Call for Alumni Small Grants (ASG) 2025 Proposal

About Nepal-US Alumni Network (NUSAN)

The Nepal-U.S. Alumni Network (NUSAN) unites U.S. Government (USG) Exchange Alumni from diverse backgrounds to foster collaboration, leadership, and innovation. NUSAN aims to create a positive societal impact while strengthening Nepal-U.S. relations. With continued support from the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, NUSAN actively engages in initiatives focusing on alumni networking, entrepreneurship, human trafficking, and youth empowerment.  

What is the Alumni Small Grant (ASG) 2025?

The Alumni Small Grant (ASG) 2025 offers USG Exchange Alumni in Nepal the opportunity to enhance their professional skills and support the U.S. government in addressing their current priorities and policies to combat illegal immigration, create job opportunities, and enhance entrepreneurial skills in Nepal. The ASG should empower alumni to build a strong, active network that fosters regular engagement and meaningful collaboration. It should strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address shared goals and challenges.

Funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu and administered by NUSAN, the grant directly supports the project including innovative ideas to support the community and youth-focused projects. Selected proposals will receive guidance and mentorship from the NUSAN and U.S. Embassy Nepal teams to ensure successful implementation.

Themes for ASG 2025

The ASG applications must include any of these themes:

• Combating Illegal Immigration: Collaborate with community leaders, educational institutions, civil society, and local government to conduct workshops on raising awareness of illegal immigration while promoting effective strategies for prevention. Conduct research or surveys to understand the root cause of illegal immigration and develop strategies or policies to overcome it.
• Creating Job Opportunities: Enhancing youth employability through U.S.-Nepal joint initiatives that expand access to jobs. This includes leadership development, vocational training, and private-sector partnerships to connect youth to employment and self-employment opportunities.
• Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills: Supporting local entrepreneurs by strengthening digital skills and helping them reach larger markets. Through U.S.-Nepal collaboration, create platforms for networking, financial literacy, and business development. Upskilling the digital competencies for the local entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures into the larger markets.

Grant Details

• Number of Grants: Seven (one per province).
• Grant Amount: Up to USD 1,000 (disbursed in NPR as per the prevailing exchange rate on the contract date).  

Key Timeline

• Application Opens: April 21, 2025
• Application Closes: May 15, 2025
• Selected Proposals Announcement: May 22, 2025
• Grant Performance Period: Projects must be completed by August 30, 2025.
• Narrative Report Submission: Within 20 days after project completion.  

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a USG Exchange Alumni and an active member of NUSAN.
• Submit projects aligned with ASG 2025 themes.
• Apply as individuals or teams (the team members must be USG Exchange Alumni).
• Submit applications in English using the provided Google Form and budget template.

Important Notes: Only Nepali citizens who are USG Exchange Alumni are eligible to submit proposals. Each applicant/team may submit only one proposal; multiple submissions will result in disqualification. Priority will be given to projects demonstrating provincial-level participation and collaboration.  

Application Content

Proposals must include:

• Applicant Details
• Project Title
• Theme Alignment
• Statement of Problem (maximum 150 words)
• Project Goal and Objectives (maximum 100 words)
• Project Activities (maximum 300 words)
• Sustainability Plan (maximum 200 words)
• Project Timeline (maximum 100 words)
• Project Budget (submitted using the ASG-2025 Budget template: https://bit.ly/asg-budget)  

Apply Now

To apply for the ASG 2025, please use the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/oryX8B84zjFNmPEW7

Evaluation Criteria

NUSAN’s ASG selection team will use these criteria to evaluate all applications: Relevance to the theme; Purpose and Summary, Project Activities and Implementation Plan; Degree of Alumni Involvement; Impact of the Project; Sustainability; and Budget Narrative.

Contact information

Questions about the grant application process should be directed to NUSAN at info@nusan.org.