DUSHANBE, February 14, Asia-Plus  -- The US Embassy in Dushanbe is now accepting applications for the Alumni Program, press release issued by the US Embassy said. 

Alumni and recipients of all U.S. Government-funded exchange and training programs, including FLEX, UGRAD, Muskie, the International Visitor Leadership Program, Community Connections, Open World, USDA Cochran and FEP exchanges, Department of Commerce SABIT trainings, and those of other implementers are eligible.

The purpose of the program is to provide grants to organizations that have USG alumni as members or to individual alumni for activities that support democratic advancement and economic reform in Tajikistan. The Program aims to provide alumni with networking opportunities; to further the professional development of alumni and their colleagues and to assist alumni in implementing and disseminating the concepts learned during exchange programs. The amount of grants must not exceed $5,000 for organizations and $3,000 for individuals.

Funds may be used for the following: to initiate a public or community service program; to provide support for alumni association events; to organize training programs or conferences for professional colleagues and/or other alumni; to provide continued funding for existing alumni centers, and minimal start-up costs for alumni associations; to organize and plan networking events; to develop and publish curricula, textbooks, or related reference or educational materials; to publish public information pamphlets or brochures on topics that further USG assistance goals; and to conduct other projects that support democratic and economic reform initiatives.

Projects not funded by the Alumni Program include those requested by non-USG alumni organizations and individuals, those relating to partisan political activity, charitable activity and/or humanitarian aid, fund-raising campaigns, commercial projects and those that duplicate existing projects.

Proposals must be received no later than March 20, 2008.  Proposals should contain clearly formulated goals and target groups, and show the ability of the applying organization/individual to carry out the project aims.  Proposals should be submitted in English (or have an English translation).