FY26 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Mission to Nepal is offering the FY26 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) as a discretionary grant program to mobilize exchange alumni in Nepal to advance alumni engagement and U.S.-Nepal cooperation. The program seeks alumni-led projects that strengthen commercial ties, promote free speech, showcase American best practices, and deliver locally grounded solutions in strategically important sectors. Proposals should align with the three AEIF pillars—innovate, inspire, and ignite—and include activities such as building alumni networks, strengthening alumni ties with the U.S. government, and supporting alumni leadership and community impact. Eligible applicants must be exchange alumni, with each project team including at least two alumni and at least one Nepali alumnus residing in Nepal, and the grant may go to individual alumni or a partner organization. Applications are due May 14, 2026, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 and an estimated two awards available; inquiries may be directed to Rekha Giri at girirk@state.gov and the opportunity page is available at the listed U.S. Embassy Nepal URL.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program. Projects teams must include at least two (2) alumni. Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members in a project. Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries, but at least one of the team members must be a Nepali residing in Nepal. Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni. No other organizations are eligible to apply but can serve as partners for implementing project activities. Exchange alumni can partner with not-for-profit or non-governmental organizations, think tanks and academic institutions to implement project activities. The grant can be issued to individual alumni or the partner organization.
Grant Documents
No documents available for this grant.