# Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Exchange Alumni Advancing Freedom250

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/ofop0002583-alumni-engagement-innovation-fund-aeif-2026-exchange-alumni/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361696

> U.S. Mission to Niger offered grants of up to $40,000 (at least $5,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 2 awards worth $40,000 in total. Applications closed on April 30, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | OFOP0002583 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Niger |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | April 30, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $40,000 |
| Award floor | $5,000 |
| Expected awards | 2 |
| Total funding | $40,000 |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.022 |

## Who can apply

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

Eligible applicants are individual U.S. citizen alumni may participate, but at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni must lead the project; non-U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs and alumni associations of U.S. government exchange programs. Eligibility Requirements: • The primary applicant and project lead must be a non-U.S. citizen exchange alumnus/alumna of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov). • Project teams must include at least two (2) eligible exchange alumni. • Teams may include alumni from different exchange programs and countries but must include at least one alumnus/alumna based in Niger. • U.S. citizen alumni may not serve as primary applicants or project leads, but may participate as team members. • Applications may be submitted only by eligible exchange alumni or alumni associations. No other organizations are eligible to apply directly. • Alumni teams may partner with non-p

## What the grant funds

For Fiscal Year 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey seeks to implement an Alumni Summit under AEIF 2026 that will convene exchange alumni to celebrate and promote Freedom250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The summit will align with U.S. policy objectives, including making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and defending freedom of expression. The initiative will bring together alumni from multiple exchange programs and professional sectors to strengthen collaboration, reinforce shared values, and generate actionable initiatives that extend beyond the event itself.

## Questions people ask

### Is OFOP0002583 still open?

No. It closed on April 30, 2026.

### Who can apply for Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026: Exchange Alumni Advancing Freedom250?

U.S. Mission to Niger 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: Exchange Alumni Advancing Freedom250?

Closed April 30, 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 $40,000 each. About $40,000 in total across about 2 awards.

### 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.