2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

The United States Department of State, through the United States Embassy in Bahrain, is soliciting proposals for alumni-led projects that advance U.S. foreign policy objectives, strengthen people-to-people ties, and amplify the long-term impact of U.S. exchange programs. Eligible applicants must be teams of at least two alumni of U.S. government-funded or government-sponsored exchange programs who demonstrate how they will apply skills and networks gained during their exchange experiences to address shared challenges in their communities. Projects must celebrate America's 250th anniversary and align with policy goals of making the United States and its partners safer, stronger, and more prosperous. All proposals must be submitted to ManamaPAO@state.gov by 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 30, 2026. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the announcement, proposals will be assessed based on their demonstration of meaningful alumni engagement, alignment with U.S. foreign policy objectives, and community impact in the applicant's region.

Award values for AEIF 2026 projects typically range from $5,000 to $35,000, with some larger regional or bilateral initiatives reaching up to $100,000. Anticipated performance periods extend from 6 to 18 months, depending on project scope and complexity. All project activities must take place outside U.S. territories and must primarily benefit foreign national communities. Recipients are required to maintain comprehensive financial records, supporting documentation, and statistical records for three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report, in accordance with the U.S. Department of State's Standard Terms and Conditions.