Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0002672
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Mission to Hungary, specifically through the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest. The program is meant to support alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs by giving them resources to design and carry out practical, community-facing projects. At its core, the fund is about turning the experience and networks alumni gained during U.S.-supported exchanges into concrete local initiatives that advance shared interests and U.S. policy objectives while also delivering clear benefits to communities.
This opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number OFOP0002672, with assistance listing/CFDA number 19.022, and it uses a grant as the funding instrument. The embassy anticipates making about two awards, with an award ceiling of $35,000 per award. The opportunity was created on April 15, 2026, and the original application deadline is May 5, 2026, which gives applicants a defined window to assemble a compliant alumni team and a project plan that meets the program requirements referenced in the notice.
Eligibility is centered on U.S. government exchange alumni and alumni networks. Proposals must be alumni-driven and structured around a team model. The proposed project must involve at least two alumni who previously participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program, and the application must identify a specific team lead. Alumni associations can also apply as long as they are from countries where the United States currently has representation, but even in that case the application still has to name an alumni team lead who is responsible for driving the project.
The rules around team composition are particularly important for anyone considering a larger group proposal. If three or more alumni apply together, the team may include U.S. citizen alumni, but the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni. In addition, U.S. citizen alumni are not allowed to serve as team leads on project proposals. In practice, that means mixed teams are possible, but the leadership and the core eligibility requirement must remain anchored in non-U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchanges.
In terms of what the embassy is seeking to fund, the description emphasizes projects that are designed and implemented by alumni and that align with shared interests and policy objectives while producing tangible community benefit. The notice signals that applicants should pay close attention to the detailed program requirements referenced as being in Section C of the full announcement, and design proposals that clearly connect the alumni team, the project activities, and the intended community outcomes.Apply for OFOP0002672
- The U.S. Mission to Hungary 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 2026-04-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-05. (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) - FAQs
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF)?
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF) is a discretionary grant opportunity that provides resources to alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs so they can design and implement practical, community-facing projects. The purpose is to help alumni turn their exchange experience and networks into local initiatives that advance shared interests and U.S. policy objectives while delivering clear benefits to communities.
Who runs the AEIF opportunity in Hungary?
The program is run by the U.S. Mission to Hungary through the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0002672.
What is the assistance listing/CFDA number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing/CFDA number is 19.022.
How many awards does the embassy expect to make?
The embassy anticipates making about two awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $35,000 per award.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 15, 2026.
What is the original application deadline?
The original application deadline is May 5, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and alumni networks. Proposals must be alumni-driven and structured around an alumni team model.
Does the project have to be led by alumni?
Yes. Proposals must be alumni-driven, and the application must identify a specific alumni team lead responsible for driving the project.
How many alumni are required on a project team?
The proposed project must involve at least two alumni who previously participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program.
Is a team lead required, and what must the application include about the lead?
Yes. The application must identify a specific team lead. The team lead is the named person responsible for driving the project.
Can an alumni association apply?
Yes. Alumni associations can apply as long as they are from countries where the United States currently has representation. Even when an alumni association applies, the application still must name an alumni team lead.
Can U.S. citizen alumni be part of an alumni team?
They can be, but only under certain conditions. If three or more alumni apply together, the team may include U.S. citizen alumni, but the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni.
Can a U.S. citizen serve as the team lead?
No. U.S. citizen alumni are not allowed to serve as team leads on project proposals.
If a team includes U.S. citizens, what is the minimum required number of non-U.S. citizen alumni?
If three or more alumni apply together and U.S. citizen alumni are included, the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni.
What types of projects is AEIF meant to support?
The fund is meant to support practical, community-facing projects designed and implemented by exchange alumni. Projects should connect alumni experience and networks to concrete local initiatives.
What outcomes should a proposed project aim to deliver?
Proposed projects should produce tangible community benefits while also advancing shared interests and U.S. policy objectives, as described in the notice.
What is emphasized about project design and implementation?
The opportunity emphasizes projects that are designed and implemented by alumni, with a clear connection between the alumni team, planned activities, and intended community outcomes.
Where are the detailed program requirements referenced?
The notice indicates that detailed program requirements are referenced in Section C of the full announcement, and applicants should pay close attention to those requirements when designing proposals.
What is a key compliance point applicants should not miss?
A key point is that proposals must be alumni-driven, include at least two U.S. government exchange alumni, and name a team lead. If the team is three or more and includes U.S. citizen alumni, it must still include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni, and the team lead cannot be a U.S. citizen.
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