Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0002636
Apply for OFOP0002636
- The U.S. Mission to El Salvador in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 El Salvador" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $35,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: For-profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 El Salvador is a grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, aimed specifically at alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S.-sponsored exchange programs. The central purpose is to turn the training, expertise, and networks alumni gained during their exchange experience into concrete community projects that address local challenges in El Salvador while also advancing U.S. policy goals. The program is designed to deepen long-term ties between the U.S. government and exchange alumni, and to increase the practical impact of U.S. investment in exchange programming by supporting alumni-led solutions that can be implemented and demonstrated on the ground.
For the 2026 cycle, proposals must incorporate and promote the U.S. government "Freedom 250" initiative, which commemorates 250 years of U.S. independence. In addition to this thematic requirement, projects are expected to align with broader U.S. objectives focused on making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Importantly, funded activities must take place outside the United States and should clearly advance U.S. interests connected to security, economic prosperity, and/or strengthening partnership with El Salvador. In practice, this means applicants should frame their project outcomes in ways that connect local benefits in El Salvador with shared U.S.-El Salvador interests, such as regional stability, safer communities, stronger economic linkages, and cooperation that supports a secure and prosperous hemisphere.
The Embassy is looking for alumni teams rather than solo applicants. Proposals must be submitted by a group of at least two eligible exchange alumni working together. The project focus areas are defined around several priority tracks: security; economic prosperity; education and skill development in areas that matter to both El Salvador and the United States; community building efforts that reduce incentives for criminality and irregular/illegal immigration; and leadership development that aligns with U.S. interests. The opportunity encourages practical programming that can be executed by alumni and that can reasonably demonstrate results within the scope of a small grant. Examples of the kinds of activities envisioned include workshops and training sessions to build job-relevant or industry-relevant skills, networking and convenings that connect stakeholders and create collaboration, mentorship programs that support youth or entrepreneurs, and other structured initiatives that strengthen community resilience and reinforce U.S.-El Salvador cooperation.
This is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number OFOP0002636) administered by the U.S. Mission to El Salvador, categorized under Business and Commerce (CFDA 19.022). The announced award ceiling is USD 35,000 per award, and the Embassy expects to make approximately two awards under this call. The original application deadline is May 8, 2026. Overall, the strongest proposals will typically be those that are clearly alumni-led, have a focused and realistic plan of activities, show measurable community impact, visibly incorporate the Freedom 250 theme, and explain how the project advances shared priorities between the United States and El Salvador in areas like security, economic opportunity, and constructive community engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 El Salvador
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 El Salvador?
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 El Salvador is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, implemented through the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador. It supports alumni-led community projects in El Salvador that apply the skills, training, and professional networks alumni gained through U.S. government-funded or U.S.-sponsored exchange programs.
Who is this grant intended for?
This opportunity is intended specifically for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S.-sponsored exchange programs. Proposals are expected to be alumni-led and driven by alumni expertise and networks developed during exchange experiences.
Are individual (solo) applications allowed?
No. The Embassy is looking for alumni teams rather than solo applicants. Proposals must be submitted by a group of at least two eligible exchange alumni working together.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The purpose is to translate alumni training, expertise, and networks into concrete community projects that address local challenges in El Salvador while also advancing U.S. policy goals. The program also aims to deepen long-term ties between the U.S. government and exchange alumni and increase the practical impact of U.S. investment in exchange programming.
Where must funded activities take place?
Funded activities must take place outside the United States. Projects should be implemented on the ground in locations outside the U.S., such as in El Salvador.
What is the required theme for the 2026 cycle?
For the 2026 cycle, proposals must incorporate and promote the U.S. government "Freedom 250" initiative, commemorating 250 years of U.S. independence.
How should projects incorporate the Freedom 250 initiative?
Projects must visibly incorporate and promote Freedom 250 as part of the proposal and project implementation. Strong proposals will clearly show how planned activities connect to and elevate this theme while delivering community benefits in El Salvador.
What kinds of objectives should projects align with?
Projects are expected to align with broader U.S. objectives focused on making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Proposals should explain how the project advances shared U.S.-El Salvador priorities related to security, economic prosperity, and/or strengthening partnership with El Salvador.
What are the priority focus areas (tracks) for projects?
The opportunity identifies several priority tracks for project design, including:
- Security
- Economic prosperity
- Education and skill development in areas that matter to both El Salvador and the United States
- Community building efforts that reduce incentives for criminality and irregular/illegal immigration
- Leadership development that aligns with U.S. interests
What types of activities are encouraged under this grant?
The Embassy encourages practical programming that alumni can execute and that can demonstrate results within the scope of a small grant. Examples mentioned include workshops and training sessions to build job-relevant or industry-relevant skills, networking and convenings that connect stakeholders, mentorship programs supporting youth or entrepreneurs, and other structured initiatives that strengthen community resilience and reinforce U.S.-El Salvador cooperation.
What makes an application "strong" or competitive?
Based on the opportunity description, the strongest proposals will typically be those that:
- Are clearly alumni-led and submitted by a team of at least two eligible alumni
- Have a focused and realistic plan of activities
- Show measurable community impact
- Visibly incorporate the Freedom 250 theme
- Explain how the project advances shared priorities between the United States and El Salvador (such as security, economic opportunity, and constructive community engagement)
How should applicants describe the U.S. interest component of the project?
Applicants are expected to frame outcomes so the local benefits in El Salvador connect to shared U.S.-El Salvador interests. The opportunity highlights examples such as regional stability, safer communities, stronger economic linkages, and cooperation that supports a secure and prosperous hemisphere.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0002636.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Mission to El Salvador (U.S. Embassy in San Salvador) under the U.S. Department of State.
What is the program category and assistance listing information provided?
The opportunity is categorized under Business and Commerce and references CFDA 19.022.
How much funding is available per award?
The announced award ceiling is USD 35,000 per award.
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy expects to make approximately two awards under this call.
What is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is May 8, 2026.
Does this grant emphasize short-term activities or long-term impact?
The program emphasizes practical projects that can be implemented and demonstrated on the ground, with results that can be shown within the scope of a small grant. At the same time, it is also designed to deepen long-term ties between the U.S. government and exchange alumni.
Is the grant focused only on local benefits in El Salvador?
No. While projects should address local challenges in El Salvador, they also must advance U.S. interests and policy goals and strengthen U.S.-El Salvador partnership, particularly in areas tied to security, economic prosperity, and constructive community engagement.
What kind of project approach is preferred?
A focused, realistic, alumni-led approach with measurable outcomes is preferred. The opportunity encourages structured initiatives (such as trainings, mentorship, and convenings) that can show clear results and demonstrate how alumni expertise and networks are being applied.
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