U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa Offers AEIF Grant to Fund Alumni-Led Innovative Solutions

The Embassy of the United States in Addis Ababa 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 2022 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2022).   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 PASAddisGrants@state.gov mail address by March 03, 2022, with the subject: “AEIF 2022 proposal: <Title of the project>.” 

A. 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 nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. This year, AEIF 2022 will support United States’ commitment to;

• Strengthen Democratic Institutions
• Advance Regional Peace and Security

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

•  Strengthen transparent, democratic institutions that promote good governance, rule of law, peace building, and human rights principles at all levels of government and society. 
• Engaging Stakeholders in Democracy Increase Transparency and Accountability
• Youth Engagement to Improve Rule of Law 

B. Federal Award Information 

Announcement posted:  02/01/2022 

Closing date for applications:  04/01/2022.  

Funding type:  Small grant awards 

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

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in a one-year timeframe or less.

C. Eligibility Information  

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/).  
•  Project 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.  

Cost Sharing 

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

 Grant Program Area:   

Proposals must address; 

●       Strengthen Democratic Institutions

●       Advance Regional Peace and Security

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. 

 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. Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal.  

D. Application and Submission Information 

 Application Package  

Application and budget templates can be found here. 

Content and Form of Application Submission

The Applications and budget must be submitted using the official AEIF 2022 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 2022 application form; 

●       All documents are in English  

●       The budget is in U.S. dollars and is submitted using the designated AEIF 2022 budget form; 

●       All pages are numbered. 

The following documents and information are required:   

1. 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. 
2. Proposal Summary: A short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including challenge/s to be addressed, project objectives, and anticipated impact. 
3. 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.  
4. 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.  
5. Local Project Partners: A list of partners who will support the proposed project, if applicable. 
6. 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 2022, Exchange Alumni, and U.S. Embassy branding.   
7. Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: The Monitoring and Evaluation component of the proposal should outline in detail how the proposal’s activities will advance the program’s goals and objectives. This should include any outcomes showing a 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 measure the impact of planned activities.  
8. 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. 
9. Budget Restrictions: AEIF 2022 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 the project  

●       Support for specific religious activities  

●       Fund-raising campaigns  

●       Support or opposition of partisan political activity or lobbying for specific legislation