Program Objectives:  

AEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-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, all AEIF projects must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America (Freedom250) and align with relevant executive orders and administration policy goals such as making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, defending freedom of expression, and/or highlighting U.S. innovation, excellence, and positive impact to global culture. Additionally, all AEIF projects must include at least one of the following: 

• Convene alumni from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increasing regional and global collaboration of alumni. Every project proposal should include at least two exchange alumni or involvement of an alumni association.
• Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address shared goals and challenges. 
• Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities for maximum impact.