FY26 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is administered by the U.S. Mission to Nepal under the U.S. Department of State. This program is part of the broader Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs appropriation, which aims to sustain and expand the long-term impact of U.S. government-funded exchange programs. Through AEIF, the U.S. Embassy in Nepal mobilizes alumni of these exchange initiatives as strategic partners in advancing bilateral priorities. The fund is designed to strengthen alumni networks, promote collaboration across sectors and borders, and deepen sustained engagement between alumni communities and the U.S. government. The primary purpose of AEIF 2026 is to support alumni-led projects that align with U.S. administration priorities and the broader strategic partnership between the United States and Nepal. These priorities include expanding commercial ties, promoting democratic values such as free speech, showcasing American innovation and best practices, and fostering economic growth through locally grounded solutions. All funded proposals must reflect the spirit of Freedom 250, emphasizing the United States’ legacy of innovation, entrepreneurship, and global economic leadership. Projects are expected to demonstrate how alumni can serve as catalysts for innovation and drivers of economic and institutional collaboration. Funding supports projects under three main pillars: Innovate, Inspire, and Ignite. The Innovate pillar focuses on applying U.S.-derived expertise, business practices, and technological solutions to local challenges in Nepal, particularly in areas related to commercial diplomacy and economic resilience. The Inspire pillar emphasizes showcasing American leadership and values by integrating U.S. models and best practices into alumni-led initiatives. The Ignite pillar aims to strengthen partnerships between Nepali alumni and U.S. stakeholders, including companies, universities, and industry experts, to foster mentorship, workforce development, and trade opportunities. Projects must also include at least one required element: convening alumni from multiple exchange programs, strengthening relationships between alumni and the U.S. government, or supporting alumni leadership development and community-based implementation. These requirements ensure that projects contribute to network-building, collaboration, and long-term engagement. While the grant funds alumni-driven initiatives, partner organizations such as nonprofits, academic institutions, and think tanks may participate in implementation, though they are not eligible to apply independently. Eligibility is limited to alumni of U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs. Applications must be submitted by alumni teams consisting of at least two members, and at least one team member must be a Nepali citizen residing in Nepal. U.S. citizen alumni may not apply but can participate as team members. The grant may be awarded either to individual alumni or to partner organizations acting on behalf of the alumni team. This structure ensures that alumni remain the primary drivers of project design and execution. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the stated deadline. Applicants must prepare a proposal that aligns with the program’s thematic pillars and demonstrates measurable impact, collaboration, and alignment with U.S. Embassy priorities. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the synopsis, competitive proposals are expected to clearly articulate outcomes related to innovation, economic growth, and bilateral cooperation. Applicants experiencing technical issues may contact the designated grant coordinator via email for assistance. The funding opportunity was posted on April 15, 2026, with applications due by May 14, 2026. The program anticipates making approximately two awards, with funding amounts ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 and a total program funding pool of $35,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity does not explicitly state recurrence, and no additional deadlines or award timelines are provided. As such, applicants should adhere strictly to the submission deadline and ensure all proposal components are completed in advance.

Align proposals clearly with U.S. Embassy priorities; demonstrate measurable impact and strong alumni collaboration; emphasize innovation and bilateral partnership outcomes