Opportunity Information: Apply for 001 FY2026
Apply for 001 FY2026
- The U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso in the business and commerce, education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026" 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 2026-03-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-14. (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: Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026) is a competitive grant opportunity announced by the U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The program is meant to help former exchange participants turn their experience into practical, public service-oriented projects that benefit their communities while also advancing the U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso's priorities and broader U.S. foreign policy objectives. A key requirement is that applications must come from teams of at least two eligible alumni working together, rather than from a single alumnus acting alone.
AEIF 2026 is described as a post-driven initiative, meaning the local U.S. Embassy (the "post") plays an active role in shaping and supporting projects in ways that align with mission goals. In practice, this fund is designed to increase the long-term impact of U.S. exchange programs by reinvesting in alumni-led ideas and using alumni networks as a vehicle for local problem-solving, civic engagement, and innovation. While the U.S. Embassy Burkina Faso runs the open competition and receives submissions, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in Washington reviews proposals and recommends projects for funding each year, depending on the availability of funds.
The award instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is classified as discretionary funding. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $35,000 per project, and the U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso expects to make about two awards under this opportunity. The funding activity categories listed include business and commerce, education, science and technology, and other research and development, which signals that proposals can span multiple sectors as long as they remain strongly public service-oriented and connected to mission priorities.
Eligibility, as stated in the notice, includes individuals and nonprofits that do not have IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). Even with that broad eligibility language, the program narrative makes clear that applicants must be exchange alumni and must apply as a team of at least two alumni who meet the program's eligibility requirements.
For submission, exchange alumni interested in applying are instructed to email their proposals to OuagaPDCultural@state.gov. The narrative specifically notes an April 20, 2026 submission deadline to that email address, while the opportunity record also lists an original closing date of May 14, 2026. Applicants should pay close attention to the Embassy's instructions and clarify deadlines if needed, but the notice explicitly directs alumni to submit by April 20, 2026 and to follow all application instructions provided by the Embassy.
Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026) - FAQs
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026)?
AEIF 2026 is a competitive grant opportunity announced by the U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. It supports alumni-led, public service-oriented projects that benefit communities while also advancing the U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso's priorities and broader U.S. foreign policy objectives.
Who is the fund intended for?
The opportunity is intended for eligible alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The program is designed to help former exchange participants turn their exchange experience into practical projects with community benefit.
Is an individual alumnus allowed to apply alone?
No. A key requirement is that applications must be submitted by teams of at least two eligible alumni working together. The notice emphasizes that a single alumnus acting alone is not eligible under this requirement.
How many people must be on an application team?
At least two eligible exchange alumni must apply together as a team.
What kinds of projects does AEIF 2026 support?
Projects must be practical, public service-oriented, and designed to benefit communities. They must also align with the U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso's priorities and broader U.S. foreign policy objectives, as described in the opportunity.
What does "post-driven initiative" mean in this context?
The notice describes AEIF 2026 as "post-driven," meaning the local U.S. Embassy (the "post") plays an active role in shaping and supporting projects so that they align with mission goals.
Which U.S. government entities are involved in reviewing and funding decisions?
The U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso runs the open competition and receives submissions. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in Washington reviews proposals and recommends projects for funding each year, depending on the availability of funds.
Is funding guaranteed if a proposal is submitted?
No. The notice indicates ECA recommends projects for funding each year depending on the availability of funds, and the opportunity is competitive.
What type of award is being offered?
The award instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is classified as discretionary funding.
What is the maximum amount that can be awarded per project?
The award ceiling is $35,000 per project.
How many awards does the U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso expect to make?
The U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso expects to make about two awards under this opportunity.
Which project sectors or activity categories are included?
The funding activity categories listed include business and commerce, education, science and technology, and other research and development. This suggests proposals may span multiple sectors as long as they remain strongly public service-oriented and connected to mission priorities.
Who is eligible to apply based on organizational status?
The eligibility language in the notice includes individuals and nonprofits that do not have IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). However, the program narrative makes clear that applicants must be exchange alumni and must apply as a team of at least two eligible alumni.
Do applicants need to be a registered nonprofit with IRS 501(c)(3) status?
The notice indicates eligibility includes nonprofits that do not have IRS 501(c)(3) status (with an exception noted for institutions of higher education). Regardless of organizational status, the narrative requirement remains that applicants must be eligible exchange alumni applying as a team of at least two.
Where should proposals be submitted?
Exchange alumni interested in applying are instructed to email their proposals to OuagaPDCultural@state.gov.
What is the submission deadline?
The narrative specifically notes an April 20, 2026 submission deadline to OuagaPDCultural@state.gov. Separately, the opportunity record lists an original closing date of May 14, 2026. Applicants are advised in the notice to pay close attention to the Embassy's instructions and clarify deadlines if needed, but the notice explicitly directs alumni to submit by April 20, 2026.
What should applicants do if they see different deadlines listed?
The opportunity materials include two dates (April 20, 2026 in the narrative and May 14, 2026 as an original closing date in the record). The notice advises applicants to follow the Embassy's instructions and clarify deadlines if needed, and it explicitly directs submission by April 20, 2026.
Does the Embassy provide additional application instructions?
Yes. The notice instructs applicants to follow all application instructions provided by the Embassy, in addition to emailing the proposal to the listed address.
What is the main purpose of AEIF as described in the notice?
The fund is designed to increase the long-term impact of U.S. exchange programs by reinvesting in alumni-led ideas and using alumni networks as a vehicle for local problem-solving, civic engagement, and innovation.
Does the opportunity require alignment with U.S. Mission priorities?
Yes. The notice states that projects should benefit communities while also advancing the U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso's priorities and broader U.S. foreign policy objectives.
Where is the program administered locally?
The opportunity is announced by the U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso, which runs the open competition and receives submissions.
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