Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 Summit Dominican Republic

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) – Summit Dominican Republic is administered by the U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic under the U.S. Department of State. This program is part of the broader Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs and is funded through Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds. The initiative reflects the U.S. government’s long-standing commitment to fostering international collaboration, democratic governance, and economic development through alumni of its exchange programs. The fund specifically supports projects that strengthen ties between the United States and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic freedom. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support alumni-led summits that advance economic freedom, democratic innovation, and regional collaboration. These summits are intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States while promoting U.S. values such as free enterprise, transparent markets, and the rule of law. The program emphasizes the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly in creative and emerging sectors, by connecting participants with U.S. business practices, investment readiness strategies, and intellectual property frameworks. The goal is to enable participants to scale responsible enterprises and strengthen hemispheric partnerships. Funding is available for projects that organize and implement high-impact summits in the Dominican Republic. These summits must include activities such as capacity-building sessions, networking opportunities, matchmaking events, and public-facing conferences. Allowable uses of funds include program design, logistics, participant recruitment, travel arrangements, curriculum development, and evaluation activities. However, the program explicitly prohibits funding for partisan political activities, charitable or direct service programs, construction, religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, scientific research, commercial ventures, and organizational development projects. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required, allowing applicants flexibility in structuring their budgets. Eligibility for this opportunity includes Dominican alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs, Dominican nonprofit organizations such as civil society groups and think tanks, and Dominican educational institutions that are led by or partner with exchange alumni. Applicants must comply with federal requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and maintaining active registration in SAM.gov. Each organization is limited to submitting one proposal, and failure to comply with this restriction may result in disqualification. The application process involves submitting a proposal that outlines the summit’s objectives, activities, participant selection criteria, and expected outcomes. Applicants are responsible for designing and managing all aspects of the program, including logistics, curriculum, and monitoring and evaluation. The U.S. Embassy plays a collaborative role in cooperative agreements, providing guidance, approving key elements such as participant selection and communications materials, and participating in program evaluation. Applications are expected to demonstrate alignment with program goals, including measurable outcomes related to knowledge transfer, cross-border collaboration, and public diplomacy impact. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that applications are due by mid-June 2026, with an anticipated award date and project start in late August 2026. The period of performance ranges from four to twelve months, with summit activities expected to occur between August and December 2026. While this is a forecasted opportunity, it is subject to the availability of funding, and the Department of State reserves the right to adjust award amounts or the number of awards. Continuation funding may be considered for successful projects based on performance and funding availability. Evaluation of proposals will focus on the applicant’s ability to deliver impactful programming, achieve measurable outcomes, and align with U.S. policy priorities. Successful projects will demonstrate increased participant knowledge in key areas such as investment readiness and intellectual property, foster cross-border partnerships, and generate public visibility through media and outreach. The program also emphasizes sustainability through follow-on activities and continued collaboration among participants. For additional information, applicants may contact the Santo Domingo Grants office by phone for guidance and support during the application process.

Focus on measurable outcomes, cross-border partnerships, and alignment with U.S. economic and democratic values; include strong evaluation and sustainability plans