2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) Grant Opportunity
Summary
The U.S. Department of State's Embassy in Tashkent announced an open competition for the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026), offering grants of $5,000 to $35,000 to alumni of U.S. government exchange programs. The program aims to strengthen U.S.-Uzbekistan economic ties by funding projects in Business, Energy and Trade, STEM/AI/Innovation, or Education/Culture/Sports/Tourism themes, with a deadline of May 6, 2026.
What changed
The U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan published a discretionary grant funding opportunity (OFOP0002620) under Assistance Listing 19.022 for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs. Eligible applicants are individuals who are alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, organized in teams of at least two. Awards range from $5,000 minimum to $35,000 maximum, with two expected awards total. The program does not require cost sharing or matching.
Affected parties include U.S. exchange program alumni and alumni-led organizations seeking to implement projects that promote U.S. innovation, attract foreign investment and tourism to America, and strengthen economic connections between the United States and Uzbekistan. No compliance obligations are created; this is a competitive grant announcement requiring applicants to submit proposals demonstrating alignment with the stated priority themes through activities such as STEM workshops, innovation hackathons, or cultural festivals.
What to do next
- Review eligibility requirements and determine if your organization qualifies as a U.S. exchange program alumni team
- Prepare and submit application through grants.gov before the May 6, 2026 deadline
- Ensure proposed project incorporates Freedom 250 themes for America's 250th Anniversary
Source document (simplified)
2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)
Agency: U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan
Assistance Listings: 19.022 -- Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants
Last Updated: April 7, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy in Tashkent announces an open competition to implement a program to the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) for alumni of U.S. government exchange programs to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Uzbekistan. This program advances U.S. foreign policy by positioning America as the global leader in innovation while promoting U.S.-Uzbekistani business connections. The program goal is to build economic connections through alumni-led projects that promote America as a global engine of innovation and technological leadership. Projects... must incorporate Freedom 250 themes as part of America’s 250th Anniversary. Teams of at least two exchange program alumni may apply. Priority themes for the program are Business, Energy and Trade; STEM, AI and Innovation; or Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism. Projects should attract foreign investment and tourism into America while demonstrating benefits of U.S. partnerships through activities like STEM workshops, innovation hackathons, cultural festivals, or promotion of major U.S.-hosted events. Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Individuals
Additional information
Grantor contact information
Description
--
Documents
No documents are currently available.
Link to additional information
Link to Opportunity in MyGrants
Closing: May 6, 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
2
Expected awards
$5,000
Award Minimum
$35,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
OFOP0002620
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Community development
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
April 7, 2026
Archive date:
--
Named provisions
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