2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 supports projects led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The Fund encourages alumni to use the skills, knowledge, and networks gained through their U.S. Department of State exchange experiences to design and implement projects that promote shared prosperity and strengthen partnerships between the United States and Rwanda. The 2026 cycle is organized in recognition of Freedom 250 – the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence – and seeks initiatives that highlight collaboration and innovation between the two countries.
Projects should deliver clear and measurable results and increase the visibility of Freedom 250 goals. Priority will be given to initiatives that support economic growth and expand U.S. engagement in Rwanda through areas such as education, health, technology, or commercial collaboration.
Applicants should have a strong local presence in Rwanda and collaborate with partners such as American Spaces, U.S. universities or companies, and networks of U.S. Department of State exchange alumni. Projects are expected to build lasting partnerships and contribute to continued shared U.S.–Rwanda prosperity beyond the life of the project.
Project Audience(s): The target audience should serve as multipliers for sustained U.S.-Rwanda partnerships and innovation-driven growth. Some demographics to consider, include:
●      Rwandan youth, emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals
●      Focus areas: Technology, health, higher education, and/or economic development
 
Project Goal: The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 empowers alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to amplify U.S.-Rwanda partnerships. The program supports initiatives that leverage alumni expertise, with a special focus on commercial, health, educational, and/or technological partnerships. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, AEIF 2026 highlights the positive impact of alumni-led projects which accelerate U.S.-Rwanda economic growth and shared prosperity.
Project Objectives: Project objectives for AEIF 2026 should focus on advancing U.S. policy goals, reflecting Freedom 250 themes of shared prosperity and collaboration, and promoting alumni engagement by leveraging the skills and networks of U.S. exchange program alumni to create lasting community impact. Proposals that do not address all required areas will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed. Specifically, project proposals must clearly demonstrate at least one- of the following:
 
·        Objective 1: Foster commercial diplomacy through strategic U.S.–Rwanda partnerships by establishing up to three new collaborations with U.S. companies, investors, or institutions, resulting in joint initiatives that enhance trade or investment opportunities within 12 months.
 
·        Objective 2: Spotlight U.S. innovation in technology, higher education, and/or health by organizing training, workshops, or pilot programs that reach at least 500 Rwandan participants, with at least 70% demonstrating the ability to apply new tools, practices, or knowledge within six months.
 
·        Objective 3: Build job readiness and industry-specific skills for Rwandan youth and professionals by training a minimum of 300 participants, with at least 70% successfully completing practical exercises or projects that demonstrate increased competency in critical sectors supporting U.S.–Rwanda economic and innovation ecosystems.
 
In addition, projects must address at least one (1) of the following objectives that foster greater alumni collaboration. 
 
·        Bring alumni together from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increasing regional and global collaboration of alumni
 
·        Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. Embassy to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges
 
·        Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities
 
1.  Substantial Involvement
The U.S. Embassy will determine the level of substantial involvement after the grantee is selected.

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 supports projects led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The Fund encourages alumni to use the skills, knowledge, and networks gained through their U.S. Department of State exchange experiences to design and implement projects that promote shared prosperity and strengthen partnerships between the United States and Rwanda. The 2026 cycle is organized in recognition of Freedom 250 – the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence – and seeks initiatives that highlight collaboration and innovation between the two countries.

Projects should deliver clear and measurable results and increase the visibility of Freedom 250 goals. Priority will be given to initiatives that support economic growth and expand U.S. engagement in Rwanda through areas such as education, health, technology, or commercial collaboration.

Applicants should have a strong local presence in Rwanda and collaborate with partners such as American Spaces, U.S. universities or companies, and networks of U.S. Department of State exchange alumni. Projects are expected to build lasting partnerships and contribute to continued shared U.S.–Rwanda prosperity beyond the life of the project.

Project Audience(s): The target audience should serve as multipliers for sustained U.S.-Rwanda partnerships and innovation-driven growth. Some demographics to consider, include:

●      Rwandan youth, emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals

●      Focus areas: Technology, health, higher education, and/or economic development

 

Project Goal: The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 empowers alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to amplify U.S.-Rwanda partnerships. The program supports initiatives that leverage alumni expertise, with a special focus on commercial, health, educational, and/or technological partnerships. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, AEIF 2026 highlights the positive impact of alumni-led projects which accelerate U.S.-Rwanda economic growth and shared prosperity.

Project Objectives: Project objectives for AEIF 2026 should focus on advancing U.S. policy goals, reflecting Freedom 250 themes of shared prosperity and collaboration, and promoting alumni engagement by leveraging the skills and networks of U.S. exchange program alumni to create lasting community impact. Proposals that do not address all required areas will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed. Specifically, project proposals must clearly demonstrate at least one- of the following:

 

·        Objective 1: Foster commercial diplomacy through strategic U.S.–Rwanda partnerships by establishing up to three new collaborations with U.S. companies, investors, or institutions, resulting in joint initiatives that enhance trade or investment opportunities within 12 months.

 

·        Objective 2: Spotlight U.S. innovation in technology, higher education, and/or health by organizing training, workshops, or pilot programs that reach at least 500 Rwandan participants, with at least 70% demonstrating the ability to apply new tools, practices, or knowledge within six months.

 

·        Objective 3: Build job readiness and industry-specific skills for Rwandan youth and professionals by training a minimum of 300 participants, with at least 70% successfully completing practical exercises or projects that demonstrate increased competency in critical sectors supporting U.S.–Rwanda economic and innovation ecosystems.

 

In addition, projects must address at least one (1) of the following objectives that foster greater alumni collaboration. 

 

·        Bring alumni together from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increasing regional and global collaboration of alumni

 

·        Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. Embassy to work together on activities that address mutual goals and challenges

 

·        Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities

 

1.  Substantial Involvement

The U.S. Embassy will determine the level of substantial involvement after the grantee is selected.

The following organizations are eligible to apply:
● Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
● Public and private educational institutions
● Individuals
● Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program
● Project teams must include 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 U.S. government exchange alumni. No other organizations are eligible to apply. Exchange alumni can partner with not-for-profit or non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions to implement project activities. The grant can be issued to the individual alumni or the partner organization