OpportunityTitle: Afghan Young Leaders Exchange Program (AYLEP)
CategoryExplanation: Public Diplomacy
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligibility is open to all types of applicants except for individuals. As of Oct 1, 2018, the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs within the U.S. State Department no longer processes DS-2019s for post-funded exchange programs. In order to be eligible for an award under this NOFO, the applicant must either:  &#61623; Be a registered Designated Sponsoring Organization (DSO), or  &#61623; Partner (through a sub-grant or contract) with a registered DSO. To find a registered DSO, go to: https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/sponsor-search/  Proof that the applicant or its proposed sub-grantee or contractor is a fully-registered DSO must be submitted as part of the application for this NOFO. Applications that do not include this proof will not be considered for an award. Please refer to Section D for funding restrictions. Organizations may sub-award/contract with other entities, but only one entity may be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-awarding/contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
Description: The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, is pleased to announce an open competition for eligible organizations to submit applications to carry out an exchange program to build the leadership and advocacy skills and capacity of young Afghans, empowering them to act as positive agents of change in their home country. The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan invites eligible organizations to submit proposals to develop and implement the Afghan Young Leaders Exchange Program (AYLEP.) The goal of AYLEP is to foster the next generation of Afghan leaders by developing their leadership skills and capacity in fields such as governance, civil society, economic growth, and security. This will be achieved through an annual U.S. exchange program that exposes participants to experts, innovators, and activists in their respective fields as well as to U.S. political, social, and economic systems. Each program should host a cohort of approximately 50 young Afghans, be approximately three-weeks in length, focused on a PAS-determined theme, and include significant interaction with subject matter experts, civic organizations, government officials/entities, and among the participants themselves. Proposals should include a series of U.S.-based exchanges (one per year), explain how program activities will strengthen the capacity of these Afghan leaders to improve Afghan governance, professionalize and build capacity in the educational sector, promote social change, and/or support economic growth upon their return to Afghanistan.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Inquiries
GrantorContactText: Izaak Martin, Grants Management Officer, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan