Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 - Brazil

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE WHA/ U.S. EMBASSY AND CONSULATES IN BRAZIL Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 - Brazil Funding Opportunity Number: FY25-BSB-410603 Deadline for Applications: Jan 10, 2025 Assistance Listing Number: 19.022 Total Amount Available: $5,000 to $35,000 per project PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil announce an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2025 – Brazil. We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni who meet all program eligibility requirements outlined below. Alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit proposals via the designated form at https://forms.gle/JFSRPefyevLmFHyn6 on the AEIF 2025 SharePoint site or download a copy of their responses and email it to [email protected] by January 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Brasilia Time). Program Objectives: AEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs with funding to expand on the skills gained during their exchange experiences and design and implement innovative solutions to address global challenges within their communities. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly alumni-led projects worldwide. This year, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil will accept public service projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni that support the following key objectives for Brazil: Promoting Democracy and Human Rights Strengthening the U.S.-Brazil Economic Partnership Supporting Climate Action and Environmental Protection In addition to these themes, proposals should demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) principles, illustrating how the project will support and advance equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or disability. Proposals that do not meet these outlined program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must occur outside of the United States and its territories. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Announcement Posted: November 15, 2024 Closing Date for Applications: January 10, 2025, by 11:59 PM (Brasilia Time) Award Amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000. Type of Funding: The overall grant-making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. This notice is subject to funding availability. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award (FAA), or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are distinct from grants in that embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed within 12 months or less. C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Eligible Applicants: The following individuals are eligible to apply: Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov/). Project teams must include at least two (2) alumni. Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals but may participate as team members in a project. Alumni teams may comprise alumni from different exchange programs and countries; however, at least one participant must be from Brazil. Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. No other organizations are eligible to apply. Exchange alumni may partner with not-for-profit or non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions to implement project activities. Grants may be issued to the individual alumni or the partner organization. Cost Sharing or Matching: Inclusion of cost share is not a requirement for this funding opportunity. Other Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via www.SAM.gov. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated guidelines will be deemed ineligible. The application process will be conducted in three stages, each with specific requirements. Progression from one stage to the next depends on approval by relevant authorities and compliance with the established requirements. Stage 1: Simplified Application Form In this initial phase, applicants must complete a simplified form that includes: Your Project: Provide the title, requested budget total, and primary location of the project. All projects must take place outside the U.S. and its territories. Project Team Information: At least two alumni team members are required. Applications must include the name and contact information of each team member, describe each member's role in the project, and outline their experience, qualifications, and ability to fulfill their role. Applicants should also specify the proportion of each team member’s time allocated to the project. Problem Statement: A brief narrative that outlines the project, including the challenges addressed, project objectives, and anticipated impact. Project Goals and Objectives: The project goals should describe what the project intends to achieve, supported by specific, measurable, and realistically achievable objectives within a set timeframe. Simplified Budget: Applicants must submit a budget outlining estimated project costs with a basic breakdown of expenses. All financial figures should be presented in U.S. dollars. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil will evaluate the simplified applications to determine the preliminary feasibility and relevance of the project. Submission Methods: Online Submission: Complete the simplified application using the official AEIF 2025 Brazil link (https://forms.gle/JFSRPefyevLmFHyn6). Submissions must be finalized by January 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Brasilia Time). Email Submission: Alternatively, applicants can download a copy of their responses in the form and email them as an attachment to [email protected] by January 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Brasilia Time). Please choose the submission method that best suits your needs and ensure the application is received by the specified deadline. Stage 2: Additional Information Form Only selected applicants will be notified by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil regarding the next steps. If the simplified proposal is approved, applicants will be invited to provide additional information, including: Project Methods, Design, and Timeline: Provide a description of how the project is structured to solve the stated problem and achieve its goals. This should include details on direct and indirect beneficiaries, as well as plans for program sustainability beyond the grant period, if applicable. The timeline should cover specific dates, times, and locations for planned activities. Applicants may also include proposed workshop or training agendas and materials. Project Timeline: A comprehensive timeline of the project activities. Beneficiaries: An estimate of the number of direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project. Local Project Partners: A list of local partners who will support the project, if applicable. Communication Plan: A strategy for communication and outreach to promote the project, including social media, websites, print news, or other forms of media to reach beneficiaries and the public. Ensure branding includes AEIF 2025, ExchangeAlumni, and U.S. Embassy identifiers. Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This should outline how the project’s activities will advance program goals, including measurable outcomes such as changes in knowledge, attitudes, service quality, or organizational capacity. It should also specify how impact will be measured. Detailed Budget Form with Budget Narrative: A detailed budget and narrative justification using the provided template. Line-item expenditures must be presented in the greatest detail possible, in U.S. dollars. Attachments: Official permission letters (if required for program activities). Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registration details. Stage 3: Commitment If the proposal is selected for funding by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Alumni Affairs, the applicant must provide the following forms: Mandatory Application Forms: SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – individuals). SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs). SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) – only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov. All forms are only required if the proposal is selected for funding. These forms can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html. Funding Restrictions AEIF 2025 does not support the following activities or costs, and applications proposing any of these will be deemed ineligible: Any airfare to/from the United States and its territories. Activities within the United States and its territories. Staff salaries, office space, and operational overhead expenses. Durable equipment, construction programs, and large infrastructure projects. Alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments, or entertainment costs. Academic or scientific research. Charitable or direct development activities. Provision of direct social services. Individual scholarships. Gifts, prizes, or social travel/visits. Duplication of existing programs. Institutional development, venture capital, or for-profit projects. Support for religious activities. Partisan political activities or legislative lobbying.