AEIF provides funding for U.S.-sponsored and facilitated exchange program alumni to design and implement innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global process.

The U.S. Embassy in Zambia welcomes AEIF proposals which aim to strengthen alumni networks, support collaboration at the regional and global level, and continue building strong relationships between alumni and the U.S. government. AEIF 2026 priority areas include: promoting freedom of expression and digital freedom; highlighting American excellence; contributing to a safer, stronger, and more prosperous United States. Continued alignment with U.S. government priorities is essential. All AEIF projects must celebrate and promote “Freedom 250” and align with U.S. policy goals.

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy welcomes AEIF proposals to support an alumni summit. Proposals for an alumni summit must meet all of the aforementioned AEIF objectives, and proposals can include funds for follow-on activities such as small grants opportunities. Successful proposals will demonstrate strong engagement with and among exchange alumni, target audiences strategic to U.S. policy goals, and outline a plan for continuing engagement with alumni. Proposals can request up to $100,000 for bilateral, regional, or sub-regional projects, and up to $40,000 for single country projects.

Applicants must carefully review eligibility requirements, program goals, and objectives before submitting a proposal. Proposals that do not address Freedom 250 and at least one priority area will be deemed ineligible. All activities must take place outside the United States and its territories.

Project Audience(s):

All target audiences should be in Zambia. Proposals should specify target audiences for planned activities, including demographic information (such as age and profession) as well as approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted.

Project Objectives:

AEIF aims to increase 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. Additionally, all AEIF projects must celebrate and promote the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States (“Freedom 250”) and align with administration priorities in Zambia.

Furthermore, AEIF projects must include at least one of the following:

·        Convene alumni from different exchange programs to further expand the alumni network with the goal of increasing capacity and supporting U.S. policy objectives.

·        Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government to work together on activities addressing shared goals and challenges.

·        Support alumni as they develop their leadership capacity and implement projects in their communities for maximum impact.

Please see more information by accessing the link to the NOFO.