Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Senegal and the U.S. Mission to Guinea-Bissau. Managed by the Public Diplomacy Section and centrally overseen by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the AEIF is a longstanding initiative that aims to strengthen the global community of U.S. government exchange program alumni. The 2026 round of AEIF coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and thus proposals are expected to align with commemorative programming and relevant U.S. foreign policy priorities. This opportunity supports alumni-led, community-based initiatives that utilize the skills, experiences, and networks of exchange alumni to further key U.S. policy goals. These goals include enhancing regional collaboration, fostering civic engagement, improving community resilience, and advancing innovation and prosperity. The program encourages creative collaboration among alumni from diverse exchange experiences and strongly supports the use of U.S. resources, expertise, or methodologies to amplify project impact. Proposals may request between $5,000 and $35,000, with a performance period of up to 12 months, and all projects must be completed within this timeframe. Funding is sourced from FY26 Fulbright-Hays funds and is subject to availability. Although cost sharing is not required, it is encouraged, and all budget submissions must be in U.S. dollars. Allowable expenses include personnel, travel, equipment, and indirect costs, provided they adhere to federal guidelines. Construction, lobbying, charitable giving, partisan political activities, and commercial ventures are explicitly ineligible uses of funds. Eligibility is strictly limited to alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. Each proposed project must involve at least two alumni or an alumni association. Only nonprofit, non-governmental organizations may serve as the prime applicant. For-profit entities are not eligible, although subcontracting is permitted, with clearly delineated roles. All organizations must possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov, unless an exemption is approved. Applicants must submit several components, including the SF-424 forms, a proposal narrative (using the designated template), a budget with justification, resumes or position descriptions for key personnel, and proof of nonprofit status and registration. The proposal must detail the project’s summary, objectives, timeline, staff and partner involvement, communication and outreach plans, and monitoring and evaluation strategy. A Theory of Change and datasheet are also required to outline intended outcomes. All applications must be submitted in English by April 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Proposals will be reviewed based on criteria including project quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, planning, budget reasonableness, outreach strategy, monitoring and evaluation plan, and sustainability. Award notifications are expected within 120 days of the application deadline. Selected projects will commence between September 2026 and August 2027. Awardees will be required to comply with extensive federal reporting and branding requirements, including quarterly progress reports, use of Freedom 250 logos, and final financial reporting. Payment disbursements will follow approval of the SF-270 form and justification. The program does not allow pre-award cost reimbursement and includes federal compliance obligations such as anti-discrimination, anti-trafficking, and drone usage restrictions.

Align with U.S. foreign policy; justify budget; emphasize M&E and sustainability; demonstrate capacity and alumni collaboration.