U.S. Embassy Singapore’s Public Affairs Section Offering the Alumni Community Project Fund (ACPF) 2021

Overview of Alumni Community Project Fund (ACPF) 2021

U.S. Embassy Singapore Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity through its Alumni Community Project Fund (ACPF) 2021. This year, subject to the availability of funding, PAS will award a limited number of small grants of up to US$25,000 to past and current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to carry out public service projects that utilize skills and knowledge they have gained through their exchange experiences, and to positively impact their communities within Singapore. This document outlines funding priorities, eligibility criteria, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow the instructions below. 

Thematic Priorities  

The funds may be used to support projects, including, but not limited to the following themes: 

• Economic Prosperity and Entrepreneurship 
• Civic Participation, Good Governance, and Resilience 
• Science, Technology, Cybersecurity, and Innovation 
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Harmony 
• Environment and Sustainability 
• Regional Stability and Security Issues 
• Shared Values and Cross-Cultural Understanding 

Projects may include, but are not limited to: 

 • Academic and professional lectures, seminars, and speaker programs 

• Artistic and cultural workshops, performances, and exhibitions 

• Professional and academic exchanges 

• Professional development workshops and training 

• Youth outreach projects 

Given the current limitations on in-person programming in Singapore due to COVID-19 public health guidelines, the U.S. Embassy is particularly interested in funding programs focused on virtual or hybrid programs. Any proposals for in-person programming should outline how the organizers will ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place. 

Award Amounts 

Typically, award amounts vary between US$5,000 and US$25,000. Exceptions are possible, as long as the budget is commensurate with the project goals. 

Eligibility 

 • Applicants and all team members must be citizens or permanent residents of Singapore or the United States 

• At least one individual involved in the project must be an alumnus/alumna of a U.S. government exchange program 

• While alumni from the United States may participate as team members in ACPF projects, projects must be implemented within Singapore 

The following types of projects are not eligible for funding: 

• Fund-raising campaigns 
• Proposals to create for-profit businesses or directly employ workers  
• Projects that support or oppose partisan political activity 
• Proposals to provide direct social services (i.e. medicine) to a population 

To Apply 

All proposals must be submitted to SingaporePASCultural@state.gov with “ACPF Application” and the alumni team’s project title in the subject line no later than 11:59pm on August 10, 2021. Proposals should outline the following: 

•Introduction to the Project and the Alumni Team:  

A short description (up to 150 words) of your project and the alumni members involved to tackle a specific need/challenge in the local community  

•Project Summary, Goals, and Objectives:  

Provide an outline of the proposed project to include goals (what the project aims to achieve at its completion) and objectives (measurable interim outcomes) that will positively impact the targeted communities in Singapore. Highlight the innovative and/or creative ways your team will implement your proposed project. Note how the project is sustainable and/or scalable in the long run   

•Project Timeline and Communication Plan:  

Indicate the proposed timeline for undertaking and completing the specific project activities at the various proposed steps of implementation 

•Evaluation:  

Explain how the project will be evaluated as being successful/impactful   

•Proposed Budget  

• Proposed Budget: A list of relevant project expenses in U.S. dollars, consistent with the proposal narrative, broken down into the following categories and cost per item and quantities.
• Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.
• Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.
• Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.
• Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.
• Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.
• Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.
• Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating.

Projects must be completed within one year from the date that a team obtains funds 

ACPF funds can be used to pay for: 

• Intra-regional or in-country transportation 
• Trainer or speaker expenses 
• Reasonable equipment and materials 
• Meals or refreshments that are integral to the overall project goals (i.e. working lunch during a meeting) 
• Communications and publicity materials such as manuals or project advertisements 

ACPF funds cannot be used to pay for (this list is not exhaustive): 

• Sustained staff salaries, office space, and overhead/operational expenses 
• Large items of durable equipment 
• Alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments, or entertainment 
• Academic research 
• Provision of direct social services to a population (e.g. funding cannot be used to buy books or medicine to give to a community. However, funding can be used to purchase books that will be used in a training or awareness campaign.) 
• Support or opposition of partisan political activity 
• Cost sharing and counterpart contributions should be mentioned in the budget. Cost sharing refers to monetary or in-kind contributions made by the organization receiving the grant and can include staff time, space, etc. Counterpart contributions refers to monetary or in-kind contributions made by other organizations in support of the project 

Proposals should be submitted using the provided templates.

Review and Selection 

 Each proposal will be evaluated on the basis of the criteria outlined below: 

1.  Organizational capacity:  The organization or team has expertise in its stated field and PAS is confident of its technical capacity to undertake the project. 
2. Goals and objectives:  Goals and objectives are clearly stated and project approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results in an innovative and/or creative manner. Project sustainability and/or scalability is also addressed 
3.  Embassy priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Singapore’s priority areas. 
4. Budget: The budget justification is both reasonable and realistic in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results .
5.  Monitoring and evaluation plan: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure progress toward goals outlined in the proposal 

Process – A Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible applications. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.

Budget Planning – The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

Commitment of Funds – Issuance of this annual program statement notice of funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of U.S. Embassy Singapore, nor does it commit U.S. Embassy Singapore to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the embassy reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Payment Method – U.S. Embassy Singapore will provide some funds up front, the amount of which is determined by the Grants Officer based on needs and length of program. Subsequent payments will be tied to program deliverables. The U.S. Embassy in Singapore reserves the right to amend the final amount to be reimbursed after reviewing the final progress and financial reports.

Reporting Requirements – Recipients may be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.

Thank you for your interest in U.S. Embassy Singapore’s Alumni Community Project Fund (ACPF) 2021. We look forward to reviewing your proposal.