Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS KAZ AST ECA 26 001
Apply for DOS KAZ AST ECA 26 001
- The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Strengthen U.S.–Kazakhstan Partnerships Through Alumni-Led Innovation" 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 2026-02-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-20. (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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Strengthen U.S.-Kazakhstan Partnerships Through Alumni-Led Innovation is a grant competition run by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. It is designed to support practical, alumni-driven projects that use U.S. expertise, values, and professional networks to deliver clear benefits in Kazakhstan while also deepening long-term cooperation between the United States and Kazakhstan. Applications must be submitted by teams (not individuals), with at least two eligible alumni per team, and projects are expected to be implemented during 2026 over a period of 3 to 12 months.
The program is centered on building Kazakhstan's capacity in high-growth, future-oriented areas, especially digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The opportunity frames digital and AI not as abstract topics, but as tools that alumni can help local communities and institutions use responsibly to solve real economic and social problems. The U.S. Mission also emphasizes workforce development and youth professionalization, meaning proposed activities should help people build job-relevant skills, strengthen employability, and create pathways for entrepreneurship and modern careers. Across all project types, the expectation is that alumni take visible leadership roles, engage local communities directly, and produce outcomes that can be measured and sustained after the grant period ends.
A key required element for every project is the integration of "Freedom250," the U.S. government-wide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. In practical terms, applicants need to show how their activities will celebrate and promote this anniversary in a way that fits the program's themes. The notice highlights values and themes tied to Freedom250 such as innovation, entrepreneurship, open exchange of ideas, broad-based prosperity, civic involvement, and responsible adoption of trusted digital technologies. Projects should reflect these ideas in their messaging, public engagement, and design, rather than treating Freedom250 as a minor add-on.
The overall goal of AEIF 2026 is to expand U.S.-Kazakhstan economic and strategic cooperation by strengthening the ability of U.S. exchange alumni to drive locally led digital and AI solutions in Kazakhstan. The grant seeks to translate alumni experience into tangible, community-level benefits while also advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives, particularly by increasing economic ties, technological collaboration, and people-to-people connections between the two countries. In other words, AEIF is looking for projects where alumni act as connectors: they bring U.S.-linked knowledge and networks into Kazakhstan and use them to create partnerships, modernize practices, and grow local capacity.
The opportunity outlines two main program objectives with specific target numbers and performance outcomes. The first objective, Advance Digital Technologies and AI Solutions, aims to increase the ability of at least 100 entrepreneurs, small business owners, and STEM/IT university students in Kazakhstan to apply digital and AI tools to local economic or community challenges. The outcomes the U.S. Mission wants to see include at least five alumni-led projects adopting U.S.-based digital platform, AI, or e-commerce models into their business or project operations by the end of the program. The grant also expects adoption behavior and preference shifts: at least 50 percent of participants should adopt or pilot U.S.-based digital platforms or AI tools; at least 60 percent should report a preference for U.S. technology partners in future business decisions; and at least 25 percent should report starting partnership discussions with U.S. companies during the program or within six months after it ends. Projects under this objective must focus on at least one target audience: entrepreneurs/startups/small business owners, STEM/IT university students and early-career professionals, or local organizations and NGOs that can scale digital innovation within communities.
The second objective, Demonstrate U.S. Innovation and Best Practices, targets leadership and problem-solving capacity rather than purely technical adoption. It aims to increase the ability of at least 70 emerging community leaders, students, and professionals in Kazakhstan to apply American innovation and leadership practices. This can be done by partnering with American innovators, or by using American innovations and methods to address real-world challenges in Kazakhstan. The expected results are that at least 75 percent of participants report improved perceptions of the United States as a source of innovation, leadership, and effective problem solving by the end of the program, and at least 75 percent demonstrate the ability to apply a U.S.-based innovation approach, leadership practice, or solution to a real professional challenge in Kazakhstan. Demonstration is meant to be evidence-based, using a standardized rubric. Projects under this objective must target at least one of the following groups: emerging community leaders and local change-makers, students or professionals in leadership/entrepreneurship/civic engagement roles, or SMEs and nonprofits that can benefit directly from applying U.S.-inspired practices.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan, with the funding instrument listed as a grant and the activity category listed as "Other" under CFDA 19.022. The funding opportunity number is DOS KAZ AST ECA 26 001. The application deadline is March 20, 2026. The award ceiling is $35,000 per award, and the Mission anticipates making about three awards. Taken together, these figures suggest a competitive process focused on a small number of relatively lean, high-impact projects that can show strong design, credible implementation plans, and measurable results within a single year.
In short, AEIF 2026 is looking for alumni teams that can turn exchange experience into practical, community-grounded programs in Kazakhstan that promote AI and digital skills, modern entrepreneurship and workforce readiness, and stronger U.S.-Kazakhstan partnerships. Successful proposals will likely be those that combine clear local needs with credible alumni leadership, visible U.S. connections (methods, partners, tools, or models), strong measurement plans tied to the stated targets, and a thoughtful Freedom250 component that fits naturally into the project rather than feeling like a formality.
AEIF 2026 (U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026?
AEIF 2026 is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. It supports practical, alumni-led projects that apply U.S. expertise, values, and professional networks to deliver clear benefits in Kazakhstan while also strengthening long-term U.S.-Kazakhstan cooperation.
2) Who is this grant intended for?
This opportunity is intended for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The projects must be led and implemented by alumni teams (not individuals) and should show visible alumni leadership and community engagement in Kazakhstan.
3) Can an individual apply, or is a team required?
A team is required. Applications must be submitted by teams, not individuals.
4) How many eligible alumni are required on a team?
Each team must include at least two eligible alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
5) What is the main purpose of AEIF 2026?
The overall purpose is to strengthen U.S.-Kazakhstan economic and strategic cooperation by enabling U.S. exchange alumni to drive locally led digital and AI solutions in Kazakhstan. The program aims to translate alumni experience into tangible, community-level benefits while advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives such as economic ties, technological collaboration, and people-to-people connections.
6) What kinds of projects does AEIF 2026 want to fund?
AEIF 2026 focuses on practical, alumni-driven projects that use digital technologies and artificial intelligence as tools to address real economic and social challenges in Kazakhstan. The opportunity emphasizes workforce development, youth professionalization, employability, entrepreneurship pathways, and modern career readiness. Projects should be designed to produce measurable results and outcomes that can be sustained after the grant ends.
7) What thematic areas are emphasized?
The program strongly emphasizes high-growth, future-oriented areas, especially digital technologies and artificial intelligence. It also highlights responsible adoption of trusted digital technologies and the use of U.S.-linked expertise, models, and networks to solve local problems.
8) Is workforce development part of the expected project focus?
Yes. The U.S. Mission emphasizes workforce development and youth professionalization. Proposed activities are expected to help people build job-relevant skills, improve employability, and create pathways toward entrepreneurship and modern careers.
9) What are the required program objectives?
The opportunity outlines two main program objectives:
- Advance Digital Technologies and AI Solutions (focused on adoption and use of digital/AI tools to address local economic or community challenges).
- Demonstrate U.S. Innovation and Best Practices (focused on applying American innovation and leadership practices to real-world challenges in Kazakhstan, with evidence-based demonstration).
10) What outcomes are expected under Objective 1: Advance Digital Technologies and AI Solutions?
Objective 1 aims to increase the ability of at least 100 entrepreneurs, small business owners, and STEM/IT university students in Kazakhstan to apply digital and AI tools to local economic or community challenges. The outcomes the U.S. Mission wants to see include:
- At least five alumni-led projects adopting U.S.-based digital platform, AI, or e-commerce models into their business or project operations by the end of the program.
- At least 50% of participants adopt or pilot U.S.-based digital platforms or AI tools.
- At least 60% of participants report a preference for U.S. technology partners in future business decisions.
- At least 25% of participants report starting partnership discussions with U.S. companies during the program or within six months after it ends.
11) Who can be targeted under Objective 1?
Projects under Objective 1 must focus on at least one of these target audiences:
- Entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners
- STEM/IT university students and early-career professionals
- Local organizations and NGOs that can scale digital innovation within communities
12) What outcomes are expected under Objective 2: Demonstrate U.S. Innovation and Best Practices?
Objective 2 aims to increase the ability of at least 70 emerging community leaders, students, and professionals in Kazakhstan to apply American innovation and leadership practices. Expected results include:
- At least 75% of participants report improved perceptions of the United States as a source of innovation, leadership, and effective problem solving by the end of the program.
- At least 75% of participants demonstrate the ability to apply a U.S.-based innovation approach, leadership practice, or solution to a real professional challenge in Kazakhstan.
The opportunity notes that this demonstration should be evidence-based and measured with a standardized rubric.
13) Who can be targeted under Objective 2?
Projects under Objective 2 must target at least one of the following groups:
- Emerging community leaders and local change-makers
- Students or professionals in leadership, entrepreneurship, or civic engagement roles
- SMEs and nonprofits that can benefit directly from applying U.S.-inspired practices
14) What is the Freedom250 requirement?
Every project must integrate Freedom250, the U.S. government-wide initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. Applicants are expected to show how their activities will celebrate and promote this anniversary in ways that fit the program themes.
15) How should Freedom250 be reflected in a project?
The notice emphasizes that Freedom250 should not be treated as a minor add-on. Projects should reflect Freedom250 values and themes in messaging, public engagement, and design. Examples of highlighted themes include innovation, entrepreneurship, open exchange of ideas, broad-based prosperity, civic involvement, and responsible adoption of trusted digital technologies.
16) When must projects be implemented, and how long can they last?
Projects are expected to be implemented during 2026. The implementation period is expected to last between 3 and 12 months.
17) What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is March 20, 2026.
18) How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $35,000 per award.
19) How many awards are expected to be made?
The U.S. Mission anticipates making about three awards.
20) What does the funding instrument and category indicate?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity. The funding instrument is listed as a grant. The activity category is listed as "Other" under CFDA 19.022.
21) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DOS KAZ AST ECA 26 001.
22) What does the program mean by "alumni as connectors"?
The opportunity describes alumni as connectors who bring U.S.-linked knowledge and networks into Kazakhstan to create partnerships, modernize practices, and grow local capacity. Competitive projects are expected to show clear U.S. connections through methods, partners, tools, models, and/or professional networks.
23) What kinds of results does the program consider important?
The program places strong emphasis on outcomes that are measurable and sustainable beyond the grant period. This includes clear performance outcomes tied to participant adoption, shifts in partner preferences, partnership discussions with U.S. companies, and evidence-based demonstration of U.S.-inspired innovation and leadership practices.
24) What would a strong proposal likely include, based on the notice?
Based on the information provided, strong proposals will likely combine:
- A clear local need in Kazakhstan and a practical project design
- Credible alumni-led implementation with visible leadership roles
- Direct community engagement
- Visible U.S. connections (tools, methods, models, partners, networks)
- A strong measurement plan tied to the stated targets and outcomes
- A Freedom250 component that fits naturally into the project theme and public-facing messaging
25) Are digital and AI treated as standalone topics or practical tools?
The opportunity frames digital technologies and AI as practical tools that alumni can help communities and institutions use responsibly to solve real economic and social problems, rather than as abstract or purely academic topics.
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