The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2025 is a funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Mission to Suriname to past participants ("alumni") of U.S. government-funded and facilitated exchange programs. AEIF aims to empower alumni teams to design and implement innovative projects that address global challenges within their local communities. Since its launch in 2011, the fund has supported over 500 alumni-led projects globally.
Eligible projects must align with one or more themes, including media professionalism and freedom, public health improvement, climate-smart practices, inclusion of marginalized communities, and youth civic and leadership engagement. The initiative emphasizes fostering awareness, sustainability, and inclusivity. Teams of at least two alumni are required to submit proposals, with preference given to teams who have not received recent grants from the Embassy or the U.S. State Department.
Awards range from $5,000 to $35,000, subject to funding availability. Applications must include detailed project descriptions, goals, implementation methods, monitoring and evaluation plans, budgets, and a communication strategy. Proposals must highlight alumni involvement, community partnerships, and measurable outcomes. The program seeks to ensure diverse, equitable, and accessible project participation while promoting sustainable impacts.
Eligible applicants are alumni of U.S. exchange programs. U.S. citizen alumni may not submit proposals but may participate as team members. Nonprofits and organizations cannot apply but may partner in project activities. Proposals must comply with AEIF rules, including submission of required forms such as SF-424 and budget templates, adherence to funding restrictions, and alignment with program objectives.
The deadline for applications is January 15, 2025, and submissions should be sent to paramaribo-grants@state.gov. The Embassy will review and rank proposals for submission to the global competition. Evaluation criteria include relevance to themes, alumni participation, local partnerships, project feasibility, impact, communication strategy, and budget justification. Successful projects will be subject to reporting requirements and branding guidelines.
