# Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Strengthen U.S.–Kazakhstan Partnerships Through Alumni-Led Innovation

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/dos-kaz-ast-eca-26-001-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-2026-strengthen-u/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361250

> U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan offered grants of up to $35,000 (at least $5,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 3 awards. Applications closed on March 20, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DOS-KAZ-AST-ECA-26-001 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | March 20, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $35,000 |
| Award floor | $5,000 |
| Expected awards | 3 |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.022 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs

## What the grant funds

The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications for the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026). Teams of at least two eligible alumni may apply to design and implement initiatives that leverage U.S. expertise, values, and professional networks to advance mutual interests. AEIF 2026 supports projects focused on digital technologies and artificial intelligence solutions and using workforce development and youth professionalization to promote economic growth, expand opportunity, and strengthen institutional and human capacity in Kazakhstan, while deepening long-term U.S.–Kazakhstan cooperation. Projects should engage local communities, foster alumni leadership, and deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes over a 3–12-month implementation period during 2026. All projects must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America (Freedom250) and reflect shared commitments to innovation, open exchange of ideas, broad-based prosperity, and the responsible adoption of trusted digital technologies. Freedom 250 is a whole-of-government, year-long U.S. initiative that marks the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 by engaging the public, strengthening civic involvement, and celebrating America’s history and achievements in innovation, entrepreneurship, athletics, and the arts. Through alumni-led, community-driven solutions, AEIF advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by expanding economic, technological, and people-to-people ties between the United States and Kazakhstan. Project Goal: Expand U.S.- Kazakhstan economic and strategic cooperation by strengthening the expertise of U.S. exchange alumni to drive locally led solutions in digital technologies and artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan. This program reinforces long-term partnerships that advance U.S. interests and strengthens bilateral cooperation in high growth sectors across Kazakhstan. 1: Advance Digital Technologies and AI Solutions Objective 1: Increase the ability of at least 100 entrepreneurs, small business owners, and STEM/IT university students in Kazakhstan to apply digital and AI tools to local economic or community challenges, resulting in: · At least five alumni-led projects adopt U.S.

## Questions people ask

### Is DOS-KAZ-AST-ECA-26-001 still open?

No. It closed on March 20, 2026.

### Who can apply for Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Strengthen U.S.–Kazakhstan Partnerships Through Alumni-Led Innovation?

U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Strengthen U.S.–Kazakhstan Partnerships Through Alumni-Led Innovation?

Closed March 20, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $35,000 each.

### Who has won Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees, Georgetown University, Persatuan Gaya Hidup Lestari Biji Biji Kuala Lumpur. The program made 3,361 awards worth $57.2 million in that time.