Title VIII Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and Eurasia | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Title VIII Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and Eurasia?

The Title VIII Program is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity that supports advanced area studies focused on Eastern Europe and Eurasia. It is administered through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), Office of Outreach, and is designed to sustain and expand U.S. expertise and language proficiency related to the region, while connecting that expertise to practical U.S. government needs and foreign policy objectives.

Which office at the U.S. Department of State administers this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), Office of Outreach, within the U.S. Department of State.

What is the overall purpose of this funding opportunity?

The program is intended to: (1) sustain and expand U.S. knowledge and expertise on Eastern Europe and Eurasia; (2) make that expertise available to support the work of the U.S. Government; and (3) advance U.S. foreign assistance and policy goals connected to the region.

Who is this grant designed to fund: individuals or organizations?

This opportunity is primarily aimed at funding experienced intermediary organizations rather than awarding most funds directly to individual students or scholars. Awardees are expected to run nationwide, merit-based competitions and manage competitive sub-awards and related programming for U.S. scholars, students, specialists, and institutions.

What does the Department of State mean by an "intermediary organization" in this context?

An intermediary organization is an entity with the capacity to serve as a national program hub, including designing and running competitions, selecting and funding participants through sub-awards, overseeing sub-grants, managing program performance, and supporting dissemination and engagement activities tied to Eastern Europe and Eurasia expertise.

What types of activities are supported under this program?

Supported activities fall under an education-oriented category and include graduate training, advanced research, and public dissemination of research methods, data, and findings. The opportunity also emphasizes contact and collaboration between government specialists and non-government experts.

Does the program encourage research or training in the region?

Yes. Where feasible, the program encourages on-site research and training in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The rationale is that field-based work and direct exposure can improve language acquisition, contextual understanding, and the quality of scholarship.

How should applicants connect proposed activities to U.S. government priorities?

Applicants are expected to make an explicit, well-supported link between proposed activities and U.S. policy priorities, national capability, and maintaining a strong pipeline of experts. Proposals should explain how the research and training strengthen long-term American capacity and how that capacity connects to practical U.S. government needs and broader foreign policy objectives.

What role does outreach to the academic community play in this program?

Outreach and relationship-building with the academic community are emphasized. The program reflects the view that government analysts and policy staff benefit from regular engagement with outside scholars who can bring new perspectives, methods, data, and on-the-ground insights that improve analysis and decision-making.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based: (1) public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, (2) private institutions of higher education, and (3) nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status.

Are there additional expectations beyond basic eligibility?

Yes. The Department of State is specifically seeking applicants with substantial, wide-reaching experience administering research and training programs at a national level, since awardees must be able to run fair and credible competitions, oversee sub-grants, and manage performance.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources and document them as part of the proposal.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is S-INR-09-RFP-001.

Is the competition open and merit-based?

Yes. Awards are made through an open, merit-based competition.

What were the key dates for the FY2009 cycle listed in the notice?

The notice lists a posted date of February 9, 2009. The original closing date was April 14, 2009, later extended to April 17, 2009. The archive date was May 14, 2009.

Why does the listing show an award ceiling and floor of 0?

The summary fields show an award ceiling and floor of 0, which typically indicates the specific amounts were not entered into those summary fields. Applicants were expected to consult the full announcement for detailed funding levels, anticipated number of awards, and budget guidance.

Where are the full announcement and application instructions found?

The notice references the full announcement and application instructions. Applicants were expected to consult those materials for details such as funding levels, the number of anticipated awards, and budget guidance.

Who should applicants contact if they have trouble accessing the announcement materials?

The notice directs applicants who had trouble accessing the materials to contact the program email: johnsonjm@state.gov.

What would a typical applicant organization be proposing to do?

In practical terms, a typical applicant would propose to operate a national Title VIII program office or hub. This includes designing and running competitions, selecting and funding participants, supporting language and research training, encouraging dissemination of results, and creating structured opportunities for interaction between the funded academic community and U.S. government stakeholders.

What administrative and management capabilities are emphasized in the opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes strong administrative capacity, transparent selection processes, the ability to oversee sub-grants, credible and fair competition management, program performance management, and a clear plan for how research and training outputs will be shared.

What is the intended beneficiary community for sub-awards and programming?

Sub-awards and related programming are intended to support U.S. scholars, students, specialists, and institutions focused on Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

What kinds of outputs or results does the program expect to be shared?

The program highlights public dissemination of research methods, data, and findings, and expects applicants to present a clear plan for how research and training outputs will be shared and connected to relevant stakeholders, including U.S. government audiences.

How does this program frame the value of connecting scholars with government specialists?

The opportunity highlights the value of contact and collaboration between government specialists and non-government experts, with the goal of bringing outside perspectives and on-the-ground insights into better-informed government analysis and decision-making.