Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS DKR RSOI FY26 01

  • The U.S. Mission to Senegal in the other 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 2026-03-24.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-04-24. (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 3 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for PDS DKR RSOI FY26 01

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Opportunity Summary:

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 is a discretionary grant opportunity offered through the U.S. Mission to Senegal (also covering Guinea-Bissau) for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. Managed centrally by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program is designed to help exchange alumni turn their experience into practical, community-based projects that also advance U.S. policy objectives and deepen long-term connections between alumni and the United States.

For the 2026 cycle, the embassy is looking for projects that both reflect the spirit of the U.S. exchange experience and tie into the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Competitive proposals should connect clearly to broader policy priorities mentioned in the notice, including themes like making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and defending freedom of speech. The intent is to fund alumni-led initiatives that are innovative, visible, and capable of generating positive change locally while reinforcing constructive engagement with the United States.

Funding requests may range from USD 5,000 to USD 35,000, depending on funding availability, with an award ceiling of USD 35,000. The opportunity anticipates making about three awards. The official closing date for applications is April 24, 2026. The funding instrument is a grant, and the listing includes CFDA number 19.022. The opportunity number is PDS DKR RSOI FY26 01.

Eligibility is restricted to alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, and proposals are expected to be collaborative rather than individual. Each project proposal must involve at least two exchange alumni or include an alumni association. In addition, every AEIF project must include at least one of the required activity approaches: bringing together alumni from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network and increase regional or global alumni collaboration; strengthening the working relationship between alumni and the U.S. government by partnering on shared goals and challenges; or supporting alumni leadership and local implementation by leveraging U.S. experts, U.S. technology, or U.S. best practices in a way that increases impact.

The notice also draws a clear line around who can and cannot apply. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient, even if their work otherwise aligns with the program goals. A project may include sub-contracting arrangements with other entities, but only one non-profit, non-governmental organization can serve as the primary award recipient. If the applicant plans to sub-contract, the proposal must spell out the roles and responsibilities of each party, and applicants are pointed to the federal guidance at 2 CFR 200.331 for distinctions between a sub-contract and a sub-recipient.

Overall, AEIF 2026 is aimed at alumni teams with strong, realistic project ideas that highlight the value of U.S. exchange programs, strengthen alumni networks, and deliver tangible community outcomes while aligning with U.S. mission priorities and the 250th anniversary theme.

Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026?

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 is a discretionary grant opportunity offered through the U.S. Mission to Senegal (also covering Guinea-Bissau). It supports alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs who want to turn their exchange experience into practical, community-based projects that also advance U.S. policy objectives and strengthen long-term connections between alumni and the United States.

Who manages the AEIF program?

The program is managed centrally by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), with implementation through the U.S. Mission to Senegal (covering Senegal and Guinea-Bissau) for this opportunity cycle.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

AEIF 2026 is designed to fund alumni-led initiatives that are innovative, visible, and capable of producing positive local change while reinforcing constructive engagement with the United States. Projects should reflect the spirit of U.S. exchange experiences and align with policy priorities described in the notice.

How does the 250th anniversary of the United States factor into project proposals?

For the 2026 cycle, competitive proposals should clearly tie into the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Projects are expected to reflect the spirit of the U.S. exchange experience while connecting to this anniversary theme in a clear and meaningful way.

What policy themes should projects align with?

Proposals should connect clearly to broader policy priorities mentioned in the notice, including themes such as making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and defending freedom of speech.

What is the funding amount available under AEIF 2026?

Funding requests may range from USD 5,000 to USD 35,000, depending on funding availability. The award ceiling is USD 35,000.

How many awards does the program expect to make?

The opportunity anticipates making about three awards.

What is the application deadline?

The official closing date for applications is April 24, 2026.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The listing includes CFDA number 19.022.

What is the opportunity number for AEIF 2026?

The opportunity number is PDS DKR RSOI FY26 01.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to alumni of U.S. government exchange programs.

Are individual applications allowed?

Projects are expected to be collaborative rather than individual. Each proposal must involve at least two exchange alumni or include an alumni association.

What collaboration requirement must each project meet?

Each project proposal must involve at least two exchange alumni or include an alumni association. This requirement reflects the program's emphasis on alumni networks and collective action.

Are there required activity approaches that every project must include?

Yes. Every AEIF project must include at least one of the required activity approaches described in the notice.

What are the required activity approaches?

Each project must include at least one of the following approaches:

  • Bring together alumni from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network and increase regional or global alumni collaboration.
  • Strengthen the working relationship between alumni and the U.S. government by partnering on shared goals and challenges.
  • Support alumni leadership and local implementation by leveraging U.S. experts, U.S. technology, or U.S. best practices in a way that increases impact.

Can a project include U.S. experts, U.S. technology, or U.S. best practices?

Yes. One of the required activity approaches explicitly includes leveraging U.S. experts, U.S. technology, or U.S. best practices to support alumni leadership and local implementation and to increase project impact.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply as the prime recipient?

No. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient, even if their work aligns with the program goals.

Can an application involve multiple organizations?

A project may include sub-contracting arrangements with other entities, but only one non-profit, non-governmental organization can serve as the primary award recipient (prime recipient).

If sub-contracting is planned, what must the proposal include?

If the applicant plans to sub-contract, the proposal must spell out the roles and responsibilities of each party.

What federal guidance is referenced for sub-contracting versus sub-recipient distinctions?

Applicants are pointed to the federal guidance at 2 CFR 200.331 for distinctions between a sub-contract and a sub-recipient.

What kinds of projects are considered competitive under AEIF 2026?

Competitive projects are alumni-led initiatives that are innovative, visible, and capable of generating positive local change. Proposals should reflect the spirit of the U.S. exchange experience, clearly connect to the 250th anniversary theme, and align with the broader policy priorities identified in the notice.

What outcomes is AEIF 2026 trying to achieve?

AEIF 2026 aims to support alumni teams with strong, realistic project ideas that:

  • Highlight the value of U.S. exchange programs
  • Strengthen alumni networks and collaboration
  • Deliver tangible community outcomes
  • Align with U.S. mission priorities and the 250th anniversary theme
  • Deepen long-term connections between alumni and the United States

Which countries are covered by this U.S. Mission opportunity?

This opportunity is offered through the U.S. Mission to Senegal and also covers Guinea-Bissau.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: U.S. Mission to Senegal

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Previous opportunity: U.S. Embassy Sofia PDS Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

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