Notice of Funding Opportunity AEIF 2025 - OFOP0001693.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025

(AEIF 2025)

U.S. Embassy in Qatar, Department of State

Opportunity number: OFOP0001693

Application deadline: February 1, 2025

Contents

A. Basic Information

B. Eligibility

C. Application Contents and Format

D. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

E. Application Review Information

F. Award Notices

G. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

H. Other Information

U.S Department of State

U.S. EMBASSY IN QATAR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025

(AEIF 2025)

Funding Opportunity Number OFOP0001693

Announcement Type Initial announcement

Deadline for Applications February 1, 2025, 23:59 (AST) (UTC+03:00)

Assistance Listing Number 19.022– Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants

Length of performance period 3 to 12 months

Number of awards anticipated Maximum of two awards

Award amounts Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000.

Total available funding $70,000 (Subject to availability of funds)

Type of Funding Fiscal Year 2025 Fulbright-Hays Act

Anticipated projects start date June 01, 2025

Funding Instrument Type: Grant or Award to Individuals.

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

2. Executive Summary

Priority Region: Doha, Qatar

Executive Summary

U.S. Embassy Doha invites past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-sponsored Exchange programs to apply for the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 (AEIF 2025). Proposals must include teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements.

Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit proposals with an accompanying budget to DohaGrants@state.gov via email by February 1, 2025.

Program Objectives:

https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs mailto:DohaGrants@state.gov

AEIF provides alumni with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community.

U.S. Embassy Doha will accept projects proposed and managed by teams that include at least two (2) alumni and support the following objectives:

• Bringing alumni together from different exchange programs to build and expand alumni networks and to increase regional and global alumni collaboration.

• Encouraging the local population to act against Climate Change, including crafting creative solutions to environmental challenges, green energy, and climate change adaptation.

• Supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and STEM fields to expand economic empowerment of Women, Youth, and Underserved Populations.

• Encouraging youth to participate in civic life through social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement.

• Encouraging students to choose the United States for their educational needs and for

English language learning.

Proposals that do not address these objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories.

Participants and Audiences:

Applicants should have considerable, practical, and relevant experience in the implementation of the proposed activities to be seriously considered for this project. Previous experience working with Qatari audiences is preferable.

Priority audiences for this program include:

• Alumni of U.S. Exchange programs and alumni of U.S. universities

• Women entrepreneurs

• Student leaders and emerging young leaders

• Decision makers and opinion leaders

• Media outlets, Journalists, and influencers

• Professors, teachers, trainers, and experts

Please note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above are still eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals stated in this NOFO.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

AEIF 2025 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

• Construction projects

• Programs that support specific religious activities

• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs

• Scientific research

• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization

• Programs that duplicate existing programs

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

The following individuals are eligible to apply:

• Applicants must be Qatari citizen or Third Country Nationals who are based in Qatar.

• Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov/).

• Projects teams must include at least two (2) alumni.

• Team members can be members of more than one project. A team member can be part of multiple teams.

• Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but they can participate as team members in a project.

https://j1visa.state.gov/

• Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries.

• Exchange alumni can partner with not-for-profit or non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions to implement project activities. The grant can be issued to the individual alumni or the partner organization.

2. Other Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.

Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization/ individual. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization/ individual, all proposals from that party will be considered ineligible for funding.

C. Application Contents and Format

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.

Content of Application Please ensure:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

• All documents are in English

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

• All pages are numbered

• All documents are formatted to fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory Federal Assistance forms

• SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals)

• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

2. AEIF 2025 Proposal Form

Make sure you provide comprehensive data for:

• The 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 of each team member, describe their role and their ability to carry out that role.

• The Project Goals and Objectives: The goal/s 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.

• The Project Methods, Design, and Timeline: A description of how the project is expected to 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.

• The 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 outreach. Communications should include AEIF 2025, Exchange Alumni, and U.S. Embassy branding.

• The Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan: The M&E component should include any outcomes showing a change in knowledge, awareness, and attitudes.

Proposals should also include the methods that will be used to measure the impact of planned activities.

3. AEIF 2025 Budget Form with Budget Narrative: Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification utilizing the provided template. Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars.

4. Attachments

• 1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

D. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required above are available at the U.S. Embassy website https://qa.usembassy.gov/ and https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html.

https://qa.usembassy.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html

2. Department of State Contacts

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:

dohagrants@state.gov.

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than February 1, 2025, 23:59 (AST) (UTC+03:00). No applications will be accepted after that date.

5. Funding Restrictions - Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency

(UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

6. Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to dohagrants@state.gov

E. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.

The criteria listed are closely related and are considered in judging the overall quality of an application.

Relevance to Application Theme 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).

mailto:dohagrants@state.gov mailto:dohagrants@state.gov

Purpose and Summary, Description, and Implementation Plan 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 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 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.

Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability

Evaluation and Impact of the Project 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 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 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.

2. Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

3. Risk Review

Risk factors

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the

Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

a. Financial stability

b. Management systems and standards

c. History of performance

d. Audit reports and findings

e. Ability to effectively implement requirements

F. Award Notices

The award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient for review and countersignature. The recipient may only start incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S.

government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

Payment Method: Recipients will be required to request payments by completing form SF- 270—Request for Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form to the Grants Officer.

G. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before applying, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:

o Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205), o Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O.

13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341), o Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and o Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

• 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

• 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

• 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

• 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

(FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

• 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.175&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.183&rgn=div5

• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.

The support of underserved communities will be part of the review criteria for this opportunity. Therefore, proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

2. Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

H. Other Information

Some examples of previous AEIF projects:

Example #1: Kenya: Strengthening the Role of Women in Climate Change Advocacy will address climate change adaptation. This project proposes working with 60 women group leaders in advocacy efforts to enhance uptake of clean domestic energy in rural Kenya while empowering themselves and their communities economically through the uptake and use of https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterVI.tpl https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-procurement-executive/ https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fbriefing-room%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2021%2F01%2F20%2Fexecutive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government%2F&data=04%7C01%7CReisigAR%40state.gov%7C0dbdd75a0a664b32ef2508d8fb59f8f5%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637535711126807160%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Hk82GX1SCF8LaoHg%2B2vrmdCRK6gGWYwQXU9CB6cLb5E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fbriefing-room%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2021%2F01%2F20%2Fexecutive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government%2F&data=04%7C01%7CReisigAR%40state.gov%7C0dbdd75a0a664b32ef2508d8fb59f8f5%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C637535711126807160%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Hk82GX1SCF8LaoHg%2B2vrmdCRK6gGWYwQXU9CB6cLb5E%3D&reserved=0 sustainable energy solutions such as briquettes. The women group leaders will then do a cascade training for 600 women group members on clean energy for domestic use.

Example #2: Algeria: The Algerian Media Literacy Collective will bring together 45 young online content creators from different regions in Algeria to learn about media literacy, countering mis/disinformation, combating hate speech, and creating online content. The project team will facilitate mentorship opportunities for participants by high profile online content creators. This project is expanding to multiple regions in the country and focusing on creating a collective/network of amateur content creators. The project includes the creation of a website, where the collective shares activities, and provides online courses addressing media literacy.

Visit https://alumni.state.gov/aeif/congrats-2022-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-winners to read more about these projects.

Guidelines for Budget Justification - all proposed costs must meet the requirements of the cost principles contained in 2 CFR 200. Please refer to Funding Restrictions in section A and H for costs not supported through the AEIF 2025.

Venue Costs: Calculate costs for renting space for project-related activities such as workshops or other training activities. Consider looking for donated space first. If donated space is not possible, costs should be reasonable based on the local environment. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

Promotional Items and Advertising: These items aim to amplify your project. All requests should be reasonable and relevant to the project. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

Meals and Beverage: Include reasonable costs for snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and meals if essential to the project. Break down meals by the cost per person per meal. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

Speaker/Consultant/Training Fees: Speaker: Maximum of $250 per day for full programming. Trainer: Maximum of $250 per day or $25 per hour. Consider asking fellow Alumni with expertise to cost-share speaker/training fees. Consultant: A reasonable consultant fee may be included by Alumni for project management and oversight. However, consider cost-sharing as the AEIF cannot provide salary type expenses. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

Lodging and Per Diem: List per diem rates and hotel costs which directly support the implementation of the project and indicate single or double occupancy. Per diem rates should be calculated according to the U.S. government allowable rates or be adjusted to https://alumni.state.gov/aeif/congrats-2022-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-winners https://alumni.state.gov/aeif/congrats-2022-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-winners local prices if appropriate. Please consult with your U.S. Embassy/Consulate. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

Travel: If the program involves travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Estimate the costs of travel for this project, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. Costs can include in-country and intraregional air fare or local travel costs required for the actual implementation of the project. Travel between the U.S.

and project country are not supported. The AEIF does not support travel in business class or higher. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

Supplies, Materials, Equipment: Include general office supplies, computer software, consumable automotive supplies (i.e. fuel), small equipment such as laptops, projector, etc., and expendable materials (i.e. paper, paint). Rent equipment rather than purchase if it is more cost-efficient. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

Other: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. Commonly cited items are administrative and accounting costs, shipping costs for materials and equipment, and monitoring and evaluation. All expenses must be itemized and explained.

“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.