Deadline: 1 April 2020

The U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City is inviting Vietnamese alumni of U.S. Government-funded (USG) exchange programs to submit proposals for the 2020 Alumni Small Grants Competition.

These grants aim to create opportunities for alumni to work together on a shared vision of a brighter future for Vietnam and the U.S.-Vietnam relationship by addressing shared concerns. Alumni can submit proposals as individuals or under the auspices of a non-profit organization in which alumni are working.

Priority Objectives

Proposals must explicitly address one or more of the priority objectives listed below:

• Economic Prosperity: improved opportunities for U.S. businesses, labor standards, developing soft skills to work with U.S. businesses, reducing the bilateral trade deficit, intellectual property rights, promotion of U.S. products, or U.S. business values.
• Security: rule of law, combating transnational crime, combating trafficking in persons, improving relations with the Vietnamese diaspora community.
• Education: English teaching, improving teaching methods, curriculum development, modernizing education systems, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM).
• Inclusiveness: women’s rights and empowerment, access and legal reform for disabled persons, LGBT rights, ethnic/religious minorities’ rights, civil society development.
• Fundamental Freedoms: freedom of expression, press, association, religion.
• Sustainable Development: Lower Mekong Initiative, environmental standards, climate mitigation and adaptation.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $20,000
• Award Ceiling: $10,000
• Award Floor: $1,000

Target Audience

The target audience for successful projects is 15-40 years old.

Priority Region

Activities will only be funded in the provinces south of and including Thua Thien Hue. Priority given to projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Central Coastal Vietnam, and the Mekong Delta.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible teams must include at least three alumni members who have participated in one of the following U.S. Government-sponsored programs, including (but not limited to):

• Fulbright Program (including Fulbright Economics Teaching Program – FETP)
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
• International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)
• International Visitor Program on Demand (former Voluntary Visitor Program)
• Programs under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), e.g.: ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program (AYVP); the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), e.g.: Borlaug
• Eisenhower Fellowship Program
• Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD)
• Studies of the U.S. Institute (SUSI)
• English Language Programs (English Access Micro-scholarships, AE-Teachers, BruneiU.S. Partnership, Access Teacher Exchange Program)
• Teacher Excellence Awards (TEA)
• Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) programs (Professional and Academic Fellows, regional exchanges, YSEALI Summer School)
• Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program (SEAYLP)

Selection Criteria and Review Process

• Priority will be given to projects that have:
• Relevance to the themes noted above
• Number of alumni from different programs or an alumni thematic group (alumni working in a common field)
• The greatest geographic and/or demographic reach
• Demonstrated impact and monitoring plan
• Relevant expertise
• Level of cost-sharing (any cost shared by alumni instead of being requested from the Consulate, e.g.: venue rental, voluntary contribution of time, travel, accommodation, coordination, etc.)
• Implementation in underserved locations
• Grant funds can be used to:
• Initiate activities for an alumni-run group
• Initiate a public or community service program
• Launch a pilot program at a non-governmental organization or academic institution
• Organize training programs or workshops for professional colleagues and/or other alumni
• Develop and publish curricula, textbooks, or related reference or educational materials
• Conduct alumni networking events
• Conduct community development projects judged by the grants selection committee to be in the interest of the above program goals
• Award only a reasonable amount of honorarium to trainers

How to Apply

Applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=322015