Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF): Sierra Leone
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Mission to Sierra Leone, through Embassy Freetown, is offering the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund to support alumni-led projects that advance U.S. policy objectives and shared interests while celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The grant funds individual projects or single-country alumni summits that engage exchange alumni, strengthen alumni leadership and U.S.-government ties, and deliver long-term, self-sustaining local impact. Proposals must involve at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni or an alumni association, include a detailed plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation approach, and be completed within 12 months; organizational applicants also need a UEI and active SAM.gov registration. Applications are due May 1, 2026, with awards of about $5,000 to $35,000 for individual projects or up to $40,000 for alumni summits, and submissions should be sent to PASGrantsFreetown@state.gov.
Eligible Applicants
The project proposal must include the involvement of at least two exchange alumni or involvement of an alumni association. U.S. exchange alumni include ECA funded exchanges, BridgeUSA participants, and other U.S. government funded or sponsored programs that have met the criteria for exchange programs. U.S. citizen alumni may be included on alumni teams; however, the team must have at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni leading the project. The following organizations are eligible to receive a grant:• Not-for-profit organizations, including think-tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations• Public and private educational institutions• Individuals• Public Governmental institutionsFor-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. For more information on the difference between sub-contract and sub-recipient, please refer to 2 CFR 200.331.