Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund

Description

The Embassy of the United States in Suriname announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2025). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements below. Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit proposals and budget using the templates on the right of this page to paramaribo-grants@state.gov by January 15, 2025. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AEIF provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded over 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. The U.S. Embassy Suriname will review applications and submit the top ranked to the global competition. To facilitate that, we are seeking expressions of interest from teams of at least two (2) alumni that support projects addressing one of these themes: Enhance professionalism of media in support of the development of media freedom and journalistic professional standards. Foster a greater awareness of public health issues in Suriname and connect communities to resources in support of improved physical and mental health outcomes in Surinamese society, particularly in low-income and rural communities. Advance climate smart practices in Surinamese society, business, and agriculture, including the understanding and adoption of modern practices aimed at enhancing productivity, sustainability, and resilience in communities. Create opportunities for people from historically marginalized and underserved communities, including minorities, migrants, LGBTQI+, and persons with disabilities to engage productively in society. Promote civic and youth engagement aimed at empowering young people to become active, responsible, and inclusive leaders in their communities, including the development of entrepreneurship, the cultivation of critical STEM skills, and an emphasis on the importance of transparency in decision-making, government, and business. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Closing date for statements of interest: January 15, 2025 Funding type: Small grant awards Expected size of individual awards: Between $5,000 to $35,000.  This notice is subject to availability of funding.  ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: The following individuals are eligible to apply: Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs). Projects teams must include teams of at least two (2) alumni. Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members in a project. Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries. Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. Not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are not eligible to apply in the name of the organization but can serve as partners for implementing project activities. Preference will be given to teams of alumni made up entirely of/or led by alumni who have not received a grant from the Embassy or U.S. State Department in the last three years. 2. Cost Sharing Inclusion of cost share is not a requirement of this opportunity. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements Should the grant be processed with an organization that is a partner in the project, that organization must have a UEI, as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Organizations must have a commitment to equal opportunity employment practices and to non-discrimination practices with regard to beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. 4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Applicants should include in their proposal their plan for making their program accessible to diverse audiences, including diversity of genders, sexuality, race/ethnicity, mother language, and religion, as well as their plan for making the program accessible to people with disabilities. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Address to Request Application Package: Application and budget templates can be downloaded. Click on the templates link on the right of this page. Content and Form of Application Submission: Applications and budgets must be submitted using the official AEIF 2025 application and budget forms. Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. Please ensure: The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity; The proposal addresses all questions in the official AEIF 2025 application form; All documents are in English; The budget is in U.S. dollars and is submitted using the designated AEIF 2025 budget form; All pages are numbered. The following documents and information are required: Mandatory application forms: SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) found on the right of this page. SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) found on the right of this page. SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) found on the right of this page. (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov). About Your Project: Please provide information on the title of your project, the requested budget total, and the primary location of the project. Projects need to take place outside of the U.S. or its territories. Project Team Information: At least two exchange alumni team members are required for a project to be considered for funding. Applications need to provide the name and contact information, describe the role each team member will have in the project, and their experience, qualifications, and ability to carry out that role. Applicants need to indicate what proportion of the team member’s time will be used in support of the project. Problem Statement: A short narrative which outlines the proposed project, including challenge/s to be addressed, project objectives, and anticipated impact. Project Goals and Objectives: The goal/s of the proposed project need to describe what the project is intended to achieve and include the objectives which support the goal/s. Objectives should be specific, measurable, and realistically achievable in a set time frame. Project Methods, Design, and Timeline: A description of how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal/s. This should include a description of the project’s direct and indirect beneficiaries as well as a plan on how to continue the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable. The proposed timeline for the project activities should include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. Applicants may also submit proposed workshop or training agendas and materials. Local Project Partners: A list of partners who will support the proposed project, if applicable. Communication Plan: The communication plan should include a communication and outreach strategy for promoting the proposed project. It may include social media, websites, print news, or other forms of media intended to use to share information about the project to beneficiaries and the public. Communications should include AEIF 2025, ExchangeAlumni, and U.S. Embassy branding. Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: The Monitoring and Evaluation component of the proposal should outline in detail how the grantees will ensure that the proposed activities are happening and that they are advancing the program’s goals and objectives. What milestones will the program have (i.e., participants selected, workshop completed, follow up projects begun etc.). What outcomes will you measure to show success? (i.e., a change in knowledge, awareness, and attitudes; improved quality of services; increased capacity at a school, group; etc.) Proposals should also include how and when the grantee will measure the impact of planned activities. Will you use quantitative or qualitative measures or a combination of both? Be specific on the method and timing of the evaluation. Budget Justification Narrative: Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification utilizing the template provided. Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail. Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars. Attachments: Official permission letters, if required for program activities. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov). E. BUDGET RULES AND RESTRICTIONS: AEIF 2025 can support the funding of the following types of activities/costs: Intra-regional or in-country transportation Rental of venues for project activities PPE and sanitizing equipment Meals/refreshments integral to the project (i.e., working lunch for a meeting) Reasonable costs to support virtual programming (i.e., subscription to Zoom, WebEx, camera/microphones for virtual meetings, mailing services, etc.) Trainer or speaker honoraria expenses (i.e., maximum $200/day fee, travel, lodging, per diem) Reasonable equipment and materials Communications and publicity materials, such as manuals or project advertisem

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category code 25. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

Parent Grant Program

Agency Contact

Key Dates