The U.S. Department of State and IREX are pleased to announce that applications for the American Impact Award (AIA) are now being accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly. 

The AIA is designed to enhance the U.S. impact of Reciprocal Exchange projects.  This small grant program provides funds for Reciprocal Exchange Participants to implement programming and/or present at events in the United States that continue, expand, or deepen the local impact of their Reciprocal Exchange projects.  Participants from all Reciprocal Exchange years and who have not previously been awarded an AIA are eligible to apply for grants of up to $3,000 to support a follow-on AIA activity related to their Reciprocal Exchange project.

As the focus of this award is domestic U.S. impact, eligible projects should clearly demonstrate both direct and indirect impact on U.S. stakeholders such as local businesses, community groups, youth organizations, and/or Fellowship Institute Partners.  The intent of the AIA is to increase the number of U.S. beneficiaries who gain global skills, cultural knowledge, and strategic partnerships as a result of the Reciprocal Exchange component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.  Please note that no funding will be provided to bring Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni to the United States; however, Fellowship Alumni may choose to travel to the United States without funding or support from the U.S. Department of State.  They may also participate in the AIA virtually.  Projects should not be contingent upon Fellowship Alumni participation.  Cost-share is strongly encouraged.

Award Goal

The American Impact Award will provide small grants of up to $3,000 to Reciprocal Exchange Participants to implement short-term projects designed to extend or enhance the overall U.S. impact of their Reciprocal Exchange projects. 

Award Objectives

• To increase the number of U.S. professionals who gain global skills, cultural knowledge, and strategic partnerships as a result of the Reciprocal Exchange component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. 
• To increase U.S. citizens’ understanding of sub-Saharan African countries, cultures, histories, societies, governments, and/or business environments. 
• To expand opportunities for U.S. professionals’ economic and cultural engagement with Fellowship Alumni or other African stakeholders. 

American Impact Award Timeline

• Application Period: Rolling
• Review Timeline: Up to 4 weeks (i.e., project start date should be more than 4 weeks removed from the date the application is submitted).
• Grant Period: August 19, 2024 – July 15, 2025

Financial Provisions 

• Maximum Award Amount: $3,000

The American Impact Award will provide small grants of up to $3,000 to Reciprocal Exchange Participants to implement short-term projects designed to extend or enhance the overall U.S. impact of their Reciprocal Exchange projects.  Projects may be offered partial funding at the discretion of the selection committee, and cost-share with third-party donors/contributors is strongly encouraged.  Please note that funding will not be provided to support Fellowship Alumni travel to the United States. 

Funds will be disbursed in two installments, contingent upon receipt of required deliverables.  Upon approval of an updated work plan and budget, 80% of the approved budget will be disbursed to the AIA Recipient.  Within 30 days of project completion and submission of a final report and relevant media, the remaining 20% of the approved budget will be disbursed to the Recipient. 

AIA Recipients will receive funds via a wire transfer to their personal bank account.  Therefore, Recipients will be asked to provide IREX with their bank information, as well as a signed Terms & Conditions document that will outline the award terms. 

Note: Costs in excess of $3,000 will not be covered by this Award and must be co-funded by the AIA Recipient and/or other funding sources. 

Eligibility Requirements

Reciprocal Exchange Participants from all years are eligible to apply for grants of up to $3,000 to support a follow-on project or activity related to their Reciprocal Exchange project. As the focus of this award is domestic impact, eligible projects should clearly demonstrate both direct and indirect impact on U.S. stakeholders such as local businesses, community groups, youth organizations, or Institute Partners.  Collaboration and cost-sharing with U.S. stakeholders for AIA projects is strongly encouraged.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be Reciprocal Exchange Participants who have completed a Reciprocal Exchange project prior to applying for the AIA;
• Be U.S. citizens currently living in the United States;
• Not be employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. Embassy, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity); and
• Agree to sign an Award Terms & Conditions agreement.

Note: Applicants proposing conference attendance will be required to present or exhibit at the proposed conference to share the outcomes of their Reciprocal Exchange projects.

All completed applications will be evaluated competitively against the eligibility requirements and selection criteria. IREX reserves the right to verify all information included in the application.  In the event of a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.  Incomplete will not be considered.  IREX reserves the right to offer partial funding to selected recipients.

Application Materials

• AIA Application Form (click “Apply Now” to begin)
• Work Plan Template and Guidelines (download)
• Budget Template and Guidelines (download)
• Resume (one for each applicant)
  • To be submitted in English and no longer than two pages

Contact

Please contact REmwf@irex.org with any questions.