NOTE: The Fall 2010 round of Project Smile has been announced. Deadline for submitting your applications is Monday October 18th, 2010.

Project Smile, a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State and implemented by IREX, provides grants to alumni of selected ECA-sponsored programs to implement community service activities that will benefit an underprivileged group in their local community such as children at an orphanage, the disabled or the elderly.

Grants are a maximum of $250 and allow alumni to do the following:

Eligible Projects:

• Cultural/Recreational
  -Organize a trip to a historical location for children from underprivileged schools
  -Plan an American holiday celebration for the elderly
  -Deliver a presentation on American cultural traditions and share your experiences in the U.S.
  -Organize a national crafts workshop for children with disabilities
  -Organize a day fun and games at an orphanage or children’s hospital
  -Organize a one-day soccer camp for teens at a rehabilitation center
• Educational
  -Organize a cultural diversity workshop for school children
  -Develop a one-day training on healthy lifestyles for teenagers
  -Organize a series of leadership and team-building activities for children with disabilities
  -Develop a public awareness campaign on a social issues (i.e. Anti-drug campaign)
  -Organize a hands-on life skills workshop for the visually impaired

Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate sustainability and have the potential for lasting impact.

Currently, alumni of the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program (MUSKIE) and the Global Undergaduate Exchanged Program ( Global UGRAD) are eligible to apply.