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

Agency: U.S. Mission to Niger

Assistance Listings: 19.022 -- Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants

Last Updated: March 25, 2026

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.

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Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information

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.

Grantor contact information

Description

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Email

"For Inquiries"

NiameyPD@state.gov

Documents

File nameDescriptionLast updated
20260304_-_Notice_of_Funding_Opportunity_-_AEIF.docx
Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Exchange Alumni Advancing Freedom250
Mar 25, 2026 10:40 AM UTC

Link to additional information

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Forecasted

Estimated Post Date:

March 25, 2026

Estimated Application Due Date:

April 30, 2026

Estimated Due Date Description:

Not available

Estimated Award Date:

June 15, 2026

Estimated Project Start Date:

July 31, 2026

Fiscal Year:

2026

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$40,000

Program Funding

5

Expected awards

$5,000

Award Minimum

$40,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

PDS-NER-AEIF-26-001

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

No

Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

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Category of Funding Activity:

Other

Category Explanation:

Fulbright-Hays

History

Version:

1

Forecast posted date:

March 25, 2026

Archive date:

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