2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

The U.S. Mission in Tbilisi, Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce the roll-out of the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF). The AEIF is an annual funding opportunity designed to invest in U.S. government-funded exchange participants and programs by helping alumni develop and implement projects that promote shared interests and policy objectives and benefit local communities. We invite you to submit proposals for projects that meet the requirements of the program (discussed in Section C below). Please read this notice carefully before preparing and submitting a funding proposal. Please also note the following: This solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by the U.S. government. A final award cannot be made until the proposal has been reviewed and approved, and an award agreement is drawn up and signed by a grants officer. The U.S. Mission reserves the right not to issue an award after receipt of any proposal. The U.S. Mission also reserves the right to reduce, revise, and/or increase a proposal budget in accordance with the needs of the program and availability of funds. Please do not apply for this funding opportunity if you are not an alumnus of a U.S. government-funded exchange program. 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 – the celebration of the United States’ 250 th birthday – and align with policy goals such as making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, celebrating American excellence, or defending freedom of speech. Additionally, all AEIF projects must include at least one of the following: 1. Convene alumni from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increase regional and global collaboration of alumni. 2. Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address shared goals and challenges. 3. Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities for maximum impact.