The
Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C), Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
(ECA), announces an open competition for grants to conduct the 2011
professional exchange programs. This opportunity is designed to bring young
foreign professionals to the United States for four week to six week-long
fellowships in organizations related to their field of work, followed by
American counterparts who will travel overseas for reciprocal fellowships.
Projects should take place over the course of one to two years, and engage
up-and-coming and mid-level government or civil society professionals who will
effect positive change in their institutions and communities through the
following initiatives: the Legislative Fellows Program, the Women’s Empowerment
Program, and the Young Entrepreneurs Program.
Legislative
Fellows Program
The Legislative Fellows Program will engage professionals who are actively
involved in the legislative process and/or policy-making through their work in
government, civic education organizations, citizen advocacy groups, political
parties, or election monitoring organizations. During their time in the United
States, the participants will examine the relationship between civil society
and government, and the issue of public corruption and accountability.
Participants will observe the role of their U.S. counterparts in various levels
of the U.S. government, through placements in Congressional offices (including
state/district offices), state legislatures, city councils/local government
bodies, advocacy groups or other relevant organizations across the United
States, engage in dialogue, and develop plans for projects that support more
responsive social and political institutions.
1.
Sub-Saharan
Africa (AF): Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe
2.
East
Asia and Pacific (EAP): Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan
3.
Europe
(EUR): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine
4.
Europe
(EUR): Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania,
Slovakia
5.
Near
East/North Africa (NEA): Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman,
Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab
Emirates, and Yemen
6.
South
and Central Asia (SCA): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
7.
Western
Hemisphere (WHA): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica; Mexico, Nicaragua,
Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela
Women’s Empowerment
The
Women’s Empowerment Program will focus on the unique interests of women in
issues that affect the broader society, including business, civil society, and
journalism. Participants will represent women-owned businesses,
non-governmental organizations, healthcare industries, and educational
institutions. During their 4-6 week fellowships in the United States,
participants will gain firsthand knowledge of how organizations and
institutions advocate on behalf of women and their critical role in community
advancement, while also participating in site visits and specially-designed
seminars.
1.
Sub-Saharan
Africa (AF): Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe -
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women’s Empowerment Program
should include at least two (2) of the countries listed above and specifically
emphasize women’s entrepreneurship and employment skills development for
participation in the workforce.
2.
Sub-Saharan
Africa (AF): Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe -
Proposals submitted under this section of the Women’s Empowerment Program
should include at least two (2) of the countries listed above and specifically
emphasize building partnerships between U.S. and international women and
organizations devoted to health issues such as HIV/AIDS, nutrition, maternal
health, disease prevention, gender-based violence or other relevant health
issues.
3.
East
Asia and Pacific (EAP): Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam - Proposals submitted
under this section of the Women’s Empowerment Program should be regional in
scope, including all four (4) of the Lower Mekong countries listed above and
should endeavor to empower women to increase local capacity and connectivity.
Specifically, proposals should emphasize strengthening local community
infrastructure and capacity, especially in the area of technology, such as
improving women’s access to reliable mobile technology and services.
Participants should be placed at non-governmental organizations, advocacy
groups, relevant government offices, small businesses or other related
organizations and focus on advancing gender equality by bringing together women
and technology.
4.
East
Asia and Pacific (EAP): Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New
Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga - Proposals submitted under this section of
the Women’s Empowerment Program should include at least four (4) of the
countries listed above, and should focus on the development of civil society
groups that focus on women.
5.
East
Asia and Pacific (EAP): Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam - Proposals submitted under this
section of the Women’s Empowerment Program should include at least four (4) of
the countries listed above, with a specific emphasis on women’s
entrepreneurship.
6.
South
and Central Asia (SCA): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, India, Nepal,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka (including the Maldives) - Proposals submitted under this
section of the Women’s Empowerment Program include at least four (4) of the
countries listed above. For proposals that include Afghanistan, security
conditions will dictate whether it will be possible to conduct programming for
American participants in Afghanistan, and this should be addressed
specifically.
7.
Western
Hemisphere (WHA): Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad &
Tobago, El Salvador, Mexico, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, Barbados (and the
Eastern Caribbean), Costa Rica - Proposals submitted under this section of the
Women’s Empowerment Program should support professionals who are actively
involved in enhancing the role of civil society in the following sectors:
Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability and Health. Projects should
directly engage African descendant and indigenous communities.
Young
Entrepreneurs
The
Young Entrepreneurs Program will engage small business owners, business
professionals and business educators, to observe best practices in business,
engage in dialogue with their peers in the U.S., and complete individually
tailored fellowships in appropriate organizations. Participants will increase
their understanding of the links between entrepreneurial activity and free
markets, as well as the importance of transparency and accountability in
business and government through the participants‟ direct involvement in American businesses.
Further information can be found at: http://exchanges.state.gov/grants/open2.html
Eligible
applicants may not submit more than one proposal in this competition. If
more than one proposal is received from the same applicant, all submissions
will be declared technically ineligible and will receive no further
consideration in the review process.
Because the
Department of State only allows an applicant to submit one proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.
Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit the
following material 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 Tuesday, April 12, 2011:
a) Names and departments of UK Project Director and key personnel
b) Program selected, targeted area and countries selected
c) Project overview – (1-2 pages) brief description of
activities
A committee will be appointed to review the information
and make a recommendation. The Dept. of State deadline is May 12,
2011. 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).