Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants
diplomatic missions abroad made directly to eligible organizations in the United States using funds appropriated to and authorized by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for the purpose of supporting international exchanges that address issues of
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; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations, and the contributions being made toward a peaceful and more fruitful life for people throughout the world; to promote international cooperation for educational and cultural advancement; and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.".
Relevant Nonprofit Program Categories
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2009: In FY 2009, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs approved funding for approximately 40 awards made by overseas posts totaling approximately $10 million. Fiscal Year 2010: Approximately the same level of activity is projected in FY 2010 as in FY 2009. Fiscal Year 2011: Approximately the same level of activity is projected in FY 2011 as in FY 2009.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Awards made by Overseas Public Diplomacy Offices may support any activity authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act for which funding has been appropriated by Congress through the annual Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation administered by the Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
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.
Awards are made to eligible profit or non-profit corporations, institutions or individuals.
Awards under this program are specific to those made to domestic (U.S.) institutions or individuals and supported by funds appropriated to and approved by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Projects must support the development of mutual understanding between the United States and other countries in any area of importance to U.S.
interests in those countries.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Beneficiaries include individuals selected for participation in the project, educational institutions, and Americans and people of other countries who interaect with international participants.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program.
Award Procedures
Program announcements and application procedures may vary widely depending on the overseas post and program, including through grants.gov as applicable. Note that overseas posts may also administer programs limited to overseas applicants, which are not covered by this CFDA entry.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act), Public Law 87-256, 22 U.S.C 2451.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
See announcement at www.grants.gov.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
As stated in the original solicitation document at www.grants.gov.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The period of time for which assistance is available varies depending on the specific program and will be stated in the terms and conditions of the award. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: The method of assistance may vary depending on the specific program and will be stated in the terms and conditions of the award.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program reports are to be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.
Cash reports may be required in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.
Progress reports may be required in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.
Expenditure eports are to be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.
Performance monitoring may be required in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 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 Circular No. A-133. Please refer to the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions for Domestic Financial Assistance Awards (http://fa.statebuy.state.gov ) 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. For awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, records pertinent to the award must be maintained for three years from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report as authorized by the DOS. Please refer to the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions for Domestic Financial Assistance Awards (http://fa.statebuy.state.gov ) for additional guidance.
Financial Information
Account Identification
19-0209-0-1-154.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 09 $10,000,000; FY 10 est $10,000,000; FY 11 est $10,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Award amounts may vary widely depending on the nature of the project, from less than $10,000 to a maximum of $250,000. A typical institutional award may total $50,000 or less.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Guidelines for programs will vary with individual activities and posts. In addition, organizations should be familiar with OMB Circulars A-110 (Revised) (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit Organizations), A-122/A-21 (Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations; Indirect Costs), and A-133/A-128 (Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations) on cost accounting principles. For a copy of the OMB circulars cited, please contact Government Publications or download from http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Yolanda Robinson, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State, SA-5, Washington, District of Columbia 20522-0504 Email: RobinsonYJ@state.gov Phone: (202) 632-3358.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria for selecting proposals vary by awards supporting individual activities and are outlined in the solicitations for individual activities.
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