The U.S. Embassy in Armenia and US Armenian Alumni Association are pleased to announce the International Travel for Alumni Outreach Grants Program. The grants are intended to partially fund participation of Armenian alumni of the USG-sponsored programs in conferences/ seminars in North America and Europe (excluding the Newly Independent States). The purpose of the Grants Program is to further the professional development of Armenian alumni and enable them to participate in an exchange of ideas and experience that will benefit their communities. Applicants should submit detailed proposals that explain what conference/seminar they plan to take part in and what follow-up activities they have planned. Grants will be a maximum of $1,000 to cover international transportation, airport transfers, conference fees and/or per diem. Only proposals that include cost-sharing by the alumni’s home institution or other sources will be eligible.
The USAAA Board (which is the grant committee as well) will review all applications.
Successful proposals will be based on the following criteria:
1) Follow-up – proposed activities after participation in the conference/seminar to share information and experience with others, including, but not limited to, lecturing, publications, media coverage, etc. These activities should not involve additional grant expenses.
2) Professional development – the extent to which participation at the conference/seminar benefits the alumna/alumnus professionally (preference will be given to alumni that plan to make a presentation at the conference/seminar).
3) Networking – the extent to which the conference/seminar facilitates greater interaction among Armenian students, scholars and professionals and their counterparts in other countries.
4) Level of cost-sharing
The Deadline for submission is May 3, 2010.
Please note that according to U.S. government regulations travel must be commenced no later than September 30, 2010.
Application instructions:
· Applications must be filled in completely in English and must be typed.
· Applicants must submit 1 copy of the application to the Public Affairs Section.
(Contact person – Lusine Mkrtchyan, Alumni Coordinator at mkrtchyanl@state. gov)
· The total funding requested from PAS must not exceed $1,000. All applicants must submit a budget including all projected expenses and cost-share contributions.
· Attach a brochure, agenda or printed materials about the conference/seminar, your CV and an invitation letter from the organizers confirming your participation.
Please note that according to U.S. government regulations, all international tickets purchased with U.S. Government funds must comply with the Fly America Act requiring utilization of U.S. Flag Air Carriers for international air transportation to the extent service by such carriers is available. All international tickets will be purchased through the U.S. Embassy Travel Office. Payment will be made according to U.S. government regulations through the budget and fiscal office of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. Grant recipients will be responsible for all taxes or fees incurred from the receipt of a grant. Within thirty days after returning from the conference/seminar, grantees will be required to submit a full accounting of all expenditures made with originals of tickets, receipts (for lodging and airport transfers), and a brief narrative report attached. Grantees shall return to the United States government any funds that have not been expended.
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy in Armenia, 1 American Avenue
Yerevan, Armenia
Phone: + 374-10-494211
Cellular: + 374-91-408635
Fax: + 374-10-464735
Email: mkrtchyanl@state. gov;
mkrtchyanl@usa. am