AEIF provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. This year, AEIF 2025 will support the United States’ commitment to Georgia’s further integration with the West as a more democratic and stable country.

This annual funding opportunity is designed to amplify the return on the investment of the U.S. government in exchange programs. Pending availability of funds, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will review and recommend proposals for funding on a yearly basis.

AEIF projects must address at least one of the following:

·     Bring alumni together from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increase regional and global collaboration of alumni.

·     Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges.  

·     Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities. Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges.

Proposals must address the United States’ commitment to Georgia’s further integration with the West as a more democratic and stable country. Proposals that do not address the theme as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories.