Internet Access and Training Program

Internet Access and Training Program in the New Independent States for Alumni of USIA Academic and Professional Exchanges

SPONSOR: United States Information Agency

SYNOPSIS: The United States Information Agency announces an open competition for assistance awards in conducting international exchange and training programs, and demonstrated experience administering non-commercial Internet projects in the New Independent States, and meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501 may apply to develop and administer the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) in one or more of the following four categories: 1) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia; 2) Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova; 3) Russian Federation; and 4) Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan.

DEADLINES: 12-18-1998

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) is to provide alumni of USIA academic and professional exchange programs and other audiences identified by the United States Information Service (USIS) with free and open access to and training in the use of the Internet so that they can: (1) Continue information sharing, network building, communication, and collaboration with American counterparts, U.S. host institutions, and each other; (2) Obtain useful on-line information resources in their academic and professional fields as well as current information about the U.S.; (3) Publish information on the World Wide Web; and (4) Develop Internet-based information resources in local languages and/or English or other electronic projects that promote academic and professional exchange in the information age and strengthen U.S.--NIS cooperation and communication. Academic and professional fields of USIA program alumni include, but are not limited to, American Studies, Area Studies (NIS), Business, Civic Education, Economics, Education, Government, Journalism, Law, Liberty and Information Science, Political Science, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and Women's Studies.

The sponsor seeks proposals that would (1) Provide sustainable, high speed access to the Internet for USIA program alumni and other USIS-identified audiences by upgrading and/or expanding IATP-supported public access Internet sites and/or other non-commercial Internet training centers at NIS libraries, universities, NGOs, government offices, and other venues; and/or by establishing new non-commercial Internet training centers at NIS partner institutions; and/or by upgrading or expanding academic or non-commercial networks, including IATP FreeNets and alumni networks; (2) Train staff at public access Internet sites and/or Internet training centers and/or non-commercial networks to meet the technical, training, and information needs of USIA program alumni, other end-users, and IATP reporting requirements; (3) Conduct systematic outreach to USIA program alumni, develop mechanisms to ensure that USIA program alumni receive free
>Internet access, training, and services at IATP sites and/or IATP FreeNets, and site usage reports; (4) Develop curriculum, course descriptions, materials, requirements, and schedules for Internet training courses at public access Internet sites or training centers and topics and schedules for specialized workshops or seminars; (5) Administer an open competition for grants for USIA program alumni and their local colleagues to develop Internet-based educational and professional resources in local languages in fields that support the building of free markets, democracy, and civil society.

Proposals should reflect a thorough understanding of the telecommunications infrastructure in each country, technical requirements for implementing all aspects of the project, including procurement of appropriate equipment and services required to connect USIA program alumni and other USIS-identified audiences and institutions to the Internet and establish non-commercial Internet sites and/or enhance non-commercial networks, staff training and team building, curriculum and methodology for Internet courses, knowledge of useful Internet resources in fields of USIA program alumni, procedures for conducting a merit-based open competition for grants, and the political, economic, and social environment in which the program activity will take place. The sponsor expects the IATP to achieve results on three levels: By empowering USIA program alumni to obtain and publish useful on-line information and enrich the content of the Internet in their local languages; by building the internal capacity of NIS partner institutions; and by forging public-private sector partnerships to promote continued academic and professional exchange in the information age between USIA program alumni and their American colleagues and counterparts.

RESTRICTIONS: Eligible applicants are public and private nonprofit organizations with at least four years experience in conducting international exchange and training programs, and demonstrated experience administering non-commercial Internet projects in the New Independent States. Collaboration between the sponsor and U.S. and NIS public and private sector organizations is encouraged.

MONETARY: For Category One, Freedom Support Act (FSA) funding is anticipated at $150,000 for Armenia; $350,000 for Azerbaijan; and $150,000 for Georgia. For Category Two, FSA funding is anticipated at $400,000 for Ukraine; $300,000 for Belarus; and $150,000 for Moldova. For Category Three, FSA funding is anticipated at $1,000,000 for the Russian Federation. For Category Four, FSA funding is anticipated at $400,000 for Kazakhstan; $200,000 for Kyrgyzstan; $300,000 for Uzbekistan; and $60,000 for Turkmenistan. Duration is up to 30 months. Organizations whose proposals include an administrative budget that is less than 20% of the grant amount requested will be considered highly competitive. Allowable program costs include computer and network equipment, hardware, software, peripherals, supplies, services, monthly Internet access fees (if required), training materials, technical consultants, and salaries or honorarium for project personnel; advertising, materials, and honorarium for grants review committee. Allowable administrative costs include salaries and benefits for grantee organization employees, staff travel, shipping, and other direct and indirect costs. USIA expects applicant organizations and other institutions participating in the IATP, including commercial and non-commercial Internet service providers, to provide in-kind contributions and cost-sharing, such as facilities, equipment, and services for public access Internet sites, training centers, and/or non-commercial networks and FreeNets; staff, and training materials, as appropriate.

CONTACT INFO: Ilo Mai Harding; 301 4th Street, SW; E/AEE; Room 246; Washington, DC 20547

Telephone: 202-205-0525; FAX: 202-260-7985

Source of Information: Federal Register; 1998-10-29; 58096