Funding-international grants; deadline Jan. 12, 2009

The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for grants that support exchanges and build relationships between U.S. non-profit organizations and civil society and cultural groups in Africa, East Asia, Europe, the Near East, North Africa, South Central Asia and the Western Hemisphere. Pending availability of funds, it is anticipated that approximately $5,600,000 or more will be available to support this competition. Sponsor expects to fund approximately 10-15 projects under the Professional Exchange Program competition in FY 2009. Successful projects should promote mutual understanding and partnerships between key professional and cultural groups in the United States and counterpart groups in other countries through multi-phased exchanges taking place over one to two years. Proposals should encourage citizen engagement in current issues and promote the development of democratic societies and institutions, with a view toward creating a more stable world. All programs should be two-way exchanges and involve participants from the U.S. and foreign countries.

This opportunity from the Department of State consists of four themes: 

1. The Legislative Fellows Program (LFP)

Priorities focus on engagement with young professionals in positions to influence and develop their societies, including young professionals involved in the local and national legislatures of developing democracies. The LFP program is designed to strengthen understanding of the U.S. legislative process and enhance appreciation of the role of civic society and its engagement in the political process. LFP will provide young professionals from identified countries with hands-on exposure to the U.S. political process through internships in U.S. Congressional offices (including state/district offices), state legislatures, city councils or local governments across the U.S. The program will also involve U.S. participants who will be selected from staff members at the various internship sites who will act as primary host/mentors to the foreign fellows during their U.S.-based program. After the internships are completed, these U.S. staff members will travel overseas to the interns' home countries to continue their engagement by participating in joint outreach activities, engaging the local media, and on-site consultancies and presentations to wider audiences.

2. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)

Support and development of business entrepreneurs in emerging free market societies remains a top priority for the State Department worldwide. Sponsor seeks proposals to implement the Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) program to promote entrepreneurial thinking, job creation, business planning, and management skills that will assist young emerging entrepreneurs worldwide (approximately 25-35 years old) in launching business careers. The YEP program will increase understanding of the links between entrepreneurial activity and free markets as well as the importance of transparency and accountability in business and government. The YEP program will introduce young men and women to entrepreneurial thinking, business management skills, attracting investment, and also in designing programs to teach others these skills. The program will enhance appreciation for American business practices and the role of the individual in creating growth through grassroots-focused entrepreneurial efforts.

3. Outreach and Integration of Minority Communities

Sponsor seeks proposals for programs that will engage community leaders, educators, youth influencers, journalists, and community-based organizations in examination of programs and practices to facilitate integration and empowerment of minority populations, particularly youth, in selected countries. The program would look at issues related to the integration of immigrant and minority populations into a modern democratic society. This includes integration in the political system, economic opportunity, freedom of expression, access to education, and practice of an open social/cultural life, while maintaining ethnic identity within a multi-ethnic society. A specific concentration of programming on immigrant and minority youth populations and the special needs/challenges they face in modern society should be a major focus. An overall comparison and sharing of best practices in the U.S. and in foreign countries on these issues should also be included. Programming should include an overview of U.S. and foreign government and legal structures, an understanding of the diversity of American and foreign societies and efforts to increase tolerance and respect for others with differing views and beliefs. Program content should include an overview of the range of historical and current American and foreign experiences with integrating various immigrant and minority citizens, examination of what has worked well and what has not, and analysis of the range of actors including government, NGOs, religious organizations, immigrant organizations, educational institutions, and the role of the media and public who report on these issues. Participants (from the U.S. and foreign countries) in the program should include representatives of non-governmental organizations, community leaders, educators, youth influencers, religious leaders, and journalists from minority communities.

4. Nqwang Choephel Fellowship Program for Tibet

Sponsor welcomes proposals that focus on the themes of cultural preservation and economic self-sufficiency and proposals that train and assist Tibetans living in Tibetan communities in China by providing professional experience and exposure to American society and culture through internships, workshops and other learning activities hosted by U.S. institutions. The experiences will also provide Americans the opportunity to learn about Tibetan culture and the social and economic challenges that Tibetans face today.

For details and specific requirements for each theme and country, see the complete announcement:  http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-28737.htm.

Because the Department of State limits eligible applicants to only one proposal per theme, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, January 12, 2009:

1) Names and departments of PI and co-investigators
2) Curriculum Vitae of PI
3) Identify the specific theme (Legislative Fellows, Young Entrepreneurs, Outreach, or Fellowship Program for Tibet) and provide a description of the proposed project, country involved, and a justification or rationale for why the proposed project should be selected as UK's candidate - maximum 3 pages.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submissions in time for the February 20, 2009 deadline.