Funding-Limited submission - US Dept of State study of the US Institutes for Student Leaders; December 10, 2009

The Branch for the Study of the United States, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, invites proposal submissions for the design and implementation of approximately 15 Study of the United States Institutes for Student Leaders under five different themes. Taking place over the course of five weeks, the Institutes will be scheduled throughout a one year period, starting in April, 2010 and ending in March, 2011. The scheduling of each Institute should coincide with the academic calendar of the participants’ home country(ies).

Institute Themes:

a.) The Study of the U.S. Institute on Global Environmental Issues

b.) The Study of the U.S. Institute on New Media

c.) The Study of the U.S. Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States

d.) The Study of the U.S. Institute on Social Entrepreneurship

e.) The Study of the U.S. Institute on Women’s Leadership

The full announcement can be accessed at: http://exchanges.state.gov/media/pdfs/rfgps/rfgp12032009.pdf.

Applicant organizations may submit no more than one application as a lead institution under this competition for either Option A or Option B. If UK submits an application under Option A, then it can only be a partner in an Option B proposal, but not the lead organization If multiple proposals are received from the same applicant organization, all submissions will be declared technically ineligible and will be given no further consideration in the review process.

Option A: Total available funding up to $240,000 (one institute) or up to $480,000 (two institutes). Under Option A, applicant organizations (colleges, universities, or NGOs) are invited to submit one application to host no more than two Institutes under any of the themes listed above. It is anticipated that between 1 and 5 awards will be made under Option A.

Option B: Total available funding up to $1,680,000. Under Option B, other public and private non-profit organizations or consortia of organizations must propose to administer seven (7) Institutes in one application. Organizations, using sub-grantee agreements, must propose to administer at least one Institute under each of the five (5) themes listed above, and two additional Institutes in the theme(s) of their choice. It is anticipated that up to two awards may be made under Option B.

Because the Department of State only allows organizations to submit one proposal for Option A or Option B, 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 Thursday, December 10, 2009:

a) name and department of the principle investigator

b) a paragraph stating which Option the program falls under and, if Option B, who the partners are and which partner is the lead organization

c) project description (3 pages maximum) including program objectives and program activities

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review this material and make a recommendation. All applicants will be notified in time to prepare and submit the full application and supporting material electronically through Grants.gov for the January 14, 2010 deadline.

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).