Opportunity Information: Apply for PDWINDHOEKFY2026 04 20
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek (U.S. Mission to Namibia) for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The goal is to help former exchange participants turn their experience into practical, locally led projects that extend the impact of U.S. exchange programming. In plain terms, the embassy is looking to fund alumni-driven ideas that support U.S. public diplomacy and policy priorities, while also strengthening long-term connections between the U.S. government and exchange alumni networks.
A central requirement for this 2026 round is that every funded project must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of American independence. Proposals must align with and support the U.S. Embassy in Namibia's "Freedom 250" campaign, meaning the project concept, activities, messaging, or public-facing outputs should clearly connect to that commemorative theme. This is not an optional add-on; it is presented as a core condition for AEIF 2026 projects, so applicants should expect that reviewers will prioritize strong, thoughtful integration of the Freedom 250 focus.
Eligibility is narrowly aimed at exchange alumni, and applications must be submitted by alumni themselves or by alumni associations composed of U.S. government exchange alumni. Applicants must be alumni of a qualifying U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (referenced via the State Department alumni exchange list) or a U.S. government-sponsored J-1 exchange program. Teams must include at least two alumni, and teams can be mixed across different exchange programs and even different countries, which allows for cross-program and regional collaboration. One important restriction is that U.S. citizen alumni are not allowed to submit proposals as applicants, although they may participate as members of an alumni project team. Organizations such as nonprofits, NGOs, think tanks, and universities cannot apply in the name of the institution, but they are allowed to partner with the alumni team to help implement activities, provide expertise, host events, or support logistics.
From an award and funding standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and will be issued as a grant under CFDA number 19.022. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $35,000, and the embassy anticipates making about two awards. This suggests a relatively selective competition with a modest number of funded projects, so proposals will likely need to be well-scoped, clearly written, and feasible within the budget ceiling.
The application deadline is May 20, 2026. Proposals must be submitted by email to WindhoekPublicDiplomacy@state.gov. The funding opportunity is listed under the title "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026" with funding opportunity number PDWINDHOEKFY2026 04 20, and it was created on April 20, 2026.Apply for PDWINDHOEKFY2026 04 20
- The U.S. Mission to Namibia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $35,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026) - FAQs
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026)?
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek (U.S. Mission to Namibia) for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. It is designed to help former exchange participants turn their exchange experience into practical, locally led projects that extend the impact of U.S. exchange programming.
What is the main goal of AEIF 2026?
The goal is to fund alumni-driven ideas that support U.S. public diplomacy and policy priorities, while strengthening long-term connections between the U.S. government and exchange alumni networks.
What is the required theme for AEIF 2026 projects?
Every funded project must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of American independence. Proposals must align with and support the U.S. Embassy in Namibia's "Freedom 250" campaign.
Is the "Freedom 250" requirement optional or recommended?
No. The Freedom 250 focus is presented as a core condition for AEIF 2026 projects. Project concepts, activities, messaging, or public-facing outputs should clearly connect to the commemorative theme, and strong integration is expected to be prioritized during review.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is aimed at alumni of qualifying U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. Applications must be submitted by alumni themselves or by alumni associations composed of U.S. government exchange alumni.
What types of exchange alumni qualify to apply?
Applicants must be alumni of a qualifying U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (referenced via the State Department alumni exchange list) or a U.S. government-sponsored J-1 exchange program.
Can someone apply as an individual, or is a team required?
A team is required. Teams must include at least two alumni.
Can teams include alumni from different exchange programs?
Yes. Teams can be mixed across different exchange programs.
Can teams include alumni from different countries?
Yes. The opportunity allows for cross-program and regional collaboration, including teams that span different countries.
Can U.S. citizen alumni apply as the main applicant?
No. U.S. citizen alumni are not allowed to submit proposals as applicants.
Can U.S. citizen alumni still be involved in a project?
Yes. While U.S. citizen alumni cannot apply as the applicant, they may participate as members of an alumni project team.
Can nonprofits, NGOs, think tanks, or universities apply?
No. Organizations such as nonprofits, NGOs, think tanks, and universities cannot apply in the name of the institution.
Can an organization partner with an alumni team?
Yes. These organizations may partner with the alumni team to help implement activities, provide expertise, host events, or support logistics.
What type of funding instrument is AEIF 2026?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and will be issued as a grant.
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The CFDA number is 19.022.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $35,000.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The embassy anticipates making about two awards.
What does it mean that the embassy anticipates about two awards?
It suggests the competition may be relatively selective, with a modest number of projects funded. Applicants should expect proposals to be well-scoped, clearly written, and feasible within the budget ceiling.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 20, 2026.
How do applicants submit a proposal?
Proposals must be submitted by email to WindhoekPublicDiplomacy@state.gov.
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity is listed under the title "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PDWINDHOEKFY2026 04 20.
When was this funding opportunity created?
It was created on April 20, 2026.
Which U.S. government entity is running this opportunity?
The program is run by the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek (U.S. Mission to Namibia).
What kinds of project elements should connect to Freedom 250?
The project concept, activities, messaging, or public-facing outputs should clearly connect to the Freedom 250 commemorative theme.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
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