Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026

The U.S. Department of State's U.S. Mission to Indonesia announced the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), a grant competition for exchange alumni. This grant seeks proposals from teams of at least two U.S. government-funded or -sponsored exchange alumni to implement projects that support U.S. policy objectives and promote shared interests, benefiting both the United States and local communities. Projects must celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding, make the U.S. safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and align with priority areas like security, AI/digital innovation, and entrepreneurship. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $35,000, with a maximum of 12 months for project completion. Applications are due by May 10, 2026, and must be submitted via email. The NOFO outlines detailed eligibility, application content, submission requirements, funding restrictions, and review criteria, emphasizing project quality, team capacity, and sustainability.

The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Proposal Form is a comprehensive application for exchange alumni teams or U.S. Embassy/Consulate to secure funding for projects. It mandates detailed information across several sections for eligibility, including project name, requested budget, and primary location. The form requires a project team of at least two exchange alumni, specifying each member's role, experience, and time commitment. Applicants must provide a concise project summary (250-word limit) outlining the need, challenge, and proposed solution, along with clear goals and SMART objectives. A detailed project design and methods section (500-word limit) is required, explaining how the project will achieve its goals, who will benefit, and how outcomes will be built upon. The proposal also asks for a project timeline, estimated direct and indirect beneficiaries, and information on local project partners (250-word limit). A communication and outreach plan (250-word limit) is necessary to describe promotion strategies, including engagement with the local embassy or consulate and social media use. Finally, a monitoring and evaluation plan, using a provided template, is essential to track progress against goals and objectives, specifying activities, outputs, indicators, desired outcomes, data collection methods, timing, and responsible parties.

The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Proposal Form outlines the requirements for exchange alumni teams or U.S. Embassy/Consulate to submit project proposals. The form details sections for project information, including name, requested budget, primary location, and additional countries. It mandates a project team with at least two exchange alumni, specifying roles, estimated time commitment, and background. The proposal requires a project summary, goals, SMART objectives, design and methods, timeline, and estimated direct and indirect beneficiaries. Applicants must also detail local project partners and a communication and outreach plan. A significant component is the monitoring and evaluation plan, which includes objectives, activities, outputs, indicators, desired outcomes, and data collection methods, emphasizing measurable results and accountability. Guidance is provided for each section to ensure comprehensive and eligible submissions.