2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021)

The summary for the 2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021) grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the US Mission to Russia, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021): A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The 2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021) 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 2021 will support United States' commitment to working with our partners around the world to advance skills and opportunities for Russian alumni and their communities to build a safer more peaceful world. Grants pay particular attention to women's issues, ethnic minorities, the disabled, freedom of expression, the development of entrepreneurship, and the environment. Embassy Moscow will accept personal and professional development projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two alumni that support the following themes: “Sharing America with Russia,” which supports the promotion of American culture, education, freedoms, values, and collaboration between Americans and Russians; “Media and Information in Russia,” which supports an understanding of freedom of the press, good journalistic practices, increased access to reliable information, and improved media literacy for the Russian people; “One Planet: Environment, Health, and Science” which supports the promotion of environmental, health, and scientific issues in Russia of strategic importance to U.S. and global priorities; “America Works in Russia,” which supports American and Russian engagement in the area of business, entrepreneurship, and higher education. “International Cooperation,” which supports American and Russian cooperation in multinational and binational frameworks to address global issues, rule of law, and international agreements and partnerships. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Announcement posted: March 5, 2021 Closing date for applications: April 18, midnight, Moscow time, 2021 Funding type: Small grant awards Decision date: no later than May 15, 2021. Expected size of individual awards: Between $10,000 to $50,000. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. C. 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/), including in country-programs such as the English Access Microscholarship Program, and online programs that exceed 36 hours. 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 Cost share is not a requirement. 3. Grant Program Area: Proposals must address an issue related to the themes outlined above. Proposals that do not address a theme as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place in Russia. 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. Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal. In-person programs are only permitted with permission of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Proposals should be prepared to hold events online, or be a hybrid of online and in-person with the option of shifting all events online due to the global health situation. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package Application and budget templates are available at grants.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission Applications and budgets must be submitted using the official AEIF 2021 proposal 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 2021 proposal form; All documents are in English. The budget is in U.S. dollars and is submitted using the designated AEIF budget form; All pages are numbered. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms a. SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals). b. SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) c. SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) 2. 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: 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. 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. 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 2021 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. 3. 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. Budget Restrictions: AEIF 2021 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 Please see attachments for full proposal