FY26 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Mission to Germany is offering the FY26 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund to support alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs in advancing Freedom 250 and U.S. policy priorities through alumni-led projects. The program funds projects that convene alumni networks, strengthen alumni engagement with the U.S. government, and support leadership or community-based initiatives, including alumni summits. Projects are expected to have strong U.S. elements, clearly defined German audiences, measurable outcomes, and robust monitoring and evaluation plans that track baseline, output, outcome, and impact measures, with a final report required at completion. Proposals are due by May 17, 2026, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 for AEIF projects and up to $40,000 for alumni summit projects, and the opportunity indicates four awards and $40,000 in total program funding.
Eligible Applicants
Alumni who participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program, such as Beyond Washington, BridgeUSA (J-1 visa holders), Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (Parlamentarisches Patenschafts-Programm), Fulbright, International Visitor Leadership Program, Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI), "USA For You," "Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Staff Exchange," "Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship," and the German-American Partnership Program (GAPP).USG-sponsored exchange program alumni associations.