Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY26 01
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF 2026) is a competitive grant opportunity announced by the U.S. Department of State through U.S. Embassy Harare (U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe). It is designed specifically for alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs to turn their exchange experience into practical, community-focused projects. The fund supports alumni-led initiatives that advance shared interests and U.S. policy objectives while delivering clear benefits to local communities. This is a discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 19.022) in the education activity area, and it is offered as a grant funding instrument.
Funding requests can range from USD 5,000 to USD 35,000, with an award ceiling of USD 35,000. The Embassy anticipates making about two awards. Applications are due by May 15, 2026. The opportunity was created on April 14, 2026, and is listed under funding opportunity number AF HAR FY26 01.
Eligibility is narrow and strictly enforced: applicants must be exchange alumni, meaning past participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. Proposals must be team-based, involving at least two eligible exchange alumni, and the application must clearly name an alumni team lead. Alumni associations may also apply as long as the application identifies an alumni team lead. Teams of three or more may include U.S. citizen alumni, but the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni, and U.S. citizen alumni are not allowed to serve as team leads. The notice is explicit that non-alumni should not apply.
AEIF is not an automatic funding commitment. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee an award, and no award is final until the proposal is formally reviewed and approved and a grants officer signs an award agreement. The U.S. Mission also keeps broad discretion throughout the process, including the right to make no awards at all, and the right to reduce, revise, or increase a proposed budget depending on program needs and available funding. Applicants are expected to follow the notice instructions carefully and shape their proposals to meet the program requirements referenced in the solicitation.Apply for AF HAR FY26 01
- The U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the education 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 2026-04-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-15. (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)?
AEIF 2026 is a competitive grant opportunity announced by the U.S. Department of State through U.S. Embassy Harare (U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe). It is intended for alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs to develop practical, community-focused projects that build on their exchange experience.
Who is offering this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is announced by the U.S. Department of State through U.S. Embassy Harare (U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe).
What is the purpose of AEIF 2026?
The fund supports alumni-led initiatives that (1) advance shared interests and U.S. policy objectives and (2) deliver clear benefits to local communities.
Is this a competitive or non-competitive opportunity?
This is a competitive grant opportunity. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee that it will be funded.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The notice lists CFDA 19.022.
What activity area does this opportunity fall under?
The notice identifies the activity area as education.
How much funding can an applicant request?
Funding requests can range from USD 5,000 to USD 35,000.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is USD 35,000.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The Embassy anticipates making about two awards.
When is the application deadline?
Applications are due by May 15, 2026.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 14, 2026.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is AF HAR FY26 01.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to exchange alumni: past participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The notice is explicit that non-alumni should not apply.
Are individual applications allowed, or must proposals be submitted by a team?
Proposals must be team-based and include at least two eligible exchange alumni.
Is an alumni team lead required?
Yes. The application must clearly name an alumni team lead.
Can an alumni association apply?
Yes. Alumni associations may apply as long as the application identifies an alumni team lead.
Can U.S. citizen alumni be included on a project team?
Teams of three or more may include U.S. citizen alumni. However, the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni.
Can a U.S. citizen alumni serve as the team lead?
No. U.S. citizen alumni are not allowed to serve as team leads.
Can a team be made up of only two alumni?
Yes, the minimum team size described is at least two eligible exchange alumni.
Does submitting an application guarantee an award?
No. AEIF is not an automatic funding commitment. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee an award.
When is an award considered final?
No award is final until the proposal is formally reviewed and approved and a grants officer signs an award agreement.
Does the U.S. Mission have discretion to make no awards?
Yes. The U.S. Mission states it has the right to make no awards at all.
Can the proposed budget be changed by the U.S. Mission?
Yes. The U.S. Mission may reduce, revise, or increase a proposed budget based on program needs and available funding.
What should applicants pay special attention to when preparing a proposal?
Applicants are expected to follow the notice instructions carefully and shape their proposals to meet the program requirements referenced in the solicitation.
What kinds of projects does AEIF 2026 support?
It supports alumni-led initiatives that turn exchange experiences into practical, community-focused projects, while advancing shared interests and U.S. policy objectives and providing clear benefits to local communities.
Is this opportunity open to non-alumni partners or organizations to apply directly?
No. The notice explicitly states that non-alumni should not apply.
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