Program Descriptions
Program Number
84.021
Title
Overseas Programs - Group Projects Abroad
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Authorization
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Public Law 87-256; Section 102(b)(6).
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 (Discretionary).
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 Programs Service (IEPS). 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 IEPS 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
About 120 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
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 48 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.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0201-0-1-502.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $3,877,534; FY 08 est $4,613,000; and FY 09 est $4,327,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For FY 2008, the range of awards is expected to be $50,000 to $375,000; the average award is expected to be $105,000.
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 2008, 44 new grants are expected to be awarded.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
34 CFR 664, and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
International Education Programs Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5331. Contact: Michelle Guilfoil. E-mail: michelle.guilfoil@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 502-7525.
Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsgpa/
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 Programs-Special Bilateral Projects
84.019, Overseas Programs - Faculty Research Abroad
84.022, Overseas Programs - Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad
84.229, Language Resource Centers
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
The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 664.31 and are as follows: (a) Plan of operation (20 points), (b) quality of key personnel (10 points), (c) budget and cost effectiveness (10 points), (d) evaluation plan (20 points), (e) adequacy of resources (5 points), (f) potential impact of the project on the development of the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in American education (15 points), (g) relevance to the institution's educational goals and its relationship to its program development in modern foreign languages and area studies (5 points), (h) the extent to which direct experience abroad is necessary to achieve the project's objectives and the effectiveness with which relevant host country resources will be utilized (10 points), and (i) the extent to which the proposed project addresses the competitive preference priorities (10 points). Subject to change. Contact program officer for further information.
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