U.S. Embassy Beirut Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2023 (AEIF) NOFO

A. 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. This year, the U.S. Embassy Beirut Public Affairs Section will accept public service projects for funding under AEIF 2023 that are proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni which directly support the Embassy’s goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and benefit local communities. Team members are expected to address a specific theme in the Lebanese community. Such themes may include (but are not limited to) good governance; climate change; strengthening economic prosperity and inclusive economic growth; promoting innovation; improving the digital economy; fostering entrepreneurship; skill building to improve job opportunities; enhancing education and English language programs; protecting cultural heritage, or countering disinformation, propaganda, and malign influence.

B.  FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Statement of Interest Submission Period Opens: November 15, 2022

Closing date for Submission: January 30, 2023 11:59PM EST

Funding type: Small grant

Proposal shortlists selected: mid-March 2023

*Proposals not shortlisted will be notified by the end of March 2023.

Final AEIF 2023 proposal selection: no later than June 30, 2023

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

Program Period of Performance and Start Date: The proposed period of performance should not exceed 18 months. Proposal start dates should be no earlier than September 1, 2023. 

1.     Cost Sharing

No cost share is required to be eligible for funding under AEIF 2023.

2.  Grant Program Themes and Area: 

Proposals must address a specific theme that supports any of the Embassy’s strategic goals. These themes include: good governance; climate change; strengthening economic prosperity and inclusive economic growth; promoting innovation; improving the digital economy; fostering entrepreneurship; skill building to improve job opportunities; enhancing education and English language programs; protecting cultural heritage, or countering disinformation, propaganda, and malign influence. Proposals that do not address the theme as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place inside Lebanon.

3.  Other Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal.

If the selected grant will be processed with an individual, that individual is not required to have a UEI (Unique Entity ID) 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 UEI, 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.

A.   STATEMENT OF INTEREST SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1.     Statement of Interest Submission Instructions

The required AEIF 2023 Proposal Form and AEIF 2023 Budget Form are included on this posting under the “related documents” tab or can be requested by email from PDBeirutGrants@state.gov.  

2.     Content and Form of Application Submission

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 guidelines;

·        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 for the initial proposal: 

1.     AEIF 2023 Proposal Form:  Please carefully read and complete the AEIF 2023 Proposal Form. 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 for the primary applicant, and 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. The proposal form will request the following:

a.     Proposal Summary: A short narrative which outlines the proposed project, including challenge/s to be addressed, project objectives, and anticipated impact.

b.     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.

c.      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.

d.     Local Project Partners: A list of partners who will support the proposed project, if applicable.

e.      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, Exchange Alumni, and U.S. Embassy branding. 

f.       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.

2.     AEIF 2023 Budget Form: 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