Opportunity Information: Apply for 2025 1
AEIF Latvia 2025 (Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund) is a competitive U.S. Embassy Riga grant program that funds projects designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The basic idea is to use the alumni network to deepen and modernize the U.S.-Latvia partnership in response to current security and societal pressures. The Embassy frames the opportunity around shared democratic values and the need to build resilience against issues like disinformation and malign influence, hybrid threats, transnational corruption and crime, and social polarization. Projects must be clearly tied to these objectives; proposals that do not directly fit the required themes are considered ineligible.
The program is looking for practical, impact-oriented projects that strengthen the U.S.-Latvia relationship through democratic institutions and civic life. Priority themes include strengthening civil society and the role of NGOs and other democratic mechanisms; improving media literacy and countering disinformation; anti-corruption efforts; entrepreneurship and policies that reinforce transatlantic economic links; and activities that affirm NATO and the shared U.S. and Latvian commitment to it. While all activities must take place outside the United States and its territories, projects with activities in Latvia are specifically prioritized, and proposed projects should primarily target Latvian audiences. This means an application should be Latvia-facing in both content and audience, even if it involves partners or alumni from other countries.
Awards are expected to range from USD 5,000 to USD 35,000, issued as either a grant or a fixed amount award. The application deadline is February 1, 2025. Funding decisions are expected no later than June 30, 2025, with project start dates no earlier than September 1, 2025. The performance period is structured so that proposed programs should be completed by May 31, 2026, so applicants need to present a plan that fits comfortably within that window and includes a realistic schedule, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
Eligibility is centered on exchange alumni, but with some important rules. The project team must include at least two alumni, and teams can mix alumni from different U.S. exchange programs and even different countries. U.S. citizen alumni cannot serve as the lead applicant or submit a proposal, although they can participate as team members. Applications can be submitted by alumni as individuals, by NGOs represented by alumni, or by alumni associations. For-profit businesses and academic institutions cannot apply as the primary applicant organization, but they may participate as partners to help deliver activities.
Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged and can strengthen a proposal. The Embassy gives common-sense examples of cost share, mostly in-kind contributions, such as donated expert time, discounted or free venues, volunteer support, contributed supplies, or local sponsorship of items like refreshments. Applicants should treat cost share as a credibility and sustainability signal rather than a formal requirement, and document it clearly if they include it.
There are also compliance and administrative requirements that applicants need to plan around early. If the grant is awarded to an individual, the individual does not need a Unique Entity ID (UEI) or SAM.gov registration. If the award is processed through an organization (for example, a partner organization that will receive and manage the funds), that organization must have a UEI and an active SAM.gov registration. Because SAM.gov registration can take 4 to 8 weeks, the program strongly implies that any organization planning to be the award recipient should start registration well before the deadline. Organizations must also commit to equal opportunity employment and non-discrimination for beneficiaries, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Applicants may submit only one proposal.
AEIF Latvia 2025 draws hard lines on what it will and will not fund. Funds cannot be used for partisan political activity, lobbying for specific legislation, or to support or oppose political parties; however, certain non-partisan civic activities may be allowed, such as public education, get-out-the-vote efforts, and election monitoring, as long as they are genuinely non-partisan. Grants can support tolerance and non-discrimination initiatives and work with disadvantaged minorities, but the Embassy cautions that projects must not promote the agenda of a particular group, practice, or lifestyle over others, and notes that grantees may receive additional briefing when projects touch on human rights, tolerance, volunteerism, or trafficking in persons. The opportunity also prohibits religious goals and cannot support specific religious activities. Notably for communications-focused ideas, the program explicitly states that grants cannot support the creation of media content or pay journalist salaries, which means applicants should focus on training, toolkits, workshops, civic education, media literacy programming, community engagement, or other non-content-creation approaches rather than funding reporting or producing publishable media.
Budget rules are detailed and fairly strict. Applicants must use the official AEIF 2025 application and budget templates (available through the U.S. Embassy Latvia alumni page) and submit everything in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars and pages numbered. A detailed budget justification narrative is mandatory; a budget submitted without the narrative will not be reviewed. Project management costs are capped: they should not exceed 30 percent of the total requested amount, and the program defines these costs broadly to include speaker, trainer, and consultant fees. Trainer/speaker honoraria are allowed but capped at USD 250 per day, with associated travel, lodging, and per diem permissible when reasonable. The program allows costs that are directly tied to carrying out activities, such as in-country or intra-regional transportation, venue rental, PPE/sanitation items, modest working meals integral to the activity, virtual programming costs (platform subscriptions and limited equipment like microphones/cameras for online meetings), reasonable equipment and materials, and communications/publicity materials such as manuals and advertisements.
At the same time, the restrictions list is extensive and should guide project design from the beginning. The fund will not support any travel to or from the United States, and it will not fund activities occurring in the United States or its territories. It also will not pay staff salaries, office rent, or overhead/operational expenses, and it will not fund large durable equipment purchases or construction. Other prohibited items include alcohol, excessive hospitality or entertainment, academic or scientific research, charitable or development aid, direct social services, individual scholarships, social travel, gifts or prizes, duplicating existing programs, institutional development, venture capital or for-profit endeavors, charging participation fees, fundraising campaigns, and religious activities. Lodging is allowed only when tied to project activities, not as long-term rent for team members, and travel should use the most economical options.
The required application package is structured and fairly comprehensive. Applicants must submit the AEIF 2025 Proposal Form (including a cover/summary page) and a proposal narrative that spells out what will be done, why it is needed, who will be reached, and what results are expected. The proposal is expected to include a problem statement, clear and measurable goals and objectives, a description of activities, methods/design (a logic model where appropriate), a schedule and timeline with locations, key personnel roles and time commitments, partner information, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and an approach to sustainability or future funding. Required attachments include one-page CVs or resumes for key personnel. Optional but useful attachments include letters of support from partners, any required permission letters, relevant agendas or curricula, and prior pilot materials. If an organization plans to charge indirect costs under a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, the NICRA must be provided. The Embassy also specifies a file naming convention for submitted documents (formatted like AEIF24CountryProjectTitle, despite the 2025 cycle), which applicants should follow to avoid technical disqualification.
In practical terms, a strong AEIF Latvia 2025 proposal is one that keeps the project fully outside U.S. territory, centers Latvian audiences, and shows a clear line from a real, documented problem (for example, specific misinformation vulnerabilities, civic trust gaps, integrity risks in a sector, or barriers to transatlantic economic engagement) to concrete activities and measurable outcomes that reinforce democratic resilience and the U.S.-Latvia partnership. It also needs a compliant budget that avoids prohibited categories (especially salaries, media content creation, and U.S. travel), stays within the management cost cap, and includes a detailed justification for every line item.Apply for 2025 1
- The U.S. Mission to Latvia in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AEIF Latvia 2025" 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 2024-11-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-01. (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.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
AEIF Latvia 2025 (Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund) FAQs
1) What is AEIF Latvia 2025?
AEIF Latvia 2025 (Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund) is a competitive U.S. Embassy Riga grant program that funds projects designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The aim is to mobilize alumni networks to deepen and modernize the U.S.-Latvia partnership in response to current security and societal pressures.
2) What is the program trying to achieve?
The program supports practical, impact-oriented projects that strengthen the U.S.-Latvia relationship through democratic institutions and civic life. It is framed around shared democratic values and building resilience against disinformation and malign influence, hybrid threats, transnational corruption and crime, and social polarization. Projects must be clearly tied to these objectives.
3) What themes are prioritized?
Priority themes include:
- Strengthening civil society, NGOs, and other democratic mechanisms
- Improving media literacy and countering disinformation
- Anti-corruption efforts
- Entrepreneurship and policies that reinforce transatlantic economic links
- Activities that affirm NATO and the shared U.S. and Latvian commitment to it
4) Are proposals outside the required themes eligible?
No. Proposals that do not directly fit the required themes and objectives are considered ineligible.
5) Where must project activities take place?
All activities must take place outside the United States and its territories. The program specifically prioritizes projects with activities in Latvia.
6) Who should the project primarily target?
Projects should primarily target Latvian audiences. Applications are expected to be Latvia-facing in both content and audience, even if they involve partners or alumni from other countries.
7) How much funding is available per award?
Awards are expected to range from USD 5,000 to USD 35,000.
8) What type of award will be issued?
Funding may be issued as either a grant or a fixed amount award.
9) What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is February 1, 2025.
10) When will funding decisions be made?
Funding decisions are expected no later than June 30, 2025.
11) When can projects start, and when must they end?
Project start dates are no earlier than September 1, 2025. Projects should be completed by May 31, 2026, so applicants need a realistic schedule that fits within that window.
12) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. Applications can be submitted by alumni as individuals, by NGOs represented by alumni, or by alumni associations.
13) How many alumni must be on the project team?
The project team must include at least two alumni.
14) Can teams include alumni from different exchange programs or countries?
Yes. Teams can mix alumni from different U.S. exchange programs and may include alumni from different countries.
15) Can a U.S. citizen alumnus/alumna be the lead applicant?
No. U.S. citizen alumni cannot serve as the lead applicant or submit a proposal, although they can participate as team members.
16) Can an NGO apply?
Yes. NGOs represented by alumni can submit applications.
17) Can a for-profit company or an academic institution apply as the primary applicant?
No. For-profit businesses and academic institutions cannot apply as the primary applicant organization, but they may participate as partners to help deliver activities.
18) Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged and may strengthen a proposal.
19) What kinds of cost share are acceptable?
The opportunity highlights common in-kind contributions, such as donated expert time, discounted or free venues, volunteer support, contributed supplies, or local sponsorship of items like refreshments. If included, cost share should be documented clearly.
20) Do applicants need a UEI and SAM.gov registration?
It depends on who will receive the award:
- If the grant is awarded to an individual, the individual does not need a UEI or SAM.gov registration.
- If the award is processed through an organization (for example, a partner organization receiving and managing funds), that organization must have a UEI and an active SAM.gov registration.
21) How long can SAM.gov registration take?
The program notes SAM.gov registration can take 4 to 8 weeks, so organizations intending to be the award recipient should start early.
22) How many proposals can an applicant submit?
Applicants may submit only one proposal.
23) What equal opportunity and non-discrimination commitments apply?
Organizations must commit to equal opportunity employment and non-discrimination for beneficiaries regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
24) Are partisan political activities allowed?
No. Funds cannot be used for partisan political activity, lobbying for specific legislation, or to support or oppose political parties.
25) Are any election-related activities allowed?
Some non-partisan civic activities may be allowed, such as public education, get-out-the-vote efforts, and election monitoring, as long as they are genuinely non-partisan.
26) Can projects focus on tolerance, non-discrimination, or disadvantaged minorities?
Grants can support tolerance and non-discrimination initiatives and work with disadvantaged minorities, but projects must not promote the agenda of a particular group, practice, or lifestyle over others. The Embassy notes grantees may receive additional briefing when projects touch on human rights, tolerance, volunteerism, or trafficking in persons.
27) Are religious activities or religious goals eligible for funding?
No. The opportunity prohibits religious goals and cannot support specific religious activities.
28) Can the grant fund media production or journalism?
No. The program explicitly states grants cannot support the creation of media content or pay journalist salaries. Projects should instead emphasize approaches like training, toolkits, workshops, civic education, media literacy programming, and community engagement (rather than producing publishable reporting or media content).
29) What templates and language requirements apply to the application?
Applicants must use the official AEIF 2025 application and budget templates (available through the U.S. Embassy Latvia alumni page). All materials must be submitted in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, and pages must be numbered.
30) Is a budget narrative required?
Yes. A detailed budget justification narrative is mandatory. A budget submitted without the narrative will not be reviewed.
31) Is there a cap on project management costs?
Yes. Project management costs should not exceed 30 percent of the total requested amount, and the program defines these costs broadly to include speaker, trainer, and consultant fees.
32) Are trainer and speaker honoraria allowed?
Yes, but trainer/speaker honoraria are capped at USD 250 per day. Associated travel, lodging, and per diem are permissible when reasonable.
33) What types of costs are generally allowable?
Allowable costs include those directly tied to carrying out activities, such as in-country or intra-regional transportation, venue rental, PPE/sanitation items, modest working meals integral to the activity, virtual programming costs (platform subscriptions and limited equipment like microphones/cameras for online meetings), reasonable equipment and materials, and communications/publicity materials such as manuals and advertisements.
34) What costs are explicitly prohibited?
The restrictions list includes (among others):
- Any travel to or from the United States
- Any activities occurring in the United States or its territories
- Staff salaries, office rent, and overhead/operational expenses
- Large durable equipment purchases and construction
- Alcohol and excessive hospitality/entertainment
- Academic or scientific research
- Charitable or development aid and direct social services
- Individual scholarships
- Social travel
- Gifts or prizes
- Duplicating existing programs
- Institutional development
- Venture capital or for-profit endeavors
- Charging participation fees
- Fundraising campaigns
- Religious activities
35) Is lodging an allowable expense?
Lodging is allowed only when tied to project activities. It is not allowed as long-term rent for team members.
36) Are there guidance rules for travel costs?
Yes. Travel should use the most economical options, and travel to/from the United States is not allowed.
37) What must be included in the proposal narrative?
The proposal narrative is expected to cover what will be done, why it is needed, who will be reached, and what results are expected. It should include a problem statement, clear and measurable goals and objectives, a description of activities, methods/design (a logic model where appropriate), a schedule and timeline with locations, key personnel roles and time commitments, partner information, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and an approach to sustainability or future funding.
38) What attachments are required?
Required attachments include one-page CVs or resumes for key personnel.
39) What attachments are optional but helpful?
Optional but useful attachments include letters of support from partners, any required permission letters, relevant agendas or curricula, and prior pilot materials.
40) What if an organization plans to charge indirect costs under a NICRA?
If an organization plans to charge indirect costs under a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), the NICRA must be provided.
41) Is there a required file naming convention?
Yes. The Embassy specifies a file naming convention formatted like AEIF24CountryProjectTitle (despite this being the 2025 cycle). Applicants are expected to follow it to avoid technical disqualification.
42) What makes a proposal strong based on the program description?
A strong proposal keeps the project fully outside U.S. territory, centers Latvian audiences, and shows a clear line from a documented problem (for example, misinformation vulnerabilities, civic trust gaps, integrity risks in a sector, or barriers to transatlantic economic engagement) to concrete activities and measurable outcomes that reinforce democratic resilience and the U.S.-Latvia partnership. It also includes a compliant budget, stays within the management cap, avoids prohibited cost categories (especially salaries, media content creation, and U.S. travel), and provides detailed justification for every budget line.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development
Next opportunity: Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: Somalia - Operational Mentorship SOI
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 2025 1
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (2025 1) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 (AEIF 2025) Apply for OFOP0001693 Funding Number: OFOP0001693 Agency: U.S. Mission to Qatar Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| SOI - Non-Federal Match/Cost-Share for Other Federal Infrastructure Grants Apply for DC MATCH 25 001 Funding Number: DC MATCH 25 001 Agency: Denali Commission Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Iraq Civic Engagement Activity Apply for 72026725RFA00001 Funding Number: 72026725RFA00001 Agency: Iraq USAID-Baghdad Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| 2025 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Apply for OFOP0001709 Funding Number: OFOP0001709 Agency: U.S. Mission to India Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| 2024 Carryover Earmark - NESDIS Apply for NOAA NESDIS NCEI 2025 29657 Funding Number: NOAA NESDIS NCEI 2025 29657 Agency: DOC NOAA - ERA Production Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 NACA Program Apply for CDFI 2025 NACA Funding Number: CDFI 2025 NACA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2025 CDFI Program Apply for CDFI 2025 FATA Funding Number: CDFI 2025 FATA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Veterans Cemetery Grants Apply for VA NCA VCGP 2025 Funding Number: VA NCA VCGP 2025 Agency: VA National Cemetery Administration Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $60,000,000 |
| HOIHI Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations Apply for D25AS00271 Funding Number: D25AS00271 Agency: Interior Business Center Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| 2025 USASEAN Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Apply for OFOP0001835 Funding Number: OFOP0001835 Agency: U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| US Embassy Timor Leste FY25 Program Statement Apply for OFOP0001900 Funding Number: OFOP0001900 Agency: U.S. Mission to Timor-Leste Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity Apply for VA FOX SP FY2026 Funding Number: VA FOX SP FY2026 Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Continuum of Care Builds (CoC Builds) Apply for FR 6901 N 25A Funding Number: FR 6901 N 25A Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $14,000,000 |
| Power of Alumni: From Exchange to Action Apply for OFOP0002160 Funding Number: OFOP0002160 Agency: U.S. Mission to El Salvador Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Solid Waste Management Grant Program Apply for SWMFY26 Funding Number: SWMFY26 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Rural Decentralized Water System Grant Program Apply for RDRUS 26 DWS Funding Number: RDRUS 26 DWS Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) Apply for USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2025 Funding Number: USDA RD HCFP RCDI 2025 Agency: Rural Housing Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants NOFO Apply for FR 6900 N 25 Funding Number: FR 6900 N 25 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants NOFO Apply for FR 6901 N 25 Funding Number: FR 6901 N 25 Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Veterans Cemetery Grants Apply for VA NCA VCGP 2026 Funding Number: VA NCA VCGP 2026 Agency: VA National Cemetery Administration Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $60,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "2025 1", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.