Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Exchange Alumni Advancing Freedom250
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Embassy Niamey, through the U.S. Mission to Niger, is seeking cooperative agreement proposals under the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 to support exchange alumni projects that advance the Freedom250 theme and related U.S. foreign policy priorities. The main effort is an alumni summit in Niger that brings together alumni from multiple exchange programs and sectors, with structured programming, measurable outcomes, and follow-on activities that strengthen ongoing collaboration. Proposals must be led by at least two eligible non-U.S.-citizen exchange alumni, including at least one alumnus or alumna based in Niger, and activities must take place outside the United States; the embassy will provide substantial oversight. Awards are expected to range from $5,000 to $40,000, and complete proposal packages must be submitted by email by April 30, 2026, to NiameyPD@state.gov.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are individual U.S. citizen alumni may participate, but at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni must lead the project; non-U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs and alumni associations of U.S. government exchange programs. Eligibility Requirements: • The primary applicant and project lead must be a non-U.S. citizen exchange alumnus/alumna of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov). • Project teams must include at least two (2) eligible exchange alumni. • Teams may include alumni from different exchange programs and countries but must include at least one alumnus/alumna based in Niger. • U.S. citizen alumni may not serve as primary applicants or project leads, but may participate as team members. • Applications may be submitted only by eligible exchange alumni or alumni associations. No other organizations are eligible to apply directly. • Alumni teams may partner with non-profit organizations, NGOs, think tanks, or academic institutions to support project implementation. Awards may be issued to individual alumni, alumni associations, or eligible partner organizations, as appropriate.