Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 Dominican Republic

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Dominican Republic is administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic. This program is part of the Department’s broader public diplomacy efforts funded under the Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds and is designed to strengthen international educational ties and promote U.S. leadership in higher education globally. The initiative reflects long-standing U.S. foreign policy priorities of fostering people-to-people connections, supporting workforce development, and building sustainable institutional partnerships between the United States and partner countries. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support alumni-led projects that enhance collaboration between U.S. and Dominican higher education institutions. The program emphasizes the role of U.S. government exchange alumni as catalysts for innovation, mentorship, and institutional connection. Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to introduce U.S.-based educational models, teaching practices, and research methodologies, while also promoting long-term partnerships that extend beyond the life of the grant. Activities may include faculty collaboration, student training, joint research initiatives, mentorship programs, and efforts to increase awareness of study opportunities in the United States. Funding under this opportunity is provided through a grant or fixed amount award mechanism, with a total program funding of 35,000 dollars and individual awards ranging from 5,000 to 35,000 dollars. The performance period for funded projects is expected to be between 12 and 24 months, with an anticipated project start date in November 2026. While cost sharing is encouraged, it is not required. The program does not support certain types of activities, including partisan political projects, charitable or humanitarian services, construction, religious programming, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, scientific research, commercial ventures, or projects focused primarily on organizational growth. Eligibility is focused on organizations that can demonstrate the ability to implement collaborative educational initiatives. Eligible applicants include Dominican nonprofit organizations such as civil society groups and think tanks, as well as Dominican public and private educational institutions. Additionally, project teams must be led by U.S. government exchange alumni and involve partnerships with Dominican or U.S. academic institutions. Organizations are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier and active registration in SAM.gov. The program targets university students, faculty, administrators, and exchange alumni as primary participants and beneficiaries. The application process is structured as an open competition, with submissions required by June 14, 2026. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive proposal outlining project objectives, activities, partnerships, and expected outcomes aligned with the program’s goals. While specific application components are not fully detailed in the synopsis, proposals are expected to demonstrate measurable impact, sustainability, and alignment with stated objectives such as training participants, establishing institutional partnerships, and increasing awareness of U.S. educational opportunities. Evaluation will likely consider the quality of proposed collaborations, participant outcomes, and the sustainability of results beyond the grant period. Program success is measured through clearly defined objectives, including training a minimum number of students and faculty, establishing at least one institutional partnership, and producing tangible outputs such as research collaborations or educational programming. Additional emphasis is placed on alumni leadership and engagement, ensuring that exchange alumni play a central role in project design and implementation. The initiative also aims to increase awareness of U.S. higher education opportunities through EducationUSA-supported activities and measurable knowledge gains among participants. For questions or technical assistance, applicants may contact the designated grantor representative, Aida G De La Mota Toribio, via phone. The timeline includes a posting date of May 15, 2026, and a closing date of June 14, 2026, with awards anticipated to begin in November 2026. The program may offer continuation funding on a non-competitive basis depending on performance and funding availability. While the opportunity is presented as a continuation category, no explicit recurring cycle is stated, indicating that future rounds are not guaranteed.

Focus on measurable outcomes, sustainability, and strong institutional partnerships; prioritize alumni-led implementation and long-term collaboration impact