Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 PHL NOFO ALUMNI
The 2021 US-PH Alumni Small Grants Program is a funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, administered by the U.S. Mission to the Philippines through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS Philippines). It is designed specifically for alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs who want to turn their experience and networks into practical projects that deepen and sustain people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the United States. The overall emphasis is on activities that showcase shared values, advance bilateral cooperation, and support U.S.-Philippines priorities in a visible, community-facing way.
At its core, the program is looking for project proposals that do more than deliver a one-off event. A strong application would typically show how the project builds connections between the two countries, creates meaningful public engagement, and produces outcomes that can continue after the grant ends. Another major priority is alumni collaboration: proposals are expected to encourage alumni working together, strengthen existing alumni networks, or create new partnerships among exchange alumni. Applicants can apply either as individuals (as long as they are eligible alumni) or through an alumni-led nonprofit organization, which allows alumni groups to organize and implement larger or more structured activities.
Funding is provided as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the grant is competitive and awarded at the agency's discretion, and the U.S. government may have a more hands-on role compared with a simple pass-through grant (for example, through coordination, approvals, or ongoing engagement during implementation). The award ceiling is USD 25,000 per project, and applicants are expected to design a project with a total budget that stays at or below that limit. The opportunity anticipated making around 10 awards, so proposals likely needed to be clearly aligned with the program goals and well scoped for the available funding.
Eligible applicants include individuals and nonprofit organizations, including both nonprofits with U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (also excluding institutions of higher education). The funding opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040 and was posted on February 10, 2021, with an original closing date of December 31, 2021. Overall, this program is best understood as a small-grants vehicle for exchange alumni to lead tangible, partnership-oriented initiatives that reinforce U.S.-Philippines relations while also strengthening the alumni community that those exchange programs have built.Apply for 21 PHL NOFO ALUMNI
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Philippines in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2021 US-PH Alumni Small Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 10, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 31, 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 $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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FAQs: 2021 US-PH Alumni Small Grants Program
What is the 2021 US-PH Alumni Small Grants Program?
The 2021 US-PH Alumni Small Grants Program is a funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, administered by the U.S. Mission to the Philippines through the Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS Philippines). It supports projects led by alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the United States.
Who is the funding agency and who administers the program?
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of State. The program is administered by the U.S. Mission to the Philippines through the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS Philippines).
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The program is designed for eligible exchange alumni who want to translate their exchange experience and networks into practical, community-facing projects that deepen and sustain U.S.-Philippines connections.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include individuals and nonprofit organizations. Individuals must be alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs. Nonprofit organizations may apply whether or not they have U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) status, but institutions of higher education are excluded.
Can an individual alumnus/alumna apply, or do you need an organization?
Applicants may apply as individuals (as long as they are eligible exchange alumni) or through an alumni-led nonprofit organization.
What types of organizations are eligible?
Eligible organizations include nonprofits with U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (also excluding institutions of higher education).
Are universities or institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. The opportunity explicitly excludes institutions of higher education from eligibility.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is USD 25,000 per project. Proposals are expected to present a total project budget at or below this limit.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The opportunity anticipated making around 10 awards.
What kind of funding instrument is used?
Funding is provided as a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What does "discretionary cooperative agreement" mean for applicants?
It means the award is competitive and made at the agency's discretion, and the U.S. government may have a more hands-on role during implementation than in a simple pass-through grant. This can include coordination, approvals, or ongoing engagement throughout the project.
What kinds of projects does the program want to fund?
The program emphasizes projects that showcase shared values, advance bilateral cooperation, and support U.S.-Philippines priorities in a visible, community-facing way, while strengthening people-to-people ties.
Is the program focused on one-time events or longer-lasting outcomes?
The program looks for proposals that do more than deliver a one-off event. Strong proposals typically demonstrate meaningful public engagement and outcomes that can continue after the grant ends.
How important is collaboration among alumni?
Alumni collaboration is a major priority. Proposals are expected to encourage alumni working together, strengthen existing alumni networks, or create new partnerships among exchange alumni.
What is meant by "people-to-people ties" in this program?
Within this opportunity, the phrase refers to practical activities that connect communities and stakeholders in the Philippines and the United States in a visible way, reinforcing relationships beyond formal government-to-government engagement.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040.
When was the opportunity posted?
The funding opportunity was posted on February 10, 2021.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was December 31, 2021.
What is the overall emphasis or theme of the program?
The overall emphasis is on alumni-led, partnership-oriented initiatives that reinforce U.S.-Philippines relations, advance shared priorities, and strengthen the exchange alumni community.
What makes an application competitive based on the description provided?
Based on the information provided, competitive proposals are likely to be clearly aligned with the program goals, well-scoped for a budget of up to USD 25,000, collaborative among alumni, visibly community-facing, and designed to produce outcomes that can continue after the grant period.
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