Opportunity Information: Apply for SMK800 24 PAS001
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Program FY 2024 is a competitive grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The program is designed to help exchange alumni build on the skills, networks, and experience they gained during their U.S.-supported exchange by turning those lessons into practical, community-focused projects. AEIF has been running globally since 2011 and has supported hundreds of alumni-led initiatives worldwide, and the North Macedonia competition is part of that broader effort to keep alumni engaged and active on shared public priorities.
This specific FY 2024 call focuses on public service projects that are proposed by local U.S. Government (USG) alumni organizations and implemented by teams of at least two alumni. Projects must align with the U.S. Embassy's goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and deliver tangible benefits to local communities in North Macedonia. A central emphasis this year is supporting the United States commitment to deepening North Macedonia's democracy and encouraging reforms that strengthen the country as a reliable and capable U.S. partner. In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose projects that respond to real local needs while clearly connecting those needs to the Embassy's priority outcomes.
To be eligible, every proposal must directly address at least one of the required themes listed in the announcement. These themes include reinforcing democratic values; promoting rule of law and anti-corruption; increasing social cohesion among ethnic and political groups and regional partners; empowering youth, women, and other marginalized groups; supporting North Macedonia's transition toward diversified, sustainable, and renewable energy to accelerate regional energy independence; countering disinformation; and fostering stronger ties between North Macedonia and the United States. The theme requirement is strict: proposals that do not clearly match one or more of these themes are considered ineligible. In addition, all project activities must take place outside the United States and its territories, meaning the work should be implemented in North Macedonia or elsewhere abroad, not in the U.S.
The opportunity places strong emphasis on identifying a realistic and well-defined target audience. Applicants are discouraged from using overly broad audiences such as "the general public" or "all youth" and instead are expected to specify who exactly they will reach and how. While projects may serve different groups, the notice identifies priority audiences that are especially encouraged: youth and young adult leaders ages 13 to 30, community leaders and local officials, and teachers and academic professionals. Projects targeting other audiences can still qualify, but applicants need to make a clear case for why that audience is important to achieving the program's stated goals.
Eligible applicants must be based in North Macedonia and must be connected to the USG exchange alumni community. Applications can be submitted either by an alumni association of USG exchange alumni or by a team of at least two exchange alumni working through an eligible implementing partner such as a non-profit, non-governmental organization, think tank, or academic institution. The key staff and project team members must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange program, including programs listed on the U.S. State Department alumni exchange list or those supported under the J-1 exchange visitor framework. Teams must include at least two alumni, and teams may mix alumni from different programs and even different countries. U.S. citizens are not allowed to serve as primary applicants, but they may participate as team members.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Mission to North Macedonia under Funding Opportunity Number SMK800 24 PAS001 (CFDA 19.022). The application deadline listed is January 30, 2024, and proposals are submitted by email to SkopjeGrants@state.gov. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $35,000, and the Embassy anticipates making about two awards under this competition, which signals a selective process where proposals need to be well-scoped, clearly themed, and feasible within the budget and project period.
Overall, AEIF 2024 in North Macedonia is essentially looking for alumni-led, practical civic-minded projects that use exchange alumni expertise to deliver measurable community impact in areas like democracy, anti-corruption, social cohesion, energy resilience, disinformation response, inclusion, and stronger U.S.-North Macedonia connections. Applicants who do best under this kind of call typically present a tight problem statement, a specific audience, a clear activity plan with credible partners, and realistic outcomes that connect directly to the required themes and the Embassy's strategic priorities.Apply for SMK800 24 PAS001
- The U.S. Mission to North Macedonia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Program FY 2024" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-30. (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 $35,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Program FY 2024 - U.S. Embassy North Macedonia
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Program FY 2024?
AEIF FY 2024 is a competitive grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. It supports alumni-led, practical projects that turn exchange experience into community-focused results in North Macedonia.
Who is offering this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Mission to North Macedonia (U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The program is meant to keep U.S. exchange alumni engaged by supporting public service projects that align with U.S. Embassy goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and deliver tangible benefits to local communities in North Macedonia.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. This is described as a competitive grant opportunity, and the Embassy anticipates making about two awards, which makes the selection process relatively selective.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SMK800 24 PAS001, and the CFDA number is 19.022.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed in the announcement is January 30, 2024.
How do applicants submit a proposal?
Proposals are submitted by email to SkopjeGrants@state.gov.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is $35,000.
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making about two awards under this competition.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants must be based in North Macedonia and connected to the U.S. Government exchange alumni community. Applications may be submitted by a local U.S. Government exchange alumni association, or by a team of at least two exchange alumni working through an eligible implementing partner (such as a non-profit, NGO, think tank, or academic institution).
Do projects need to be led by exchange alumni?
Yes. The key staff and project team members must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange program.
What exchange programs count for alumni eligibility?
The announcement notes eligibility for alumni of programs listed on the U.S. State Department alumni exchange list or programs supported under the J-1 exchange visitor framework, as long as they are U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchanges.
How many alumni are required on a project team?
Teams must include at least two alumni.
Can a team include alumni from different exchange programs?
Yes. Teams may mix alumni from different programs.
Can a team include alumni from different countries?
Yes. The announcement states teams may include alumni from different countries.
Can U.S. citizens apply as the primary applicant?
No. U.S. citizens are not allowed to serve as primary applicants under this opportunity.
Can U.S. citizens participate in the project in another role?
Yes. While they cannot be primary applicants, U.S. citizens may participate as team members.
What kinds of organizations can serve as implementing partners?
The announcement mentions eligible implementing partners such as non-profits, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, or academic institutions.
What type of projects is AEIF FY 2024 looking to fund in North Macedonia?
This call focuses on public service projects proposed by local U.S. Government alumni organizations and implemented by alumni teams. Projects should be practical, community-focused, and designed to deliver tangible benefits in North Macedonia while aligning with Embassy priorities.
Do projects need to align with U.S. Embassy goals and U.S. foreign policy objectives?
Yes. Projects must align with the U.S. Embassy's goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and provide tangible benefits to local communities.
What is the special emphasis of the FY 2024 call in North Macedonia?
A central emphasis is supporting the United States commitment to deepening North Macedonia's democracy and encouraging reforms that strengthen the country as a reliable and capable U.S. partner.
Are there required themes that proposals must address?
Yes. Every proposal must directly address at least one of the required themes listed in the announcement.
What are the required themes for this opportunity?
The required themes include: reinforcing democratic values; promoting rule of law and anti-corruption; increasing social cohesion among ethnic and political groups and regional partners; empowering youth, women, and other marginalized groups; supporting North Macedonia's transition toward diversified, sustainable, and renewable energy to accelerate regional energy independence; countering disinformation; and fostering stronger ties between North Macedonia and the United States.
What happens if a proposal does not match any required theme?
The theme requirement is strict. Proposals that do not clearly match one or more of the listed themes are considered ineligible.
Where must project activities take place?
All project activities must take place outside the United States and its territories. This means projects should be implemented in North Macedonia or elsewhere abroad, not in the U.S.
Does the opportunity require a clearly defined target audience?
Yes. The announcement places strong emphasis on having a realistic, well-defined target audience.
Are applicants allowed to name a broad audience like "the general public"?
Applicants are discouraged from using overly broad audiences such as "the general public" or "all youth." The expectation is to specify who will be reached and how.
What target audiences are especially encouraged?
Priority audiences that are especially encouraged include: youth and young adult leaders ages 13 to 30, community leaders and local officials, and teachers and academic professionals.
Can projects target other audiences besides the listed priority groups?
Yes. Projects targeting other audiences can still qualify, but applicants need to clearly explain why that audience is important to achieving the program's goals.
What makes an application more competitive under this call?
Based on the announcement, stronger applications typically include a tight problem statement, a specific and realistic target audience, a clear activity plan with credible partners, and measurable outcomes that connect directly to the required themes and the Embassy's strategic priorities.
How long has AEIF existed globally?
AEIF has been running globally since 2011 and has supported hundreds of alumni-led initiatives worldwide.
Is the North Macedonia competition part of a broader global program?
Yes. The North Macedonia AEIF competition is part of the broader global effort to keep alumni engaged and active on shared public priorities.
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