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| 19.415 PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGES_ANNUAL OPEN GRANT |
| (Office of Citizen Exchanges) |
| 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. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To foster, improve, and strengthen international relations of the United States by promoting mutual understanding among the peoples of the world through educational and professional exchanges. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| The Office of Citizen Exchanges develops international exchange grant projects with nonprofit American institutions including voluntary community organizations, professional associations, and universities. The program involves thousands of American and foreign visitors who take part in exchanges at the grassroots level both in the U.S. and overseas. Professional programs are based on competition, substantive rigor and cross-cultural sensitivity. Primary objectives include development of institutional links which live beyond the duration of State Department funding support; creation of consortia, associations and information networks; transfer of useful information overseas; development of internships and extended learning programs; expansion of international awareness and programming among U.S. nonprofit institutions and the introduction of ideas which may contribute to the solution of long-term international problems among others. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| To public and private nonprofit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26CFR 1.501(c). |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| To public and private nonprofit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26CFR 1.501(c). |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| This competition is advertised in the Federal Register annually. Interested applicants should read the complete Federal Register announcement before addressing inquiries to the Office of Citizen Exchanges. |
| Award Procedure |
| Following a thorough review and independent paneling of all technically eligible proposals, and based on recommendations by various State Department offices, funding decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. |
| Deadlines |
| Per announcement in Federal Register. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Four months after closing date. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Extensions considered where appropriate. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| All proposals should maximize cost sharing through private sector support, as well as institutional direct funding contributions. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Varies. |
| Reports |
| Financial and program reports are required at the end of the grant period. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133. |
| Records |
| As prescribed by grant terms. |
| Account Identification |
| 19-0201-0-1-154. |
| Obligations |
| FY 07 $7,050,000; FY 08 est not available; FY 09 est not reported. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Under $150,000, Organizations with less than 4 years' successful experience in managing international exchange programs are limited to grants of $60,000 or less. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Not available at this time. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Annual announcement published in the Federal Register. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Department of State, Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 220, Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: (202) 619-5348. Fax: (202) 619-4350. NEW PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS: Telephone: (202) 453-8181. Fax: (202) 453-8168. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/ |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| None. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| To comply with goals and objectives outlined in Federal Register announcement and compatibility with office objectives stated previously. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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