Embassy Norway Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – Embassy Norway Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 

The Embassy of the United States in Norway announces an open competition for past participants of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs (ExchangeAlumni) to submit applications to the 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2025).    

We seek proposals from teams of two or more ExchangeAlumni, at least one of whom is Norwegian or resident in Norway, that meet all program eligibility requirements below.  

ExchangeAlumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit proposals to oslogrants@state.gov by 23:59 Oslo time on February 15, 2025. 

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is a unique opportunity for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs (ExchangeAlumni) to expand on skills and knowledge gained during their exchange experience, connect with fellow alumni, and elevate their role as community leaders.  

Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 900 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. Past participants have developed projects that promote media literacy education, build community resilience, foster alumni network development, and engage with issues such as climate change and sustainable development.   

Goals and Objectives  

AEIF is designed to increase the impact of the U.S. government’s investment in exchange participants and programs, by providing ExchangeAlumni with funding to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. All AEIF projects must include at least one of the following:  

• Convene ExchangeAlumni from one or more U.S. government exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increase regional and global collaboration of alumni.  

• Strengthen the relationship between ExchangeAlumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges.     

• Support ExchangeAlumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities.  

We welcome creative proposals that address the elements above and promote the relationship between the U.S. and Norway through a variety of topics including, but not limited to: 

• Highlighting the importance of the strong security and defense relationship between the U.S. and Norway  

• Promoting awareness of, and interest in, benefits of the economic relationship between the U.S. and Norway  

• Sharing best practices in research security and academic integrity.   

• Expanding bilateral ties based on shared Norwegian and American values  

• Capitalizing on interest in the history and legacy of Norwegian emigration to the United States during the bicentennial commemorations in 2025 to underscore connections between contemporary Norway and the U.S.  

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Announcement posted: December 20, 2024
Closing date for applications: February 15, 2025, 23:59 Oslo time
Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award, or Cooperative Agreement.
Decision date: Summer 2025
Project start date: no earlier than August 1, 2025
Expected size of individual awards:  Between $5,000 and $35,000
Program Performance Period:  3 to 12 months 

C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants 

The following are eligible to apply:   

• Teams of two or more ExchangeAlumni who have participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program. At least one team member must be Norwegian or resident in Norway. 

• Alumni Associations in Norway with ExchangeAlumni members.  

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations affiliated or partnering with ExchangeAlumni. 

• Public and private educational institutions with ExchangeAlumni on the staff or faculty 

Cost Sharing or Matching 

Cost Sharing is not required. 

Other Eligibility Requirements 

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.sam.gov. Individuals are not required to obtain a UEI or register in sam.gov. 

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

U.S. Embassy Norway invites applications for the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund. 

ExchangeAlumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit proposals to oslogrants@state.gov by February 15, 2025 at 23:59 Oslo time. No applications will be accepted after that date. 

This is a two-tier competitive process, where the submission of the Application is the first step. Upon a merit review of eligible applications by the U.S. Embassy to Norway’s Grants Committee, competitive grant proposals will then be submitted to the Office of Alumni Affairs at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for final selection.  

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be considered ineligible.  

Content of Application: 

Applications and budgets should be submitted using the linked AEIF 2024 Proposal Form and AEIF 2025 Budget Form.

Please ensure: 

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity; 

• The proposal addresses all questions in the official AEIF 2025 Proposal Form; 

• All documents are in English; 

• The budget is in U.S. dollars.  We recommend the budget is submitted using the designated AEIF 2025 Budget Form as that is what is required in the second stage review. 

The following documents and information are required: 

1. 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Proposal Form:

• About Your Project: Cover sheet stating the title of the project, project applicant, requested budget total, project location, proposed project start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. 

• Project Team Information: A description of the project team, indicating the role each team members will have in the project, and their experience, qualifications, and ability to carry out that role, including information on exchange program participation. At least one ExchangeAlumni should be designated as the team lead. 

• Proposal: The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. 

• Project Summary: A clear, concise and well-supported narrative that outlines the proposed project of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed project is needed, including program objectives and anticipated impact. 

• Project Goals and Objectives: The Project Goals describe what the program is intended to achieve. The Project Objectives refer to the accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. 

• Project Design and Methods: A description of how the project will be implemented, who will benefit from your planned activities, and how you plan to build on the outcome of this project. 

• Project Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. 

• Beneficiaries: An estimation of who will benefit from your planned activities, both direct participants, and indirectly as a result of the project. 

• Local Program Partners (if applicable): List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations who you will work with to support or implement your project. 

• Communication and Outreach Plan: A timeline of how you will promote your project to beneficiaries and the public, and how you intend to report back to the U.S. Embassy. 

• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful projects. Throughout the time-frame of the project, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? 

2. 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Budget Form

Applicants must submit a detailed budget and budget narrative justification.  Applicants are encouraged to use the template provided. Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail. Budgets shall be submitted in U.S. dollars and final grant agreements will be conducted in U.S. dollars. 

Please refer to the Budget Guidelines tab in the 2025 AEIF Budget Form for directions on cost categories, allowable costs, and how to apply them reasonably in support of project goals and objectives. 

Additional forms:

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) [Instructions]
• SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) [Instructions]
• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) [Instructions]
• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs)
• AEIF 2024 Proposal Form and AEIF 2025 Budget Form

Budget Restrictions:  

AEIF does not support the following activities or costs: 

• Any airfare to/from the United States and its territories 

• Activities that take place in the United States and its territories 

• Staff salaries, office space, and overhead/operational expenses 

• Large items of durable equipment or construction programs 

• Alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments not integral to the project, or entertainment 

• Academic or scientific research 

• Charitable or development activities 

• Provision of direct social services to a population 

• Individual scholarships 

• Social travel/visits 

• Gifts or prizes 

• Duplication of existing programs 

• Institutional development of an organization 

• Venture capital, for-profit endeavors, or charging a fee for participation in project 

• Support for specific religious activities 

• Fund-raising campaigns 

• Support or opposition of partisan political activity or lobbying for specific legislation 

Submission Dates and Times 

ExchangeAlumni interested in participating in AEIF 2025 should submit proposals to oslogrants@state.gov by February 15, 2025 at 23:59 Oslo time. No applications will be accepted after that date. 

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application package has been submitted in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Applicants are urged to begin the application process well before the submission deadline.

E. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS 

The PDS team at Embassy Norway will host office hours / application seminars for application-related questions ahead of the application deadline. Further details on scheduling office hours will be available on the Embassy Norway website.    

Questions about the grant application process or the proposal requirements should be directed to: oslogrants@state.gov