Educational Exchange-Teaching Excellence Awards Program

 

To award excellence in teaching English and American studies in 10 Eurasian countries; provide outstanding teachers in those countries with training in the field of teaching of English and American studies; support educational reform in Eurasia; and engage outstanding American teachers in a dialogue with Eurasian teachers.

Deleted 06/17/2004 (Program has been discontinued) 19.422 BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE Project Grants. Educational materials and equipment have been awarded to a large number of schools over the course of the program. Eurasian teachers conduct workshops for their colleagues following their return Home. A spin-off program linking the schools of Eurasia and US teachers has reinforced the ties developed as a result of the program. Public Law 87-256, as amended; 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq. Organizations must have 4 years of experience in exchanges to qualify for grants of more than $60,000. The grantee must have a year-round presence and administrative structure in all Eurasian countries. There are certain selection criteria (e.g., years of teaching, language ability) for Eurasian teachers nominated for the program; application is through a merit-based open competition. For 2002 the countries include: Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. For American teachers, applicants must have been selected for commendation in a State or national teacher of the year competition. See applicant eligibility. Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. An open competition is conducted every 3 years to select the grantee. The next open competition is scheduled for the spring of 2004. The American Councils for International Education in Washington, DC, was selected as the grantee in 2001; the grant will be renewed in 2002. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs and are based on the advice of a panel of reviewers and various State Department offices. Final technical authority resides with the Grants Division. Deadlines for submission of proposals are established in the request for proposals or letters of solicitation. Decisions are generally made within 3 months of the submission of proposals, subject to the availability and timing of funding. None. The grantee is eligible for renewals for 2 years following the open competition. Programmatic planning, ability to achieve objectives, and quality; organization capacity and track record; support for diversity; cost-effectiveness; project evaluation plan; value to US-partner country relations; multiplier effect. One grant is awarded to an American organization to administer all aspects of the program, which include recruitment and selection of teachers, awards to schools and teachers, costs of travel, stipends, insurance, an 8-week summer program in the U.S., orientation, selection, administration, and follow-on activities for alumni. Quarterly program and financial reports are required. 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 the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. As prescribed by grant terms. Some cost-sharing is desirable but there is no minimum percentage. The grant is generally awarded for an 18-month period. None. 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. Contact: Randy Biggers. http://exchanges.state.gov 19-0201-0-1-154. (Grants) FY 02 $4,294,000; FY 03 est $4,485,000; and FY 04 est $4,500,000. One grant for the total amount. Regulations governing exchange visitor (J-1) programs. Guidelines for grants are distributed in conjunction with the request for proposals/letter of solicitation. The program is administered under one grant, described above.