Alumni Engagement and Outreach

The U.S. Mission Kazakhstan through its Public Diplomacy Section has announced the 2025-2026 Alumni Engagement and Outreach funding opportunity (DOS-KAZ-AST-PDS-25-003) under the U.S. Department of State’s FY25 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds. This cooperative agreement aims to implement programs that engage alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to promote American values, showcase U.S. expertise, and strengthen long-term U.S.-Kazakhstan relations. This funding opportunity seeks proposals from eligible nonprofit entities, including USG alumni associations, educational institutions, NGOs, and think tanks. The grant is aimed at supporting strategic communications, outreach, and professional engagement activities among U.S. Government (USG) exchange alumni. It focuses on enabling alumni to share their experiences and apply American practices in Kazakhstan’s professional and civic spaces. The funded project should run for up to 12 months, starting October 1, 2025, with a maximum award of $100,000. The program's objectives are to expand the USG Alumni Network, promote U.S. economic leadership through alumni engagement, and reconnect alumni with U.S. counterparts to showcase American expertise. Activities should engage at least 2,000 alumni, deliver at least four events across Kazakhstan, and produce at least ten alumni-led community engagement initiatives. The U.S. Mission will retain substantial involvement in project implementation, including oversight on planning, content, and partner approvals. Applicants must submit required forms including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B (if applicable), a six-page proposal with a project summary, organization background, problem statement, program design, schedule, personnel bios, partner letters, a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, and detailed budget and justification. Key attachments such as resumes, proof of nonprofit status, and SAM.gov registration documentation are required. Applications can be submitted either via email to KazakhstanAlumni@state.gov or through Grants.gov by July 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM (GMT+5). Proposals will be reviewed based on program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, ability to achieve objectives, budget appropriateness, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and project sustainability. Only nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply; for-profit entities are not permitted. Matching is not required. The project may not fund construction, partisan political activity, charitable services, religious programming, fundraising, lobbying, or direct social services.

Strong planning, measurable objectives, and alignment with USG priorities improve competitiveness; follow M&E template and highlight prior success with similar grants