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A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Vienna of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to increase understanding of the United States and strengthen support for the transatlantic relationship and our common goals among young, emerging voices in Austrians. Please follow all instructions below. Although Austrians – especially the younger generations – tend to be eager consumers of American technology and popular culture, and view America’s economic prowess and entrepreneurial spirit as world class, there is skepticism toward U.S. global leadership, including the impression that the United States acts unilaterally on the world stage, concern about the stability of democracy, societal divides, and polarization in the United States. U.S. Embassy Vienna invites proposals for a Youth and Education Exchange to be carried out between September 2024 and December 2025. In times of increasing discord and mis- and disinformation, this program promises to contribute to coming generations of Austrian leaders’ understanding of the United States. Priority Region: None Program Objectives: This exchange program will focus on U.S. culture, shared values, disinformation, DEIA, and the contemporary American political and media landscape. The goal is to reinforce the power of shared democratic values, provide a first-hand look at the U.S. political process and the role of civil society, and enhance people-to-people ties between young Austrians and Americans. The program will reduce stereotypes and produce informed young Austrians who can act as citizen ambassadors, thus benefiting the Austrian-American relationship in the years ahead. As this will be a cooperative agreement, U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement in this effort including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy is providing maximum flexibility for applicant organizations to offer program models that effectively meet the overall goals of the program. In addition to those listed above, required elements of the program are as follows: - Participants should learn about the essential elements of contemporary American life, in particular leadership, civil society, community engagement, and politics and how these elements inter-relate. Participants should have the opportunity to experience these elements in a local U.S. community through interactive, hands-on training, which might include, for example: formal presentations, meetings with stakeholders, discussions, and cultural or social events. - Participants should have interaction with policy experts, media professionals, civil society representatives, and academics and students in both countries. - The program should include elements for post-program engagement with the Austrian participants that include mentoring and supporting participants as alumni of this program. - The recipient will identify specific and measurable outputs and outcomes based on the project specifications provided in the solicitation. Additional program goals include: - Promote future Austrian leaders’ awareness of the American political process and the resilience of U.S. democracy. - Encourage identification of the United States as a destination for future academic, business, or other partnerships, and ongoing education. - Foster professional and personal ties with participants and U.S. citizens in the local community. - Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Austria. Participants and Audiences: Target audience and participants are 10-15 Austrian university students and young professionals, between age 21 and 28 and residing permanently in Austria, with demonstrated leadership capacity to participate in a tailored and compact hybrid (with a virtual pre-program phase) program in Austria and the United States, focusing on education and leadership. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $150,000 Total available funding: $150,000 (pending availability of funds) Type of Funding: FY24 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: September 15, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). U.S. Embassy Vienna will have substantial involvement including participant selection and approval of the program structure and content of the U.S. component. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less. Optional: The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply: · Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations · Public and private educational institutions · For-profit organizations CANNOT apply. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching U.S. Embassy Vienna encourages cost-sharing, which may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition, but a very competitive application will include cost sharing that allows for more participants. The recipient of an assistance award must maintain written records to support all allowable costs which are claimed as its contribution to cost participation, as well as costs to be paid by the federal government. Such records are subject to audit. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. For the following sections please see the attached A2A FY24 NOFO Youth and Education Exchange document D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: ViennaGrants@state.gov H. OTHER INFORMATION

Note: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022. Purpose of Program: In awarding the research grants, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3) employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information about education practices that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners. These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. In awarding research training grant programs, IES aims to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant education and special education research that advances knowledge within the field and addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners. Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing four research competitions through two of its centers: The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing two competitions in the following areas: education research, and statistical and research methodology in education. The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is announcing two competitions—one competition in each of the following areas: special education research, and special education research training. NCER Competitions Education Research Grants Program (ALN 84.305A). Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one of the following topics: · Career and Technical Education. · Civics Education and Social Studies. · Cognition and Student Learning. · Early Learning Programs and Policies. · English Learner Policies, Programs, and Practices. · Improving Education Systems: Policies, Finance, Organization, Management, and Leadership. · Literacy. · Postsecondary and Adult Education. · Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education. · Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Context for Teaching and Learning. · Teaching, Teachers, and the Education Workforce. Statistical and Research Methodology in the Education Sciences (ALN 84.305D). Under this competition, NCER will consider applications that address one of the following topics: · Core Grants (which supports the development of new and improved statistical and research methods and their dissemination to education researchers). · Toolkits, Guidelines, Compendia, Review Papers, and Curated Data Resources. NCSER Competitions Special Education Research Grants Program (ALN 84.324A). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address the following topic: · Education Systems. Research Training Programs in Special Education (ALN 84.324B). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address the following topic: · Early Career Development and Mentoring. Multiple Submissions: You may submit applications to more than one of the FY 2025 research grant programs offered through the Department, including those offered through IES as well as those offered through other offices and programs within Department. You may submit multiple applications to each IES grant program announced here as long as they address different key issues, programs, or policies. However, you may submit a given application only once for the IES FY 2025 grant competitions, meaning you may not submit the same application or similar applications to multiple grant programs within IES, to multiple topics within a grant competition, or multiple times within the same topic. If you submit multiple similar applications, IES will determine whether and which applications will be accepted for review and/or will be eligible for funding. In addition, if you submit the same or similar application to IES and to another funding entity within or external to the Department of Education and receive funding for the non-IES application prior to IES scientific peer review of applications, you must withdraw the same or similar application submitted to IES, or IES may otherwise determine you are ineligible to receive an award. If reviews are happening concurrently, IES staff will consult with the other potential funder to determine the degree of overlap and which entity will provide funding if both applications are being considered for funding. Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the opportunity to comment on matters relating to grants. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq. Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal civil rights laws. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR part 75 are applicable, except for the provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b), 75.102, 75.103, 75.105, 75.109(a), 75.200, 75.201, 75.209, 75.210, 75.211, 75.217(a)-(c), 75.219, 75.220, 75.221, 75.222, 75.230, and 75.250(a). (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not apply to these competitions. Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.324B.