The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2025, administered by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, supports alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in implementing innovative projects that address global challenges and promote U.S. foreign policy objectives. This program emphasizes leveraging the skills and connections alumni gained during their exchange experience to create positive community impact. The funding opportunity number is PDS-HON-AEIF-FY25-01, and the application deadline is February 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.

The primary objectives of AEIF 2025 include reducing irregular migration, promoting the rule of law, enhancing transparency and anti-corruption efforts, protecting human rights, fostering inclusive economic growth, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting English language education, and using the arts as a tool for economic development and social inclusion. Proposals must address one or more of these themes, and all activities must occur outside of the United States and its territories.

Eligible applicants must be alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, and each project team must include at least two alumni. U.S. citizen alumni are not eligible to submit proposals but may participate as team members. Alumni can partner with not-for-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, or academic institutions to implement their projects. While cost-sharing or matching is not mandatory, proposals that include such contributions will be considered more competitive.

Funding amounts for awarded projects range from $5,000 to $35,000, with an anticipated performance period of up to 12 months, tentatively beginning in July 2025. The funding can be provided as a grant, fixed amount award (FAA), or cooperative agreement, depending on the level of U.S. Embassy involvement in the project implementation.

Applicants must submit a complete application package, including mandatory forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), a detailed proposal, a project summary, a budget justification narrative, resumes of key personnel, and letters of support from project partners. Proposals must demonstrate a clear problem statement, measurable goals and objectives, a well-defined implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation strategies, and plans for sustainability beyond the grant period.

Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and feasibility of the proposal, organizational capacity, clarity of goals and objectives, reasonableness of the budget, monitoring and evaluation plans, sustainability of project outcomes, and the proposal's support for equity and underserved communities. Successful applications will undergo a risk assessment as required under federal regulations.

For additional information, applicants are encouraged to contact the Alumni Coordinator at hondurasalumni@state.gov. Questions and updates will be available through the U.S. Embassy in Honduras website.