Grants / Department of State / U.S. Mission to Germany

OFOP0002683: FY26 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund

Closed Closed May 17, 2026 Opportunity OFOP0002683 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of U.S. Mission to Germany notices from 2026.

• Award ceiling$35,000
• Award floor$5,000
• Total funding$40,000
• Expected awards4
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeCooperative Agreement

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.

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

Alumni who participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program, such as Beyond Washington, BridgeUSA (J-1 visa holders), Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (Parlamentarisches Patenschafts-Programm), Fulbright, International Visitor Leadership Program, Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI), "USA For You," "Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Staff Exchange," "Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship," and the German-American Partnership Program (GAPP).USG-sponsored exchange program alumni associations.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants awards averaged $17,021; this notice allows up to $35,000 per award.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

The U.S. Mission to Germany announces two funding opportunities for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to strengthen the transatlantic relationship as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding (Freedom 250).The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) supports alumni-led projects that advance U.S. policy objectives and amplify the impact of U.S. exchange programs. AEIF provides funding for alumni to apply skills gained during their exchanges to address community priorities. Projects must promote Freedom 250 and align with priorities such as making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, or defending freedom of speech. Under Goal 1 (AEIF Projects), the program will support alumni-led projects (teams of at least two alumni) that increase the impact of U.S. exchange programs by advancing U.S. policy objectives and promoting shared U.S.-German interests. Proposals from $5,000 to $35,000 must convene alumni networks, strengthen alumni engagement with the U.S. government, or support alumni leadership and community-based initiatives. Under Goal 2 (Alumni Summits), the program will support U.S. government-funded initiatives of up to $40,000 for single-country projects designed to engage alumni in advancing U.S. policy priorities and Freedom 250 themes. Proposals should demonstrate strong alumni engagement in Germany, include plans for follow-on activities. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects in areas such as sports diplomacy, science, technology and space cooperation, alumni engagement, and countering anti-Semitism. All projects must include strong U.S. elements, clearly defined German audiences, and measurable outcomes. Please find the full funding opportunity at de.usembassy.gov/pd-grants.

Category: Other.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.

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