Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026

The FY 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) outlines budget guidelines for federal grant applications, detailing allowable and unallowable costs across categories like contractual, supplies, travel/lodging/per diem, equipment, and other direct costs. It provides specific guidance on cost breakdowns for items such as speaker and trainer fees (not to exceed 30% of the total budget, with a maximum of $250 per day), project management fees (not to exceed 15%), venue rentals, meals, and travel expenses (not to exceed 15%). The fund explicitly excludes costs for staff salaries, large equipment, alcohol, international airfare to/from the US, activities within the US, academic research, charitable activities, individual scholarships, and partisan political activities. Mandatory budget justifications are required for all requested funds, with costs needing to be itemized and justified in detail.

The FY 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Budget Form outlines financial guidelines for projects, emphasizing mandatory budget justifications and itemized costs across categories like Contractual, Supplies, Travel/Lodging/Per Diem, Equipment, and Other Direct Costs. Key cost categories include venues, meals, speakers/trainers (fees not to exceed 30% of the total budget), and project management (fees not to exceed 15%). Travel expenses, including air, ground, hotels, and per diem, are capped at 15% of the requested budget, with restrictions on business class travel and travel to/from the U.S. (except for U.S. citizen alumni). Equipment purchases require justification on post-project usage. Allowable 'Other Direct Costs' include accountant fees (up to $500), banking fees, and monitoring & evaluation fees (up to $1000). The guidelines explicitly list non-supported costs such as staff salaries, large equipment, alcohol, and activities like academic research or charitable work.

The FY 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) outlines budget guidelines for grant applicants, detailing allowable and unallowable costs across categories like contractual, supplies, travel/lodging/per diem, equipment, and other direct costs. It provides specific guidance on fees for speakers, trainers, project management, and accountants, along with limitations on travel expenses and monitoring/evaluation costs. The fund explicitly excludes support for staff salaries, large equipment, alcohol, activities in the U.S., academic research, charitable activities, individual scholarships, and political lobbying. Budget justifications are mandatory for all requested funds, requiring itemized descriptions to ensure projects are reviewed in accordance with the established guidelines.

The FY 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) outlines budget guidelines for federal grant applications. It categorizes allowable costs, including contractual services, supplies, travel, equipment, and other direct costs, with specific guidance on each. Detailed budget justifications are mandatory, requiring itemized costs and adherence to specified limits for items like speaker/trainer fees (max 30% of total), project management fees (max 15%), and travel expenses (max 15%). The fund explicitly prohibits certain costs, such as staff salaries, large equipment, alcohol, activities in the U.S., academic research, and individual scholarships. Applicants must itemize all expenses and provide a clear description and cost breakdown for each category to ensure project eligibility and proper financial management.