Description
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Consulate General Frankfurt of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a virtual alumni professional development and networking program over a minimum of a 24-month period. The goal of this program is to involve alumni with diverse interests by offering a broad range of activities such as speaker programs, trainings, and educational opportunities. Through the proposed programming, alumni of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored programs will be able to connect with each other and enhance their professional development. Successful applicants should have the capacity to organize virtual events, design and implement specialized programs like mentoring initiatives, and conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) programs to equip alumni with facilitation skills. Additionally, we encourage applicants to demonstrate creativity in designing online engagement strategies, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting creative thinking and problem solving through initiatives like incubators or accelerators. Maintaining connections with the alumni community through effective communication strategies is also essential for a successful proposal. All aspects of this program will be virtual (online) and conducted in English. There will be no in-person programming. Please follow all instructions below. A.1. Priority Region: Eurasia A.2: Program Objectives: Objective 1 Provide USG alumni the opportunity to access information, resources, and networks that will allow them to leverage the skills and experiences gained through their exchanges. Provide skill-building and networking opportunities for alumni of programs including, but not limited to: PFP, YEAR, FLEX, IVLP, Fulbright, Atlas Corps, SABIT, SUSI, Humphrey. Provide professional development opportunities through mentorship programs, networking events and other activities that allow alumni to connect, share experiences, and leverage skills gained through the exchange programs to enable them to have successful careers and give back to their home communities. Examples of activities that could be proposed include: sessions with U.S. subject matter experts, professional development courses offered by commercial training companies, online events for networking, mini-courses or series of events of a single topic designed to increase knowledge over time, and sessions proposed and led by the alumni in their own fields of expertise. Alumni of all USG sponsored programs in Eurasia, both virtual and in-person programs, will be included in programming. Objective 2 Support alumni-driven initiatives that foster greater contact between alumni of U.S. government programs, strengthen local communities, and promote mutual understanding. The recipient of the award will work with the Embassy to establish an alumni council to act as an advisory body for the programming offered under this award. The council will provide guidance and recommendations on themes and content of programming to ensure it aligns with alumni needs. This involves personalized guidance, strategic planning, and support to create initiatives that foster growth, networking, and collaboration among alumni. Applicants should detail their experience, if any, working with, facilitating, and/or supporting boards and/or advisory councils, especially during the inception phase. Applicants should propose a process for alumni to apply to serve on the council, council roles and responsibilities, and outline their vision for working collaboratively with the board once it is established. In addition, the applicant could propose a training program for new council members. Council members will be chosen in collaboration with Department of State staff. Objective 3 Empower alumni to enhance their skills and knowledge, providing support and resources through the Alumni Continuing Education Fund. This aspect of the program should empower the alumni community to continue their education and enhance their skills by providing financial support (ie: scholarships) to cover the costs of online courses at U.S. universities, community colleges, and/or professional schools. Applicants should propose a plan for the administration of this aspect of the program, which could include but is not limited to: providing a pre-selected list of courses at various institutions to alumni, advising alumni on how to select and apply for courses on their own, establishing an application process for alumni to request funding, creating a screening process to evaluate requests and to select participants, facilitating payments to U.S.-based educational institutions, and collecting feedback on programs and the administration of the fund. The Department of State will assist the grantee in the identification and evaluation of potential recipients for the fund's benefits. A.3. Program Guidelines: As this will be a cooperative agreement, the Department of State will have substantial involvement in this effort above and beyond routine grants monitoring including: · Approval of program themes, speakers, and programs agendas · Selection of alumni council members; final approval of council governing documents · Distribution of information and event announcements to the alumni community · Approval of the selection of special program participants and scholarship fund recipients. In addition, successful applicants should demonstrate the following: • The capability to organize and host regular virtual events in various formats, with a focus on professional development, and an average attendance exceeding 30 participants. • Proficiency in developing and implementing complex and interactive programs designed to facilitate knowledge sharing. For example, a six-month mentoring program tailored to skill development and professional growth among members of the alumni community, where seasoned professionals or experienced alumni serve as mentors, offering guidance, advice, and support to mentees who are seeking to advance their careers, navigate professional challenges, or explore new opportunities. • The capacity to organize and oversee a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) program, engaging up to 40 USG Alumni. The program should equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge required to step into the role of facilitator, ensuring they can deliver sessions through this grant that are both engaging and informative for fellow alumni. • Experience designing activities, including initiatives like incubators or accelerators, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. • Creativity in devising innovative online engagement strategies, extending beyond conventional virtual speaker sessions. The ability to develop innovative methods for alumni to connect and engage with each other virtually, fostering networking, collaboration, and relationship-building within the alumni network through digital platforms and activities. • In cooperation with the Department of State, the capacity to establish an alumni council with active members drawn from various alumni backgrounds, representing a diversity of programs and geographical locations. The council will act as an advisory body for the programming. • The ability to maintain connections with the alumni community, leveraging modern communication tools to keep them informed and engaged. The applicant should propose platforms and tools they will use to engage with alumni, foster relationships, and share updates, events, and relevant information with the alumni network. A.4: Participants and Audiences: For the purposes of this program, “participants” are defined as individuals from Eurasia who have completed a U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-facilitated exchange program. The alumni community is diverse, ranging from university students to senior faculty members and influential opinion leaders and ranging in age from 20-70. Almost all speak excellent English and applicants should propose to conduct programming solely in English. Should an applicant have the capacity to conduct programming or provide support in Russian, that should be detailed in the proposal and will strengthen the application. Applicants should aim to include individuals from a variety of exchange programs and ensure the interests of all groups are served, including those at high levels in education, business, and civil society. Applicants should be capable of providing programming that occurs at convenient times for professionals in Eurasian time zones, with the knowledge that not all programs will be offered at convenient times for all participants. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 24 months (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2026) Number of awards anticipated: 1 award Award amounts: up to $400,000.00 Total available funding: $400,000.00, pending availability of funds Type of Funding: FY 2023-2024 Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia (AEECA) under the Foreign Assistance Act Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement: The Department of State will have substantial involvement in the implementation of this award and will coordinate closely with the implementer to ensure programs are adapted accordingly and as needed. The award recipient will be in regular communication with the Embassy to develop program ideas, plan strategically, and report on the progress of the programs. Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in a minimum of 24 months. U.S. The Department of State may consider continuation of the cooperative agreement funded under this award beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.