Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is a U.S. Department of State initiative administered by the U.S. Embassy in Belarus to support alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in implementing impactful, locally driven projects. Rooted in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act, the program is designed to extend the long-term value of U.S. exchange programs by empowering alumni to apply their skills and networks to real-world challenges. The 2026 cycle emphasizes the Freedom 250 milestone, encouraging projects that highlight U.S. leadership in innovation, democratic values, and freedom of expression while strengthening regional security and economic resilience. The program’s primary purpose is to transform exchange alumni into active contributors to public diplomacy efforts by funding collaborative, alumni-led initiatives. Projects must address local or regional challenges and align with U.S. foreign policy priorities, particularly in areas such as digital resilience, economic opportunity, and civil liberties. AEIF prioritizes interdisciplinary collaboration across alumni cohorts and encourages partnerships with nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions. The intended beneficiaries include both alumni themselves and broader Belarusian communities, including those in-country and in diaspora. Funding for the program is competitive, with anticipated awards ranging from 5000 to 35000 USD and total program funding of approximately 70000 USD, contingent on availability. Projects must be completed within a performance period of 4 to 12 months, with a proposed start date of October 1, 2026. Allowable costs include project-related expenses such as travel within the region, supplies, venue rentals, and contracted services, while prohibitions include construction, direct social services, partisan political activities, and travel to the United States. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required, and continuation funding may be considered based on performance and funding availability. Eligibility is restricted to alumni of U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs. Applications must be submitted by teams of at least two alumni, with at least two non-U.S. citizen members. While U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members, they cannot serve as primary applicants. Eligible applicants may partner with nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations, but for-profit entities are not eligible as primary recipients. Organizations must maintain compliance with federal requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and registering with SAM.gov where applicable. The application process requires submission of multiple components, including standard federal forms (SF-424 series), a detailed proposal narrative, a budget and budget justification, and supporting documentation such as resumes and letters of support. The proposal must clearly outline project objectives, methods, timeline, monitoring and evaluation plans, and communication strategies. All materials must be submitted in English and adhere strictly to the guidelines provided. Applications are submitted via email to the designated program inbox and must include the funding opportunity title and number in the subject line. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including alignment with U.S. policy priorities, clarity and feasibility of the project plan, degree of alumni involvement, strength of local partnerships, quality of monitoring and evaluation plans, communication strategy, and budget justification. The review process includes a technical eligibility screening followed by panel evaluation, with applicants typically notified within 120 days of the submission deadline. Successful applicants will receive formal award agreements and must comply with reporting requirements, including quarterly progress and financial reports. The application deadline for the 2026 cycle is May 4, 2026, at 23:59 GMT+2. The program does not include a pre-application phase, and submissions must be complete by the stated deadline to be considered. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to [email protected]. Overall, the AEIF program represents a strategic investment in alumni leadership and cross-border collaboration, reinforcing democratic values and fostering sustainable community impact through locally led innovation.

Align project clearly with U.S. policy priorities and Freedom 250 themes; demonstrate strong alumni collaboration; provide detailed and realistic budget; include measurable M&E indicators; show strong local partnerships