The Embassy of the United States in Wellington announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021).
We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni who reside in New Zealand, Samoa, The Cook Islands and/or Niue, that meet all program eligibility requirements below.
Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2021 should submit proposals to murraylm@state.gov by Friday, January 29, 2021.
AEIF provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition.
The Embassy of the United States in Wellington will accept public service projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni that support themes such as:
- U.S. – NEW ZEALAND (INCLUDING NIUE AND THE COOK ISLANDS) BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
Programs that seek to explain U.S. policies, culture, and values to New Zealand, Niuean or Cook Island audiences, resulting in a positive impact on the bilateral relationship. - TRADE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Programs that promote and support entrepreneurship and bilateral trade and investment opportunities between the U.S. and New Zealand, with particular focus on programs that bring U.S. experts to New Zealand for the purpose of making lasting connections with New Zealand counterparts. - PACIFIC REGIONAL ISSUES.
Programs related to addressing challenges specific to the Pacific/Oceanic region, such as maritime and polar affairs, economic development, infrastructure, educational development and capacity building, health and wellness, and technology.
- REGIONAL SECURITY.
Programs that address issues of regional security, cybersecurity, non-proliferation, and countering violent extremism, as well as exchanges that promote multilateral cooperation and enhance stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
- TECHNOLOGY CAPACITY AND DIGITAL LITERACY.
Programs that build resilient, open and secure ICT infrastructure, expanding internet connectivity, e-commerce, 5G technology systems, and, and programming that supports the safe and effective use of digital technology to enhance prosperity and civic engagement.
- SUPPORTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.
Programs that support or promote diversity and inclusion including inclusive civic participation and empowerment, entrepreneurship training or workforce development, leadership development, civil rights/human rights issues, and programs that increase participation in political, civic, and military processes.
- STEM EDUCATION.
Programs that support or promote primary and secondary school-level education programs that focus on science, technology, engineering and math.
- HIGHER EDUCATION EXCHANGE.
Programs that promote higher education exchange between the U.S. and New Zealand, the Cook Islands and/or Niue, including programs that educate students, parents, teachers/school staff, and coaches about the pathways and processes to higher education in the United States.
