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Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

ID: JUBA-AEIF-FY26-01 • Type: Posted
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Description

1. Cost Sharing or MatchingCost sharing or matching is encouraged but not required for this funding opportunity.

2. Other Eligibility RequirementsAll organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding under this funding opportunity.

4. This opportunity will not support:

Projects relating to partisan political activity;

Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support;

Construction projects;

Projects that support specific religious activities;

Fund-raising campaigns;

Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;

Scientific research or surveys;

Commercial projects;

Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;

Projects that duplicate existing projects;

Illegal activities

Background
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 is a global initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). It aims to provide alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs with funding to implement innovative solutions to global challenges in their communities. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded over 1,100 projects worldwide led by teams of international citizen alumni.

Grant Details
The AEIF 2026 funding opportunity invites proposals from teams of at least two alumni of U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs. Projects must align with U.S. foreign policy objectives and can include initiatives that promote peace, freedom of speech, and commercial diplomacy. The proposal should specify target audiences in South Sudan, including demographic information and the number of beneficiaries impacted. Projects must celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States (Freedom 250). Activities may include convening alumni networks, strengthening relationships with the U.S. government, supporting leadership capacity development, and providing technical assistance.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must be alumni from U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs and form teams consisting of at least two members. U.S. citizen alumni may not submit proposals but can participate as team members. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov and a valid registration in SAM.gov. Only one proposal per organization is allowed; multiple submissions will result in disqualification.

Period of Performance
The project performance period is set for 12 months, with an anticipated project start date of September 15, 2026.

Grant Value
The total available funding for this opportunity is $70,000, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000.

Place of Performance
All project activities must take place in South Sudan.
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Overview

Agency
Department of State (DOS)
Category of Funding
Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification)
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Program (CFDA)
19.022 - Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 4/9/26 the Department of State posted grant opportunity JUBA-AEIF-FY26-01 for Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026). The grant will be issued under grant program 19.022 Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants. It is expected that 2 total grants will be made worth between $5,000 and $35,000.

Timing

Posted Date
April 9, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
May 7, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT Past Due
Last Updated
April 9, 2026, 9:20 a.m. EDT
Version
2
Archive Date
June 6, 2026

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Individuals
Additional Info
● Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov/).● Projects teams must include teams of at least two (2) alumni.● Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members in a project.● Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries.● Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. Not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are not eligible to apply in the name of the organization but can serve as partners for implementing project activities.● Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations● Public and private educational institutions ● For-profit organizations (only if allowed by appropriation - not for PD funds)● Individuals● Public International Organizations and Governmental institutionsFor-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.331.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$35,000
Floor
$5,000
Estimated Program Funding
Not Provided
Estimated Number of Grants
2

Contacts

Contact
James Ajak Grantor
Contact Email
ajakjd@state.gov
Email Description
kulangea@state.gov
Contact Phone
00211912153939

Documents

Posted documents for JUBA-AEIF-FY26-01

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