1 FAM 340
BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS (ECA)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
(Office of Origin: ECA/EX)
1 FAM 341 BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS (ECA)
1 FAM 341.1 Goal/Mission
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The mission of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries by fostering mutual understanding through international educational and cultural exchange and training programs. The bureau strengthens the ties that unite the United States with other nations by promoting personal, professional, and institutional contacts between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art, and culture in all of its diversity to audiences abroad.
1 FAM 341.2 Authorities
(CT:ORG-494; 12-06-2018)
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (Fulbright-Hays; the Act) established the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to carry out the purposes of and manage, coordinate, and oversee programs established pursuant to the Act. 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq. See 10 FAM 200 for directives pertaining to the operation of ECA-managed programs. Other authorities of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs include:
(1) Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, as amended; 22 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.;
(2) Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, as amended; 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. and Executive Order 12555;
(3) Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J), 8 U.S.C. 1372(h)(2)(A), and 8 U.S.C. 1182(J);
(4) Dante B. Fascell North-South Center Act of 1991, 22 U.S.C. 2075;
(5) Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West Act of 1960, 22 U.S.C. 2055;
(6) National Endowment for Democracy Act. 22 U.S.C. 4411 et seq.;
(7) Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act, 20 U.S.C. 971 et seq.;
(8) Exemption from Judicial Seizure of Cultural Objects Imported for Temporary Exhibition, 22 U.S.C. 2459 (Public Law 89-259, 79 Stat. 985);
(9) Agreement for Facilitating the International Circulation of Visual and Auditory Materials of an Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Character (Beirut Agreement; approved 1948);
(10) Annual authorization acts providing for designated educational and cultural exchange programs; and
(11) Authorities to conduct the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) in the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56), and Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-173), Section 501 Foreign Student Monitoring Program (SEVIS).
1 FAM 341.3 The Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
(CT:ORG-494; 12-06-2018)
The Assistant Secretary, who reports directly to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (R):
(1) Plans, organizes and directs the Department's educational and cultural exchange activities;
(2) Maintains relationships with other U.S. Government agencies, private groups, and nongovernment organizations and institutions in support of educational and cultural exchange programs;
(3) Administers the provisions of the Fulbright-Hays Act and other legislation relating to worldwide educational and cultural exchange programs;
(4) In coordination with affected Department elements, maintains continued liaison with appropriate congressional committees concerning the Department’s educational and cultural exchange policies and programs;
(5) Chairs the Interagency Working Group on U.S. Government-sponsored International Exchanges and Training (IAWG); and
(6) Has overall substantive and coordinating responsibility for 1 FAM 340 and 10 FAM 200, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
1 FAM 342 OFFICES REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
1 FAM 342.1 Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (ECA)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The ECA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) serves as principal deputy to the Assistant Secretary in coordinating ECA policy, management, and operations. The PDAS:
(1) In coordination with other ECA deputy assistant secretaries, supports the Assistant Secretary in ensuring that overall policy for the conduct of international educational and cultural activities of all agencies of the U.S. Government is properly formulated and consistent with other aspects of U.S. foreign policy and international programs, and that bureau operations are conducted in a manner that contributes to the maximum extent possible to the accomplishment of foreign policy objectives of the United States. The ECA PDAS represents the Assistant Secretary and the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, as required, on matters concerning bureau operations;
(2) The PDAS also:
(a) Leads the bureau’s day-to-day management and assumes responsibility in the absence of the Assistant Secretary for bureau operations;
(b) Works closely with geographic bureaus in coordinating and conceptualizing international exchange programs;
(c) Makes recommendations and oversees policy studies on all bureau activities for transmittal by the Assistant Secretary to the Under Secretary and other official and private individuals, and takes appropriate action and follows up on approved policy decisions to assure effective implementation; and
(d) Directly supervises the work of the bureau’s front office staff, a secretary, the ECA-IIP Executive Director, and the Director, Office of Policy and Evaluation.
1 FAM 342.2 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Exchange Programs (ECA/A)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Exchange Programs develops policy for and plans, develops, implements, supervises and coordinates all exchange programs involving the support and promotion of U.S. citizen studies abroad; the exchange of academics between U.S. and foreign colleges and universities; support and facilitative assistance to foreign students studying in the United States; and English language programs and support activities. The ECA/A DAS directly supervises the directors of the Office of Academic Exchanges (ECA/A/E), the Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L), and the Office of Global Educational Programs (ECA/A/S). (See 1 FAM 344 and 10 FAM 220.)
1 FAM 342.3 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges(ECA/PE)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges (ECA/PE) develops policy for and plans, develops, implements, supervises and coordinates all exchange programs involving professional, cultural, sports, and youth exchanges as well as special projects. The ECA/PE DAS directly supervises the directors of the Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V) and the Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C). (See 1 FAM 345 and 10 FAM 210.)
1 FAM 342.4 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange (ECA/EC)
(CT:ORG-327; 02-19-2014)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange (ECA/EC) is responsible for managing and implementing statutory authorities vested in the Secretary of State and delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs to facilitate the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). (See 1 FAM 346 and 10 FAM 250). The ECA/EC DAS directly supervises the Director of the ECA/EC Policy and Program Support Unit, and the Directors of the Office of Private Sector Designation (ECA/EC/D), the Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration (ECA/EC/OPA), and the Office of Exchange Coordination and Compliance (ECA/EC/ECC).
1 FAM 342.5 J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (ECA/FFSB)
(CT:ORG-327; 02-19-2014)
Reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, and functioning as authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act, the presidentially-appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB; board) establishes the policies governing the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program and makes the final selections of individual participants in the program. (See 1 FAM 344, 10 FAM 220, and the FFSB Regs.)
a. The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board staff (ECA/FFSB):
(1) Maintains liaison on behalf of the FFSB with Department elements, embassies, and binational commissions, the cooperating academic recruitment and screening agencies, governmental and private organizations, and educational institutions;
(2) Provides secretariat services to the FFSB and its working subcommittees, including staff support for board studies, preparation of agenda policy papers, minutes of board meetings, and follow-up on FFSB decisions;
(3) Prepares and disseminates FFSB policy statements and interprets and monitors the application of such policies. In consultation with the FFSB chairperson, prepares the FFSB annual report to the Congress and public; and
(4) Provides guidance on the conduct of binational commission programs and the negotiation of binational commission executive agreements.
1 FAM 342.6 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Evaluation (ECA/P)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Policy and Evaluation (ECA/P) works closely with geographic bureaus in coordinating international exchange programs in support of foreign policy objectives, as well as across ECA to effectively monitor and continually improve ECA programs. The ECA/P DAS directly supervises the Directors of the Policy Office (ECA/P/K), the Office of Alumni Affairs (ECA/P/A), the Cultural Heritage Center (ECA/P/CHC), the Office of the U.S. Speaker Program (ECA/P/S), and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation Unit (ECA/P/MELI).
1 FAM 343 OFFICES REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE ECA PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY
1 FAM 343.1 Office of the Executive Director (ECA-IIP/EX)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Office of the Executive Director (ECA-IIP/EX) provides executive direction for the full range of administrative, resource management, planning, and internal control activities of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP). ECA-IIP/EX:
(1) Advises the ECA Assistant Secretary and the IIP Coordinator on organizational management activities;
(2) Performs all functions related to, formulation and execution of, ECA’s unique direct appropriation and to the management of trust-fund earnings and transfers, including the management of compensation for all employees. ECA-IIP/EX oversees the transfer of appropriated funds and reimbursements;
(3) Provides administrative support for ECA and IIP, including logistics and travel support, space planning, procurement, property management, and grantee sickness and accident/health benefits (see 10 FAM 240);
(4) Administers the Beirut Agreement for the worldwide free flow of audiovisual materials of an educational, scientific, and cultural character and makes final decisions to issue certificates for export and authenticate documents for import covered by the agreement;
(5) Under authority delegated by and under policy direction of the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE), plans, directs, and executes by grant or cooperative agreement, or other appropriate means, assistance instruments for the Department’s educational and cultural exchange programs (see 4 FAM 600 and 10 FAM 230);
(6) Coordinates numerous personnel functions and programs of ECA and IIP, including position classification, staffing and recruitment, merit promotion, employee relations, employee benefits, training and development, organizational development and/or restructuring, position management, awards, reinventing processes, and mediation;
(7) Provides human resources services to those bureaus that have selected it as their human resources service provider;
(8) Oversees ECA’s process for awarding institutional grants and cooperative agreements to nonprofit organizations in support of the long-term foreign policy objectives of the United States. The staff ensures that the congressionally-mandated grant review process is observed, and the head of the staff, the grants coordinator, so certifies in notifying appropriate congressional committees of planned awards in accordance with the language of the Senate report accompanying the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1984 and 1985 (see 10 FAM 230); and
(9) Provides support and advice to the ECA-IIP Executive Director and senior managers in ECA, IIP, and the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs on cross-bureau administrative and management issues.
1 FAM 343.2 Office of Policy and Evaluation (ECA/P)
(CT:ORG-292; 01-04-2013)
a. The Office of Policy and Evaluation (ECA/P) advises the Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary on conceptual approaches to the bureau's activities and on the foreign policy direction and content of bureau programming; ensures that bureau programs consistently and appropriately reflect and support U.S. foreign policy interests; maintains liaison with regional and thematic offices and works to coordinate communication between the bureau and other Department elements; takes the lead on a wide variety of policy, program, and resource issues that affect the entire bureau; serves as primary bureau point-of-contact with the Office of Strategic Planning and Resources (R/PPR) in the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
b. ECA/P develops the bureau’s performance plan and monitors and advises on activities among bureau elements to ensure consistency with the plan and U.S. foreign policy. ECA/P compiles bureau program statistics in response to the Interagency Working Group on U.S. Government-Sponsored International Exchange and Training, established on July 17, 1997, by Executive Order 13055 and under Section 112(g) of Fulbright-Hays (22 U.S.C. 2460) as amended by Public Law 105-277, 101(b)i.
c. ECA/P oversees and coordinates the bureau’s strategic response to the war on terror.
d. ECA/P evaluates the success, strengths and weaknesses of bureau programs against the performance plan, and prepares annual and periodic reports required by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the President’s Management Agenda (PMA), and the OMB Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) databases.
e. ECA/P plans and coordinates ECA bureau alumni activities and programs, administering the bureau’s alumni budget.
f. ECA/P provides staff support for the Cultural Property Advisory Committee and administers the ECA Cultural Heritage Center, which implements the “Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation,” a program to provide small grants on a competitive basis to preserve objects, sites, or forms of traditional expression in less developed countries; implements cultural property bilateral agreements; engages with UNESCO on activities concerning international cultural heritage issues and the newly adopted program for the “Preservation of Endangered Cultural Assets”; provides thematic expertise to programs developed and supported by the bureau that relate to the preservation of cultural heritage; chairs the interagency Cultural Antiquities Task Force; and, on an ad hoc basis, responds to cultural heritage crises.
1 FAM 344 DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (ECA/A)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs (ECA/A) develops policy for and plans, develops, implements, supervises, and coordinates all bureau international educational programs involving the support and promotion of U.S. citizen studies abroad; the exchange of academics and students between U.S. and foreign colleges and universities through the Fulbright Program and other mechanisms; the exchange of teachers between the United States and other countries abroad and teacher training, study programs for mid-career professionals, support and facilitative assistance to U.S. students studying abroad and foreign students seeking to study in the United States; study of U.S. activities; and English-language and materials programs and support activities including policy advising and consulting by regional English-language officers. The Directorate for Academic Programs represents the Department on international higher education issues involving UNESCO and other bodies; is the primary interface between the Department and other agencies and the private-sector education community in the United States and abroad on international higher education issues; and facilitates special initiatives and outreach activities that intersect with other Department elements or other agencies. (See 1 FAM 343 and 10 FAM 220.)
1 FAM 344.1 Office of Academic Exchange Programs (ECA/A/E)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Office of Academic Exchange Programs (ECA/A/E):
(1) Plans academic exchange programs funded either directly or indirectly by the bureau in conjunction with regional offices, posts, and binational commissions and obtains J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board Staff concurrence on those program plans that involve the Fulbright exchanges;
(2) Recommends academic exchange program policies and procedures and provides policy and procedural guidance to cooperating agencies and bilateral commissions;
(3) Determines procedures for the administration of funded academic exchange programs; informs posts, binational commissions, and other agencies of procedures and of bureau and J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board policies governing selection, grant benefits, academic/professional placements, follow-up, evaluation, and orientation;
(4) Plans and coordinates annual program allocations to partners abroad, e.g., bilateral commissions and posts; monitors bilateral commission financial reporting; and conveys through commission and U.S. officials at embassies, U.S. priorities for binational programs;
(5) Oversees all funded academic exchange programs through direct administration of certain grants and supervision of academic exchange programs administered by other U.S. Government agencies and private organizations under grants or cooperative agreements;
(6) Promotes exchange programs to the U.S. academic and other public sectors through attendance at professional meetings, general consultation on academic exchange programs and the development and distribution of appropriate materials; maintains liaison with other U.S. Government agencies and private organizations that sponsor academic exchange programs;
(7) Provides guidance and support for private-sector outreach domestically and abroad;
(8) Maintains continuous contact with the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and its subcommittees on program planning, grantee selection, and project approval for Fulbright exchange programs; and
(9) Develops and administers short-term exchange programs for foreign educators, foreign policy officials, opinion shapers, and student leaders involved in academic programs focused on study of the United States; provides support for field-initiated U.S. studies programs such as conferences and seminars; and provides support for, and collaborates with, international U.S. studies organizations and institutions.
1 FAM 344.2 Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L) reports directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs. This office plans, conducts, and promotes English-language programs worldwide in support of mission performance plan goals (see 10 FAM 229). The office:
(1) Acquires and produces English-language program materials for classroom use and teacher training, including professional development books, audiovisual materials, and student texts and professional development programs delivered via electronic means in distance learning and local settings;
(2) Publishes the quarterly professional journal, English Teaching Forum, for teachers of English outside the United States;
(3) Maintains and produces Web-based resources, online journals and programs, and the electronic version of the English Teaching Forum;
(4) Directs professional consultants in assisting posts in English-language program activities and promoting, through public affairs sections of U.S. embassies abroad, professional assistance to ministries of education and higher education in the conduct of their English-teaching programs and teacher-training activities;
(5) Advises embassies on all aspects of their English-language activities; administration; teacher training; curriculum development; selection of materials; equipment; and personnel for binational and language centers; and selection of materials and equipment for indigenous academic institutions. ECA/A/L assists embassies in the management of direct English teaching programs;
(6) Compiles records of Department English-language activities for program evaluation and planning purposes;
(7) Administers the Junior and Senior English Language Fellows Program and the English Language Specialists program; and
(8) The Program Branch‑Overseas supports the work of regional English-language officers (RELOs) abroad. These English-language specialists support mission goals by providing expertise in the field of English as a foreign language (EFL) for teacher preparation and development, curriculum design, materials development, assessment and evaluation, distance learning, and educational technology. They perform needs assessment and long-term project planning, and they consult with host-country government officials, university professors and EFL professionals.
1 FAM 344.3 Office of Global Educational Programs (ECA/A/S)
(CT:ORG-327; 02-19-2014)
The Office of Global Educational Programs (ECA/A/S):
(1) Plans, conducts, and promotes teacher exchanges in the United States and abroad;
(2) Supports educational advising centers abroad that provide information on opportunities for higher education in the United States to prospective foreign students and sponsors and arranges for statistical and other data to be collected and analyzed to be used for policy formulation related to international student and scholar plans (see 10 FAM 228);
(3) Organizes the Humphrey Fellows Program for mid-career, nonacademic professionals; and
(4) Supports cooperation between U.S. and foreign colleges and universities with emphasis on curriculum development (see 10 FAM 226, 227, and 228).
(5) Plans, conducts and supports exchange programs that support U.S. undergraduate and graduate student study abroad. ECA/A/S supports the promotion, expansion and, diversification of U.S. studies abroad.
1 FAM 345 DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PROFESSIONAL and CULTURAL EXCHANGES (ECA/PE)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges (ECA/PE) develops policy for and plans and develops implements, supervises, and coordinates all programs involving the Office of International Visitors and the Office of Citizen Exchanges. This directorate is the primary interface between the Department, other agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities, and the arts and sports communities in the United States and abroad on international issues regarding professional, cultural, youth, and sports exchanges; it also facilitates special initiatives and outreach activities that intersect with other Department elements or other agencies.
1 FAM 345.1 Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Office of International Visitors (ECA/PE/V) is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) (see 10 FAM 216). ECA/PE/V also:
(1) Manages all bureau-funded individual, single-country, regional, and multi-regional international visitor leadership programs;
(2) Operates the New York Program Branch;
(3) Works with the Office of Language Services (A/OPR/LS); Federal, State, and local governments; and private organizations and individuals involved in the International Visitor Leadership Program;
(4) Oversees assistance awards with the national program agencies as well as the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) and its network of affiliate volunteer international visitor councils, which carry out the ILVP throughout the United States; provides direction and guidance on changes in policy and procedures related to IVLP programming; and
(5) Arranges professional exchange programs for individuals and groups of voluntary visitors nominated by U.S. embassies, providing programming and logistical support and, in many cases, funding from the bureau to cover expenses incurred within the United States.
1 FAM 345.2 Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C)
(CT:ORG-220; 10-01-2009)
The Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C):
(1) Plans and executes cooperative agreements and grants to U.S. nonprofit, nongovernmental institutions for both year-long and short-term programs, as well as grants to skilled individuals and specialists;
(2) Creates and manages cultural, professional, sport, and youth programs that support sustained and substantive contacts between Americans and their counterparts abroad through two-way exchanges;
(3) Engages foreign audiences, including nonelite populations, through U.S. cultural and sports envoy programs, as well as through professional and high school programs that target diverse groups, including non-English-speaking communities;
(4) Arranges tours of U.S. performing artists, film presentations, and art exhibits around the world, in cooperation with private-sector partners and U.S. embassies abroad; and
(5) Supports U.S. participation in international expositions as authorized under Section 102(a)(3) of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, as amended.
1 FAM 346 DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PRIVATE SECTOR EXCHANGE (ECA/EC)
(CT:ORG-292; 01-04-2013)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Private Sector Exchange (ECA/EC) develops policy for and plans, develops, implements, supervises and coordinates implementation of statutory authorities vested in the Secretary of State to facilitate all aspects of the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). The purpose of the EVP is to provide foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in educational and cultural programs in the United States and then return home to share their experiences, and to encourage Americans to participate in educational and cultural programs in other countries. (See 1 FAM 346 and 10 FAM 250.) The ECA/EC DAS is the primary interface between the Department, Congress, nongovernmental organizations, representatives of other U.S. Federal Government agencies and the private sector to explain and build support for U.S. policy within the broad context of the EVP. The ECA/EC DAS:
(1) Sets policy for and implements the writing and revision of U.S. Federal regulations and directives pertaining to the EVP;
(2) Supervises and approves changes in procedures to designate and re-designate private-sector and government entities to act as sponsors to conduct both work-based and academic-based exchange visitor programs that further the public diplomacy efforts of the U.S. Government; and
(3) Oversees private and government sector compliance with EVP regulations and directives; coordinates the Department’s compliance with legislation, treaty, and international agreement obligations as they relate to the EVP, and assesses and evaluates visa, immigration, labor, economic, and education developments as they relate to international educational and cultural exchange initiatives.
1 FAM 346.1 Office of Deputy Assistant Secretary- Policy and Program Support Unit (ECA/EC)
(CT:ORG-292; 01-04-2013)
A Policy and Program Support Staff provides policy, financial resource and personnel management, and administrative assistance to the DAS. This staff includes a unit Director, Senior Advisor, Policy Advisor, Management Resource Specialist, and Foreign Service Officer Special Assistant.
1 FAM 346.2 Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation (ECA/EC/D)
(CT:ORG-327; 02-19-2014)
The Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation, ECA/EC/D:
(1) Reviews, evaluates, and recommends necessary action on applications from Federal, State, and local government agencies, academic organizations, and private-sector organizations for designation and/or re-designation as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor and for use of the "J" (Exchange Visitor) non-immigrant visa classification. See "Become a Sponsor" on the Exchange Visitor Program Web site.
(2) Reviews and approves or denies requests from EVP sponsors on behalf of exchange visitors for reinstatement or extensions of program status and changes of category and program transfers in accordance with the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, 22 CFR Part 62 (see the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Web site)
(3) See 22 CFR Part 62, which provides all regulations covering operations of the Exchange Visitor Program.
1 FAM 346.3 Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration (ECA/EC/OPA)
(CT:ORG-292; 01-04-2013)
The Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration (ECA/EC/OPA):
(1) Monitors and enforces full compliance of designated sponsors with established Department policy and statutory and regulatory requirements, with the paramount goal of ensuring participant health, safety, and welfare;
(2) Reviews and responds to all complaints and incidents related to the EVP reported to the Department. Forwards those complaints deemed serious in nature immediately to ECA/EC/ECC for further investigation;
(3) Develops, drafts, and clears all required EVP regulatory documents; designs, administers, and analyzes all EVP participant surveys; and reviews and evaluates management audits submitted annually by designated EVP sponsors.
1 FAM 346.4 Office of Exchange Coordination and Compliance (ECA/EC/ECC)
(CT:ORG-292; 01-04-2013)
The Office of Exchange Coordination and Compliance (ECA/EC/ECC):
(1) Investigates serious complaints received from the general public and/or EVP participants or identified through monitoring of sponsor activities. When an investigation determines that a designated sponsor has demonstrated a lack of compliance with established Department EVP policies and statutory and regulatory requirements, ECA/EC/ECC recommends sanctions or corrective action plans of designated sponsor organizations to the ECA/EC DAS;
(2) Monitors and enforces all aspects of designated sponsor compliance with the requirements of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (See the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Web site.)
(3) Works closely with the Department of Homeland Security to perfect and deploy SEVIS and its successor systems and ensure its use by designated sponsors;
(4) Maintains all required liaison with other Department of State bureaus and U.S. Government agencies regarding sanctions and serious complaints about designated program sponsors.
1 FAM 347 Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Evaluation (ECA/P)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Evaluation develops recommendations on conceptual approaches to the bureau's activities and on the foreign policy direction and content of bureau programming and ensures bureau programs consistently, appropriately, and effectively reflect and support U.S. foreign policy interests.
1 FAM 347.1 Office of Policy (ECA/P/K)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
The Office of Policy (ECA/P/K):
(1) Maintains liaison with regional and thematic bureaus and offices as well as interagency partners, coordinating policy and communication between the bureau and other Department and interagency elements;
(2) Takes the lead on a wide variety of policy, program, and resource issues that affect the entire bureau, overseeing and coordinating the bureau’s strategic response;
(3) Serves as primary bureau point-of-contact, coordinating policy and communication, with the Office of Strategic Planning and Resources (R/PPR) in the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
(4) Develops the bureau’s performance plan and, with ECA/P/MELI, monitors and advises on activities among bureau elements to ensure consistency with the plan and U.S. foreign policy.
(5) Serves as the Executive Secretariat of the Interagency Working Group on U.S. Government-Sponsored International Exchange and Training, established on July 17, 1997, by Executive Order 13055 and under Section 112(g) of Fulbright-Hays (22 U.S.C. 2460) as amended by Public Law 105-277, 101(b)i.
1 FAM 347.2 Office of Alumni Affairs (ECA/P/A)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
The Office of Alumni Affairs (ECA/P/A):
(1) Provides policy guidance and oversight for global engagement with alumni of USG-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs.
(2) Maintains the infrastructure that allows the tracking, support and recognition of U.S. and foreign alumni of USG exchange programs to facilitate the U.S. government’s continued engagement with alumni in support of U.S. national security goals
(3) Develops and disseminates alumni engagement best practices, provides training on alumni engagement strategies, and manages a suite of strategic alumni engagement tools that include an online community network, thematic events, professional development seminars, small grant programs, social media, and virtual programs.
(4) Works with regional bureaus and overseas Public Diplomacy Sections in the field to strengthen and activate our global exchange program alumni network to achieve foreign policy goals.
1 FAM 347.3 Cultural Heritage Center (ECA/P/CHC)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
The Cultural Heritage Center (ECA/P/CHC):
(1) Implements the “Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation,” a program established by Congress to provide grants on a competitive basis to preserve objects, sites, or forms of traditional expression in less developed countries;
(2) Negotiates and implements bilateral cultural property agreements;
(3) Provides staff support for the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC), which makes recommendations to the Assistant Secretary regarding the state of cultural heritage protection in foreign countries;
(4) Serves as the Executive Secretariat for the interagency Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee (CHCC), which is chaired by the Assistant Secretary, and represents the Department on each of the CHCC’s working groups, including the Cultural Antiquities Task Force (CATF);
(5) Assists Native American communities seeking the repatriation of ancestral remains or sacred items held overseas, working with U.S. embassies to connect Native Americans with foreign museums;
(6) Engages with UNESCO and other bodies on activities concerning international cultural heritage issues; and
(7) Provides thematic expertise to programs developed and supported by the bureau that relate to the preservation of cultural heritage.
1 FAM 347.4 Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation Unit (ECA/P/MELI)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation Unit (ECA/P/MELI):
(1) Evaluates the success, strengths, and weaknesses of bureau programs against bureau, Department, and national strategic plans, and prepares annual and periodic reports required under the Department’s Evaluation Policy (18 FAM 300) and legislation (e.g., Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), GPRA Modernization Act (GPRAMA), Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act (FATAA), and the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018);
(2) Manages the bureau's monitoring framework, with comprehensive, consistent data and performance metrics for all bureau programs;
(3) Informs bureau and programmatic strategic planning activities;
(4) Generates evidence to determine the success of programs and long-term effects on stakeholders (i.e., participants, alumni, and host/home communities alike);
(5) Serves as bureau lead on establishing a culture of learning, innovation, and collaboration throughout ECA; and
(6) Serves as subject matter experts on monitoring, evaluation, learning, and innovation, conducting regular consultations and building capacity among stakeholders (i.e., bureau staff and leadership, regional bureaus, embassies, and ECA implementing partners).
1 FAM 347.5 Interagency Working Group on U.S. Government-Sponsored International Exchanges and Training (IAWG)
(CT:ORG-585; 08-03-2021)
Mandated by Executive Order 13055 and section of 112(g) of Fulbright-Hays, the Interagency Working Group (IAWG) on U.S. Government-Sponsored International Exchanges and Training was created in 1997 to make recommendations to the President for improving the coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of U.S. Government-sponsored international exchanges and training. The IAWG currently comprises members from over 25 Federal departments and agencies. (See 1 FAM 347.1 paragraph (5).)
1 FAM 348 through 349 unassigned