the nominating country or if other countries are identified as U.S. priorities for other regions. Please see the Project Objectives, Goals, and

Implementation (POGI) document for more information on participants.

A.6. Program Guidelines: The award recipient is responsible for the conception, structure, and monitoring of all aspects of the Institutes and follow-on activities. Proposals must provide a detailed and comprehensive narrative describing the goals and objectives of the entire project.

The proposal must also include a sample academic syllabus and calendar demonstrating proposed components for each Institute and how they relate to the overall goals of the entire project. Other components should include descriptions of pre-departure preparation and logistics; administrative details and a staffing plan; plans for monitoring and communication with sub-recipients; incorporation of a diversity and inclusion framework into all aspects of the program; media and outreach plans’ budgets; and follow-on activities for, and engagement with, alumni. In addition, the proposal should also include a summary of the applicant’s or proposed host institution’s experience and expertise with relevant regions and/or the themes of civic engagement, climate change and the environment, economic empowerment, and religious diversity and democracy. For the Institutes, the proposal should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to recruit U.S. host colleges, universities, or non-profit organizations that reflect regional and other kinds of diversity, including public or private schools, urban or rural campuses, minority serving institutions, and community colleges. Institutes must take place on a U.S.

college or university campus.

Please see section D. Application and Submission Information for application submission requirements. Proposals will be reviewed on the basis of their responsiveness to the six review criteria listed in section E. Application Review Information in this NOFO. The accompanying

POGI provides program-specific guidelines that all proposals must fully address.

A.7. Substantial Involvement: In a cooperative agreement, the Study of the U.S. Branch

(ECA/A/E/USS) is substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. The Branch may request that the award recipient make modifications to the academic residency and/or educational travel components of the program. The award recipient will be required to obtain approval of significant program changes in advance of their implementation. The activities and the roles and responsibilities of the Department and your organization are outlined in the attached Project, Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document.

A.8. Non-Competitive Continuations: Proposal narratives should include a commitment to implement the program for the base year, plus two additional non-competitive continuations, 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 non-competitive continuations are exercised. ECA will perform an annual performance evaluation/review to determine if a non-competitive continuation will be exercised. Satisfactory performance and the availability of funds is a condition of continued administration of the program and execution of all non-competitive continuations.

B. Federal Award Information:

Type of Award: Cooperative agreement. ECA’s level of involvement in this program is listed under A. Program Description above.

Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2022 base year, up to $1,750,000, pending availability of funds; FY

2023 non-competitive continuation year one, up to $1,750,000, pending successful performance and the availability of funds; FY 2024 non-competitive continuation year two, up to $1,750,000, pending successful performance and the availability of funds.

Approximate Total Funding: $5,250,000. This figure represents base year plus two non-competitive continuation years, pending successful performance and the availability of funds.

Approximate Number of Awards: One.

Approximate Average Award: $1,750,000, pending the availability of funds.

Floor of Award Range: None.

Ceiling of Award Range: $1,750,000, pending the availability of funds.

Anticipated Award Date: August 1, 2022, pending the availability of FY 2022 funds.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2026. This date reflects the anticipation duration of the awards – one base year plus two non-competitive continuation years.

Additional Information: A cooperative agreement will be awarded for a period of 12 months

(base year) with non-competitive continuations for a second and third period of 12 and 26 months, respectively to ensure adequate time for post-Institute follow-on activities. ECA will notify the recipient of its intention to exercise or not to exercise a non-competitive continuation 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 non-competitive continuation will depend both on the satisfactory performance of the recipient 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 grant guidelines require that organizations that less than four years of experience in conducting international exchange programs will be limited to $130,000. ECA anticipates making one cooperative agreement in an amount of $1,750,000 to support 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. All proposals must comply with the following or they will result in a proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.

It is ECA’s intent to award one (1) cooperative agreement to one applicant organization to administer a total of five (5) Institutes under this competition.

c. 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 Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document.

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, recipients 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 recipients 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 ECA’s website at https://eca.state.gov/organizational-funding or from the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov.

D.2. Content and Form of Submission: Applicants must follow all instructions in the

Solicitation Package, including the Proposal Submission Instruction (PSI) document, which consists of required application forms and standard guidelines for proposal preparation. The application should be submitted per the instructions under D.16 “Application Deadline and

Method of Submission” section below.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier Number: Applicants are required to have a Unique Entity

Identifier (UEI) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the U.S.

Government. This number is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a UEI number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a UEI number, access http://www.dnb.com or call 1-866-705-5711. Please ensure that your UEI (Data

Universal Numbering System or DUNS) number is included in the appropriate box of the SF –

424 which is part of the formal application package. For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI (DUNS) number, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

D.4. Required Proposal Elements: All proposals must contain an executive summary, proposal narrative, budget, and budget narrative.

https://eca.state.gov/organizational-funding https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.dnb.com/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

D.5. Required Registration with the System for Award Management (SAM): All federal award applicants 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.

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. Failure to register in SAM.gov will render applicants ineligible to receive funding.

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

D.6. Federal Awardee Performance & Integrity Information System (FAPIIS): Prior to making a Federal Assistance award over $250,000, the Federal agency is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in FAPIIS (see 41 U.S.C. 2313) and accessible through SAM.gov. If an Applicant is currently in FAPIIS, they can comment on any information about its organization that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. The

Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, 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 2 CFR §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

D.7. Required Registration with SAMS Domestic: All ECA award recipient organizations and recipient contacts and signatories must be registered with the U.S. Department of State’s SAMS

Domestic by accessing https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com and clicking the “create an account” link. SAMS Domestic 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 SAMS

Domestic 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/.

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 https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/ https://afsitsm.servicenowservices.com/ilms/

In the event the ILMS Help Desk is unable to provide you with assistance in a timely manner, please contact ECA_SAMSDomestic@state.gov and copy the program officer associated with the solicitation.

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

D.8. Adherence To All Regulations Governing the J Visa: The Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs places critically important emphases 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 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 Designation, Private Sector Programs Division

U.S. Department of State

SA-4E (Bldg. 3)

2430 E Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20037

Please refer to Solicitation Package for further information.

D.9. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Freedom and Democracy Guidelines:

Pursuant to ECA’s authorizing legislation, “Diversity” should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences including race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic origin, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Proposals should demonstrate how diversity, equity, and inclusion will enhance the program’s goals and objectives and the participants’ exchange experience. Proposals should demonstrate how the program will further engage in 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 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” 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, and Inclusion” section in the “Proposal Submission

Instructions” document for specific suggestions on incorporating DEI into the proposal.

mailto:ECA_SAMSDomestic@state.gov http://j1visa.state.gov/

Public Law 104-319 provides that “in carrying out programs of educational and cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom and democracy,” the Bureau

“shall take appropriate steps to provide opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and democracy leaders of such countries.” Public Law 106 - 113 requires that the governments of the countries described above do not have inappropriate influence in the selection process. Proposals should reflect advancement of these goals in their program contents, to the full extent deemed feasible.

D.10. Program Monitoring and Evaluation: Please note: ECA plans to add standardized indicators and corresponding data collection questions for performance monitoring during the period of performance of this award. Therefore, proposed performance monitoring plans and data collection instruments should be flexible enough to incorporate those once established.

Proposals must include a plan to monitor and evaluate the project’s success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of the program. ECA recommends that your proposal include a draft survey questionnaire or other technique plus a description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original project objectives. ECA expects that the recipient organization will track participants or partners and be able to respond to key evaluation questions, including satisfaction with the program, learning as a result of the program, changes in behavior as a result of the program, and effects of the program on institutions (institutions in which participants work or partner institutions). The evaluation plan should include indicators that measure gains in mutual understanding as well as substantive knowledge.

Successful monitoring and evaluation depend heavily on setting clear goals and outcomes at the outset of a program. Your evaluation plan should include a description of your project’s objectives, your anticipated project outcomes, and how and when you intend to measure these outcomes (performance indicators). The more that outcomes are "smart" (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and placed in a reasonable time frame), the easier it will be to conduct the evaluation. You should also show how your project objectives link to the goals of the program described in this NOFO.

Your monitoring and evaluation plan should clearly distinguish between program outputs and outcomes. Outputs are products and services delivered, often stated as an amount. Output information is important to show the scope or size of project activities, but it cannot substitute for information about progress towards outcomes or the results achieved. Examples of outputs include the number of people trained or the number of seminars conducted. Outcomes, in contrast, represent specific results a project is intended to achieve and is usually measured as an extent of change. Findings on outputs and outcomes should both be reported, but the focus should be on outcomes.

We encourage you to assess the following four levels of outcomes, as they relate to the program goals set out in the NOFO (listed here in increasing order of importance):

1. Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange experience.

2. Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.

3. Participant behavior, such as concrete actions to apply knowledge in work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic organizations;

interpretation and explanation of experiences and new knowledge gained;

continued contacts between participants, community members, and others.

4. Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational improvements.

Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-term outcomes.

Overall, the quality of your monitoring and evaluation plan will be judged on how well it 1) specifies intended outcomes; 2) gives clear descriptions of how each outcome will be measured;

3) identifies when particular outcomes will be measured; and 4) provides a clear description of the data collection strategies for each outcome (i.e., surveys, interviews, or focus groups).

(Please note that evaluation plans that deal only with the first level of outcomes [satisfaction] will be deemed less competitive under the present evaluation criteria.)

Recipient organizations will be required to provide reports analyzing their evaluation findings to

ECA in their regular program reports. All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years and provided to ECA upon request.

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.

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 comprehensive budget for the entire program. There must be a summary budget, a detailed budget, and a budget narrative. Applicants may provide separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location, or activity to provide clarification.

D.15. Key Personnel: ECA recommends that the applicant identify intended key personnel positions via an asterisk (*) or other marking in the proposal budget, budget narrative, or a separate appendix. If not provided in the application, recipients must submit the names, titles, and brief biographical sketches of key personnel to the Grants Officer and GOR within 30 days of an award being issued. Additional information regarding key personnel requirements can be found in the State Department’s Standard Terms and Conditions, VI. Recipient Responsibility and Compliance with Federal Requirements (link to: https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/).

D.16. Non-Competitive Continuations: Pending successful performance and the availability of funds this award will utilize non-competitive continuations as discussed above.

D.16.a. For competitions that will exercise a non-competitive continuation applicants must submit:

• The SF-424A which must include the budget request amount for the base-year of the program.

• A detailed proposal narrative and budget for the base year of funding (Please refer to the

Proposal Submission Instruction Document (PSI) for general budget guidance). The https://eca.state.gov/comms-guidance https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ narrative should also include a brief commitment to implement the program for the base year, plus two additional non-competitive continuation years, pending successful program performance and the availability of funds.

• An abbreviated/estimated summary budget presenting the total projected costs for the anticipated total duration of programming (base year, plus two non-competitive continuation years).

D.16.b. To exercise the non-competitive continuation mechanism the recipient will be required to submit:

• Performance and financial reports on time.

• A request in writing to ECA at least 30 days in receipt of the NCC invitation.

• A summary budget that projects expenses through the end of the current year.

• A detailed budget outlining expenses for the requested non-competitive continuation year.

• A brief narrative to support the continuation of the award.

D.16.c. For awards using non-competitive continuations, in addition to the Substantial

Involvement for the cooperative agreement, the ECA Grants Officer and Program Officer will:

1. Closely monitor the recipient’s performance through site visits, desk audits, mandatory performance and financial reports, consultations, and other forms of communication and dialogue before exercising additional non-competitive continuations. (Additional details regarding monitoring and oversight of the program by ECA representatives will be provided at the time the base-year award is made.)

2. Review and evaluate all mandatory quarterly or semi-annual program and financial reports;

• All program and financial reporting requirements must be current and up-to-date before ECA will exercise additional non-competitive continuations.

• Any/all concerns, issues, or modifications requested by the Grants Officer or Program

Officer to the original program design or method of implementation must be responded to in writing.

• The ECA Grants Officer and Program Officer will review and advise of ECA’s approval or disapproval of the response before issuing subsequent non-competitive continuations.

3. Prior Grants Officer approval is required to utilize the remainder from an unobligated balance from a prior funding period to the subsequent funding period. If the Grants

Officer determines that some or all of the unobligated funds are not necessary to perform the program activity, the Grants Officer may decline the recipient’s request to utilize the remainder from the unobligated balance.

The Grants Officer may, at their discretion, use the unobligated balance to reduce or offset future funding for a subsequent funding period. An unobligated balance at the end of a funding period is not sufficient justification to utilize the remainder of funds. A final determination and approval to utilize the remainder of any funds will be communicated via a cost amendment with adjustment, if any, to new obligation amounts.

The request to utilize the remainder from an unobligated balance must include:

• A brief narrative as to why funds remain unobligated and how the unobligated funds will be used to complete the previously approved goals and objectives of the program; and,

• A detailed budget that reflects the amount of unobligated funds to date, and anticipated expenditures in the subsequent period of performance for all cost categories under the authorized budget.

D.17. Application Deadline and Method of Submission:

Application Deadline Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022

Method of Submission: Applications may only be submitted electronically through Grants.gov

(https://www.grants.gov). Complete solicitation packages are available at Grants.gov in the

“Search Grants” portion of the system.

D.18. Grants.gov Registration, Application Submission, and Receipt Procedures: Eligible organizations should follow the instructions available in the ‘Get Started’ portion of the site

(http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html).

D.18.a. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov: Applicants should read instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process.

Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Applicants should check with appropriate staff within their organizations immediately after reviewing this NOFO to confirm or determine their registration status with

Grants.gov. Organization applicants can find complete instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

D.18.b. How to Submit an Application to ECA via Grants.gov: For access to complete instruction on how to apply for Notice of Funding Opportunities on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

D.18.c. Grants.gov Support and Submission Issues: Direct all questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission issues to:

Grants.gov Customer Support

Contact Center Phone: 800 -518-4726

Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; closed on federal holidays

Email: support@grants.gov

D.18.d. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission: Applicants have until 11:59 p.m., Washington, DC time of the closing date to ensure that their entire application has been uploaded to the Grants.gov site. There are no exceptions to the above deadline.

Applications uploaded to the site after the application deadline date and time will be automatically rejected by the Grants.gov system and will be technically ineligible.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you not wait until the application deadline to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by

Grants.gov. The applicant Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. Applicant AORs will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When ECA successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgement of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that

Grants.gov receives your application. Please also be mindful of any Grants.gov generated error messages that may appear during the application process as they may result in some documents not transmitting correctly.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

The Grants.gov website includes extensive information on all phases/aspects of the Grants.gov process, including an extensive section on frequently asked questions, located under the

"Applicant FAQs" section of the website. ECA strongly recommends that all potential mailto:support@grants.gov applicants review thoroughly the Grants.gov website, well in advance of submitting a proposal through the Grants.gov system. ECA will not notify you upon receipt of electronic applications.

PLEASE NOTE: ECA bears no responsibility for applicant timeliness of submission or data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes for proposals submitted via

Grants.gov. Prior to submitting applications through Grants.gov, please ensure you meet all

Grants.gov system and software requirements, including Adobe software compatibility. You can verify if your version of Adobe software is compatible with Grants.gov, by visiting https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html.

It is the responsibility of all applicants submitting proposals via the Grants.gov web portal to ensure that proposals have been received by Grants.gov in their entirety, and ECA bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes.

D.19. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

ECA will review all proposals for technical eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the Solicitation Package. All eligible proposals will be reviewed by the program office, as well as the Public Diplomacy section overseas and State Department regional bureaus, where appropriate. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and ECA regulations and guidelines and forwarded to

ECA grant panels for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of the

Legal Adviser or by other Department elements. All awards will be assessed for risk prior to their issuance. Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State's

Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Final technical authority for assistance awards resides with the ECA’s Grants Officer.

E.1. Review Criteria: Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:

1. Quality of the Program Plan and Ability to Achieve Program Objectives: Proposals should exhibit…