American Council of Young Political Leaders

 

To enable emerging political leaders in the U.S. to experience firsthand the political and cultural dynamics of other countries; to offer politically active young people in other countries a similar experience in the United States.

Deleted 08/20/2009 (Archived.) 19.403 BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE Project Grants. ACYPL has maintained bilateral exchanges over the course of its existence with 70 countries. A project involving young political leaders from the Palestinian Authority was implemented in 2001. Public Law 87-256, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq. Private nonprofit institution/organization. The ACYPL conducts two-way exchanges of young political leaders with many countries. The programs are generally for 2 weeks. Individuals who participate in the program will benefit. American participant nominations are solicited annually from State legislative leaders, governors, political party officials, alumni, ACYPL members/trustees, and co-sponsors. Selection is made by a Delegate Selection Committee with Democratic and Republican co-chairs. Delegates must be under age 41 and generally include State and local elected officials as well as staff and party activists. The objective is political, geographic, ethnic/racial, and gender diversity that reflects the pluralistic nature of American society. Foreign delegates are selected by ACYPL partner organizations in conjunction with American Embassy officers. Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. The State Department solicits a proposal from ACYPL annually based on the level of appropriated funds available. A portion of the funding may be competed from one year to the next. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs and based on the advice of a panel of Bureau reviewers and various State offices. Final technical authority resides with the Grants Division. The deadline for submission of a proposal is established in the request for proposals or letter of solicitation. Decisions are generally made within 3 months of the submission of proposals, subject to the availability and timing of funding. None. At the Bureau's discretion, in a given year ACYPL may be invited to submit a renewal proposal. The criteria for judging proposals include quality of the proposed activities and planning, track record, institutional capacity to take on additional work, cost- effectiveness and cost-sharing, attention to diversity goals, value to U.S. foreign policy objectives, and the quality of the evaluation plan. Grant supports partial costs of travel, insurance, program activities, and orientation. Program alumni participate in arranging programming for visiting delegations. Quarterly program and financial reports are required. All ECA grants are subject to OMB Circular No. A-133. 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 expend 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 Circular No. A-133. As prescribed by grant terms. ACYPL raises 50 percent of its operating budget from sources other than the government. The grant is generally awarded for a 12-month period. American Council of Young Political Leaders, 1612 K Street, NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006. Telephone: (202) 857-0999. Shalita Jones, Youth Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/PY), Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: (202) 619-6299. Fax: (202) 619-5311. http://exchanges.state.gov 19-0201-0-1-154. (Grants) FY 01 $699,000; FY 02 est $734,000; and FY 03 est $734,000. One grant per year. Guidelines for grants are distributed in conjunction with the request for proposals/letter of solicitation; OMB Circulars. ACYPL conducts mainly bilateral delegation projects (e.g., US to Indonesia, Moroccans to the US), generally 2 weeks in length.