2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)

The U.S. Embassy in Kigali announces the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) to support projects led by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. This funding opportunity, PDS-Kigali-FY26-001, seeks initiatives that promote shared prosperity and strengthen U.S.-Rwanda partnerships, with a priority on projects supporting economic growth and U.S. engagement in areas like education, health, technology, or commercial collaboration. Applications are due by April 30, 2026, and awards will range from $5,000 to $35,000, with a performance period of 6 to 12 months. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals who are alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, with project teams requiring at least two alumni. Cost sharing is encouraged but not mandatory. All organizational applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration. The proposal should be a maximum of five pages and include a summary, organizational introduction, problem statement, program methods, timeline, key personnel, project partners, sustainability plan, and a monitoring and evaluation plan. A detailed line-item budget and justification narrative are also required. Review criteria include the quality and feasibility of the program idea, organizational capacity, project planning, budget, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability.

The U.S. Embassy in Kigali's 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) offers grants from $5,000 to $35,000 for projects led by U.S. government exchange alumni. The initiative focuses on strengthening U.S.-Rwanda partnerships and promoting shared prosperity, with an application deadline of April 30, 2026. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals who are U.S. exchange alumni, with project teams requiring at least two alumni. Projects should aim to foster commercial diplomacy, spotlight U.S. innovation in technology, higher education, or health, and build job readiness for Rwandan youth. Proposals must include a detailed project plan, budget, and a Monitoring & Evaluation plan. All organizational applicants need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and SAM.gov registration. The U.S. Embassy will be substantially involved in project implementation, and successful applicants must comply with various federal regulations and reporting requirements.

The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) NOFO, issued by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, seeks proposals from U.S. government-sponsored exchange alumni to implement projects that foster U.S.-Rwanda partnerships. The initiative, in recognition of Freedom 250, prioritizes economic growth, education, health, technology, and commercial collaboration. Projects must demonstrate clear, measurable results, align with U.S. foreign policy, and promote alumni engagement. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals who are exchange alumni (project teams must include at least two alumni). Substantial involvement from the U.S. Embassy is a key aspect. Applications are due by April 30, 2026, and must include mandatory forms, a detailed five-page proposal, a budget justification, and attachments. Emphasis is placed on organizational capacity, project planning, a robust monitoring and evaluation plan, and project sustainability. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $35,000, with a performance period of 6 to 12 months. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and SAM.gov registration; individuals are exempt from this requirement. Certain activities, such as partisan political activity, charitable development, construction, or scientific research, are not supported.

The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) NOFO, issued by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, invites proposals from U.S. government exchange program alumni for projects in Rwanda. These projects should promote shared prosperity and strengthen U.S.-Rwanda partnerships, aligning with Freedom 250 goals. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals, with project teams requiring at least two alumni. The NOFO outlines application content, including a five-page proposal, budget, and monitoring plan, and emphasizes a cooperative agreement funding instrument with substantial U.S. Embassy involvement. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2026. Review criteria focus on program quality, organizational capacity, project planning, budget, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. Specific restrictions apply, such as prohibitions on partisan political activity, charitable services, construction, scientific research, and commercial projects. All organizational applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration.

The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is an open competition announced by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, supporting projects led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The fund encourages alumni to use their acquired skills and networks to implement projects that promote shared prosperity and strengthen U.S.-Rwanda partnerships, with a priority on initiatives contributing to positive community change and connections with U.S. institutions. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals, with project teams requiring at least two alumni. The program emphasizes projects with clear, measurable results that increase the visibility of Freedom 250 goals, particularly those supporting economic growth and U.S. engagement in Rwanda through education, health, technology, or commercial collaboration. Applications are due by April 30, 2026, and must include mandatory forms, a proposal (max five pages), a budget justification, and attachments. Successful applicants may receive awards ranging from $5,000 to $35,000, with a performance period of 6 to 12 months.

The U.S. Embassy in Kigali announces the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), an open competition for U.S. government exchange program alumni to lead projects in Rwanda. This initiative, tied to Freedom 250, seeks to strengthen U.S.-Rwanda partnerships and promote shared prosperity through initiatives in education, health, technology, or commercial collaboration. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals, provided they are U.S. government exchange alumni, with project teams requiring at least two alumni. The fund prioritizes projects with clear, measurable results that increase the visibility of Freedom 250 goals, fostering commercial diplomacy, spotlighting U.S. innovation, and building job readiness. Applications are due by April 30, 2026, and must include mandatory forms, a proposal (max five pages), a detailed budget, and attachments like resumes and letters of support. All organizational applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration. The program emphasizes substantial U.S. Embassy involvement and adherence to specific funding restrictions, including prohibitions on certain political, charitable, construction, and religious activities. Proposals will be evaluated on program quality, organizational capacity, project planning, budget, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability.

The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) is an open competition announced by the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, supporting projects led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The initiative, under opportunity number PDS-Kigali-FY26-001, seeks proposals that promote shared prosperity and strengthen U.S.-Rwanda partnerships, with a priority on initiatives contributing to positive community change and U.S. institution connections, in recognition of Freedom 250. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals, provided they are U.S. government exchange alumni, with project teams requiring at least two alumni. U.S. citizen alumni may participate but not submit proposals. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2026. Awards range from $5,000 to $35,000, with a performance period of 6 to 12 months. Projects must align with specific objectives, including fostering commercial diplomacy, highlighting U.S. innovation in technology, higher education, or health, and building job readiness for Rwandan youth. Cost sharing is encouraged but not mandatory. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration, though individuals are exempt. The notice outlines detailed application contents, submission requirements, funding restrictions (e.g., no partisan political activity, charitable activities, construction, or scientific research), and review criteria emphasizing program quality, organizational capacity, project planning, budget, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability.