Educational Exchange-Teaching Excellence Awards Program (19.422)

Program

19.422 Educational Exchange-Teaching Excellence Awards Program

Federal Agency

BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Authorization

Public Law 87-256, as amended; 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.

Program Number

19.422

Last Known Status

Deleted 06/17/2004 (Program has been discontinued)

Objectives

To award excellence in teaching English and American studies in 10 Eurasian countries; provide outstanding teachers in those countries with training in the field of teaching of English and American studies; support educational reform in Eurasia; and engage outstanding American teachers in a dialogue with Eurasian teachers.

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

Uses and Use Restrictions

One grant is awarded to an American organization to administer all aspects of the program, which include recruitment and selection of teachers, awards to schools and teachers, costs of travel, stipends, insurance, an 8-week summer program in the U.S., orientation, selection, administration, and follow-on activities for alumni.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Organizations must have 4 years of experience in exchanges to qualify for grants of more than $60,000. The grantee must have a year-round presence and administrative structure in all Eurasian countries.

Beneficiary Eligibility

There are certain selection criteria (e.g., years of teaching, language ability) for Eurasian teachers nominated for the program; application is through a merit-based open competition. For 2002 the countries include: Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. For American teachers, applicants must have been selected for commendation in a State or national teacher of the year competition.

Credentials/Documentation

See applicant eligibility.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

An open competition is conducted every 3 years to select the grantee. The next open competition is scheduled for the spring of 2004. The American Councils for International Education in Washington, DC, was selected as the grantee in 2001; the grant will be renewed in 2002.

Award Procedure

Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs and are based on the advice of a panel of reviewers and various State Department offices. Final technical authority resides with the Grants Division.

Deadlines

Deadlines for submission of proposals are established in the request for proposals or letters of solicitation.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Decisions are generally made within 3 months of the submission of proposals, subject to the availability and timing of funding.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

The grantee is eligible for renewals for 2 years following the open competition.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Some cost-sharing is desirable but there is no minimum percentage.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The grant is generally awarded for an 18-month period.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Quarterly program and financial reports are required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

As prescribed by grant terms.

Program Accomplishments

Educational materials and equipment have been awarded to a large number of schools over the course of the program. Eurasian teachers conduct workshops for their colleagues following their return Home. A spin-off program linking the schools of Eurasia and US teachers has reinforced the ties developed as a result of the program.

Financial Information

Account Identification

19-0201-0-1-154.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $4,294,000; FY 03 est $4,485,000; and FY 04 est $4,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

One grant for the total amount.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations governing exchange visitor (J-1) programs. Guidelines for grants are distributed in conjunction with the request for proposals/letter of solicitation.

Related Programs

19.404, Professional Development_International Educators/Administrators.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Youth Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/PY), Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: (202) 619-6299. Fax: (202) 619-5311. Contact: Randy Biggers.

Web Site Address

http://exchanges.state.gov

Examples of Funded Projects

The program is administered under one grant, described above.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Programmatic planning, ability to achieve objectives, and quality; organization capacity and track record; support for diversity; cost-effectiveness; project evaluation plan; value to US-partner country relations; multiplier effect.