Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund

The Embassy of the United States in Azerbaijan announces an open competition for alumni of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2023 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2023). Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2023 should submit proposals to SuleymanzadaLH@state.gov by February 15, 2023, 17:00 (Baku time).

The program aims to assist alumni teams to create and implement public service-oriented projects that make a positive difference in your community and country.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

AEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-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. Inspiration can be found at alumni.state.gov/aeif and clicking on the links for Winners and Success Stories on the left column.

This year, AEIF 2023 will support the United States’ commitment to “Countering environmental challenges and increasing resilience”

The US Embassy in Azerbaijan will accept public service projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni that support themes such as:

Projects that generate awareness, provide training, and develop local capacity to address ecological challenges that include but are not limited to:
Countering climate change;
Transitioning to sustainable energy sources;
Promoting water and food security, and best practices for agriculture;
Protecting biodiversity;
Improving recycling and municipal waste management; and
Decreasing pollution, sedimentation, and run-off of plastics and debris into marine and coastal areas.

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.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Closing date for applications: February 15, 2023, 17:00(Baku time)

Expected size of individual awards: $5,000 to $35,000.

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months timeframe or less.

AEIF 2023 Info Session date: Thursday, December 22, at 15:00, online.

Confirmation email will be sent to all participants, containing a meeting link.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
The following individuals are eligible to apply:

Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program.

List of programs here: List of Exchange Programs | International Exchange Alumni (state.gov) and Home Page – BridgeUSABridgeUSA (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.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Address to Request Application Package

Application and budget templates are available upon request to Alumni Outreach Coordinator Lamiya Suleymanzada at SuleymanzadaLH@state.gov

Content and Form of Application Submission

Applications and budgets must be submitted using the official AEIF 2023 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 2023 application form;
All documents are in English;
The budget is in U.S. dollars and is submitted using the designated AEIF 2023 budget form;
All pages are numbered.

The following documents and information are required:

Mandatory application forms

SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance -individuals)
SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)
SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)
Application form (word)
Budget sheet (excel)

PROPOSAL SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:

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.
Proposal Summary: A short narrative which outlines 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.
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 2023, ExchangeAlumni, 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.
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 2023 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

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

Evaluation Criteria: The U.S. Embassy Baku 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, DC. Panelists will use the criteria below to review and evaluate applications.

Relevance to Application Theme  – 15 points

The proposal provides sufficient information on how the activities will support the theme(s) of the competition. The narrative explains any relevant local context the D.C. Selection Committee may not be aware of in relation to this project.  Proposed project ideas must be public diplomacy in nature (i.e. not development or military).

Purpose and Summary, Description, and Implementation Plan  – 20 points

When developing the purpose, summary, description, and implementation plan, applicants should aim to make all descriptions clear, concise, and compelling.  Reviewers will judge the proposals based on the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the community where it is undertaken.  Does the project address an important gap of understanding or need?  If the aim of the project is achieved, how will existing knowledge or practice be improved?  What audience do the applicants hope to reach with this project?  How many will participate?  How will they be selected?

Degree of Alumni Involvement  – 15 points

Projects must include the involvement of at least two (2) exchange alumni.  They may be the project team leaders or collaborate directly with PAS in formulating the project.  More than two alumni may comprise the team, however, the minimum is two.  As the team leaders, the alumni must be closely involved in project planning, implementation, etc.  Applicants should ensure that the proposal includes the following information for each alumni team member: first name, last name, e-mail address, exchange program, country of citizenship, and roles and responsibilities.

Participation and Support from Local Partners  – 10 points

The proposal demonstrates buy-in and support from the community where the project will take place. Local partner involvement is a strong sign that there is community support and that the project will engage a broad array of experts, such as subject matter experts, community centers, academic institutions, businesses, local/national government, non-governmental organizations, American Spaces, etc.

Evaluation and Impact of the Project   – 10 points

A monitoring & evaluation (M&E) plan is pivotal to project implementation and important tracking progress towards the project’s objectives and goals.  An M&E plan should consider the data needed to effectively monitor progress toward specific outputs and outcomes as well as how that data collection will be accomplished.  Well-crafted indicators should be used to understand a program’s progress toward the desired results.  An M&E plan should be reviewed for the following:

• Completion

• Applicability and logic of objectives and indicators

• Clear approach to monitoring

• Adherence to SMART criteria

• Feasibility of baselines and targets

• Data quality plan

• Capacity to implement plan

Communication, Media, and Outreach Plan  – 10 points

The project should include a clear plan and timeline for how and when the team will share information about the project.  It is important to ensure that the U.S. Embassy gets recognition throughout the process, if circumstances permit.

Budget and Budget Narrative  – 20 points

The budget and narrative justification are sufficiently detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results.  The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.  The results and proposed outcomes justify the total cost of the project.  Budget items are reasonable, allowable, and allocable.

OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification in SF forms

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the award application process, please contact: SuleymanzadaLH@state.gov

AEIF 2023 Info Session date: Thursday, December 22, at 15:00, online.

Confirmation email will be sent to all participants, containing a meeting link.

U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan

Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund

U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan