Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 South Africa
Summary
The U.S. Mission to South Africa Public Diplomacy Section announces the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund, providing $5,000-$35,000 grants for exchange program alumni to implement projects supporting U.S. policy objectives and Freedom 250 initiatives. Applications close May 8, 2026.
What changed
The U.S. Department of State's U.S. Mission to South Africa has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF). This competitive grant program provides awards ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 to alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs who propose projects aligned with Freedom 250 initiatives and U.S. policy goals. Eligibility requires teams of at least two exchange program alumni with a non-U.S. citizen team lead; U.S. citizen alumni may participate but cannot serve as team leads.
Prospective applicants must submit proposals by May 8, 2026, through grants.gov using standard federal forms SF-424 and SF-424A. Projects must celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. founding and support goals to make America safer, stronger, more prosperous, or defend freedom of speech. Contact the Public Diplomacy Grants Team at PretoriaGrants@state.gov for additional information. This is not a regulatory compliance document but a voluntary grant application process.
What to do next
- Confirm eligibility as a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumnus before applying
- Assemble a team with at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni and designate a non-U.S. citizen team lead
- Submit complete application package via grants.gov by May 8, 2026
Source document (simplified)
Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026
Agency: U.S. Mission to South Africa
Assistance Listings: 19.022 -- Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants
Last Updated: March 31, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Mission in South Africa, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) announces an open competition to implement a program to roll-out of the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF). The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund is designed to increase the impact of the U.S. government’s investment in exchange participants and programs by helping alumni develop and implement projects that support U.S. policy objectives and promote shared interests. All AEIF projects must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America (Freedom 250) and align with administration policy goals to make the U.S. safer, stronger and more prosperous, or defend freedom of speech. Please read this notice of funding opportunity document carefully before preparing and submitting a funding proposal.
...
-----------Please do not apply for this funding opportunity if you’re not an alumnus of a U.S. government-funded exchange program-----------
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Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
• The proposed project identifies and supports U.S. policies and Freedom 250 initiatives.• 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
Public Diplomacy Grants Team
Public Diplomacy Grants Team
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AEIF2026NOFOMissionSouth_Africa.pdf | AEIF 2026 NOFO Mission South Africa | Mar 31, 2026 12:18 PM UTC |
| SF-424-Application-for-Federal-Assistance.pdf | SF-424 - Application-for-Federal-Assistance | Mar 31, 2026 01:06 PM UTC |
| SF-424A-Budget-InformationforNon-Construction_Programs.pdf | SF-424A - Budget-Information for Non-Construction Programs | Mar 31, 2026 01:06 PM UTC |
| Suggested_budget-template.xlsx | Suggested budget-template | Mar 31, 2026 01:06 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Closing: May 8, 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
$35,000
Program Funding
3
Expected awards
$5,000
Award Minimum
$35,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
PAS-ZAF-FY26-01
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Other
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Public Diplomacy programs
History
Version:
4
Posted date:
March 31, 2026
Archive date:
June 7, 2026
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