ROK Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 ($5k-$35k Awards)

ROK: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

Agency: U.S. Mission to South Korea

Assistance Listings: 19.022 -- Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants

Last Updated: April 21, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov

Description

Funding Opportunity Title: ROK: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

Funding Opportunity Number: PD-SEOUL-FY26-01

Deadline for Applications: Monday, May 4, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+9)

CFDA Number: 19.022

Type of Funding: FY26 Educational and Cultural Exchanges (ECE)

... Total Amount Available: $70,000

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

Executive Summary

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) supports alumni-led projects that celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America (Freedom 250). The program empowers alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange and training programs to design and implement initiatives that highlight American history, values, and democratic principles, while strengthening U.S.-ROK ties.

Through competitive funding, AEIF 2026 encourages innovative approaches to community engagement, public diplomacy, and cross-cultural collaboration. Projects should promote civic engagement, open dialogue, and shared values, while strengthening connections between U.S. and Korean communities.

The primary participants are alumni of U.S. government exchange programs residing in the Republic of Korea, who will design and lead project activities. Broader beneficiaries include local communities, youth, educators, and civil society stakeholders engaged through alumni-led initiatives.

Eligible applicants include individuals and organizations that meet the eligibility requirements in Section 1.B of the NOFO, including mandatory alumni participation criteria. Awards will support small-scale, high-impact projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and measurable outcomes.

Program Goal

The goal of this program is to empower U.S. government exchange alumni to design and implement innovative projects that celebrate Freedom 250, strengthen U.S.-ROK relations, and promote meaningful community engagement.

Program Objectives

• Support at least five alumni-led programs during the grant period that celebrate Freedom 250 and promote civic engagement and shared values.
• Achieve a minimum of 100 direct beneficiaries and 2,000 indirect beneficiaries through funded projects and related outreach efforts.

Expected Activities

Applicants may propose activities such as, but are not limited to:

• Community-based events, workshops, or campaigns highlighting Freedom 250 themes
• Educational or cultural programming promoting civic engagement and cross-cultural understanding
• Digital or media-based initiatives to expand outreach and audience engagement
• Collaborative projects that strengthen alumni networks and partnerships ******

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

Applicants should clearly define expected outputs and outcomes and include a plan for monitoring and evaluation. Proposals should identify:

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• Performance indicators (e.g., number of participants, audience reach, engagement levels)
• Targets and, where appropriate, baseline data
• Data collection methods (e.g., attendance records, participant feedback, surveys, digital analytics)

Substantial Involvement

The U.S. Embassy Seoul’s Public Diplomacy Section will remain substantially involved throughout the program. Embassy involvement will include the following:

• Providing guidance on program design to ensure alignment with Freedom 250 objectives and broader public diplomacy priorities
• Reviewing and approving key project activities, timelines, and major deliverables
• Facilitating connections with relevant stakeholders, experts, and partner institutions
• Monitoring program implementation and performance, including participation in evaluation activities

Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply :

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• Individuals
• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

****Mandatory Additional Eligibility Requirements:*

In addition to the eligibility categories listed above, all applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for funding:

• Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program.
• Project teams must include teams of at least two alumni. **

Additional Consideration (Non-Mandatory):

• Proposals demonstrating regional or global collaboration among alumni will be viewed favorably. **

**

All application materials must be submitted by email to SeoulPDGrants@state.gov

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Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Nonprofit

• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
• Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)

Miscellaneous

• Other
• Individuals

Additional information

The following organizations are eligible to apply: • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations • Public and private educational institutions• Individuals• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutionsMandatory Additional Eligibility Requirements: In addition to the eligibility categories listed above, all applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for funding: o Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program.o Project teams must include teams of at least two alumni.Additional Consideration (Non-Mandatory): o Proposals demonstrating regional or global collaboration among alumni will be viewed favorably.

Grantor contact information

Description

Seoul PD Grants Team

Email

Representative Email of the Grants Team in PD Seoul

seoulpdgrants@state.gov

Documents

Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PD-SEOUL-FY26-01_ROK-AEIF-2026.pdf | Full NOFO | Apr 21, 2026 12:48 AM UTC |
| AEIF-2026-Proposal-Form.docx | AEIF Proposal Form | Apr 21, 2026 12:48 AM UTC |
| AEIF-2026-Budget-Form.xlsx | AEIF Budget Form | Apr 21, 2026 12:49 AM UTC |

Link to additional information

Visit here (U.S. Embassy Seoul Website) for a full announcement with proposal templates

Closing: May 4, 2026

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov

Award

$70,000

Program Funding

2

Expected awards

$5,000

Award Minimum

$35,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

PD-SEOUL-FY26-01

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

No Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Other

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

-- Category of Funding Activity:

Other

Category Explanation:

Public Diplomacy (AEIF)

History

Version:

5

Posted date:

April 20, 2026

Archive date:

May 5, 2026