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 develop and strengthen the infrastructure that supports educational exchange between the United States and other countries.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

The National Association of Foreign Student Advising Association (NAFSA), with the Association of International Educators, implement the Cooperative Grants programs. The program's primary goal is to increase mutual understanding among citizens of United States and other countries. Cooperative grants are funded through a competitive process to projects which (1) provide international students and scholars a positive impression of the United States, its people, cultural, and values; (2) provide for person-to- person interactions among U.S. students, faculty, community groups, and international students; and/or (3) promote interest in and preparation from participation in the U.S. study abroad programs and utilize returned U.S. students as local resources.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Core cooperating organizations are NAFSA with the Association of International Educators.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   International and U.S. students involved in activities that introduce students to the host culture and community.

Credentials/Documentation:   Not applicable.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   Administered by NAFSA, in cooperation with the Department of State. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Availability of annual grants announced by NAFSA through websites, e-mail, and newsletters. Applications must be submitted to NAFSA.

Award Procedure:   NAFSA convenes a panel, including a Department of State representative, who reviews applications and selects awardees.

Deadlines:   Contact the Headquarters Office.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   One academic year.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Reports are due quarterly.

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 receive 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 that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Prescribe in the grant terms.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   19-0201-0-1-154.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 99 $260,000; FY 00 est $260,000; and FY 01 est $260,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Incentive grant 6,000; Minigrant $2,000.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

This is a new program; accomplishments have yet to be determined.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Not applicable.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   Mrs. Emily Mohajeri-Norris, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 1307 New York Avenue, NW., Eighth Floor, Washington, DC 20005-4701. Telephone: (202) 737-3699. Fax: (202) 737-3657. E-mail: Emil@nafsa.org.

Web Site Address:   http://www.nafsa.org.

RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Intercultural Leadership Seminar. Four-day pilot program. Seven foreign and 13 U.S. students participated. The program consisted of team building exercises, structured intercultural sensitivity/communication and cross-cultural simulations. Positive evaluations were received from the students.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: