Funding Opportunity Title: Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship Program

Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative
Announcement Type: Proposal Submissions

CFDA Number: 19.500
Deadline for Proposals: December 4, 2006
Federal Agency Contact: Jessica Baker
Email: nea-grants@state.gov
Telephone Number: 202-776-8500

I. Funding Opportunity Description: The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) announces a limited competition request for applications (RFA) to provide four-year, university-level scholarship and internship opportunities at select institutions of higher learning in the Middle East for future Arab leaders. The program is notionally titled the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program. This represents a new MEPI funding initiative; submissions must contain detailed and comprehensive narratives outlining a program that will meet the objectives of the funding initiative. Funding awarded is expected to cover the cost of four years of university schooling (matriculation, lodging, and stipend) for each scholarship recipient, as well as the development and delivery of the special features of this unique leadership program. The first “Tomorrow's Leaders” scholarship recipients should be prepared to begin the program in the summer of 2007.

II. OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of MEPI's “Tomorrow's Leaders” scholarship program is to build, from among Arab students of underserved backgrounds, a cadre of university-age leaders who are civic-minded, intellectually able, and professionally skilled, and who will be able to become the community, business, and national leaders of the future. Through the successful implementation of MEPI's “Tomorrow's Leaders” scholarship program, participating universities will enrich their capacities to develop the Middle East Region's future leaders.

III. BACKGROUND

MEPI is an essential component of the President's Freedom Agenda. It is a Presidential initiative to promote positive change in the Middle East and North Africa through diplomatic efforts and through results-oriented programs, both regional and country-specific. Reform is of strategic, long-term importance to the national security interests of the United States and to the U.S. goal of ensuring that the people of the region experience the benefits that come with political freedom, more open economies, and greater educational opportunities. A key element of MEPI is creating links and partnerships among Arab and U.S. civil society, private sector, and governmental entities to jointly achieve sustainable reform.

In fiscal year 2006 (FY06), the U.S. Congress appropriated funds to MEPI for university scholarship programs for students from countries with significant Muslim populations to study at not-for-profit American institutions, including those of higher education in the Middle East that are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and are not controlled by the government of the country in which they are located.

IV. CURRENT OPPORTUNITY

The MEPI “Tomorrow's Leaders” scholarship program is intended to build leadership skills and the spirit of civic engagement and volunteerism among outstanding university-age students at one of the Middle East 's premier U.S.-accredited colleges/universities. “Tomorrow's Leaders” responds to the need for a dynamic set of skills and experiences that build on the rich and stimulating environment that rigorous academic pursuit affords.

“Tomorrow's Leaders” is intended to be a four-year (freshman through senior years of college) leadership program of academic matriculation and internship for “non-traditional” high school graduates from countries with significant Muslim populations in the Near East/North Africa, competitively selected for inclusion in the program. “Non-traditional” students include those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would otherwise gain admission to, but would be unable to afford, four years of college. MEPI funding will support full four-year scholarships for at least 15 students per class (for a total of at least 60 students over the life of the program) with the expectation that competitively selected host institutions will cost-share the program and pledge, in good faith, to support its continuation once all USG funds have been expended.

FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM

The following are key components that must be included in the four-year “Tomorrow's Leaders” scholarship program. Institutions should be innovative in how they design, develop, and deliver these components:

• A six-week public service/volunteer experience internship in the summer between freshman and sophomore year;
• An academic course on leadership and civic engagement in the fall of sophomore year;
• A locally or regionally-based three-month public sector internship or volunteer experience in the summer between sophomore and junior year;
• A semester or year in the United States matriculating at a partnering institution and participating in a part-time, semester long volunteer/community service component;
• A practicum at the home institution in the fall of the senior year, in which the scholarship recipient plans, with the guidance of a mentor and in consultation with other “Tomorrow's Leaders” colleagues, his/her own six-month civic services project(s);
• Support for each scholarship recipients' own six-month, self-designed civic service project (that may be supported by the second class of “Tomorrow's Leaders;” the projects of the second class of “Tomorrow's Leaders” would ideally be supported by the subsequent third class – the first class supported solely by the implementing university's own endowment);
• Over the course of the four-year experience, participation in monthly “Tomorrow's Leaders” events, to include roundtables led by public and private sector leaders; professional presentations and discussions by alumni from other MEPI-funded programs, other networking events with a to-be-established Council of Community Leaders (see below), as well as other university events that will lead to local and national prestige for the program;
• Participation in a two-direction mentorship program that includes meeting, on a regular (i.e. monthly) basis, with a public or private sector community leader serving as the recipient's mentor. Fourth year (senior year) scholarship recipients should also serve as mentors to incoming (freshman year) recipients;
• Participation in monthly, community-wide volunteer/service events planned throughout the program by the university.

The selected host institution(s) should expect to create and provide the following, using the funding provided by MEPI:

• Placement for the initial six week summer (between freshman and sophomore years) internships with local organizations working for the betterment of their communities;
• An academic course on leadership and civic engagement;
• Placement for the three-month summer (between sophomore and junior year) local or regionally-based public sector or volunteer experience internship;
• Placement/support for the study in the U.S. component;
• A practicum on developing individually-led and group-led projects that promote or relate to civic responsibility and volunteerism;
• A mentor program with committed faculty and public and private sector leaders that offers regular guidance to “Tomorrow's Leaders” recipients in the areas of leadership, civic responsibility, and volunteerism;
• A Council of Community Leaders comprised of governmental, non-governmental, business, and social leaders whose members: advise on, participate in, and help promote program events; serve as mentors to fellowship recipients; and, provide opportunities for fellowship recipients to develop practical leadership skills;
• Sponsorship of monthly roundtables, discussions, and networking events that bring together “Tomorrow's Leaders,” the Council, other local and national leaders, and alumni from other MEPI-funded activities and regional events, as appropriate;
• Sponsorship of public, end-of-semester recognition events for “Tomorrow's Leaders” that will lend prestige to the program; and,
• Four-year scholarships, lodging, and stipends for four classes (of up to at least 15 scholarship recipients per class) of “Tomorrow's Leaders.”

Essential components of the scholarship program, therefore, include: complementary and reinforcing internships that involve community outreach and volunteerism; a limited exchange opportunity at a partnering university in the United States; a mentorship with a local community, university, or business leader; public events that offer local prestige and recognition of the participants; and, dialogue and active engagement with the private sector. With the selection of scholarship recipients from various countries across the Near East and North Africa, the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program will help ensure that the academic and practical experiences gained through completing the program are reinforced, over time, on national, regional, and international stages.

V. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

“Tomorrow's Leaders” host institution(s) will have primary responsibility for the recruitment and screening of potential scholarship recipients. Representatives from the local U.S. embassy and/or the MEPI regional office may participate in program recruitment, as well, and will participate in the selection of screened candidates. Eligible scholarship recipients are highly motivated and exemplary high school seniors, particularly those from “non-traditional” backgrounds from Middle Eastern countries, including: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen who demonstrate leadership through: academic work; community involvement; extracurricular activities; and, an essay articulating anticipated post-graduate professional/academic plans, including plans for the integration of the skills and experience derived from participation in the MEPI “Tomorrow's Leaders” program in their home countries/communities. (NOTE: “Non traditional” is intended here to indicate those who are socio-economically disadvantaged, as explained above.) Alumni of other MEPI-funded programs should be given special consideration. Eligible candidates should possess the capacity to participate actively and fully in the rigorous, dynamic components of the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program, and have an expressed intention to return to their home countries/communities at the conclusion of their academic and/or professional training.

“Tomorrow's Leaders” candidates should otherwise meet the established admissions qualifications/standards at the host institution(s). Host institution(s) should provide for appropriate English-language instruction, as necessary, consistent with the established admissions and matriculation policies and procedures. (NOTE: MEPI does not consider English language instruction a core element of the funded academic/internship program.) Scholarship recipients may pursue an undergraduate degree in the field of their choice, though special consideration can be given to candidates who have an expressed interest in the areas of legal studies, economics, education, journalism, history, and/or political science.

In selecting “Tomorrow's Leaders” scholarship recipients, host institution(s) should place specific emphasis on identifying a mix of male and female scholarship recipients representing the region's cultural, religious, and geographic diversity, and on candidates who would not otherwise be able to afford a four-year academic program at the host institution(s). Preference should be given to applicants who have previously participated in MEPI-funded programs, such as the Student Leaders Study of the United States Institutes or ACCESS Microscholarships.

VI. AWARD INFORMATION

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement

Anticipated Total Program Funding: Up to $7 million in federal fiscal year 2006 funds

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to effectively prepare, administer, and support all components of the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program. In the implementation of all of these responsibilities, MEPI must be consulted, especially in the resolution of any and all problems that may arise. The administrative portion of the grant should be kept to a minimum, and MEPI encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost-sharing and funding from private sources in support of this project.

MEPI expects to make at least two awards, one each to institutions in Lebanon and Egypt. Coalitions between/among eligible institutions of higher education are strongly encouraged.

Project and Budget Periods: Applicants may propose performance periods of up to five years. The first “Tomorrow's Leaders” scholarship recipients should be expected to begin their four-year program in September 2007.

Should more than one Cooperative Agreement be awarded, the recipient institutions implementing the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program will be expected to coordinate between/among themselves, particularly in areas of outreach and alumni activities, to ensure that all the approximately 60 scholarship recipients benefit from the experiences and networking opportunities of the full cadre of program participants.

Upon selection, the host institution(s) will be asked to enter into a binding cooperative agreement with MEPI for a negotiated level of tuition for each student for at least four academic years. The Agreement shall specify that, in the event of a tuition increase during the period of the program, the school(s) will honor the agreed-upon tuition rate for the recipient students, waiving any tuition increase. The Agreement shall also specify that the selected school(s) will not charge any increase back to a scholarship recipient or his family.

VII. INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY

This solicitation is limited to not-for-profit American institutions of higher education operating in the Middle East that are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and are not controlled by the government of the country in which they are located. Eligible institutions must have demonstrated capacity and experience to: 1) design and offer all of the essential components of the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program, including, but not limited to 2) the institutional capacity to place and monitor scholarship recipients in internships and study abroad programs; and, for the study in the U.S. component of the program, 3) to administer an Exchange Visitor (J visa) Program within full government regulations as set forth in 22 CFR 6Z.

Additional Information on Eligibility: All federal assistance recipients must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number prior to funds disbursement per a new U.S. Government policy (published in the Federal Register June 27, 2003) applicable to all grant recipients. A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at www.dnb.com

VIII. Application Submission and Deadline: December 4, 2006

An application (Standard Form 424) with an original signature is required. The application form (Standard Form 424) and instructions can be obtained from either:

• http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/#forms or
• Jessica Baker, U.S. Department of State, NEA/ PI, Room 6258, 2201 C St. NW, Washington, DC, 20520, telephone (202) 776-8624, fax (202) 776-8445, e-mail nea-grants@state.gov

Application may be made through www.grants.gov using e-apply.

The submission checklist for applicant's easy reference:
____ (a) SF-424
____ (b) Cover Sheet (Executive Summary): Format found at Attachment I
____ (c) Narrative: The application narrative should not exceed 20 pages with
no more than 20 pages of appendices attached. Each page should be numbered
sequentially. The limitation of 40 pages should be considered as a maximum
and not necessarily a goal, and includes the budget submission. Narrative
submission should be in Times New Roman font, size 12, single-line spacing.
____ (d) Copy of Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) if available
____ (e) Latest annual report if available

IX. APPLICATION COMPONENTS

The successful applicant will submit a detailed description of how it would design and implement each of the required components referenced above, and described below:

A. Recruitment

The application should include a plan to advertise and recruit qualified scholarship recipients, consistent with the profile articulated above. In particular, alumni of MEPI-funded programs such as the ACCESS Microscholarship and/or the Student Leaders Study of the United States Institutes programs should be targeted. Emphasis should be placed on both male and female students, with demonstrated leadership potential, who are highly motivated and of diverse and traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds from across the Middle East. Submissions should describe how they will assess the suitability of potential scholarship recipients for the rigors of the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program, including the potential recipients' future leadership plans, as well as the recipients' commitment to the program. Additionally, the submission should also include a discussion of how the host institution(s) will be prepared to identify additional scholarship placements in the event an identified recipient withdraws prior to or during the program.

B. Academic Component

The application should include a tailored, American-style academic program, complete with relevant seminars, coursework, speakers, and workshops on the key elements of leadership and civic engagement designed by the grantee in consultation with MEPI. The curriculum should focus on key issues that include the following: service-learning; characteristics and attributes of an effective leader; a comparative and historical analysis of democratic thought and systems; the development of democratic institutions; U.S. or other constitutional law; citizenship and civic education; contemporary issues and their implications on public policy; the role of media in public fora; leadership in a multi-cultural society; the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society; discussions of approaches to address social, political, and economic issues; and, the exploration of social and civil issues in an ethical framework.

The host institution(s) is also expected to develop a practicum through which scholarship recipients will learn how to develop individually-led and group-led projects that promote or relate to civic engagement and/or volunteerism.

C. Community Service Internships

The application should provide opportunities to provide community service through internships with a political, non-governmental, civil society, volunteer, or public policy organization. The purpose of this experiential learning opportunity is to provide scholarship recipients with unique tools and skills, a background of practical experience, as well as further professional contacts to draw upon within their network, so to pursue leadership, civic engagement, and reform opportunities successfully in their home countries.

The host institution(s) will be responsible for finding internship opportunities, placing “Tomorrow's Leaders” in appropriate internships, and monitoring their experience.

In addition to providing placement and logistical support, the implementer is also expected to organize a series of regular networking and cultural enrichment activities for “Tomorrow's Leaders.”

D. Study in the U.S. and Internship Placement Support

It is the host institution(s) responsibility to arrange participants' internships and study abroad programs. The internship hosting organization will be responsible for professional development and management experience; a workplace orientation that includes meeting supervisors, assigning mentors, and reviewing the work outline; and assisting with the identification and arrangement of housing (prior to the intern's arrival). Host institutions(s) should ensure that scholarship recipients receive adequate pre-departure orientation in preparation for their time in the U.S.

Applicants should plan for coordination with the U.S. Department of State and other participating organizations to ensure a smooth transition to the internship component of the program. Coordination includes making participants' travel arrangements (including visas), ensuring that appropriate housing is available during the internship/study abroad period and preparing the participants for living independently in a U.S. city (if necessary). Additionally, the grantee should be prepared to assist in identifying additional internship placements in the event an organization withdraws its offer of internship once the participants arrive in the U.S.

Successful applicants will be responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to participants in this program. A copy of the complete regulations governing the administration of Exchange Visitor (J) programs is available at http://exchanges.state.gov or from:

United States Department of State

Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation

E. Mentors and Council of Community Leaders

Host institution(s) will be responsible for the identification and engagement of committed faculty, and public and private sector leaders — on the local, national, and/or regional stages — to participate as mentors and members of the Council of Community Leaders. Selected individuals should: represent, to the greatest extent possible, gender, social, ethnic, and religious diversity; be recognized as leaders in their chosen field; be available on a regular basis to participate as active members of the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program, providing expert guidance and counseling; offer opportunities for the development and utilization of scholarship recipients' practical skills; and, help promote program events.

F. Administration and Support of Participants

The application should include a plan for monitoring and support of program participants during both the regional and the U.S. portion of the program, including travel, housing and living stipend, and program evaluation. Applications must discuss how the participants' progress in achieving program goals and objectives will be monitored. Proposals should cite the intended frequency and form of communication with the participants throughout the four-year program, including during summer internship and U.S. study abroad portions. The use of email lists and a program website should be utilized where possible and cost-efficient. Applicant organizations should define their policies for working with scholarship recipients who do not maintain the academic standards of the academic portion of the program, the internship, practicum, and outreach elements, and/or violate program regulations.

The application should outline performance goals or benchmarks. Short- and long-term evaluations are critical to the success and continuation of the program. Per the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, federal agencies must create strategic plans, set performance goals, and develop methods for measuring how well these goals are realized. Applications may include an evaluation plan that will address the GPRA's requirements and assess the long-term impact and effectiveness of this program. Evaluation plans may include a plan for U.S. internship coordinators to evaluate the impact of the program on their organizations and local communities. Applications should include quantifiable performance goals, methods for measuring the achievement of these goals and objectives, and a plan for evaluating the effect of the program, on the participants, internship sites, and the surrounding communities. Consideration should be given to the appropriate timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-term outcomes.

We encourage the assessment of the following four levels of outcomes, as they relate to the program goals set out in this request for applications (listed here in increasing order of importance):

• Participant satisfaction with the program and exchange experience.
• Participant learning, such as increased knowledge, aptitude, skills, and changed understanding and attitude. Learning includes both substantive (subject-specific) learning and mutual understanding.
• Participant behavior, concrete actions to apply knowledge in work or community; greater participation and responsibility in civic organizations; interpretation and explanation of experiences and new knowledge gained; continued contacts between participants, community members, and others.
• Institutional changes, such as increased collaboration and partnerships, policy reforms, new programming, and organizational improvements.

Please note: Consideration should be given to the appropriate timing of data collection for each level of outcome. For example, satisfaction is usually captured as a short-term outcome, whereas behavior and institutional changes are normally considered longer-term outcomes.

G. Alumni

In addition to integrating the “Tomorrow's Leaders” into the host institution(s) alumni network, the host institution(s) will create a “Tomorrow's Leaders” Alumni Association and design a listserv that facilitates scholarship recipients' ability to stay in touch and share experiences with one another. If more than one host institution is selected to implement the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program, those institutions will coordinate with one another on these – and any additional – alumni tracking and networking opportunities.

The host institution(s) will provide program participants' names and contact information to MEPI upon the participant's selection. This will enable MEPI to invite “Tomorrow's Leaders” program participants to participate in the Middle East Partnership Initiative Alumni Network.

H. Public Affairs

The application should include a plan to publicize the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program, both within the university community, in the internship-hosting-cities, and nationally. All public events and forms of publicity (i.e. newspaper articles, brochures, banners, etc.) should acknowledge MEPI funding and collaboration as a partner throughout.

I. Sustainability

The applicant should address its plans for how it plans to develop and/or incorporate methods, approaches, and strategies in an effort to sustain the achievements of the program at the conclusion of USG funding. Such efforts could include the integration of the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program as a sustained scholarship program funded through the host institution(s) fundraising efforts or other (i.e., endowment) resource pools. Similarly, the applicant should address how it might integrate components of the “Tomorrow's Leaders” academic and/or training elements into the basic undergraduate academic program that the school offers.

J. Other Cooperative Agreement Elements

The applicant may propose other programmatic elements that it considers essential elements that would strengthen the “Tomorrow's Leaders” program. This could include such items as longer-term mentorship programs between scholarship recipients and local public and private sector professionals and activists, or intensive, preparatory English language instruction. All additional elements proposed should be added to the budget requested below.

K. Key Personnel

The applicant should provide an organization chart and brief biographies of the individuals who will be committed to carrying out this Cooperative Agreement. At a minimum this should include: 1) “Tomorrow's Leaders” manager(s) for each component; 2) lecturers / discussion leaders; 3) potential organization partners; 4) potential mentors and Council of Community leaders; 5) Study in the U.S. partners; and, the 6) alumni coordinator.

Submission: Applications may be sent via email to nea-grants@state.gov with “Tomorrow's Leaders” in the subject line. Applications must receive email confirmation from MEPI that the application has been received in advance of the December 4, 2006 deadline, or disregarding the previous, simply apply online via http://www.grants.gov by the December 4, 2006 deadline. No submission in zip file format will be accepted.

X. Review and Selection Process

Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the following evaluation criteria. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application for unique and innovative opportunities. Points are awarded only to applications that are responsive within the context of this program announcement.

Organizational Profile (40 points)

Experience of Degree Granting Institution (25 points)

• Experience in creating and managing education programs
• Experience in placing students in internships
• Experience in working with international students, particularly from the Middle East
• Experience in developing programs for key sectors in the Middle East
• Knowledge of the political environment in the Middle East

Experience of Project Team (15 points)

• Professional experience of team leader and program manager
• Academic faculty to run educational component
• Professional experiences of training staff
• Prior experience with Middle East programs
• Relevant language skills

Budget (20 points)

A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for the budget period requested which provides information on:

• Per-student cost – covering all program requirements – for four years
• Professional staff salaries and benefits
• Other staff salaries and benefits
• Costs for training venue
• Costs for materials to be prepared for seminars
• International travel expenses for participants (including visa costs)
• Travel expenses for participants while attending the seminar, including site visits
• Translation/interpretation costs (for alumni programs in the region)
• Costs for alumni programs
• Costs for written deliverables other than training materials
• Any other identifiable costs

Approach (40 points)

Program Design (20 points)

The project application must clearly identify in measurable terms the following:

• Learning goals and objectives clearly explained
• Rationale for presentations, group learning activities, individual projects.
• Quality of proposed learning and reference materials to be provided
• Performance measurement tools, qualitative and quantitative, with proposal for feedback to participants
• Public affairs plan
• Post-seminar outreach/network strategies
• Plan for registering alumni, tracking alumni for life of grant, and making information available to the USG in electronic format
• Value-added outreach and networking activities
• Quality of application for annual Alumni programs in the Middle East and North Africa

Program Management (20 points)

The applicant should demonstrate that his organization has the capacity to:

• Implement a scheduling and monitoring plan
• Produce training materials
• Provide financial reporting and expense tracking system
• Select venues for training activities and ensuring cost competitiveness
• Manage travel expenses and allowable per diem for participants

XI. Award Administration and National Policy Requirements. The applicant selected for award of competition under this RFA will receive a grant provided that it executes a bilateral grant agreement containing terms and conditions prescribed by U.S. law and regulation (see, e.g., Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 145).”

Grantees will be required to provide formal quarterly written financial and programmatic reports including analysis of any related evaluation findings in their regular program reports. All data collected, including survey responses and contact information, must be maintained for a minimum of three years after the award has terminated and provided to MEPI upon request.

Reports on the program will be posted at www.mepi.state.gov.