Description
Through its rule of law programming and assistance activities, INL promotes the development of judges in its partner countries. In particular, the development of foreign female judges is of great importance to INL. To further support the development and professionalization of foreign female judges, the U.S. Department of State has allocated up to $75,000 USD to fund scholarships so that at least 18 female judges from around the world can attend the 36th Annual Conference of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) from October 7 to October 11, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 2015 NAWJ Annual Conference provides an opportunity to the attending female foreign judges to discuss trends and challenges in criminal justice reform as well as network with likeminded female colleagues. The applicant will facilitate the participation of at least 18 foreign female judges in NAWJâÂÂs 2015 Annual Conference by organizing and paying for conference registration fees, international travel, lodging for five (5) nights, and other incidentals for at least 18 foreign female judges. Lodging, meals, and incidentals expenses must be in accordance with the established per diem rate set by the General Services Administration (GSA). The foreign female judges will be nominated by U.S. Embassies and/or INL program officers and the names submitted to INL by August 1, 2015. Review of the applications will take place from August 3-14, 2015 by a committee with representatives from INL and NAWJ. INL will inform the grantee of the names of the selected judges by August 17, 2015. The grantee will notify those judges by August 21, 2015, at the latest. The grantee will then coordinate travel arrangements with the selected judges beginning August 21, 2015 through the end of the conference, October 11, 2015. The grantee is required to arrange and provide confirmation of payment of registration fees, incidentals, and each judgeâÂÂs travel and hotel arrangements by September 30, 2015. The grantee will provide INL with copies of each of those confirmations. The grantee will also build professional networks among foreign and domestic female judges by providing mentorship and support to the foreign female judges during the 2015 NAWJ Annual Conference. The grantee will work with NAWJ to ensure that NAWJ assigns a mentor to each judge sponsored by this grant. The grantee will facilitate communication between NAWJ, the mentor, and the mentee. The purpose of the judicial mentoring program is to help international judges better understand the inner workings of the American judiciary, Additionally, the grantee will undertake follow-up activities to determine the multiplier effect on the foreign female judges attending the 2015 NAWJ Annual Conference. The grantee, with assistance from NAWJ, will provide a follow-up questionnaire to be filled out by each judge sponsored under this grant to gather information as to their experiences at the conference and their follow-on actions. Applicants who are eligible to apply include: U.S. non-profit organization or a U.S. private/state educational institution meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Applicants in the process of registration must submit proof that they are seeking non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of proposal submission. Should the applicant be selected for an award, funding will be contingent upon 501(c)(3) status. AND Must have demonstrated experience with similar logistical arrangements. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards. Applicants must be able to respond to the notice of funding opportunity and be able to mobilize in a short period of time. PLEASE NOTE: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement. To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to nonâÂÂdiscrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. NonâÂÂdiscrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation. Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the Recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any subâÂÂawards issued under this grant award.