Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF): Sierra Leone

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice EmbassyFreetown2026AEIFNOFO..pdf (22 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.

Award size and project length

• Project period: 12 months · p. 3

  “Assistance Listing Number 19.022 Length of performance period 1 to 12 months Number of awards anticipated 2 awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000 or $40,000 (approximately) Total…” Open page 3

Registrations you need first (2)

• SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 4

  “Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov.” Open page 4

• Grants.gov · p. 13

  “For the purpose of determining if an award is submitted on time, PDS will utilize the timestamp provided by Grants.gov.” Open page 13

Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist

What to submit

• Form SF-424 · p. 8

  “SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals) at https://grants.gov/forms” Open page 8

• Form SF-424A · p. 8

  “SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at https://grants.gov/forms” Open page 8

• Form SF-424B · p. 8

  “SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at https://grants.gov/forms (note: the SF- 424B is only required for individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in https://sam.gov/ ) 2.” Open page 8

• Budget narrative / justification · p. 9

  “In addition, the applicant should describe any M&E processes, including key personnel, management structure (where M&E fits into the overall program’s staff structure), technology, and as well provide a brief budget narrative explaining any line-item…” Open page 9

• Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 10

  “If an organization is charging an indirect cost rate without a NICRA, it must apply it to the modified total budget costs (MTDC), refer to 2CFR§200.1.” Open page 10

• Proof of nonprofit status (IRS letter) · p. 11

  “U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter.” Open page 11

• Timeline or schedule of completion · p. 17

  “This will include a list of proposed project activities, corresponding milestone, output, and outcome indicators, a description of data collection methods, and a timeline for collecting such information.” Open page 17

Length limits

• Proposal: 15 pages max · p. 8

  “Proposal (15 pages maximum) The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do.” Open page 8

• Page limit (see quote): 1 page max · p. 11

  “The individual letters cannot exceed 1 page in length.” Open page 11

How applications are scored (100 points listed)

Build your narrative outline from these criteria

• Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: 30 points · p. 16

  “Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 30 points:” Open page 16

• Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants: 20 points · p. 16

  “Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 20 points: o The project proposal demonstrates that the organization has sufficient expertise, skills, and human resources to implement the project, including internal controls in place to manage…” Open page 16

• Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives: 15 points · p. 17

  “Project Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points:” Open page 17

• Budget: 10 points · p. 17

  “Budget – 10 points:” Open page 17

• Monitoring and Evaluation: 15 points · p. 17

  “Monitoring and Evaluation - 15 points:” Open page 17

• Sustainability: 10 points · p. 17

  “Sustainability – 10 points:” Open page 17

Cost share or match

• Cost share / match · p. 4

  “Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching is encouraged but not required for this funding opportunity. 3.” Open page 4

• Cost share / match · p. 22

  “Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) as defined in 2 CFR 200.1. “Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S.” Open page 22

Dates in the notice

• May 1, 2026 · p. 3

  “Sierra Leone Funding Opportunity Number 2026-FREETOWN-AEIF-01 Announcement Type Initial announcement Deadline for Applications May 1, 2026 : 11:59 p.m.” Open page 3

Mistakes that get applications rejected (3)

• Not an eligible applicant: If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be... · p. 4

  “If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding under this funding opportunity. 3.” Open page 4

• Not an eligible applicant: If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above their application will be considered ineligible and... · p. 13

  “If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above their application will be considered ineligible and will not be considered for funding.” Open page 13

• Not an eligible applicant: Application Contents and Format, it will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed by the grants... · p. 18

  “Application Contents and Format, it will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed by the grants review committee.” Open page 18