Alumni Community Action Grant

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Fulbright alumni from the Middle East and North Africa who received Fulbright awards administered by Amideast are eligible to apply! 

*We're not currently accepting new applications at this time, but look out for an announcement from us when the next competition opens.* 

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Alumni Community Action Grant is intended to help Fulbright Foreign Student Program alumni exercise their creativity and leadership skills to make an impact in their communities. Alumni can apply for up to $5,000 USD towards implementing a community-based individual or group project that builds on the experience they gained during the Fulbright program.

Apply for the Alumni Community Action Grant for the opportunity to receive direct support to turn your creative ideas into reality! We welcome innovative community-oriented ideas that put your leadership skills into action.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicants must be alumni of either: the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Junior Faculty Development Program or the Visiting Scholar Program for Iraq - who received a Fulbright Award administered by Amideast on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
  • IMPORTANT: Your Fulbright grant must be administered by Amideast to be eligible for an alumni grant. Please check your grant's original Terms of Agreement to confirm Amideast administered your program, not another entity.
  • Applicants must have completed their J-1 visa, two-year home residency requirement to be eligible. 

  • Applicants must be citizens or residents of the following areas: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Gaza, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the West Bank or Yemen.
  • Please note: Staff and immediate family members, as well as independent contractors of Amideast, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of State, or Fulbright Commissions are not eligible.

GRANT GUIDELINES

  • Requested funds may not exceed $5,000 USD;
  • Proposed activity must take place in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Gaza, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the West Bank or Yemen.

PROJECTS MUST BE:

  1. feasible;
  2. demonstrate careful thought and planning;
  3. designed for rapid implementation; and
  4. demonstrate the ability to achieve a measurable positive impact on a particular community;
  • Applicants are responsible for all phases of the proposed activity from initial planning to implementing the activity and bringing it to successful completion;
  • If implementing a group project, the lead organizer must be an eligible Fulbright alumnus or alumna; other participants are not required to be Fulbright alumni;
  • Grantees must submit a final report to Amideast no later than 30 days after the completion of their activity. Successful applicants will receive specific guidelines on what information to include in the final report.
  • Grantees who use social media to promote their activity are requested to notify Amideast about their posting so that the activity can be shared on Fulbright social media platforms. Grantees are required to follow the official guidance outlined on the ACAG Social Media Guidelines page.
  • Amideast reserves the right to request additional information from applicants.

EVALUATION CRITERIA AND ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Applicants should articulate a logical relationship between the proposed activities and desired outcomes – presenting the cause and effect that the project hopes to achieve. Proposals will be evaluated based on the quality of the main idea and the implementation plan.
  • Applicants should demonstrate the necessary leadership ability and relevant skills to implement the proposal.
  • When designing their projects, applicants are encouraged to utilize SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound).
  • Proposals will be evaluated based on the feasibility of the project, including the scope of what the proposal seeks to achieve.
  • The proposal should align with the spirit of the Fulbright Program’s mission and goals, including fostering mutual understanding, building people-to-people connections, exchanging ideas, and finding solutions to shared international concerns.
  • Applicants should articulate the link between their Fulbright Program experience, their first ACAG activity, and their new proposal. Proposals will be evaluated based on how the proposed activities build on the applicant’s experience during the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.
  • Proposals will be evaluated based on the potential impact and benefit to the local community. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that are inclusive and benefit diverse and/or underserved populations in their community. The target population should be clearly defined. Furthermore, proposals that demonstrate a sustainable impact will be viewed favorably.
  • Applicants should outline a plan to promote their project using various communication tools as appropriate, such as social media. Proposal evaluation will take into account the effectiveness and creativity of the communications plan, but with an understanding that broad publicity may not be appropriate for some proposals.
  • Preference will be given to applications that incorporate cost-share or in-kind donations; these may include donated time, materials, space, etc.
  • Preference will be given to first-time recipients for a Fulbright Alumni Grant.

RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES AND COSTS

The following activities and costs are not eligible for funding through the Alumni Community Action Grant:

  • International travel, unless specifically justified within the project.
  • Projects of a commercial or profit-making nature.
  • Organizational start-up costs, including setting up a new center or office.
  • Cash prizes.
  • Financial compensation for the applicants’ or group members' time or effort spent planning and implementing the project.
  • Domestic travel costs exceeding the rates established by the U.S. Department of State. Find the rates here: https://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp.

EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS SUCCESSFUL ALUMNI COMMUNITY ACTION GRANT PROPOSALS INCLUDE:

  • A series of workshops teaching children the fundamentals of computer science and robotics
  • An entrepreneurship “boot camp” training youth how to start a business
  • Introducing the art and benefits of home composting to elementary school children, through a series of hands-on workshops, tailored materials, and educational videos.

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RECENT PROJECTS FOR SOME INSPIRATION? CLICK HERE TO CHECK-OUT ACAG PROJECTS FROM 2022!

DOS logoFulbright logoThis is a program of the U.S. Department of State, administered by Amideast.