Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 Funding Opportunity $5K-$35K

Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026

Agency: U.S. Mission to Croatia

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

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

Description

The U.S. Embassy Zagreb - Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce the roll-out of the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF). The AEIF is an annual funding opportunity designed to invest in U.S. government-funded exchange participants and programs by helping alumni develop and implement projects that promote shared interests and policy objectives and benefit local communities. We invite you to submit proposals for projects that meet the requirements of the program (discussed in Section C below). Please read this notice carefully before preparing and submitting a funding proposal.

... Please also note the following: This solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by the U.S. government. A final award cannot be made until the proposal has been reviewed and approved, and an award agreement is drawn up and signed by a grants officer. The U.S. Embassy reserves the right not to issue an award after receipt of any proposal. The U.S. Embassy also reserves the right to reduce, revise, and/or increase a proposal budget in accordance with the needs of the program and availability of funds.

The winning projects will be nominated as Croatia’s candidates for AEIF (Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund) funding. This means that the selected projects will be submitted to the AEIF program for consideration and final approval. Once nominated, these projects will compete with proposals from other countries for final AEIF funding.

Please do not apply for this funding opportunity if you are not an alumnus of a U.S. government-funded exchange program.

1. Eligible Applicants · Alumni who participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program where the proposed project involves at least two U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumni, and one is a specified team lead.

· Alumni associations from countries with current U.S. representation, but such applications must specify an alumni team lead.

· If three or more alumni are applying together, U.S. citizen alumni may be included on alumni teams, but the team must have at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni. U.S. citizen alumni cannot be team leads on project proposals.

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2. Cost Sharing or Matching · Cost sharing is not required.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov.

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Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

• Other

Additional information

• Alumni who participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program where the proposed project involves at least two U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumni, and one is a specified team lead.• Alumni associations from countries with current U.S. representation, but such applications must specify an alumni team lead.• If three or more alumni are applying together, U.S. citizen alumni may be included on alumni teams, but the team must have at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni. U.S. citizen alumni cannot be team leads on project proposals.

Grantor contact information

Description

zagrebalumnigrants@state.gov

Email

zagrebalumnigrants@state.gov

zagrebalumnigrants@state.gov

Documents

No documents are currently available.

Link to additional information

U.S. Embassy Zagreb web site

Closing: May 11, 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

$--

Program Funding

2

Expected awards

$5,000

Award Minimum

$35,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

HRV-001-FY2026

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

No Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

-- Category of Funding Activity:

Other

Category Explanation:

AEIF increases the impact of the U.S. government’s investment in exchange programs by helping alumni develop and implement projects to support U.S. policy objectives and promote shared interests. All AEIF projects must celebrate and promote Freedom 250 – the celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday – and align with policy goals such as making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, celebrating American excellence, or defending freedom of speech. Project proposals should focus on achieving the following goals:

• Honor U.S. Values, Patriotism, and Global Contributions:
Deliver high-profile events and programs to celebrate the 250th anniversary, highlighting the enduring ideals of freedom, including digital freedom, democracy, and unity, while honoring the contributions of the United States throughout history in advancing peace and prosperity worldwide.

• Promote Global Understanding of U.S. Founding Principles:
Advance educational programs, dialogues, and storytelling initiatives that showcase the United States’ 250-year journey of democracy, freedom, and civic values, emphasizing its leadership and example for nations striving toward liberty and self-governance.

• Inspire the Next 250 Years of U.S. Leadership and Innovation:
Focus on the future by highlighting the United States’ commitment to advancing freedom and innovation, inspiring global audiences to partner in shaping a more prosperous, safer, and more secure world for generations to come.

History

Version:

3

Posted date:

April 21, 2026

Archive date:

June 10, 2026