This part sets forth the procedures for the application for approval of a cultural exchange program of a foreign government, so that Federal employees may participate in such program; the grant and termination of such approval; and related procedures.

For the purpose of this part:

(a) Federal employee means: (1) An employee as defined by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code; (2) an individual employed by, or occupying an office or position in, the government of a territory or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia; (3) a member of a uniformed service; (4) the President and Vice President; and (5) a Member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, a Delegate from the District of Columbia in Congress, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico in Congress.

(b) A foreign government means a foreign government and an official agent or representative thereof; a group of governments and an official agent or representative thereof; an international organization composed of governments, and an official agent or representative thereof.

(c) A program of the type described in section 102(a)(2)(i) of the Act means a cultural exchange program involving “visits and interchanges between the United States and other countries of leaders, experts in fields of specialized knowledge or skill, and other influential or distinguished persons.”

(d) The “purpose stated in section 101 of the Act” is “to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of the other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations, and the contributions being made toward a peaceful and more fruitful life for people throughout the world; to promote international cooperation for educational and cultural advancement; and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.”

(e) Secretary of State means the Secretary of State of the Department of State.

(f) Department of State means the Department of State.

(g) Act means the Mutual Educational Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.).

(h) Member of the family or household of a Federal employee means a relative of the employee by blood, marriage, or adoption or any person who is a resident of the household of the employee.

A foreign government intending to provide grants or other assistance to facilitate the participation of Federal employees in a program of cultural exchange shall submit to the Department of State an application for approval of the program through its embassy, mission, or office at Washington, D.C. If there is no embassy, mission, or office at Washington, D.C., of the foreign government the application may be submitted by the home office or headquarters of the foreign government. The application shall be addressed to the Secretary of State.

The foreign government shall provide information in the application showing that its program meets the criteria set forth in § 516.5, and shall include in such application the following:

(a) Name and description of the program and the provisions of legislation or regulation authorizing the program;

(b) Number of annual U.S. citizen participants expected, including the number of U.S. Federal employees;

(c) Average duration of stay abroad;

(d) Department of State of the foreign government responsible for the program;

(e) Name and address of contact in the United States with whom communication may be made with respect to the program; in the absence of such a contact in the United States, the name and address of a contact in the home office or headquarters of the foreign government.

To obtain approval of its program of cultural exchanges, a foreign government is required to show that:

(a) The cultural exchange program is of the type described in section 102(a)(2)(i) of the Act;

(b) The cultural exchange program is conducted for a purpose comparable to the purpose stated in section 101 of the Act; and

(c) A grant under such program will not provide assistance with respect to any expenses incurred by or for any member of the family or household of such Federal employee.

The Department of State may request the foreign government to supply additional information.

The Secretary of State shall review the application and if satisfied that the criteria of § 516.5 are met shall inform the foreign government of the approval of its program.

Any Federal employee receiving any offer of a grant or other assistance under a cultural exchange program approved by the Secretary of State shall advise the employee's agency of such offer and shall not accept such offer unless the employee's agency states that it has no objection to such acceptance. In the case of the Department, an employee shall advise the DAEO who may, after consultation with appropriate officials of the Department, furnish a “no objection” statement.

If at any time it appears to the Secretary of State that the purpose of a program which has been approved has been changed so that it no longer meets the criteria of § 516.5 or that the program is being misused, the Secretary of State may terminate such approval, or suspend such approval pending the supplying of additional information. However, a termination or suspension shall not affect a grant which has been made under a previously approved program.

A grant made under an approved program shall not constitute a gift for purposes of 22 CFR 10.735-203 and section 7342 of title 5, United States Code.