Opportunity Information: Apply for 01 2021
The U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia is inviting proposals for the 2022 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2022), a small-grants program run by the U.S. Department of State that supports projects designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The purpose of AEIF is to help exchange alumni build on the skills, networks, and experience they gained during their U.S.-supported exchange and turn that into practical, innovative work that addresses real community challenges. AEIF has operated globally since 2011 and has funded hundreds of alumni-led projects worldwide through a competitive selection process.
For this Riga-based competition, proposals must align with a specific theme: the 100th Anniversary of U.S.-Latvia Diplomatic Relations. The Embassy is looking for projects that reach a general audience in Latvia and do three things at once: reflect on the past century of U.S.-Latvia relations, think forward about where the relationship should go next, and promote transatlantic values. The notice gives examples of the kinds of concepts that would fit, such as public events featuring talks by exchange alumni about how their experiences shape their civic or professional work, or activities aimed at young people that encourage discussion of the bilateral relationship and how youth civic participation can influence the next 100 years. All activities must take place in Latvia, and proposals that do not clearly address the stated theme and objectives are considered ineligible.
Awards are expected to be in the range of USD 10,000 to USD 40,000, with an award ceiling of USD 40,000, and the Embassy anticipates making about five awards. The performance period is June through December 2022, meaning projects should be implemented and completed within that window. The opportunity was announced in mid-November 2021, applications were due by January 31, 2022, and the Embassy planned to make decisions no later than February 11.
Eligibility is centered on exchange alumni. Applicants must be alumni of a qualifying U.S. government-funded exchange program listed on alumni.state.gov or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (including J-1 related programs). Each proposal must be submitted by a team that includes at least two exchange alumni, and teams can mix alumni from different programs and even different countries. A key restriction is that U.S. citizens may not submit proposals as the applicant, although U.S. citizen alumni are allowed to participate as team members. Another important detail is that organizations such as NGOs, think tanks, and academic institutions cannot apply in the name of the organization; however, they can participate as implementing partners. If an application is routed through an organization partner for administrative purposes, the alumni must be closely tied to that organization and be the ones who actually carry out the project work.
There are also administrative requirements depending on how the award is processed. If the grant is processed with an individual, that person does not need a DUNS number or SAM.gov registration. If the grant is processed through an organization partner, that organization must have an entity identifier (DUNS/UEI as referenced in the notice) and an active SAM.gov registration, and it must follow equal opportunity and non-discrimination practices for both employment and beneficiary services, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Applicants are limited to submitting one proposal total.
The notice spells out several content limitations that shape what can and cannot be proposed. The grant cannot be used for partisan political activity, lobbying, or supporting or opposing political parties, although certain nonpartisan civic and election-related educational activities may be allowable. Projects may address non-discrimination and tolerance, including work with disadvantaged minorities and certain human rights-related topics, but they must be framed carefully as human-rights support rather than advocacy for a specific organization’s agenda or a particular lifestyle; the Embassy notes it may brief grantees on this distinction. Projects cannot support religious goals or religious activities, cannot fund the creation of media content or journalist salaries, and should primarily target Latvian audiences.
The application process is fairly structured and requires use of official templates. Applicants must download and submit the AEIF 2022 application and budget forms from the provided link and follow the formatting instructions closely. Submissions must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars using the designated budget form, and pages must be numbered. Required federal forms include SF-424 (or the individual version SF-424-I, depending on whether the applicant is an organization or an individual), SF-424A (budget information), and SF-424B (assurances). The proposal itself must include clear team information for at least two alumni (names, contact details, roles, qualifications, and estimated time commitments), a concise project summary describing the challenge, objectives, and intended impact, and a more detailed plan describing goals and measurable objectives, methods and design, a timeline with dates and locations, beneficiaries, and any plan for sustaining the work after the grant ends. Applicants should also list any local partners, provide a communication and outreach plan that incorporates AEIF 2022, ExchangeAlumni, and U.S. Embassy branding, and include a monitoring and evaluation plan that explains how outcomes will be measured (for example, changes in knowledge, awareness, attitudes, or capacity). A detailed budget justification narrative is required, with line items explained in as much detail as possible.
Budget rules are strict and are a major screening factor. AEIF 2022 will not fund airfare to or from the United States, or any activities taking place in the United States. It also will not cover staff salaries, office space, overhead or operational expenses, major durable equipment purchases, construction, alcohol, excessive meals or entertainment, academic or scientific research, charitable or development aid, direct social service delivery, individual scholarships, social travel, gifts or prizes, duplicative programming, institutional development, venture capital or for-profit activities, charging participation fees, fundraising campaigns, or religious activities. Applications including these costs or activities can be deemed ineligible by the selection committee.
After selection, the award is administered by a Grants Officer, and only expenses incurred on or after the official start date in the signed award document are allowable. The U.S. government does not commit to future or renewal funding beyond the selected award, and it does not reimburse costs associated with preparing the application. Funding is disbursed in two tranches: 80 percent after the agreement is finalized and signed, and the remaining 20 percent after final reports are submitted and approved. Grantees must submit program and financial reports as required in the award, and a final descriptive report is due within 30 days of project completion, along with invoices, agreements, and other supporting financial documentation to demonstrate transparent use of funds. For questions, the notice directs applicants to contact the Embassy point of contact listed (JurgelaneS@state.gov), and it notes that funding is subject to availability and only successful applicants will be contacted.Apply for 01 2021
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Latvia in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Funding Opportunity for Alumni of U.S. Government Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 17, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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AEIF 2022 (U.S. Embassy Riga) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2022)?
AEIF 2022 is a small-grants program run by the U.S. Department of State that funds projects designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The goal is to help exchange alumni use the skills, networks, and experience gained during their exchange to create practical, innovative projects that address real community challenges.
2) Who is running this specific competition?
The U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia is inviting proposals for this Riga-based AEIF 2022 competition.
3) What theme must proposals address for the Riga competition?
Proposals must align with the theme of the 100th Anniversary of U.S.-Latvia Diplomatic Relations. Projects that do not clearly address the stated theme and objectives are considered ineligible.
4) What kind of projects is the Embassy looking for under this theme?
The Embassy is looking for projects aimed at a general audience in Latvia that (1) reflect on the past century of U.S.-Latvia relations, (2) look forward to where the relationship should go next, and (3) promote transatlantic values. The notice gives examples such as public events where exchange alumni speak about how their exchange experiences shape their civic or professional work, or youth-focused activities that spark discussion about the bilateral relationship and how civic participation can influence the next 100 years.
5) Where must project activities take place?
All activities must take place in Latvia. The grant will not fund activities taking place in the United States.
6) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on exchange alumni. Applicants must be alumni of a qualifying U.S. government-funded exchange program listed on alumni.state.gov or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (including J-1 related programs).
7) How many alumni must be on a proposal team?
Each proposal must be submitted by a team that includes at least two exchange alumni.
8) Can teams include alumni from different programs or different countries?
Yes. Teams can combine alumni from different exchange programs and can include alumni from different countries.
9) Can a U.S. citizen submit a proposal?
No. U.S. citizens may not submit proposals as the applicant. However, U.S. citizen alumni are allowed to participate as team members.
10) Can an NGO, think tank, or university apply as the applicant?
No. Organizations such as NGOs, think tanks, and academic institutions cannot apply in the name of the organization. They may participate as implementing partners, but the proposal must be alumni-led.
11) Can an organization partner be used for administrative processing?
Yes, an application may be routed through an organization partner for administrative purposes, but the alumni must be closely tied to that organization and must be the ones who actually carry out the project work.
12) Do applicants need a DUNS/UEI and SAM.gov registration?
It depends on how the award is processed. If the grant is processed with an individual, the individual does not need a DUNS number or SAM.gov registration. If the grant is processed through an organization partner, that organization must have an entity identifier (DUNS/UEI as referenced in the notice) and an active SAM.gov registration.
13) Are there equal opportunity and non-discrimination requirements for organization partners?
Yes. If the grant is processed through an organization partner, the organization must follow equal opportunity and non-discrimination practices for both employment and beneficiary services, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
14) How many proposals may an applicant submit?
Applicants are limited to submitting one proposal total.
15) What is the expected award size and how many awards are anticipated?
Awards are expected to range from USD 10,000 to USD 40,000, with an award ceiling of USD 40,000. The Embassy anticipated making about five awards.
16) What is the project period (performance period)?
The performance period is June through December 2022. Projects should be implemented and completed within that window.
17) What were the key dates mentioned in the notice?
The opportunity was announced in mid-November 2021. Applications were due by January 31, 2022. The Embassy planned to make decisions no later than February 11.
18) What language and formatting rules apply to the application?
Submissions must be in English. Budgets must be in U.S. dollars using the designated budget form. Pages must be numbered, and applicants must follow the formatting instructions closely and use the official AEIF 2022 application and budget templates from the provided link.
19) Which federal forms are required?
Required federal forms include SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals, depending on whether the applicant is an organization or an individual), SF-424A (budget information), and SF-424B (assurances).
20) What information must be included about the alumni team?
The proposal must include clear team information for at least two alumni, including names, contact details, roles, qualifications, and estimated time commitments.
21) What must the project narrative cover?
The proposal must include a concise project summary describing the challenge, objectives, and intended impact. It must also include a detailed plan describing goals and measurable objectives, methods and design, a timeline with dates and locations, beneficiaries, and any plan for sustaining the work after the grant ends.
22) Are local partners allowed or required?
Local partners are allowed. Applicants should list any local partners in the application.
23) Are communications and branding requirements mentioned?
Yes. Applicants should include a communication and outreach plan that incorporates AEIF 2022, ExchangeAlumni, and U.S. Embassy branding.
24) Is monitoring and evaluation (M&E) required?
Yes. Applicants must include a monitoring and evaluation plan explaining how outcomes will be measured, such as changes in knowledge, awareness, attitudes, or capacity.
25) How important is the budget in the selection process?
Budget rules are described as strict and are a major screening factor. Applications that include prohibited costs or activities can be deemed ineligible by the selection committee.
26) Can AEIF funds be used for airfare to the United States or U.S.-based activities?
No. AEIF 2022 will not fund airfare to or from the United States, and it will not fund any activities taking place in the United States.
27) Can the grant pay staff salaries, office space, or overhead?
No. The grant will not cover staff salaries, office space, overhead, or operational expenses.
28) Can the grant purchase major equipment or pay for construction?
No. The grant will not fund major durable equipment purchases or construction.
29) Are alcohol and entertainment expenses allowed?
No. The grant will not fund alcohol, excessive meals, or entertainment.
30) Can the project include academic or scientific research?
No. The grant will not fund academic or scientific research.
31) Can the grant be used for charitable aid or direct social services?
No. The grant will not fund charitable or development aid or direct social service delivery.
32) Are individual scholarships allowed?
No. The grant will not fund individual scholarships.
33) Are gifts, prizes, or social travel allowed?
No. The grant will not fund social travel, gifts, or prizes.
34) Can participation fees be charged or fundraising campaigns run under the project?
No. The grant will not support charging participation fees or fundraising campaigns.
35) Can the project support religious activities?
No. Projects cannot support religious goals or religious activities.
36) Can the project create media content or pay journalist salaries?
No. Projects cannot fund the creation of media content or journalist salaries.
37) Are partisan political activities or lobbying allowed?
No. The grant cannot be used for partisan political activity, lobbying, or supporting or opposing political parties.
38) Are any civic or election-related educational activities allowed?
The notice states that certain nonpartisan civic and election-related educational activities may be allowable, but partisan political activity and lobbying are not permitted.
39) Can projects address tolerance, non-discrimination, and human rights topics?
Yes, projects may address non-discrimination and tolerance, including work with disadvantaged minorities and certain human rights-related topics. However, they must be framed as human-rights support rather than advocacy for a specific organization’s agenda or a particular lifestyle. The Embassy notes it may brief grantees on this distinction.
40) Who administers the award after selection?
After selection, the award is administered by a Grants Officer.
41) When do costs become allowable?
Only expenses incurred on or after the official start date listed in the signed award document are allowable.
42) Does the U.S. government reimburse application preparation costs?
No. The notice states that the U.S. government does not reimburse costs associated with preparing the application.
43) Is renewal or future funding guaranteed?
No. The U.S. government does not commit to future or renewal funding beyond the selected award.
44) How is the funding disbursed?
Funding is disbursed in two tranches: 80 percent after the agreement is finalized and signed, and 20 percent after final reports are submitted and approved.
45) What reporting is required?
Grantees must submit program and financial reports as required in the award. A final descriptive report is due within 30 days of project completion, along with invoices, agreements, and other supporting financial documentation to demonstrate transparent use of funds.
46) Who should applicants contact with questions?
Questions should be directed to the Embassy point of contact listed in the notice: JurgelaneS@state.gov.
47) Will all applicants be notified of the outcome?
The notice states that only successful applicants will be contacted.
48) Is funding guaranteed?
No. The notice indicates that funding is subject to availability.
49) Who is the primary target audience for supported projects?
Projects should primarily target Latvian audiences and reach a general audience in Latvia.
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