Opportunity Information: Apply for BERN PDS FY23 02
The PDS Bern Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2023 (AEIF 2023) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bern for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The goal is to build on the U.S. government investment in exchange alumni by helping them design and carry out practical, community-facing projects that align with U.S. foreign policy objectives and shared U.S.-local interests. Applications are expected from small teams rather than individuals, with proposals submitted in English to bernpa@state.gov by 5:00 P.M. on March 1, 2023. Awards are contingent on funding availability, with an anticipated total of about five awards.
Funding requests must fall between USD 5,000 and USD 35,000, and projects should be designed to run within a defined performance period: April 2023 through March 2024. While proposals must address the program themes and objectives described in the announcement, every project also needs to clearly advance at least one of AEIFs core aims: bringing together alumni from different exchange programs to strengthen or expand alumni networks and encourage wider regional or global cooperation; strengthening the working relationship between alumni and the U.S. government through activities that address shared goals and challenges; and supporting alumni leadership and their ability to implement initiatives in their own communities. The opportunity points applicants to prior-year examples (such as AEIF 2021 winners) as a reference for what successful projects can look like.
Eligibility is specific and fairly strict. Applicants must be verified alumni of an eligible U.S. government-funded exchange program (as listed on the U.S. Department of State alumni site) or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program. Each proposal must be led by a team of at least two exchange alumni and must name a team lead; if there are additional non-alumni partners involved, they must be listed as team members as well. Alumni associations can apply, but they still need to identify a team lead. U.S. citizen alumni are not allowed to submit proposals as applicants, though they may participate as team members; importantly, the project team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni. All project activities must take place outside the United States and its territories, and proposals should clearly connect to U.S. Mission priorities through public service-oriented activities. Only one proposal per group is allowed.
The application package must use the official required templates: an AEIF 2023 Proposal Form (PDF) and an AEIF 2023 Budget Form (Excel). Submissions must be provided in those formats (PDF and Excel) and sent by email to the embassy contact address listed in the announcement. The budget must be in U.S. dollars and include a justification narrative. Cost sharing is encouraged, meaning applicants are urged to bring some additional support beyond the grant request. The announcement gives practical examples of acceptable cost share, including in-kind contributions such as volunteer time, donated expert facilitation, discounted or free venue space, contributed supplies, or support from businesses or NGOs.
The fund supports a targeted set of expenses tied directly to running alumni-led programming. Allowable costs include in-country or intra-regional transportation, venue rental for project activities, PPE and sanitizing supplies, modest meals or refreshments that are integral to the work (for example, a working lunch during a meeting), and reasonable costs needed to run virtual programming (such as Zoom or WebEx subscriptions, basic audio-visual equipment for online sessions, and mailing services). At the same time, the announcement draws firm boundaries around what the money cannot be used for, and proposals that include prohibited costs can be ruled ineligible. Notably, the program will not fund airfare to or from the United States, any activities taking place in the United States or its territories, staff salaries or routine overhead (including office space and operational expenses), large durable equipment purchases or construction, alcohol or excessive hospitality/entertainment, academic or scientific research, charitable or development work framed as direct aid, direct provision of social services to a population, individual scholarships, purely social travel, gifts or prizes, duplicative programming, institutional development of an organization, venture capital or other for-profit efforts (including charging participation fees), religious activities, fundraising campaigns, or partisan political activity or lobbying for specific legislation.
Budget realism is emphasized. Project management costs, including payments to speakers, trainers, and consultants, should not exceed 30 percent of the total amount requested. Lodging should be tied to actual program activities rather than functioning as long-term rent for team members, and travel should use the most economical options available. Award recipients must also be prepared for formal reporting requirements, including both financial and program reports at intervals specified in the award document.
Finally, the opportunity highlights COVID-19 and participant safety as planning considerations. Applicants are expected to think through feasibility under possible restrictions and to build in sensible adaptations when needed, such as PPE or virtual delivery costs. Projects should also be designed responsibly so that if activities cannot continue after the grant ends, they can wind down without causing harm to intended beneficiaries. For procedural questions, applicants are directed to contact the embassy team at bernpa@state.gov.Apply for BERN PDS FY23 02
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Switzerland in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PDS Bern Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2023" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 16, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 01, 2023. (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 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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