NOFO | Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2024) | 

U.S. Department of State | U.S. Embassy in Uganda | Notice of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Title: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2024)
Total Amount Available: $35,000
Award Ceiling: $35,000
Award Floor: $5,000
Deadlines for Applications:
Deadline: February 15, 2024

Email: Kampalagrants@state.gov

The Embassy of the United States in Uganda 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 2024 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2024). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements below. Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2022 should submit proposals to kampalagrants@state.gov by February 15, 2024

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

AEIF provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and facilitated exchange programs, and alumni-affiliated organizations, 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 nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. For AEIF 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Uganda’s Public Affairs Office will accept projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni and must address at least one of the following:

1. Bring alumni together from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increase regional and global alumni collaboration.
2. Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges.
3. Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities.

Each AEIF project proposal must include the involvement of at least two or more alumni or involve an alumni and an alumni association.  All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories.

Only proposals submitted using the official forms will be considered for funding.

1. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
   Key Dates for AEIF 2024:

• November 1, 2023: AEIF 2024 application cycle opens.
• Feb 15, 2024: Deadline to submit AEIF 2024 proposal.
• April 2024: Final funding decisions will be announced to applicants.

 Funding type: small grant awards

Expected size of individual awards: Between $10,000 and $40,000.
Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less.

1. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION
2. Eligible Applicants: 

The following individuals are eligible to apply:

• Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov/).
• 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. 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.

1. Cost Sharing

Inclusion of cost-share is not a requirement of this opportunity.

1. Grant Program Area: 

Proposals must address program objectives outlined above. Proposals that do not address these program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories.

1. Other Eligibility Requirements

If the grant will be processed with an individual, that individual is not required to have a DUNS number or be registered in SAM.gov. However, should the grant be processed with an organization that is a partner in the project, that organization must have a unique entity identifier (Data Universal Numbering System/DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet), 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 regarding beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

1. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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.
• All documents are in English.
• All pages are numbered.

1. Mandatory application forms

The following documents are required:

1. SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) (PDF requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher)
2. SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) (PDF requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher)
3. SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (PDF requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher)
4. SF424_Mandatory(Application for Federal Assistance) (PDF requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher)
5. Applicant organization information template.
6. Proposal: The proposal should contain enough information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the alumni team wants to do. Proposals include the following.  Please find the project narrative template here.

Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

Project Team Information: There must be at least two exchange alumni team members for a project to be considered for funding. Along with 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. Indicate what proportion of their time will be used in support of the project.

Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed project is needed.

Project Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the project is intended to achieve.  How will the project impact the community and what changes (in people, institutions, attitudes, or practices) will you see? The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

Local Project Partners: List partners who will support your project. Please note if you have an existing relationship with your partner organization(s) or individual(s) and describe their role in the project. If you do not have an existing relationship, explain how you anticipate establishing a partnership with the organization(s).

Project Methods, Design, and Timeline: A description of how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. This should include description of your direct and indirect beneficiaries. The proposed timeline for the project activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: The Monitoring and Evaluation component of the proposal will outline in detail how the proposal’s activities will advance the program’s goals and objectives (listed above). A strong proposal will include:

• Any outcomes the grantee expects to occur because of their program. Outcomes could include: change in knowledge, awareness, and attitudes; improved quality of services; increased capacity at a school, group; etc. Proposals should also include how the grantee will know those outcomes are occurring (surveys, interviews, observations, etc.)
• For example: If the program expects that a teacher-training program will improve the skills of a teacher, a proposal may explain the skills the teacher would gain and plan to perform a survey before the program and a survey following the program that would show a change in understanding due to the program.
• A plan to include the grantee’s reflection of how their program contributed to the program’s goals. As applicable, a strong final report would include success stories, behaviors changed, lessons learned, and results obtained.

Sustainability: Explain how you plan to continue the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

Communication Plan: Explain how you will promote your project. Include social media, websites, print news, or other forms of media you intend to use to share information about your project to beneficiaries and the public. Communications should include AEIF 2024 and U.S. Embassy branding. These include training materials, materials for recipients or materials to communicate or promote with foreign audiences a program, event, project, or some other activity under an agreement. Note: Exceptions to the branding requirement are allowable under certain conditions. If an applicant is notified that their award has been chosen for funding, the Grants Officer will determine, in consultation with the applicant, if an exception is applicable especially in the case where branding would adversely affect the safety and security of the beneficiaries.

1. 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. Please find the budget template here.

Budget Restrictions: AEIF 2024 does not support the following activities or costs, and the selection committee will deem applications involving any of these activities or costs ineligible:

• Any airfare to/from the United States and its territories
• Activities that take place in the United States and its territories
• Staff salaries, office space, and overhead/operational expenses
• Large items of durable equipment or construction programs
• Alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments, or entertainment
• Academic or scientific research
• Charitable or development activities
• Provision of direct social services to a population
• Individual scholarships
• Social travel/visits
• Gifts or prizes
• Duplication of existing programs
• Institutional development of an organization
• Venture capital, for-profit endeavors, or charging a fee for participation in project.
• Support for specific religious activities
• Fund-raising campaigns
• Support or opposition of partisan political activity or lobbying for specific legislation.