Special International Exchange Grant Programs

 

To provide special grants for international exchanges and other activities that support and address current and emerging issues of mutual interest to the United States and other countries, consistent with the program criteria established in the Departments annual appropriation. As authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange programs, including the exchange of scholars, researchers, professionals, students, and educators. Educational and cultural engagement is premised on the knowledge that mutual understanding, the development of future leaders, and the benefits of education programs influence societies and affect official decision-making almost everywhere in the world today.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
19.451
Federal Agency/Office
Bureau of Educational and Cultural, Department of State
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 No Current Data Available. The Trust for University Innovation in Vietnam (TUIV) receives financial support from ECA, including funds via the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Vietnam Debt Repayment Fund, towards the development of Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV), the first independent, not-for-profit university in Vietnam. USAID also is providing funding. FUV will embody American higher education values including academic freedom, autonomy, meritocracy, and transparency. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, it will admit its first class of students in academic year 2017-18 (teaching applied economics and management to Vietnamese mid-career managers and policymakers through a two-year Masters in Public Policy degree program) and its first undergraduates for 2018-19. Ground will be broken on campus construction in the fall of 2017, with the first phase of the construction to be completed by 2020. The Vietnamese government has been very supportive, including donating the land for the campus. FUV builds on the investments made under the direction of the U.S. Congress over 20 years in the Fulbright Economic Teaching Program (FETP), a cornerstone of U.S.-Vietnamese bilateral cooperation in higher education for which ECA provided funding. FETP has transitioned into FUV’s School of Public Policy and Management.
Fiscal Year 2017 The Trust for University Innovation in Vietnam (TUIV) receives financial support from ECA, including funds via the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Vietnam Debt Repayment Fund, towards the development of Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV), the first independent, not-for-profit university in Vietnam. USAID also is providing funding. FUV will embody American higher education values including academic freedom, autonomy, meritocracy, and transparency. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, it will admit its first class of students in academic year 2017-18 (teaching applied economics and management to Vietnamese mid-career managers and policymakers through a two-year Masters in Public Policy degree program) and its first undergraduates for 2018-19. Ground is expected to be broken in the fall of 2018, with the first phase of the construction to be completed by 2020. The Vietnamese government has been very supportive, including donating the land for the campus. FUV builds on the investments made under the direction of the U.S. Congress over 20 years in the Fulbright Economic Teaching Program (FETP), a cornerstone of U.S.-Vietnamese bilateral cooperation in higher education for which ECA provided funding.
Fiscal Year 2018 Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) began recruitment of its first cohort of undergraduate students in spring 2018 and 56 students were selected for a special 'co-design-year,' which began with intensive English in mid-July followed by regular classes that started in September 2018. The official full undergraduate program opened in September 2019 raising the total number to approximately 125. In addition, a new cohort of approximately 70 graduate students will join 50 Masters of Public Policy students for the 2019-2020 academic year. In June 2018, FUV moved to a temporary campus, which includes dormitories for the undergraduates, until FUV’s permanent campus is completed. Ground for FUV's new campus was broken in June 2019, with the first phase of the construction expected to be completed by 2022.
Fiscal Year 2019 Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) is the first independent, not-for-profit academic institution in Vietnam and embodies American higher education values including academic freedom, autonomy, meritocracy, and transparency. In September 2019, a total of 125 incoming freshman students joined the inaugural year of FUV’s undergraduate program, raising the total overall number of undergraduate and graduate students to nearly 250. By fall 2020, the overall total is expected to increase to 360 (160 undergraduate, 100 graduate, and 100 executive programs).
Fiscal Year 2020 No Current Data Available.
Fiscal Year 2021 No Current Data Available.
Fiscal Year 2022 For the 2022-2023 academic year, Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) had a combined total of nearly 800 students, comprised of approximately 650 undergraduates and 150 graduate students. In June 2023, FUV graduated its first class of undergraduates.
Fiscal Year 2023 No Current Data Available.
Fiscal Year 2024 No Current Data Available.
Authorization
The Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, 22 U.S.C. 2451
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays Act) the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State awards project grants and cooperative agreements to educational and cultural public or private nonprofit foundations or institutions. Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Organizations must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcement for further eligibility criteria. OMB Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E Cost Principles applies to this program.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays Act) the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State awards project grants and cooperative agreements to educational and cultural public or private nonprofit foundations or institutions. Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Organizations must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcement for further eligibility criteria. OMB Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E Cost Principles applies to this program.
Credentials/Documentation
Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays Act) the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State awards grants and cooperative agreements to educational and cultural public or private nonprofit foundations or institutions. Applications may be submitted by organizations public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Organizations must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcement for further eligibility criteria. OMB Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E Cost Principles applies to this program.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. OMB Guidance 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600, entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Announcements are posted on the Grants.gov and the U.S. Department of State's website: http://eca.state.gov/organizational-funding or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic website for organizations meeting eligibility requirements. Announcements are made as necessary during the fiscal year. The application procedures are described in the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcement.
Award Procedure
Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures. Successful applicants will receive a Federal Assistance Award (FAA) from the Bureau's Grants Office. The FAA and the original proposal with subsequent modifications (if applicable) shall be the only binding authorizing document between the recipient and the U.S. Government. The FAA will be signed/validated by an authorized Grants Officer, and sent via the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic to the recipient's responsible officer identified in the application.
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 60 to 90 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
As stated in the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcements.
How may assistance be used?
The Special International Exchange Grant Programs may include Academic and Professional, Cultural, and Youth exchange activities, as well as international alumni programs. The activities are designed to promote U.S. interests in designated countries around the world by developing mutual understanding of key issues and promoting long-lasting ties between the United States and other countries. This program provides selected individuals with opportunities to participate in exchanges and other activities that develop international competencies and skills, which allow them to serve as leaders in their professions and communities. Funding is provided to eligible non-profit organizations, colleges and universities to support their work in designing and administering exchange programs as well as coordinating program logistics. Program models, themes and world regions may vary from year to year. Please refer to the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcements for further information.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: As stated in the Grants.gov announcements.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Guidance 2 CFR Parts 200, Subpart F Audit Requirements, a nonfederal entity that expends $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific-audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of this part. The Recipient must comply with the OMB audit requirements. For all DOS awards, regardless of business type, the Recipients are subject to the audit requirements found in OMB audit requirements. Please refer to the U.S. Department of State's Standard Terms and Conditions for Domestic Financial Assistance Awards (https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm) for additional guidance.
Records
The Recipients must maintain financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to an award for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. Please refer to the U.S. Department of State's Standard Terms and Conditions for awards (https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm) for additional guidance.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
As stated in the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcements. Assistance is awarded/released through the Department's central financial management database.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Tim Marshall
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Academic Exchanges, East Asia and Pacific Branch,
2200 C Street, NW, SA-05, 4-L11, Washington, District of Columbia 20037, Washington, District of Columbia 20037
Washington, DC 20037 US
MarshallT@state.gov
Phone: 2027164804
Website Address
http://http.exchanges.state.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
19-0209-0-1-154
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$1,900,000.00; FY 23 est $1,900,000.00; FY 24 est $1,900,000.00; FY 21$1,900,000.00; FY 20$1,900,000.00; FY 19$10,372,317.00; FY 18$8,110,430.00; FY 17$8,401,984.00; FY 16$6,690,877.00; - See Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcements for further information.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1,900,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
As stated in the Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of State's SAMS Domestic announcements. In addition, organizations should be familiar with OMB Guidance 2 CFR Parts 200 and 600 entitled the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. For a copy of the OMB Guidance cited, please contact the U.S. Government Publishing Office or download from www.ecfr.gov website.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 



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