What is the FACE Foundation?

It is a non-profit Association incorporated under New York law to support all cultural and Educational exchanges between France and the United States.
The University Partnership Fund represents money raised amongst French and American private and corporate donors.
The purpose is to innovate in the creation and content of University Diplomas with a bi-cultural approach to curriculum and teaching.
(See list of 2006 Grantees).

What is a University Partnership?

It is the partnering of 2 or more French and American Universities and "Grandes Ecoles" to develop a joint or dual diploma or shared curriculum leading to a diploma at the Graduate and MASTER’s level.
FACE partners can aggregate a third university to this project, preferably European, North American, or Latin American.

What is meant by “ Master’s level” in the European system?

The MASTER diploma has been approved by the 25 European member states through the Bologna Process (http://www.iienetwork.org). An European MASTER diploma is granted 5 or 6 years after Secondary School depending on the degree of specialization. A Research Master is granted 6 years after Secondary School and is the gateway to Doctoral Studies. A PhD is completed between 7 and 9 years after secondary school.

There are three kinds of Masters:
- the General Master
- the Research Master
- the Professional Master

The Research Master and the Professional master are the only ones to allow a second year of specialized studies. During this second period, Research Master students can specialize and obtain internships in laboratories, and Professional Master students can obtain internships in private enterprises.

The French Universities have done important efforts to adapt themselves to the Bologna Process. France is now able to offer Research and Professional Masters in networking mode with most of the universities from the 24 other EU countries. The internationalization of French university diplomas has been considerably developed through the process.

What time line is given for the development of these partnerships?

The FACE Foundation for University Partnerships can co-finance a developing partnership for 3 years running, subject to an annual review performed by the Program Officer and submitted to the FACE Grant Committee.

How much money can each partner expect to receive from the FACE Fund?

FACE co-funds up to 30% of the cost of a program.
To wit, the 2005 partnerships were given between $10.000 and $50.000 in co-funding.

The partners must find the remaining monies through other grants, foundations, or the support of local government and enterprises on their home turf.

It is up to the partners to decide how much money will be given by FACE to each side. Sometimes one partner is declared the lead partner in a project and will manage the apportioning of the co-funding to its other partner(s).

When can the partners expect to receive the co-financing?

As soon as the results of the FACE Jury are published, a contract is sent out by FACE to the partners enjoining them to sign it in order to receive the money ASAP by cheque or any other means suitable to each entity.

Only a non-profit institution can receive the grant, individuals may not.

The sums are paid out in $USD or Euros, but the budget is evaluated exclusively in $USD.

How is the yearly renewal of the co-funding ascertained?

During the course of the partnership the Principal Instructors of the project will receive the pre-announced visit of the local French Cultural Attache or of the Program Officer from Washington, Dr. Tual.

A presentation of the development of the program will be checked with the reality of the program in situ.

If the partnership is able to hold its course and/or correct certain organizational obstacles, the Program Officer will submit a review for approval to the FACE Jury in January of that academic year. The partners will be notified by February of that year of the continuation or interruption of the FACE Grant.

Who sits on the Jury for University Partnerships?

The Jury is composed of three US academics and internationally recognized High Education professionals specialized in international exchanges and three French academics and professionals of the same ilk.

The Jury is chaired by the French Cultural Counsellor in the United States.

Who coordinates the call for projects?

A Program Officer, Pascal Delisle, based in Washington, coordinates the summoning and yearly reviews of the Jury.
He prepares the preliminary reports for the Jury and executes the follow-up on the development of the projects.

When will the next call for projects take place?

Depending on the sums available each year through direct fund-raising, FACE will organize a call for new University Partnerships based on availability of current funds.
Notices in the professional press (Chronicle of Higher Education) and on dedicated websites (Frenchculture.org - EduFrance.fr - Facecouncil.org) will keep the public posted on the coming sessions.