Status: Open

Posted date: April 21, 2026

Opportunity ID: 361983

Opportunity number: PORTLOUIS-AEIF-FY26-01

Opportunity category: Discretionary

Agency name: U.S. Mission to Mauritius

Agency code: DOS-MUS

Award floor: $5,000

Award ceiling: $35,000

Cost sharing required: No

Basic Information1. OverviewFunding Opportunity Title 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)Funding Opportunity Number PORTLOUIS-AEIF-FY26-01Announcement Type New funding opportunityDeadline for Applications May 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (GMT+4)Assistance Listing Number 19.022Length of performance period 6 to 12 monthsNumber of awards anticipated Maximum 2 awards depending on amountAward amounts Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000Total available funding $70,000 pending availability of funds Type of Funding Fulbright-HaysAnticipated project start date September 15, 2026Funding Instrument Type: Grant or fixed amount award (FAA). Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.This notice is subject to availability of funding.2. Executive SummaryThe Embassy of the United States in Mauritius announces an open competition for past participants (“alumni”) of U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026). We seek proposals from teams of at least two alumni that meet all program eligibility requirements below. Exchange alumni interested in participating in AEIF 2026 should submit proposals to [email protected] by May 4, 2026.B. Eligibility1. Eligible Applicants• Applicants must be alumni of a U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange program (https://alumni.state.gov/list-exchange-programs) or a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program (https://j1visa.state.gov/).• Projects teams must include teams of at least two (2) alumni.• Alumni who are U.S. citizens may not submit proposals, but U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members in a project.• Alumni teams may be comprised of alumni from different exchange programs and different countries.• Applications must be submitted by exchange alumni or alumni associations of USG exchange alumni. Not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are not eligible to apply in the name of the organization but can serve as partners for implementing project activities.2. Cost Sharing or MatchingInclusion of cost share is not a requirement of this opportunity, but it is encouraged.3. Other Eligibility RequirementsAll organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov. Organizations must have a commitment to equal opportunity employment practices and to non-discrimination practices about beneficiaries, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding.C. Program Description1. Goals and ObjectivesAEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, the U.S. Department of State has funded more than 1,100 AEIF projects worldwide, initiated and led by teams of international citizen alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. AEIF grants support these teams of Exchange Alumni on projects that increase the regional and global collaboration of alumni, support U.S. foreign policy objectives, and benefit local communities.2. Program Objectives:AEIF increases the impact of the U.S. government’s investment in exchange programs by helping alumni develop and implement projects to support U.S. policy objectives and promote shared interests. Additionally, all AEIF projects must include at least one of the following:1. Convene alumni from different exchange programs to build or expand an alumni network capable of working together on common interests and increasing regional and global collaboration of alumni. Every project proposal should include at least two exchange alumni or involvement of an alumni association.2. Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities that address shared goals and challenges. 3. Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities for maximum impact.3. Substantial InvolvementThere will be no substantial involvement from the U.S. Embassy.D. Application Contents and FormatPlease follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.