Zambia Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you're a U.S. exchange program alum with a community project idea in Zambia, this fund directly backs your leadership and network-building with minimal bureaucracy.
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What this is
The Zambia Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund supports former U.S. exchange program participants (Fulbright, YALI, etc.) who design and implement solutions to local challenges. Awards range from $5,000–$35,000 for single-country projects, with larger budgets available for regional efforts. All proposals must celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding, address at least one priority area (freedom of expression, digital freedom, or U.S. policy alignment), and involve convening alumni networks or strengthening alumni–U.S. government partnerships. Activities must occur outside the U.S.
Who can apply
Applicants must be alumni of U.S.-sponsored exchange programs (such as Fulbright, YALI, or similar programs) and be based in or focused on Zambia. Organizations and individuals can apply; all activities must occur outside the U.S. and must align with U.S. government priorities and Freedom 250 themes.
Eligible applicant types
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Full description — from the agency
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.
Topics: alumni engagement fund zambia · exchange program grants · community innovation projects · freedom 250 · u.s. policy zambia · digital freedom grants
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.