Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026- Gaborone
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Embassy Gaborone, part of the U.S. Mission to Botswana, is offering a cooperative agreement through the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund to support alumni-led projects that use sports as a driver of economic growth and social inclusion in Botswana. The program focuses on strengthening the governance, management, and sustainability of sports organizations, building business and fundraising models, improving marketing and event management, supporting athletes’ transition to post-sports careers, and fostering international partnerships. Projects should run for 6 to 12 months and target sports federation and club leaders, coaches, administrators, and young athletes; eligible applicants are U.S. government exchange program alumni based in Botswana, with teams of at least three alumni. Awards range from $5,000 to $35,000, with two awards expected, and proposals are due May 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. SAST; organizational applicants must have a UEI and SAM.gov registration, and inquiries may be sent to PDSGaborone@state.gov.
Eligible Applicants
The following individual and organizations are eligible to apply: • Applicants must be U.S. government (USG) exchange program alumni based in Botswana. Each proposed project must involve at least three USG exchange alumni, with one designated as the team lead. • If three or more alumni are applying together, U.S. citizen alumni may be included as team members, but the team must have at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni. U.S. citizen alumni are not eligible to serve as team leads. • U.S. citizen alumni may not submit proposals but may participate as team members. • Teams comprising alumni from different exchange programs and different countries are highly encouraged. • Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni based and operating in Botswana. • Registered civil society or non-governmental organizations, including USG alumni associations based in Botswana, are eligible to apply. • Not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are not eligible to apply in the name of the organization but may serve as partners in implementing project activities with U.S. exchange alumni.