OpportunityTitle: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2025)
CategoryExplanation: &#8226; Exposure to American culture and shared values, particularly for those in the regions;  &#8226; Strengthen economic prosperity, promote innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and improve the digital economy;   &#8226; Reinforce democratic values;  &#8226; Community integration, inclusion, and tolerance-building;  &#8226; Skills building for women, youth, and people with disabilities;  &#8226; Supporting de-occupation and reconciliation;  &#8226; Projects that support cultural preservation in rural areas or in marginalized communities;  &#8226; Strengthen independent, pluralistic, and professional media while promoting media literacy, and respect for press freedom;  &#8226; Empower diversity through educational, cultural, and informational outreach tailored to the unique needs of ethnic minority communities and vulnerable populations.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: &#9679; Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program https://j1visa.state.gov/   &#9679; Projects teams must include teams of at least two (2) alumni or an alumni association. If the proposal is submitted by an alumni association, the alumni association needs to identify a team lead for the proposed project.    &#9679; Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members in a project.  &#9679; Alumni teams may be composed of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries.   &#9679; 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/grant recipients for implementing project activities. Alumni need to consider local NGO restrictions and laws.  &#9679; Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal.
Description: The Embassy of the United States in Tbilisi announces an open competition for past participants (&#8220;alumni&#8221;) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2025). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements below. Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit proposals to TbilisiGrants@state.gov with the subject line AEIF 2025 by January 31, 2025, 18:00. AEIF provides alumni of U.S. 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, AEIF 2025 will support the United States&#8217; commitment to Georgia&#8217;s further integration with the West as a more democratic and stable country. This annual funding opportunity is designed to amplify the return on the investment of the U.S. government in exchange programs. Pending availability of funds, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will review and recommend proposals for funding on a yearly basis. AEIF projects must address at least one of the following: &#183; Bring alumni together from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increase regional and global collaboration of alumni. &#183; Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges. &#183; Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities. Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges. Proposals must address the United States&#8217; commitment to Georgia&#8217;s further integration with the West as a more democratic and stable country. 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.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Coordinator E-mail
GrantorContactText: Tea Kuchukhidze &lt;br/&gt;Grantor