Opportunity Information: Apply for 2026 1
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Riga is a competitive grant opportunity for alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to design and lead public-facing projects in Latvia. The core purpose is to strengthen the U.S.-Latvia partnership and advance shared priorities tied to national security, economic prosperity, and democratic values. AEIF 2026 also explicitly encourages projects that connect to the United States' 250th anniversary theme (Freedom 250) by highlighting the long-term values and cooperation that link the two countries. The Embassy is looking for projects that deliver clear, practical benefits and reinforce people-to-people ties, recognizing alumni as a network of trusted local leaders who can turn exchange experiences into sustained civic impact.
Projects are expected to align with at least one priority area, including national security, economic growth and entrepreneurship, fair trade, alliance building, freedom of speech, transatlantic cooperation, and secure borders. While the fund is framed around Latvia, proposals are expected to show tangible benefits for both Latvian and U.S. citizens, mainly by deepening cooperation, strengthening democratic resilience, and expanding shared capacity in areas that matter to both countries as transatlantic partners and NATO allies. Programming should primarily reach the Latvian public, with emphasis on engaging audiences outside Riga to ensure broader geographic reach. The Embassy highlights youth and young professionals ages 18 to 35 as an important target group, along with entrepreneurs, educators, journalists, and other professionals whose work connects to the stated themes.
Key dates and funding parameters are straightforward. The opportunity was posted on April 13, 2026, and applications are due May 4, 2026. Awards will be issued as either grants or fixed amount awards, with decisions expected no later than June 30, 2026. Projects may not start earlier than September 30, 2026, and should be completed by September 30, 2027. Individual awards are anticipated to range from $5,000 to $35,000. The notice also sets performance expectations through two stated objectives: supporting at least two alumni-led projects that each reach at least 100 direct beneficiaries and demonstrate measurable impact within 12 months after completion, and increasing awareness of U.S.-Latvia partnership achievements and Freedom 250 among at least 1,000 people in Latvia through alumni-led activities.
Eligibility is centered on exchange alumni and the idea of collaborative alumni teams. Applicants must be alumni of eligible U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs (including those listed on alumni.state.gov and J-1 related programs on j1visa.state.gov). Each proposal must be submitted by a team of at least two alumni, and the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen alumni. U.S. citizen alumni cannot be the lead applicant or submit the proposal, but they may participate as team members. Teams are encouraged to mix alumni from different programs and different countries, suggesting the Embassy values cross-network collaboration and wider regional perspectives. Applications can be submitted by alumni directly, by non-governmental organizations they represent, or by alumni associations. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient, and academic institutions cannot apply in the name of the institution, though both can participate as implementation partners. If subcontractors are used, the proposal must clearly define who does what, and the prime recipient must be a single non-profit, non-governmental entity. Cost sharing is not required, but the Embassy encourages it, especially in practical forms like donated venues, pro bono expertise, volunteer time, discounted services, or contributions from local businesses and NGOs.
The application package is document-heavy and compliance-focused, with clear formatting rules. All documents must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, and required signatures must be included. Proposals that fail to follow instructions, exceed limits, or do not address the theme and objectives can be ruled ineligible. A critical program rule is that all project activities must take place outside the United States and its territories, with projects that include activities in Latvia receiving priority consideration. Applicants must also respect submission limits: only one proposal per organization is allowed, and if an organization submits more than one, all of them become ineligible.
Required materials include standard federal forms and a structured narrative proposal. Applicants must submit the SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals), SF-424A, and in some cases SF-424B (required for individuals and certain organizations depending on SAM.gov registration requirements). The narrative proposal is capped at 12 pages and should use the Embassy-provided AEIF 2026 proposal form (or at least include all required sections). The narrative is expected to read like a complete plan: a summary and cover sheet, a clear problem statement, defined goals and measurable objectives, detailed activities, methods and design (with a logic model if appropriate), an implementation timeline with dates and locations, staffing and key personnel roles, partner descriptions, and a monitoring and evaluation plan that shows how results will be tracked and assessed. Applicants also need to address sustainability, meaning how the work continues or remains useful after the grant ends.
Budgeting expectations are also specific. Applicants must use the provided budget justification template and include a detailed line-item budget with a narrative justification; budgets without narratives will not be reviewed. There are clear cost controls: project management costs (including speaker, trainer, and consultant fees) should not exceed 30 percent of the total request, and travel (including lodging and per diem) should not exceed 15 percent and will be scrutinized for necessity and cost-effectiveness. Lodging is intended for short-term programming needs, not long-term rent for team members, and applicants are encouraged to rent rather than purchase equipment when it saves money. A unique entity identifier (UEI) and SAM.gov registration are required for organizations, while individuals do not need UEI/SAM registration, which effectively creates two tracks depending on whether the lead applicant is an individual alumnus/alumna or an eligible NGO/alumni association serving as the applicant of record.
Overall, this opportunity is designed as seed funding for alumni-led, Latvia-focused initiatives that are practical, measurable, and public-facing, with a strong preference for projects that broaden engagement beyond Riga, elevate transatlantic cooperation, and use the Freedom 250 anniversary as a timely hook for civic education, democratic values, and partnership messaging. The Embassy signals openness to discussing project ideas in advance, which implies that early consultation could help applicants shape a proposal that fits the priorities, compliance requirements, and measurable impact expectations built into AEIF 2026.Apply for 2026 1
- The U.S. Mission to Latvia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Notice of Funding Opportunity (Latvia)" 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 2026-04-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-04. (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.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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AEIF 2026 (Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund) FAQs
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)?
AEIF 2026 is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Riga. It funds alumni of U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to design and lead public-facing projects in Latvia that strengthen the U.S.-Latvia partnership.
Who is this grant meant for?
This opportunity is specifically for alumni of eligible U.S. government-funded or U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs (including programs listed on alumni.state.gov and J-1 related programs on j1visa.state.gov). Proposals must be alumni-led and submitted by a team.
What is the main purpose of AEIF 2026?
The core purpose is to strengthen the U.S.-Latvia partnership and advance shared priorities connected to national security, economic prosperity, and democratic values. The program also emphasizes people-to-people ties by supporting alumni as trusted local leaders who can turn exchange experiences into sustained civic impact.
How does the Freedom 250 theme relate to this opportunity?
AEIF 2026 explicitly encourages projects that connect to the United States' 250th anniversary theme (Freedom 250) by highlighting long-term values and cooperation linking the United States and Latvia, and by increasing awareness of partnership achievements and the Freedom 250 theme in Latvia.
Where must project activities take place?
All project activities must take place outside the United States and its territories. Projects that include activities in Latvia receive priority consideration.
Who should projects primarily reach?
Programming should primarily reach the Latvian public, with an emphasis on engaging audiences outside Riga to broaden geographic reach. The Embassy also highlights youth and young professionals ages 18 to 35 as an important target group, along with entrepreneurs, educators, journalists, and other professionals tied to the priority themes.
What are the priority areas that projects should align with?
Projects are expected to align with at least one priority area, including national security, economic growth and entrepreneurship, fair trade, alliance building, freedom of speech, transatlantic cooperation, and secure borders.
Do proposals need to show benefits for both Latvia and the United States?
Yes. Proposals are expected to show tangible benefits for both Latvian and U.S. citizens, mainly by deepening cooperation, strengthening democratic resilience, and expanding shared capacity in areas important to both countries as transatlantic partners and NATO allies.
How much funding is available per award?
Individual awards are anticipated to range from $5,000 to $35,000.
What type of awards will be issued?
Awards will be issued as either grants or fixed amount awards.
When was the opportunity posted, and what is the application deadline?
The opportunity was posted on April 13, 2026. Applications are due May 4, 2026.
When will award decisions be made?
Decisions are expected no later than June 30, 2026.
When can projects start, and when must they be completed?
Projects may not start earlier than September 30, 2026, and should be completed by September 30, 2027.
What performance expectations does AEIF 2026 set?
The notice includes two stated objectives: (1) support at least two alumni-led projects that each reach at least 100 direct beneficiaries and demonstrate measurable impact within 12 months after completion, and (2) increase awareness of U.S.-Latvia partnership achievements and Freedom 250 among at least 1,000 people in Latvia through alumni-led activities.
How many alumni must be on a proposal team?
Each proposal must be submitted by a team of at least two alumni.
Are there citizenship requirements for the alumni team?
Yes. The team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen alumni.
Can a U.S. citizen alumnus/alumna lead the application?
No. U.S. citizen alumni cannot be the lead applicant or submit the proposal, but they may participate as team members.
Can alumni from different programs or different countries team up?
Yes. Teams are encouraged to mix alumni from different programs and different countries, reflecting an interest in cross-network collaboration and broader perspectives.
Who can submit the application (the applicant of record)?
Applications can be submitted by alumni directly, by non-governmental organizations they represent, or by alumni associations.
Are for-profit entities eligible to apply?
No. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient.
Can an academic institution apply?
Academic institutions cannot apply in the name of the institution, but they can participate as implementation partners.
If subcontractors or partners are involved, what must the proposal include?
If subcontractors are used, the proposal must clearly define roles and responsibilities (who does what). The prime recipient must be a single non-profit, non-governmental entity.
Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required, but it is encouraged. Examples include donated venues, pro bono expertise, volunteer time, discounted services, and contributions from local businesses and NGOs.
Are there limits on the number of proposals that can be submitted?
Yes. Only one proposal per organization is allowed. If an organization submits more than one, all of them become ineligible.
What language must the application be written in?
All documents must be in English.
In what currency should the budget be prepared?
Budgets must be in U.S. dollars.
What happens if an application does not follow the instructions or limits?
Proposals that fail to follow instructions, exceed limits, or do not address the theme and objectives can be ruled ineligible.
What federal forms are required for submission?
Applicants must submit the SF-424 (or SF-424-I for individuals) and SF-424A, and in some cases SF-424B (required for individuals and certain organizations depending on SAM.gov registration requirements).
What is required in the narrative proposal, and how long can it be?
The narrative proposal is capped at 12 pages and should use the Embassy-provided AEIF 2026 proposal form (or at least include all required sections). It should include a summary and cover sheet, a clear problem statement, defined goals and measurable objectives, detailed activities, methods and design (with a logic model if appropriate), an implementation timeline with dates and locations, staffing and key personnel roles, partner descriptions, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and sustainability.
What does AEIF 2026 require for monitoring, evaluation, and impact?
Applicants must include a monitoring and evaluation plan describing how results will be tracked and assessed, and the program emphasizes measurable impact (including expectations tied to direct beneficiaries and post-project impact within 12 months after completion).
What does sustainability mean for this grant?
Sustainability refers to how the work continues or remains useful after the grant ends, and applicants are expected to address this in the narrative.
What budgeting templates or documentation are required?
Applicants must use the provided budget justification template and submit a detailed line-item budget with a narrative justification. Budgets without narratives will not be reviewed.
Are there caps or guidelines on project management costs?
Yes. Project management costs (including speaker, trainer, and consultant fees) should not exceed 30 percent of the total request.
Are there caps or guidelines on travel costs?
Yes. Travel (including lodging and per diem) should not exceed 15 percent of the total request and will be scrutinized for necessity and cost-effectiveness.
Are there specific rules about lodging costs?
Yes. Lodging is intended for short-term programming needs, not long-term rent for team members.
Can grant funds be used to buy equipment?
The guidance encourages renting rather than purchasing equipment when renting saves money.
Do applicants need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and SAM.gov registration?
Organizations are required to have a UEI and SAM.gov registration. Individuals do not need UEI/SAM registration.
Is there any indication the Embassy will discuss ideas before submission?
Yes. The opportunity signals openness to discussing project ideas in advance, suggesting early consultation may help applicants shape proposals to fit priorities, compliance requirements, and measurable impact expectations.
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