2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026)

United States Embassy in Bahrain 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). AEIF 2026 supports alumni-led projects that advance U.S. foreign policy objectives, strengthen people-to-people ties, and amplify the long-term impact of U.S. exchange programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate how alumni apply skills and networks gained during their exchange experiences to address shared challenges in their communities. All AEIF projects must celebrate and The promote America’s 250th anniversary and align with policy goals such as making the United States and its partners safer, stronger, and more prosperous. We seek proposals from teams of at least two exchange alumni that meet all eligibility requirements outlined below. Exchange alumni interested in participating should submit completed applications and all required materials to ManamaPAO@state.gov by COB Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Program Details

U.S. Mission to Bahrain is a federal agency that offers the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2026) grant program to support research innovation. This funding opportunity is available nationally and is administered by U.S. Mission to Bahrain through Grants.gov. Organizations seeking funding for research innovation should review the details below and confirm their eligibility before preparing an application.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include eligible organizations. Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply and to review the full program guidelines before submission. Because eligibility rules and funding priorities can change between cycles, applicants should always confirm the current requirements with U.S. Mission to Bahrain or on Grants.gov before investing time in an application.

Funding and Timeline

Funding available: $5K – $35K. Applications are due by April 30, 2026. Applicants should allow sufficient time to gather required documentation, including organizational information, project descriptions, budgets, and supporting materials as specified in the program guidelines. Submitting a complete application well ahead of the deadline reduces the risk of disqualification on technical or administrative grounds.

Program Focus

This grant supports research innovation. This grant is associated with NAICS industry classifications: 611310, 813920. Organizations operating in these sectors are encouraged to review eligibility. Funded projects are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with the program's stated objectives. Grant recipients may be required to submit progress reports and final evaluations as a condition of the award, and to retain records for audit and compliance purposes.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations can apply through Grants.gov. Create a free organization profile on GrantRegister to see whether this grant matches your organization's NAICS code, entity type, location, and focus area, and to receive a weekly digest of every open grant you qualify for.

GrantRegister maintains a complete, authoritative registry of US federal, state, and foundation grant opportunities — matched automatically to your organization profile and delivered every Monday.

Eligibility

• Funded by State-mission

Award details

Award range: $5K – $35K. Applications close on April 30, 2026.

Categories

Research Innovation