Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Program FY 2026

1.  Goals and Objectives
AEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. This year, the U.S. Embassy will accept public service projects proposed by local USG Alumni organizations and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni which directly support the Embassy’s goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and benefit local communities. This year, all AEIF projects must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America (America250) and align with administration policy goals to make the U.S. safer, stronger and more prosperous, or defend freedom of speech. Proposals that do not address the theme as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories.
 
Participants and Audiences
Applicants should clearly define specific, realistic, target audience(s). Broad target audiences such as the general public, youth, everyone, etc., should be avoided.
Audiences who are considered a priority for grants funded under this NOFO are:

Youth and young adult leaders between 13 and 30 years;
Community leaders and local officials;
Teachers and academic professionals; and
Local communities.

Please note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above can still be eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals stated in this NOFO.
 
2.  Substantial Involvement
If the award is made as a cooperative agreement, the following are examples of substantial involvement by PD:
·        PD will engage in active collaboration with the recipient during the implementation of the award, including participation in key project planning meetings and joint decision-making on major activities.
·        PD will review and provide written approval for the completion of specific project phases or deliverables before the recipient may proceed to subsequent stages of the project.
·        PD and the recipient will jointly prepare or present project results, such as co-authoring reports, publications, or presentations, to ensure shared responsibility for project outcomes and dissemination.
·        PD will participate in the selection process for program participants and/or the determination of program venues, working with the recipient to ensure these choices align with the project’s objectives and requirements.
·        PD will exercise programmatic oversight that exceeds standard monitoring, including direct involvement in critical project decisions, review and approval of significant changes to project activities, and participation in quality assurance processes throughout the award period.

1.  Goals and Objectives
AEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. This year, the U.S. Embassy will accept public service projects proposed by local USG Alumni organizations and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni which directly support the Embassy’s goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and benefit local communities. This year, all AEIF projects must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America (America250) and align with administration policy goals to make the U.S. safer, stronger and more prosperous, or defend freedom of speech. Proposals that do not address the theme as outlined in the program objectives will be deemed ineligible. All project activities must take place outside of the United States and its territories.

 

Participants and Audiences

Applicants should clearly define specific, realistic, target audience(s). Broad target audiences such as the general public, youth, everyone, etc., should be avoided.

Audiences who are considered a priority for grants funded under this NOFO are:

• Youth and young adult leaders between 13 and 30 years;


• Community leaders and local officials;


• Teachers and academic professionals; and


• Local communities.

Please note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above can still be eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals stated in this NOFO.

 

2.  Substantial Involvement

If the award is made as a cooperative agreement, the following are examples of substantial involvement by PD:

·        PD will engage in active collaboration with the recipient during the implementation of the award, including participation in key project planning meetings and joint decision-making on major activities.

·        PD will review and provide written approval for the completion of specific project phases or deliverables before the recipient may proceed to subsequent stages of the project.

·        PD and the recipient will jointly prepare or present project results, such as co-authoring reports, publications, or presentations, to ensure shared responsibility for project outcomes and dissemination.

·        PD will participate in the selection process for program participants and/or the determination of program venues, working with the recipient to ensure these choices align with the project’s objectives and requirements.

·        PD will exercise programmatic oversight that exceeds standard monitoring, including direct involvement in critical project decisions, review and approval of significant changes to project activities, and participation in quality assurance processes throughout the award period.

Non-for-profit organizations meeting the following criteria are eligible to apply:• Organization is from North Macedonia.• Applications must be submitted by alumni associations of USG exchange alumni or by a team of at least two exchange alumni (individuals) through a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, think tank, or academic institution that will serve as partner for implementing project activities. • Applicant key staff/ project teams must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov/). • Projects teams must include at least two (2) alumni. • Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not participate as primary applicants but may participate as team members in a project.Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries.