U.S. Embassy North Macedonia: 2022 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) for Exchange Alumni Projects

AEIF provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand upon 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. This year, AEIF 2022 will support United States’ commitment to:

·        Support North Macedonia in embracing inclusive democracy, citizen-responsive government, and rule of law;

·        Continue to aid North Macedonia’s efforts to fully integrate into Euro-Atlantic institutions; and

·        Enable North Macedonia to build a stronger, more diversified economy.

Themes: The U.S. Embassy North Macedonia will accept public service projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni that support themes such as:

• Educational programs and initiatives that contribute to business transparency and improving North Macedonia’s investment climate; 
• Innovative programs that raise climate awareness by focusing on the green economy and eco-friendly entrepreneurial initiatives; 
• Educational and training programs on media and digital education and literacy; 
• Educational and training programs on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the era of 5G technology and digitalization; 
• Programs advancing energy cooperation and energy security; 
• Programs that support women’s, minorities’, and other underrepresented groups’ political, security, economic, and civic participation, and inclusion; 
• Programs elevating women into senior and top leadership positions as well as promoting those not yet at the high levels in government, business management, academia, and other vital sectors. 

A.   FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Announcement posted: November 22, 2021

Closing date for applications: February 1, 2022

Funding type: Small grant awards

Decision date: no later than February 18, 2022.

Expected size of individual awards: Between $10,000 to $40,000.

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed within 12 months.

ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

1.     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.

2.     Cost Sharing

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

3.     Grant Program Area: 

Proposals must address at least one of the themes listed above. Proposals that do not address the theme as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories.

4.     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 with regard to beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.