Overseas-Group Projects Abroad (84.021)
Program
84.021 Overseas-Group Projects Abroad
Federal Agency
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorization
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256; Section 102(b)(6).
Program Number
84.021
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To contribute to the development and improvement of the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in the United States by providing opportunities for teachers, faculty, and upperclassmen and/or graduate students to study, travel and research in foreign countries.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The grant does not provide funds for project-related expenses within the United States. The grant funds may be used in the country of study for the following: maintenance stipend; round-trip international travel; project-related local travel; artifacts; books and other teaching materials; rent for instructional facilities; and clerical and professional services.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Institutions of higher education, State departments of education, private nonprofit educational organizations, and a consortium of institutions, departments, and organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
A participant must be: a citizen, or permanent resident of the United States, faculty member and teachers at all levels; a graduate or upperclassman who plans a teaching career in modern foreign languages or area studies.
Credentials/Documentation
Cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
An institution or organization interested in the program should plan and propose a group project that would significantly improve its program in foreign language and area studies. Specific guidelines for preparation of proposals as published in the Federal Register are available upon request from the International Education and Graduate Programs Service (IEGPS). The institution or organization must give assurance that the individuals it nominates to undertake the projects are appropriately qualified. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
With the advice of a panel of academic consultants and an assessment of the feasibility and suitability of each proposal by U.S. Embassies and Binational Commissions in the proposed countries of study, the IEGRS will make initial selections, and preliminary recommendations of grant recipients to the Secretary. All recommended selections are subject to review and final approval by the presidentially appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Deadlines
Generally, in late October or of the year preceding the year of overseas activity.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
For short-term seminar, curriculum development, and group research or study projects ranging from 5 weeks, generally, to 12 months; up to 36 months for advanced intensive language training projects.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Terminal program reports and financial reports from the grantee.
Audits
All fiscal records subject to audit at any time within five years after close of the fiscal year in which expenditures are made.
Records
Documents bearing on receipt and expenditure of grant funds must be made available for inspection by the Department: (1) For three years after the close of the fiscal year in which expenditures are made if departmental audit has occurred by that time; (2) until audit or for five years following the end of budget period in which grant expired, whichever is later; or (3) until resolution of outstanding audit questions.
Program Accomplishments
Projects have had an effect on the curriculum through new and expanded courses and faculty training in the use of new materials. In fiscal year 2002, 57 projects with 881 participants were supported with appropriated funds.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0201-0-1-502.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $4,000,000; FY 03 est $4,350,000; and FY 04 est $4,415,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The average new award was $70,000 in fiscal year 2002.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
34 CFR 664, "Federal Register", December 19, 1983.
Related Programs
19.400, Educational Exchange_Graduate Students; 19.401, Educational Exchange_University Lecturers (Professors) and Research Scholars; 84.016, Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; 84.017, International Research and Studies; 84.018, Overseas Seminars Abroad_Bilateral Projects; 84.019, Overseas_Faculty Research Abroad; 84.022, Overseas_Doctoral Dissertation; 84.229, Language Resource Centers.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
International Studies Team, International Education and Grants Programs Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-5332. Contact: Dr. Lunching Chiao. lungching.chiao@ed.gov Telephone: (202) 502-7624.
Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/HEP/iegps/fra.html
Examples of Funded Projects
A School-University Collaborative Project for Curriculum Development About the People's Republic of China: Choosing Modernization; Seminar on Cultural Diversity and Development in Malaysia and Singapore - A curriculum development program for 15 Andrew and other college faculty and pre-college teachers in Georgia; Seminar on Mexican Perspective of the North American Free Trade Agreement; Russia: In search of Democracy and Economic Reform A Curriculum Development Team Project; The Walls Come Tumbling Down: A 5-week travel-study seminar for 14 Maryland community college faculty to study the Polish people, country, and culture; and a 5-week seminar for consortia faculty on Post-Revolutionary Prospects in Ethiopia and Eritrea. In addition nine advanced foreign language programs in Egypt, China, the Philippines, India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, and Tanzania involving the instruction of Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Marathi, Bengoli, Hausa, Yoruba, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, and Kiswahili.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Refer to 34 CFR 664 (Section 664.31), "Federal Register", Vol. 48 - No. 244, December 19, 1983.
