IVLP Impact Awards Application Process

Application Information

The U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center are pleased to announce that, starting on Monday, January 6, 2025, the IVLP Impact Awards initiative will be accepting applications for community impact projects from alumni who participated in an IVLP project with an opening date between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. 

The IVLP Impact Awards offer capacity-building and networking opportunities to enhance Awardees' leadership and project management skills for implementation in their IVLP Impact Award projects and beyond. IVLP Impact Award recipients receive personalized guidance throughout their project implementation and reporting. The initiative provides Awardees an opportunity to showcase their projects and amplify their impact through platforms like the IVLP Impact Award Alumni Discussion Series, IVLP Impact Awardee Features and Articles and featured social media posts. 

IVLP Impact Awards projects could address a range of topics in the IVLP alumni's countries and communities, with past examples including but not limited to: advancing climate solutions; arts and culture; countering disinformation; countering violent extremism; cybersecurity; democratic governance; diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion; education; employment training; entrepreneurship; health; human rights and social issues; immigration; interfaith dialogue; library and informational management; media and journalism; peace and reconciliation; refugee and migrant support; science and technology; social media; sports and recreation; combating trafficking; volunteerism; women’s issues; youth development and leadership; and others. See more past project examples here. 

Candidates must submit proposals as individuals. This is a competitive process. The U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center will review, evaluate, and select projects. Project proposals may request funding of up to $5,000 U.S. Dollars (USD). The final day to conduct any project activities is September 15, 2025. The 2025 application opens Monday, January 6, 2025, and closes Friday, February 14, 2025.

Learn More

To learn more and view past IVLP Impact Awards project profiles, please visit the Impact Awards Webpage or email us at IVLPImpactAwards@meridian.org 

Apply Here

Applicant Eligibility Requirements:
  • IVLP Alumni from in-person or virtual projects with a start date between January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024
  • Applicant is not a previous IVLP Impact Awards recipient
  • Applicant is able to legally receive the funding as an individual (not an organization)
  • Applicant will be the sole recipient of funds and the project implementer, and will not receive funds or conduct the project on behalf of another individual or organization
  • Applicant will undergo a successful SAM/OFAC screening by Meridian
  • Applicant is willing and able to comply with IVLP Impact Awards grant and federal regulations
Project Eligibility Requirements:
  • Project is developed in consultation with local U.S. Embassy/Consulate
  • Project continues and shares knowledge and/or connections from IVLP experience
  • All proposed IVLP Impact Awards project activities must be completed by September 15, 2025
Selection Criteria:

Projects will be competitively evaluated by a selection panel, based on the following criteria:

  • Project continues and shares knowledge and/or connections from IVLP exchange experience. Projects that leverage the connections made and inspiration drawn from participant’s IVLP experience in the U.S. will be prioritized
  • Community Impact
  • Defined goals and measurable outcomes
  • Project and components are reasonable, allowable, cost-effective, and realistic
  • Budget is reasonable, cost-effective, realistic, and encompasses all categories of expenses necessary to meet the project objectives
  • All expenses are allowable
Important Dates
  • Application Opens: Monday, January 6, 2025
  • Final Date to Submit Application: Friday, February 14, 2025
  • Project Completion Deadline: September 15, 2025.
  • Final Report Submission Deadline: October 1, 2025, or 30 days after the last day of project activities, whichever is sooner. 
Applicant Informational Sessions

Please register in advance for the informational sessions. Convert to your local time here.

  • Monday and Friday Sessions from 10:00-10:30 AM, U.S. ET (There will be a pre-application session on December 16, 2024, and regular sessions are available most Mondays and Fridays between January 6 and February 12) Please register here.
  • Wednesday Sessions from 2:00-2:30 PM, U.S. ET (There will be a pre-application session on December 18, 2024, and regular sessions are available most Wednesdays from January 8 to February 12) Please register here.
Resources for Applicants

IVLP Impact Awards Overview IVLP Impact Awards Application Preview IVLP Impact Awards Application Walkthrough

This preview is intended to share the types of requests for information and questions that will be asked on the application, opening January 6, 2025. Please use this sample document as a resource to prepare your project concept, work plan and budget ahead of the application opening.

Project and Budget Requirements Application Info Sessions Info Session Presentation

Resources to Promote the IVLP Impact Awards Initiative

IVLP Impact Awards Overview Project and Budget Requirements Awardee Social Media Toolkit Partner Social Media Toolkit

Interested in hearing from past IVLP Impact Awardees? Check out the recordings and summaries of the virtual webinar panels that featured successful Awardees and hear directly about their experiences. You can also browse the articles written by and about past IVLP Impact Awardees' projects below.

Testimonials From Past Participants Alumni Spotlight From Exchange to Impact Awardee Features and Articles

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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United States Department of State - Wikipedia