Ukraine: USG Exchange Alumni Small Grants Program

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Kyiv of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations and individuals to submit applications. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Ukraine Program Objectives: The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv announces the 2nd round of the 2022 Alumni Small Grants Program. Subject to availability of funds, the Embassy will award small grants as described below to alumni of U.S. Government-funded exchanges and training programs. The program seeks to encourage alumni networking, professional development, and civic involvement by supporting alumni-initiated projects that support civil society involvement in Ukraine’s reform efforts, encourage tolerance and integration of marginalized or displaced populations, and celebrate the strong links between the people of the United States and the people of Ukraine. With funding support from the Alumni Small Grants Program, the U.S. government seeks to support alumni initiatives with special focus on projects aimed at mitigating the impacts of Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. Specific thematic priorities are described in detail below. Alumni may apply for grants for the following purposes: · To implement projects that advocate Ukraine’s transition to a prosperous, unified, and democratic state, and support European integration. · To support efforts aimed at the restoration of peace and security in Ukraine, enhance the sense of national unity and cohesion, as well as promote conflict resolution. · To conduct projects that encourage public participation, discussion and community problem solving, support recovery and reconstruction reform initiatives at local level. · To provide support to vulnerable populations (IDPs, veterans, people with disabilities). · To counter malign influences, Russian propaganda and disinformation, increase citizen resilience to propaganda and disinformation through promoting media literacy and cyber hygiene. · To promote youth empowerment, leadership programs, and volunteer activities. · To conduct projects that enhance reforms in education, including civic education. · To conduct projects that support English learning and teaching. · To support alumni association events or alumni networking opportunities. · To support alumni activities that strengthen links with Ukraine’s Window on America network. · To organize training programs or conferences for professional colleagues and/or other alumni. Participants and Audiences: Individual Ukrainian citizens and Ukrainian registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria listed in paragraph C. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: up to 12 months. Proposed projects should have a proposed start date no earlier than July 25, 2022, and no later than September 20, 2022. Number of awards anticipated: depends on amount and quality of proposals. Award amounts: maximum of $5,000 for individuals and $ 50,000 for organization (average amount of funding up to $ 25,000 for organizations) Total available funding: $225, 000 Type of Funding: FY22/Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: May 25, 2022 Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 2022-2023. COVID-19 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL POTENTIAL APPLICANTS: In light of the restrictive travel and public gathering environments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy expects interested applicants to submit their proposal with a virtual option in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The proposal may be based on “business as usual” environments, where international travel, large public gatherings, and other programming parameters are unaffected by public health constraints; however, it should include your ideas on how to execute the desired project goals in a manner that accounts for restrictions on public gatherings and travel, as well as public health concerns. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations and individuals are eligible to apply. Individuals: Any Ukrainian citizen, with permanent residency in Ukraine, who is an alumnus or alumna of one or more of the following U.S. Government-funded exchange and training programs is eligible to apply. · Programs funded by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, including the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), Global UGRAD, Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Exchange Program, Fulbright Exchanges, Teacher Exchanges, International Visitor Leadership Exchange Program, and the Professional Fellows Program, others. · Participants of other State Department-funded programs, such as press tours and tech camps. · Exchange and training programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (such as the Faculty Exchange Program), and the Department of Commerce, including SABIT training, others. · The Open World Leadership Program, funded by the U.S. Library of Congress. Organizations: A registered Ukrainian non-governmental, non-profit organization is eligible if: 1) An individual U.S. government exchange program alumnus or alumna is a member, and 2) That exchange program participant will have a significant role in the planning and implementation of the project to be supported with Alumni Small Grant Program funds. 3) Groups with a clear connection to U.S. government alumni networking, such as alumni associations, are also eligible. Individuals and Organizations Not Eligible to Apply: U.S. and third-country organizations or individuals are not eligible. Ukrainian citizens who are U.S. exchange alumni but who are not permanent residents of Ukraine are not eligible. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is strongly encouraged; however, it is not a requirement of an application in response to this funding announcement. Applicants may provide in-kind contributions and/or coordinate funding with other donors. 3. Other Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) as the primary means of entity identification for Federal awards government-wide. Individuals are not required to have a unique entity identifier or be registered in SAM.gov. See Section D 3 below for more information regarding the process to obtain required registrations. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package Applications may be found at https://ua.usembassy.gov/uk/education-culture-uk/exchange-programs-uk/alumni-resources-uk.
Categories: Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification).