Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Program FY 2026

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is a grant initiative administered by the U.S. Department of State, specifically through the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia. Designed to support alumni of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, AEIF provides a platform for these individuals to harness skills gained during their exchanges in order to address pressing local and global challenges. Since its inception in 2011, the program has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects worldwide. For fiscal year 2026, the Embassy in North Macedonia is accepting proposals under AEIF 2026 with an application deadline of April 24, 2026. A total of approximately $70,000 is available, with individual awards expected to range from $5,000 to $35,000. Up to two projects are expected to be funded, pending availability of funds. The anticipated project start date is September 2026, and projects must be completed within 12 months of the start date. The program places a strong emphasis on public service and community engagement, particularly focusing on issues that align with U.S. foreign policy objectives. All proposed projects must incorporate the commemoration of America250—the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States—and reflect core policy themes such as strengthening democracy, increasing prosperity, and defending freedom of speech. Projects must take place entirely outside of the United States and its territories. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations based in North Macedonia. Applications must be submitted by teams of at least two alumni from U.S. exchange programs, either directly or through partner nonprofits, academic institutions, or think tanks. U.S. citizens may not serve as primary applicants but can be team members. The scope of eligible projects is broad but bounded by specific restrictions. Funding cannot be used for salaries, office space, entertainment, venture capital, religious or political activity, or any activity taking place within the U.S. The grant does not support the provision of direct social services, individual scholarships, or institutional development. Proposals must include detailed plans for implementation, timelines, monitoring and evaluation strategies, and a communications plan that includes branding for AEIF, ExchangeAlumni, and the U.S. Embassy. The embassy encourages the inclusion of cost-sharing elements, such as in-kind support, venue donations, or volunteer labor, as a demonstration of community engagement and partnership. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive package, which includes the official AEIF 2026 application and budget forms, mandatory federal assistance forms (SF-424, SF-424A, and in some cases SF-424B), and evidence of registration in SAM.gov for the applying organization. The project proposal must address 10 specific content areas, including a problem statement, goals and objectives, methods and design, timeline, beneficiaries, partnerships, communication plan, and monitoring and evaluation metrics. Applications that fail to meet these formatting and submission criteria will be considered ineligible. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia. Selection criteria include alignment with U.S. policy priorities and America250 objectives, project clarity and feasibility, level of alumni involvement, local partner support, robustness of monitoring and evaluation plans, communication strategy, and budget realism. In cases where proposals receive equal scores, preference will be given to those with lower indirect cost rates. Successful applicants will be notified by September 30, 2026. Once selected, grantees must use the SF-270 form to request funds and justify each request with detailed documentation. Questions regarding the program can be directed to the embassy’s grants team via [email protected]. The NOFO also specifies that all reporting—financial and programmatic—must comply with federal standards, including submission of SF-425 financial reports and tracking in the Foreign Assistance Data Review system. Branding requirements must be followed according to the State Department’s Brand System. Overall, AEIF 2026 offers a robust opportunity for alumni to make impactful contributions to their communities while reinforcing diplomatic goals shared between the U.S. and North Macedonia.

Align with America250 theme; include clear objectives and a strong evaluation plan; proposals must include at least two alumni and a nonprofit partner.