FY26 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- OFOP0002683
- Agency
-
US Embassy Berlin
US Consulates and Embassies, Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $5,000 to $35,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
- Not on record
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Embassy Berlin, through the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is soliciting alumni-led projects that advance U.S. policy objectives and strengthen transatlantic relations while commemorating the Freedom 250 initiative. The program seeks two types of proposals: AEIF Projects requiring teams of at least two non-U.S. citizen alumni that convene alumni networks, strengthen government engagement, or support community-based initiatives; and Alumni Summits designed to engage multiple alumni cohorts in advancing U.S. policy priorities. Eligible applicants include alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs (such as Fulbright, BridgeUSA, and Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange) and their affiliated associations. All projects must demonstrate strong U.S. elements with clearly defined German audiences, promote Freedom 250 themes, and show measurable outcomes within a 12-month performance period. Evaluation criteria include quality and feasibility (30 points), organizational capacity (25 points), project planning ability (20 points), budget reasonableness (10 points), monitoring and evaluation thoroughness (10 points), and sustainability approach (5 points). The application deadline is May 1, 2026, at 23:59:59 CET, with submissions required via email to berlinpdnofodl@state.gov or through Grants.gov.
AEIF Project awards range from $5,000 to $35,000, with up to three awards anticipated, while Alumni Summit awards are available up to $40,000 with one award anticipated. All projects must be completed within 12 months, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2026. Eligible expenses include venue rental, meals essential to programming, speaker fees capped at $250 per day (not exceeding 30% of total budget), project management honorariums capped at 15%, supplies, travel limited to 15% of budget for U.S. citizen alumni, equipment, and monitoring and evaluation services up to $1,000. Project activities must take place in Germany with German audiences as the primary beneficiaries, and applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintain active SAM.gov registration, except for individual applicants who are exempt from these requirements.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The U.S. Mission to Germany announces two funding opportunities for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to strengthen the transatlantic relationship as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding (Freedom 250).The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) supports alumni-led projects that advance U.S. policy objectives and amplify the impact of U.S. exchange programs. AEIF provides funding for alumni to apply skills gained during their exchanges to address community priorities. Projects must promote Freedom 250 and align with priorities such as making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, or defending freedom of speech.Under Goal 1 (AEIF Projects), the program will support alumni-led projects (teams of at least two alumni) that increase the impact of U.S. exchange programs by advancing U.S. policy objectives and promoting shared U.S.-German interests. Proposals from $5,000 to $35,000 must convene alumni networks, strengthen alumni engagement with the U.S. government, or support alumni leadership and community-based initiatives.Under Goal 2 (Alumni Summits), the program will support U.S. government-funded initiatives of up to $40,000 for single-country projects designed to engage alumni in advancing U.S. policy priorities and Freedom 250 themes. Proposals should demonstrate strong alumni engagement in Germany, include plans for follow-on activities.Applicants are encouraged to propose projects in areas such as sports diplomacy, science, technology and space cooperation, alumni engagement, and countering anti-Semitism. All projects must include strong U.S. elements, clearly defined German audiences, and measurable outcomes.Please find the full funding opportunity at de.usembassy.gov/pd-grants.
Update #1 ·
The U.S. Mission to Germany announces two funding opportunities for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to strengthen the transatlantic relationship as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding (Freedom 250). The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) supports alumni-led projects that advance U.S. policy objectives and amplify the impact of U.S. exchange programs. AEIF provides funding for alumni to apply skills gained during their exchanges to address community priorities. Projects must promote Freedom 250 and align with priorities such as making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, or defending freedom of speech. Under Goal 1 (AEIF Projects), the program will support alumni-led projects (teams of at least two alumni) that increase the impact of U.S. exchange programs by advancing U.S. policy objectives and promoting shared U.S.-German interests. Proposals from $5,000 to $35,000 must convene alumni networks, strengthen alumni engagement with the U.S. government, or support alumni leadership and community-based initiatives. Under Goal 2 (Alumni Summits), the program will support U.S. government-funded initiatives of up to $40,000 for single-country projects designed to engage alumni in advancing U.S. policy priorities and Freedom 250 themes. Proposals should demonstrate strong alumni engagement in Germany, include plans for follow-on activities. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects in areas such as sports diplomacy, science, technology and space cooperation, alumni engagement, and countering anti-Semitism. All projects must include strong U.S. elements, clearly defined German audiences, and measurable outcomes. Please find the full funding opportunity at de.usembassy.gov/pd-grants.
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