The Office of Academic Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for an assistance award to administer the FY 2014 United States Timor-Leste (USTL) Scholarship Program and the FY 2014 United States South Pacific (USSP) Scholarship Program. Eligible applicants may submit a proposal to administer one or both of the scholarship programs. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3) may submit proposals to organize and carry out academic exchange program activities for approximately eight (8) students, i.e. approximately four (4) from Timor-Leste and four (4) from the sovereign island nations of the South Pacific (eligible nations are listed below in the Overview section). Working closely with U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Sections in the region, the award recipient(s) will be responsible for the administration of the programs, including publicity and recruitment, review of academic credentials, convening review panels and assisting with merit-based competitive selection and nomination, placing students at appropriate U.S. institutions for academic degree study leading to a bachelorĂ¢Â₏™s or masterĂ¢Â₏™s degree, facilitating student travel to the U.S., providing orientation, enrichment activities, and pre-return activities, providing monitoring and support services, conducting on-going evaluation and follow-up with program alumni. The duration of the cooperative agreement(s) will be up to five years, beginning approximately on August 1, 2014.