U.S. Department of State IVLP Impact Awards
Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implements the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Awards Initiative. Nearly 250 Awardees, who are IVLP Alumni from across the world, administer community impact projects that build on their exchange experience and promote innovative solutions to shared challenges. Along with a series of programs varied by theme and region, the Initiative aims to engage alumni, strengthen the IVLP network and support lasting community impact.
Our IVLP Impact Awardees in the World
Our IVLP Impact Awardees
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Applications are currently closed
The U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center are pleased to announce that the IVLP Impact Awards Initiative is accepting applications from IVLP Alumni of the European and Central Asian Regions for community impact projects that address issues related to the war against Ukraine. Interested alumni should apply as individuals. This is a competitive process. The U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center will review, evaluate, and select projects that meet the below requirements and criteria. Project proposals may request funding of up to $5,000 U.S. Dollars (USD). Project completion deadline is January 31, 2023. Application due date is Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Eligibility Requirements:
- IVLP Alumni who participated in a project between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022 (note: this includes hybrid projects that had a virtual component, with an in-person visit to be held later)
- Not a current IVLP Impact Award Finalist or Awardee
- Ability to legally receive the funding as an individual
- Candidates must be a citizen or resident of one of the listed countries: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Ukbekistan
Project Requirements:
Applicants’ projects must:
- Be developed in consultation with your local U.S. embassy or consulate**
- Specifically address issues related to the war against Ukraine. This could touch on any range of topics in the applicant’s home country and community, including but not limited to:
- Refugee integration, inclusion, and tolerance-building
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Workforce training and integration programs
- English language learning and acquisition
- Peace and security
- Health and wellness
- Cybersecurity
- Disarming disinformation
- Arms control and nonproliferation
- Journalism and documenting the humanitarian crisis
- Justice and accountability
- Advancing minority rights
- Disability rights and Inclusive education
- Entrepreneurship
- Freedom of expression and the arts
- Building resilience
- Combating domestic and gender-based violence
- Propose and implement an innovative solution to a community challenge
Selection Criteria:
Projects will be evaluated based on:
- Community Impact
- Defined Goals and Measurable Outcomes
- Project and components are reasonable, allowable, cost-effective, and realistic
- Budget is reasonable, allowable, cost-effective, and realistic for the proposed project goals and activities
Preference will be given to projects which leverage and share knowledge and connections gained during applicants' IVLP exchange experience.
Applications are due Sunday, June 5, 2022. All submissions must be in English.
Frequently Asked Questions: IVLP Impact Awards FAQ You may direct any questions to IVLPImpactAwards@meridian.org.
If you would like to watch a video about filling out the application please see here: Application Video
For individuals who participated in IVLP prior to 2021, please visit the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Alumni website (https://alumni.state.gov/) for information on other opportunities available to you as exchange alumni, including the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund.
About IVLP
Each year nearly 5,000 exchange participants come to the U.S. on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). More than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.
Launched in 1940, the IVLP helps strengthen U.S. engagement with countries around the world and cultivate lasting relationships by connecting current and emerging foreign leaders with their American counterparts through short-term visits to the United States. The majority of IVLP exchanges include visits to four U.S. communities over three weeks, although projects vary based on themes, Embassy requests and other factors. Participants meet with professional counterparts, visit U.S. public and private sector organizations related to the project theme and participate in cultural and social activities.
Learn more about IVLP at Meridian
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Project summary
| U.S. Department of State IVLP Impact Awards | |
|---|---|
| Regions: | Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, Near East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, Western Hemisphere |
| Program Areas: | Global Leadership |