Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Exchange Alumni Advancing Freedom250

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is a global initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) that supports alumni of U.S. government-funded and sponsored exchange programs in advancing U.S. foreign policy priorities while addressing local challenges. Since its launch in 2011, AEIF has supported nearly 500 alumni-led projects worldwide, strengthening alumni networks and reinforcing the long-term return on investment of U.S. exchange programs. For Fiscal Year 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey seeks to implement an Alumni Summit under AEIF 2026 that will convene exchange alumni to celebrate and promote Freedom250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The summit will align with U.S. policy objectives, including making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and defending freedom of expression. The initiative will bring together alumni from multiple exchange programs and professional sectors to strengthen collaboration, reinforce shared values, and generate actionable initiatives that extend beyond the event itself. Consistent with AEIF requirements, the summit will be led by at least two (2) eligible non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni, including at least one alumnus or alumna based in Niger. U.S. citizen alumni may participate; however, project leadership must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni. All activities will take place outside the United States and its territories. Proposals must be submitted by posts using the official AEIF 2026 templates; submissions directly from alumni will not be considered. The summit will advance at least one core AEIF objective by convening alumni from different exchange programs to expand networks capable of sustained collaboration, strengthening engagement between alumni and the U.S. Government to address shared challenges, and supporting alumni leadership development and community-level implementation of follow-on initiatives. Strong proposals will include a structured agenda, measurable outcomes, and plans for follow-on activities such as small grants, working groups, or continued alumni collaboration to ensure sustained impact. Under AEIF 2026 guidelines, Alumni Summit proposals may request up to $100,000 for bilateral, regional, or sub-regional initiatives, and up to $40,000 for single-country projects....

Eligible applicants are individual U. · S. citizen alumni may participate, but at least two non-U. · S. citizen exchange alumni must lead the project; non-U. · S. citizen alumni of U. · S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs and alumni associations of U. · S. government exchange programs. Eligibility Requirements: • The primary applicant and project lead must be a non-U. · S. citizen exchange alumnus/alumna of a U. · S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov). • Project teams must include at least two (2) eligible exchange alumni. • Teams may include alumni from different exchange programs and countries but must include at least one alumnus/alumna based in Niger. • U. · S. citizen alumni may not serve as primary applicants or project leads, but may participate as team members. • Applications may be submitted only by eligible exchange alumni or alumni associations. No other organizations are eligible to apply directly. • Alumni teams may partner with non-profit organizations, NGOs, think tanks, or academic institutions to support project implementation. Awards may be issued to individual alumni, alumni associations, or eligible partner organizations, as appropriate.

Criteria for selecting proposals vary by awards supporting individual activities and are outlined in the solicitations for individual activities.