U.S. Embassy in Sudan: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund for Community-Driven Projects

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The Embassy of the United States Sudan 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 2024 should submit proposals to khartoumembassygrants@state.gov by March 1, 2024.  

*******Please refer to the full description located in the related documents section of this announcement of this announcement for complete details on application instructions and requirements.********

Program Objectives:  

Through AEIF, we are seeking proposals from all our exchange alumni focused on the following priority thematic areas:  

• Supporting survivors of gender-based violence/conflict related sexual violence  
•  Conducting peacebuilding activities 
•  Combatting dis/misinformation 
•  Promoting English language learning. 

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

The Embassy will accept proposals for projects inside Sudan, however, these proposals MUST provide a clear risk assessment and monitoring plan that addresses security risks and contingencies given the instability of the current situation in Sudan. For proposals outside of Sudan, the Embassy expects a clear description of the beneficiaries and how the projects aims to engage with them. 

ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION  

The following individuals are eligible to apply: Applicants must be Sudanese alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program 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 or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. No other organizations are eligible to apply. Exchange alumni can partner with not-for-profit or non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions to implement project activities. The grant can be issued to the individual alumni or the partner organization.

Other Eligibility Requirements 

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. 

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 

Address to Request Application Package  

Application and budget templates will be shared with eligible applicants through email:KhartoumEmbassyGrants@state.gov.  

Content and Form of Application Submission 

Applications and budgets must be submitted using the official AEIF 2024 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 2024 application form; 
• All documents are in English; 
• The budget is in U.S. dollars and is submitted using the designated AEIF 2024 budget form; 
• All pages are numbered. 

The following documents and information are required:   

1. Mandatory application forms 

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) 
• SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) 
• SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) 

2. 2024 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Proposal Form 

• 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: 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 outlining 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.    
• Beneficiaries: An estimated number of direct and indirect beneficiaries of your proposed project.  
• 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 2024, Exchange Alumni, and U.S. Embassy branding.   
• 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.  

3. 2024 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Budget Form with Budget 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. 

4. Attachments: 

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities 
• Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) 

Submission Dates and Times 

Applications are due no later via email sent to KhartoumEmbassyGrants@state.gov than 11:59 p.m. Khartoum Time, Friday, March 1, 2024. 

Funding 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  

Entities that have been awarded prior grants but have not completed reporting requirements will not be permitted to apply for new grants.   

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS 

Questions about the grant application process should be directed to: khartoumembassygrants@state.gov. 

*****Please refer to the full description located in the related documents section of this announcement of this announcement for complete details on application instructions and requirements.********