Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS21GR007
The 2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021) is a small-grants program run by the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Russia) that funds projects designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The core idea is to help exchange alumni build on the skills, professional networks, and experience they gained during their exchange and turn those assets into practical, community-focused projects that address real problems in Russia. Since AEIF began in 2011, it has supported hundreds of alumni-led projects worldwide, and the 2021 round specifically emphasizes strengthening opportunities for Russian alumni and supporting community-level efforts that contribute to a safer and more peaceful world. In terms of priorities, the program notes special attention to women’s issues, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, freedom of expression, entrepreneurship, and environmental topics.
Projects must fit within at least one of five themes set by Embassy Moscow. “Sharing America with Russia” focuses on activities that promote understanding of American culture, education, freedoms, values, and constructive collaboration between Americans and Russians. “Media and Information in Russia” supports work tied to freedom of the press, ethical and effective journalism, access to reliable information, and improved media literacy. “One Planet: Environment, Health, and Science” targets environmental, public health, and science-related issues in Russia that connect with U.S. and global priorities. “America Works in Russia” emphasizes business, entrepreneurship, and higher education engagement between American and Russian communities. “International Cooperation” supports collaboration in multinational or binational formats to address global issues, rule of law, and international agreements and partnerships. A key geographic rule applies across all themes: all project activities must take place in Russia, and proposals that do not clearly align with one of the themes are considered ineligible.
Funding is structured as small grant awards, typically ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per project, with an award ceiling of $50,000. The opportunity was posted March 5, 2021, with applications due April 18, 2021 (midnight Moscow time), and award decisions expected no later than May 15, 2021. Projects are expected to be completed within 18 months or less, which means applicants need to propose a timeline that is realistic, well-organized, and deliverable within that period. Cost sharing is not required, so applicants are not obligated to contribute matching funds, although partnerships and additional resources can still be part of a sustainability plan.
Eligibility is tightly tied to exchange alumni status and team-based leadership. Applicants must be alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, including eligible in-country programs (such as the English Access Microscholarship Program) and qualifying online programs that exceed 36 hours. Each project must be proposed and managed by a team of at least two alumni; teams can include alumni from different programs and even different countries, as long as the application itself is submitted by exchange alumni. U.S. citizen alumni cannot be the submitting applicant, but they may participate as team members. Organizations like NGOs, think tanks, and academic institutions cannot apply “as the organization,” but they can participate as implementing partners supporting project activities. Applicants are limited to one proposal submission.
On administrative requirements, the program distinguishes between awards issued to individuals versus those issued through a partner organization. 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 a partner organization, that organization must have a unique entity identifier (historically referenced as DUNS) and an active SAM.gov registration, and must commit to equal opportunity employment and non-discrimination for beneficiaries regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. The announcement also flags operational constraints related to the public health situation: in-person programming is allowed only with U.S. Embassy Moscow permission, and proposals are expected to be able to run online or in a hybrid format, with the ability to shift fully online if conditions require.
Applications must use the official AEIF 2021 proposal and budget templates available via grants.gov, and all materials must be submitted in English. Budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars using the designated budget form, and final grant agreements are conducted in U.S. dollars. The required submission package includes standard federal forms (SF-424 or SF-424-I for individuals, plus SF-424A and SF-424B) along with a detailed project proposal and a budget justification narrative. The proposal itself is expected to be written so that a reader unfamiliar with the project can clearly understand what will be done, why it matters, who will do it, and how success will be measured. Required narrative elements include a concise proposal summary with objectives and anticipated impact; team member roles, qualifications, and time commitments; a clear problem statement; specific goals and measurable objectives; methods and design with a timeline that includes dates, times, and locations (or online delivery details); identification of direct and indirect beneficiaries; a monitoring and evaluation plan explaining expected outcomes and how they will be measured (surveys, interviews, observations, and similar tools); a sustainability plan for what happens after the grant ends; and a communication plan describing outreach channels and how the project will be promoted to beneficiaries and the public.
Branding is also part of the communications expectations: project communications and materials generally should include AEIF 2021 and U.S. Embassy branding, particularly for materials used in training or public-facing promotion. The announcement recognizes that branding can sometimes create safety or security risks for participants; in those cases, exceptions can be considered and would be determined by the Grants Officer in consultation with the recipient after selection.
Finally, the funding has strict cost and activity restrictions that shape what a compliant project can look like. AEIF 2021 will not fund airfare to or from the United States, any activities that take place in the United States, staff salaries, office space, or general overhead/operational expenses. It also excludes large durable equipment purchases and construction, alcohol and excessive hospitality costs, academic or scientific research (as distinct from practical training or education programming), charitable or development aid, direct delivery of social services, individual scholarships, social travel, gifts or prizes, and projects that duplicate existing programs. It will not support institutional development for an organization, venture capital or for-profit efforts, charging participant fees, religious activities, fundraising campaigns, or partisan political activity or lobbying for specific legislation. In practice, these restrictions push applicants toward time-bound, community-facing projects centered on training, engagement, awareness, capacity-building, and collaboration, with a strong plan for measurable outcomes and a credible path to continuation after the grant period.Apply for DOSRUS21GR007
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 05, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2021. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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