You heard it here first: the 2016 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) competition will start on February 9, 2016! Excited? So are we. We’re telling you the AEIF launch date TWO months in advance to give you ample time to review the Commonly Asked Questions which will help you prepare stellar proposals and form the ultimate alumni team. You know that saying, “Change is good?” We’re introducing a few changes that we think you’ll like. Our team read all of your AEIF emails, tweets, and Facebook messages. We took your feedback, suggestions, and concerns to heart. In response, we’ve made significant changes to make AEIF an even smoother competition. Here are a few enhancements:

• No Finalist Phase: There is no finalist phase this year! The AEIF competition is all one phase, instead of two.
• Submit Budget with Proposal Form: Because we’ve removed the finalist please, in addition to completing a proposal form, alumni teams must now submit a completed budget form by the deadline. Thinking about your budget while developing the proposal will help you create a more comprehensive project.
• No Voting: We recognized that the voting process caused some confusion about how projects were evaluated. So, this year, there is no voting!  IEA members can still comment and provide feedback on proposals. Remember, projects will be evaluated based on a set of criteria outlined here.
• Reduced Team Number: To be eligible for consideration, AEIF teams must comprise at least four alumni who are registered on the IEA website. This number includes the team leader.

Are you a new member of the alumni community? Perhaps you need a refresher on why AEIF is The Most Awesome Competition in the Galaxy? Check out a few answers to commonly asked questions about AEIF below.

Why does AEIF exist? We strongly believe that exchange alumni are uniquely prepared to find solutions for some of our world’s most pressing issues. From empowering girls in STEM to encouraging peaceful elections, each year, alumni submit innovative projects that address local and national challenges. Darth Vador has the Dark Side, but alumni, the ultimate Jedi, have the power of AEIF.

How does AEIF help me use what I learned on my exchange? While on an exchange, many alumni learn new ways of thinking about policies, institutions, and practices. What did you study on your exchange? Start thinking about the lessons you learned. Working with your AEIF team, you can apply that knowledge to your project proposal and budget.

I’m in high school, can I still try to apply to AEIF 2016? We absolutely welcome proposals from our youngest alumni! Your ideas matter. You are our future leaders, so by all means, hit the ground running and apply to your first grant competition: AEIF 2016! If you need help turning your idea into a stellar proposal, reach out to more established alumni for feedback and guidance.

What can I do to prepare for February? Think through your idea. Pitch your idea to friends and family and listen to their feedback. Does the idea make sense to them? Revise your idea as needed and repeat the pitch process. If the people closest to you are confused about the purpose of your project, we will be too.  Your proposal should have clear goals.

Need AEIF inspiration? Look no further than this outstanding project in Panama. When you give girls the tools to succeed, you impact communities and change the world. Panamanian Fulbright alumni, led by Drs. Rafael Vasquez and Leila Lombardo, implemented an Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) project, titled “Wonderful Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Girls Can Do It.” With an encouraging environment and innovative tools, the program ensured that 300 girls in Panama City gained critical thinking skills, learned the benefits of teamwork, and developed healthy self-esteem. After nine months of enriching workshops, the U.S. Ambassador to Panama, Jonathan D. Farrar, hosted a closing ceremony, acknowledging the success of the program.