The Embassy of the United States in Kuwait 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 IbrahimA1@state.gov by Thursday, May 6, 2022.
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 ICS GOAL(S):
1) Improve the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in Kuwait and ensure we are well prepared for any crisis.
2) Strengthen and broaden U.S.-Kuwaiti bilateral cooperation to improve regional stability and security.
3) Strengthen national stability through political reform, economic development, and an improved legal framework.
4) Deepen bilateral economic ties and encourage Kuwait to improve its business and investment environment by streamlining government processes, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and diversifying its economy.
U.S. Embassy Kuwait will accept public service projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni.
B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
Closing date for applications: May 6 2022
Funding type: Small grant awards
Decision date: no later than August 15, 2022
Expected size of individual awards: Between $10,000 to $40,000
Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed between October 2022 – October 2023
C. ELIGILIBITY 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/).
- 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.
Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal.
D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
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:
- Mandatory application forms
a. AEIF 2022 Proposal (Word 66 KB)
b. AEIF 2022 Budget Form (Excel 33 KB) - Proposal: The proposal should contain enough information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the alumni team wants to do.
- 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:
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- 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
E. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
Evaluation Criteria: The U.S. Embassy or Consulate Public Affairs Sections will use the criteria outlined below to evaluate all applications. The proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of regional and exchange program experts located at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. Panelists will use the criteria below to review and evaluate applications.
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
Questions about the grant application process should be directed to: IbrahimA1@state.gov.
