Opportunity Information: Apply for AFKAM FY21 03
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda (U.S. Embassy Kampala, Public Affairs Office). It is part of a long-running global program that funds alumni of U.S.-sponsored and U.S.-facilitated exchange programs so they can build on what they learned during their exchanges and turn those skills into practical, locally driven solutions to real community challenges. Since the fund began in 2011, it has supported nearly 500 alumni-led projects worldwide, and the 2021 Uganda-focused round continues that model by backing projects that are designed and implemented by alumni teams.
For this Uganda round, the Embassy is specifically looking for projects that strengthen the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network in Uganda. Proposals must be developed and managed by teams of at least two eligible alumni (or alumni-affiliated organizations), emphasizing collaborative leadership rather than individual efforts. The YALI Network, launched in 2013, has grown into a large pan-African community of young leaders, with more than 650,000 members across the continent and nearly 30,000 members in Uganda. The network operates heavily through digital engagement, campaigns, and online courses, and it supports professional development and skills-building in areas such as entrepreneurship, human rights, democratic development, community problem-solving, women and girls empowerment, environmental awareness, and other locally relevant priorities.
The Embassy outlines four main objectives for what AEIF 2021 projects in Uganda should accomplish. First, projects should enhance networking and mentoring opportunities for and among YALI Network members in Uganda, helping members connect, learn from one another, and build sustained professional relationships. Second, projects should increase the number of YALI members who remain actively engaged over time, addressing the common challenge of people joining a network but not staying involved. Third, the funding aims to encourage greater participation by young women between the ages of 18 and 35, with a clear intention to reduce barriers and make YALI engagement more accessible, appealing, and supportive for women leaders. Fourth, the opportunity seeks to strengthen the connection between YALI Network members and the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, reinforcing ongoing engagement between alumni communities and the U.S. Mission.
The notice provides several examples of the kinds of activities that could fit these goals, while making clear that applicants are not limited to these ideas. Competitive concepts may include professional development programming that improves members ability to serve as community leaders, such as trainings on leadership, project management, advocacy, entrepreneurship, communications, or community organizing. Another strong fit could be facilitated learning series that help YALI members complete and apply YALI online courses, for example by combining online modules with discussion groups, peer learning circles, or in-person workshops that translate course content into local action. The opportunity also highlights targeted activities specifically designed to increase participation by young Ugandan women, which could include mentorship structures, women-focused leadership cohorts, or practical supports that remove participation obstacles.
The Embassy also points to the value of creating regional YALI Network hubs to bring in young leaders outside major urban areas, especially where internet access or the cost of data limits participation in online activities. In practice, that could mean setting up local convenings, shared access points, or structured offline programming that still connects participants to the wider YALI community. Additional examples include civic engagement campaigns aligned with YALI themes and structured mentoring and coaching led by senior alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, pairing experienced alumni with YALI members to provide guidance, skills transfer, and career or project support. Importantly, the announcement encourages pilot projects that can serve as proof of concept for larger nationwide initiatives, meaning smaller, testable models with clear learning outcomes and potential to scale.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered as a grant with an award ceiling of $40,000, and the Embassy anticipates making about two awards. The funding opportunity number is AFKAM FY21 03, and the CFDA listing referenced is 19.022. The original closing date listed for applications is May 21, 2021, and the opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding. Overall, AEIF 2021 in Uganda is best understood as a relatively small, highly targeted funding stream meant to activate U.S. exchange alumni as implementers and mentors, while deepening YALI Network participation, retention, women leadership, and Embassy-alumni connections. More background on YALI is available at https://yali.state.gov/.Apply for AFKAM FY21 03
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 06, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 21, 2021. (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 $40,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021) - Uganda (U.S. Embassy Kampala) FAQs
1) What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021)?
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda (U.S. Embassy Kampala, Public Affairs Office). It supports alumni of U.S.-sponsored and U.S.-facilitated exchange programs to build on what they learned during their exchanges and apply those skills to practical, locally driven solutions to real community challenges.
2) Who is offering this grant opportunity in Uganda?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda, specifically the U.S. Embassy Kampala Public Affairs Office.
3) What is the focus of the 2021 Uganda round?
This Uganda-focused round is specifically looking for projects that strengthen the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network in Uganda.
4) What is the YALI Network and why does it matter for this grant?
The YALI Network is a pan-African community of young leaders launched in 2013. It has more than 650,000 members across Africa and nearly 30,000 members in Uganda. The AEIF 2021 Uganda round prioritizes projects that strengthen this network in Uganda, including digital engagement and skills-building aligned with YALI themes.
5) Who is eligible to apply?
Proposals must be developed and managed by teams of at least two eligible alumni (or alumni-affiliated organizations) of U.S.-sponsored and U.S.-facilitated exchange programs. The emphasis is on collaborative, alumni-led teams rather than individual efforts.
6) Can an individual apply alone?
No. The notice requires proposals to be developed and managed by teams of at least two eligible alumni (or alumni-affiliated organizations), rather than individual applicants acting alone.
7) What are the main objectives AEIF 2021 projects in Uganda should address?
The Embassy outlines four key objectives for Uganda projects:
- Enhance networking and mentoring opportunities for and among YALI Network members in Uganda.
- Increase the number of YALI members who remain actively engaged over time (improve retention and sustained participation).
- Encourage greater participation by young women ages 18 to 35 and reduce barriers to their engagement.
- Strengthen the connection between YALI Network members and the U.S. Embassy in Uganda.
8) What kinds of projects are encouraged under this opportunity?
The notice provides examples of competitive concepts, including (but not limited to): professional development programming, facilitated learning series connected to YALI online courses, targeted activities to increase participation by young Ugandan women, creation of regional YALI Network hubs, civic engagement campaigns aligned with YALI themes, and structured mentoring/coaching led by senior alumni.
9) Are applicants limited to the example activities listed in the announcement?
No. The announcement provides examples to illustrate strong fit, but it states applicants are not limited to those ideas, as long as the proposed project supports the stated objectives for strengthening the YALI Network in Uganda.
10) What does "professional development programming" mean in this context?
The Embassy highlights professional development activities that improve members' ability to serve as community leaders. Examples mentioned include trainings on leadership, project management, advocacy, entrepreneurship, communications, and community organizing.
11) How can projects incorporate YALI online courses?
The opportunity encourages facilitated learning series that help YALI members complete and apply YALI online courses. Examples include combining online modules with discussion groups, peer learning circles, or in-person workshops that translate course content into local action.
12) What types of activities are encouraged to increase participation by young women (18-35)?
The notice explicitly encourages targeted activities designed to increase participation by young Ugandan women ages 18 to 35. Examples include mentorship structures, women-focused leadership cohorts, and practical supports that remove obstacles to participation.
13) Does the opportunity prioritize reaching leaders outside major urban areas?
Yes. The Embassy points to the value of creating regional YALI Network hubs to engage young leaders outside major urban areas, especially where internet access or the cost of data limits participation in online activities.
14) What might a "regional YALI Network hub" look like?
The announcement suggests hubs could involve local convenings, shared access points, or structured offline programming that still connects participants to the wider YALI community, particularly in areas where digital participation is limited.
15) Are mentoring and coaching activities eligible?
Yes. The notice highlights structured mentoring and coaching led by senior alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, including pairing experienced alumni with YALI members for guidance, skills transfer, and career or project support.
16) Are pilot projects encouraged?
Yes. The announcement encourages pilot projects that can serve as proof of concept for larger nationwide initiatives, meaning smaller, testable models with clear learning outcomes and potential to scale.
17) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling for this opportunity is $40,000.
18) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making about two awards.
19) What type of funding is this?
This opportunity is offered as a grant and is categorized as discretionary funding.
20) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is AFKAM FY21 03.
21) What CFDA listing is referenced?
The CFDA listing referenced in the notice is 19.022.
22) What is the application closing date listed in the notice?
The original closing date listed for applications is May 21, 2021.
23) What themes or issue areas does the YALI Network support that may align with project activities?
The YALI Network supports professional development and skills-building in areas such as entrepreneurship, human rights, democratic development, community problem-solving, women and girls empowerment, environmental awareness, and other locally relevant priorities. Projects aligned with strengthening YALI participation in Uganda can draw on these themes.
24) Where can applicants find more background on YALI?
More background on YALI is available at https://yali.state.gov/.
25) What is the overall purpose of AEIF 2021 in Uganda?
Overall, AEIF 2021 in Uganda is described as a relatively small, highly targeted funding stream meant to activate U.S. exchange alumni as implementers and mentors, while deepening YALI Network participation, retention, women leadership (ages 18-35), and connections between YALI members and the U.S. Embassy in Uganda.
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