U.S. Embassy Bratislava PAS, AEIF 2026

The U.S. Embassy Bratislava Public Affairs Section (PAS) announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements.

Program Objectives: 
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” and align with U.S. policy goals. The U.S. Embassy in Bratislava will accept projects from teams of at least two (2) alumni that support one of the following themes: 
 

Promoting freedom of speech and/or religious liberty 
Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship 
Celebrating American excellence 

 
Proposals must address at least one of the program objectives and support the alumni community in Slovakia. Proposals that do not address the themes as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories. 

The U.S. Embassy Bratislava Public Affairs Section (PAS) announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements.

Program Objectives: 

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” and align with U.S. policy goals. The U.S. Embassy in Bratislava will accept projects from teams of at least two (2) alumni that support one of the following themes: 

 

• Promoting freedom of speech and/or religious liberty 


• Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship 


• Celebrating American excellence 

 

Proposals must address at least one of the program objectives and support the alumni community in Slovakia. Proposals that do not address the themes as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories. 

The following entities are eligible to apply:
• Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program.
• Projects teams must include teams of at least two (2) alumni.
• Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members in a project.
• Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries.
• Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. No other organizations are eligible to apply.