Request for Proposals
To implement the Yegor Gaidar Annual Fellowship Program

Date Issued: July 26, 2010
Closing Date: October 1, 2010
Closing Time: 18:00 (Moscow time)

I. Summary

The U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) announces the competition for the selection of an implementing partner or consortium that will administer the Yegor Gaidar Fellowship Program in Economics and Public Policy under USRF guidance.

Russian and American noncommercial organizations meeting the requirements stated in section IV « Eligible Applicants» are invited to apply.

Guidelines and procedures for filing the proposal are set forth in sections VI and VII.

II. USRF Mission

The central mission of USRF is to support the long-term economic development of Russia's market economy and the political, social, and structural environment required for its success. This is in full accord with an exchange program for leading young Russian economists and specialists in economic public policy, named in honor of Yegor Gaidar (1956-2009), the first Minister of Economy and Finance of the RSFSR, the first Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of Democratic Choice of Russia, and Member of the State Duma.

III. The Yegor Gaidar Annual Fellowship Program

A. Goals

  • To provide young Russian economists engaged in public policy with the opportunity to spend up to one year in the United States, working at a government institution, think tank or university.
  • To support collaborative research between US and Russian economists in the area of public policy.
  • To provide an opportunity for engagement with economic practitioners in government at the Federal, State, or Local level.
  • To strengthen human capacity at Russian institutions in formulating public policy for entrepreneurship, economic diversification, technological innovation, and globalization.

B. Objectives

  • Initially, two Russian economists selected through an open competition to spend up to one year at an appropriate US institution, engaged in empirical research and collaborative work in such areas as regulatory reform and the use of data in economic management.
  • An effort would be made to provide each fellow an opportunity to spend time with US economists working at the Federal, State or Local levels of government.
  • Upon successful completion of the pilot phase, the Gaidar Program could be expanded to include more participants, short-term exchanges, mentoring, and the sharing of best practices

C. Role of Noncommercial Organization (NCO) Partner

Among the principal tasks of the NCO/Consortium will be to:

  • facilitate in identifying Russian institutions that could provide cost-share;
  • establish a selection committee of prominent American and Russian economists and public policy experts to determine key areas and select the Gaidar Fellows;
  • identify appropriate host institutions in the United States;
  • administer programs of exchanges, mentoring, joint research/curriculum development, etc.; and
  • monitor the implementation of pilot projects on a day-to-day basis and provide regular reports to permit USRF to evaluate the Program's progress.

D. Key Indicators of Progress during the pilot program phase:

  • Identification of appropriate Russian partner institutions;
  • Establishment of a selection committee;
  • Selection of outstanding participants;
  • Development of a database of emerging Russian leaders in the area of economic policy; and
  • Public distribution of the research results of research.

IV. Eligible Applicants

Russian and US NCOs which are properly registered are eligible to apply. If a consortium, the application should present a detailed description of the role and responsibilities of each participating organization.

V. Selection Criteria

Evaluation of proposals will be based on the applicant’s experience in successfully managing exchange programs (30 points), proven ability to work effectively with both Russian and American universities, government institutions, and think tanks (30 points), a solid record of promoting entrepreneurship and innovation (20 points), and an extensive network of world-class experts who can provide needed technical assistance (20 points).

VI. Proposal Package

The proposal should be submitted in English and should include the following components:

A. USRF standard application:

general information about the consortium.

B. Relevant experience of the Applicant.

Among the points that could be addressed:

  • Examples of successful implementation of exchange programs;
  • Legal and organizational capacity to carry out operations and grant activity;
  • Operational experience in dealing with Russian government agencies and institutions;
  • Sustainable ties with Russian and American universities and think tanks;
  • Sustainable ties with relevant Russian and American economics faculties;
  • Partner relationships with donor organizations and companies in the area of economic policy; and
  • Experience in organizing professional networking.

C. General philosophy and methodology

Among the points the applicant could address:

  • Identify potential partners in Russia and the US;
  • Identify “best practices” in managing exchange programs;
  • Identify monitoring and evaluation methods for exchange programs;
  • Explain how monitoring and evaluation of this project could best be implemented;
  • Suggest ways of raising supplementary funding for this project.

D. Notional Budget:

  • The applicant should provide a project budget that includes costs associated with selecting two applicants and working with the Russian and American universities and think tanks. Applicant may also include a notional budget for an expanded version of the program involving the selection of several fellows and a more extensive series of exchanges.
  • All cost proposals must be done in US dollars.

The section above addressing the applicant’s experience, philosophy, and methodology should not exceed 15 pages.

Upon request, applicants should be ready to present following documents:

  • Copy of the charter of the organization;
  • Copy of the certificate on the government registration;
  • Copy of the certificate of registration in the Government Inspection on Taxation;
  • Letter from a bank containing account information;
  • Copy of the 2009 financial report; and
  • Letters of reference from the partners.

USRF reserves the right to contact any of the participants of the project specified in the application to verify or clarify any information related to the application and participation in the competition.

VII. Submission of Proposals and Award Information

The deadline for submitting proposals is October 1, 2010 Applicants are encouraged to up-load application via on-line application form on USRF web site.

Any questions pertaining to the Program and this RFA should be submitted in writing to Gennady Podolny, Grants Manager at gpodolny@usrf.ru.

USRF anticipates making an award on or about November 15, 2010.