2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan, has announced a funding opportunity under the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF). This initiative is part of the Department’s broader Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs and is designed to engage alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives. Specifically, the program focuses on strengthening economic ties between the United States and Uzbekistan while reinforcing America’s global leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support alumni-led projects that foster collaboration between U.S. and Uzbek stakeholders. The program emphasizes initiatives that build economic connections and promote U.S. innovation ecosystems. Projects are required to align with themes connected to the United States’ 250th anniversary, referred to as Freedom 250 themes, and must demonstrate how they contribute to economic growth, investment attraction, and increased tourism to the United States. Priority thematic areas include Business, Energy and Trade; STEM, Artificial Intelligence and Innovation; and Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism. Funding is provided through a discretionary grant mechanism, with an estimated total program funding of $35,000 and an expected two awards. Individual awards range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Allowable activities include workshops, hackathons, cultural programming, and promotional initiatives that highlight U.S. partnerships and opportunities. Projects should clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes that contribute to strengthening bilateral economic and cultural ties. Eligibility is restricted to alumni of U.S. government-sponsored or funded exchange programs. Applicants must form teams consisting of at least two alumni, and applications must be submitted either by individual alumni or alumni associations. While U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members, they are not eligible to serve as primary applicants. Teams may include alumni from multiple countries and exchange programs. Applicants are permitted to partner with nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, or think tanks for implementation purposes, and the grant may be awarded either to an individual or a partner organization. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the stated deadline. While specific application components are not detailed in the synopsis, applicants are expected to provide a complete proposal outlining project objectives, implementation plans, expected outcomes, and alignment with program priorities. The program does not specify a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. Applicants experiencing technical issues are instructed to contact the Mission Uzbekistan Public Affairs Grants Management Team. The application period opens on April 8, 2026, and closes on May 6, 2026. The opportunity is not described as recurring, and no future cycle dates are provided. The performance period is not explicitly stated in the synopsis but is expected to align with typical public diplomacy grant timelines following award notification. The program is competitive and aims to fund high-impact, collaborative projects that demonstrate clear benefits to U.S.-Uzbek relations and economic engagement.

Align projects with Freedom 250 themes and clearly demonstrate economic impact and U.S.-Uzbek collaboration benefits