The Alumni Small Grants Program is intended to enable alumni leadership in activities in Iraq that support the implementation of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, especially those activities that contribute to the establishment of a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship, support the success of the political process, reinforce national reconciliation and build a diversified and advanced economy that ensures the integration of Iraq into the international community. (Please note that grants for projects that are purely research are not eligible for this competition.)
Successful proposals will bring together alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs to work on a project together. At least one of the alumni involved in the project must have participated in a State Department/U.S. Embassy/Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA)-sponsored exchange program. Alumni of exchange programs sponsored by USAID and other U.S. government departments and agencies are also welcome to participate.
Grants will be awarded for proposals that address at least one of these issues and meet other specified criteria. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:
- Work with an American Corner to implement the grant
- Cooperate with other alumni or alumni from different programs to implement the grant
- Share with a wider community the knowledge or skills gained in the exchange program or training
- Please note that grants for projects that are purely research are not eligible for this competition.
Grant proposals must:
- Demonstrate how participating alumni will use their exchange experience to benefit others in Iraq;
- Show how alumni will work together;
- Explain how the project will enhance alumni professional development;
- Specify how the project will be evaluated by project participants; and
- Demonstrate sustainability once funding for the project ends.
Project results must be presented in written, photographic or video format to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for posting to the State Alumni website and/or the U.S. Embassy website.
All alumni involved in the project, including the primary grant contact and all other participating alumni, must register on the State Alumni website. Alumni are encouraged to review successful alumni projects in the Alumni News section of the State Alumni website.
Project budgets should include cost-sharing and may only include allowable costs. Proposals will include both narrative text and a detailed budget.
Proposals must be submitted in English.
All those submitting proposals are encouraged to take a short, on-line training on Proposal Writing, offered by the Foundation Center of Washington, DC at: http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/index.html
Questions regarding the Alumni Small Grants Program and other resources available to the alumni community can be emailed to: IraqCulturalAffairs@state.gov.