Opportunity Information: Apply for BH 001 FY2026
The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, run through its Public Diplomacy Section. The program is meant to fund alumni-led projects created by people who previously participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The core idea is to help these alumni turn their exchange experience into practical community projects that advance shared U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina interests, support U.S. policy priorities, and deliver visible local benefits. The funding focuses on community development and education activities, and it is structured as a grant rather than a contract or cooperative agreement.
A central requirement for this 2026 round is that every proposed project must clearly celebrate and promote "Freedom 250," tied to the commemoration of the United States' 250th anniversary. Beyond incorporating this theme, projects also need to align with at least one of the stated policy goal directions, such as contributing to a safer, stronger, and more prosperous United States, highlighting and celebrating American excellence, or defending freedom of speech. In practical terms, a competitive proposal would not just mention these themes in passing; it would show how the project activities, messaging, audiences, and outcomes actively support them and connect them to the local context in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Eligibility is designed around teams of exchange alumni rather than single individuals acting alone. Applicants must be alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs, and proposals must involve at least two such alumni, with one person clearly designated as the team lead. Alumni associations from countries where there is current U.S. representation can also apply, but they still must identify a specific alumni team lead. The rules also address mixed-nationality teams: if three or more alumni apply together, U.S. citizen alumni are allowed to participate as team members, but the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni, and U.S. citizen alumni are not permitted to serve as the team lead on the proposal. This structure keeps the focus on empowering local, non-U.S. citizen alumni networks while still allowing collaboration with U.S. alumni when appropriate.
Financially, the award ceiling is USD 35,000 per award, and the U.S. Mission anticipates making about two awards under this announcement. The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 19.022. The funding opportunity number is BH 001 FY2026. The original closing date for applications is April 30, 2026, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of April 22, 2026, indicating a relatively short window between posting and the deadline. Applicants should plan accordingly, since assembling an eligible alumni team, defining roles, building a realistic workplan and budget, and tying the project strongly to both Freedom 250 and the stated policy objectives will likely take focused preparation.Apply for BH 001 FY2026
- The U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the community development, education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund, Bosnia and Herzegovina" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-04-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $35,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) Bosnia and Herzegovina - FAQs
What is the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, administered through its Public Diplomacy Section. It funds projects designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
Who is running this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is run by the U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina through its Public Diplomacy Section.
Is this funding a grant, a contract, or a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity is structured as a grant (not a contract or a cooperative agreement).
What is the main purpose of the AEIF program?
The program is designed to help exchange alumni turn their U.S. exchange experience into practical community projects that advance shared U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina interests, support U.S. policy priorities, and deliver visible local benefits.
What kinds of activities does AEIF Bosnia and Herzegovina focus on?
The funding focuses on community development and education activities.
What is the required theme for the 2026 round?
All proposed projects must clearly celebrate and promote "Freedom 250," tied to the commemoration of the United States' 250th anniversary.
Do projects need to do more than just mention "Freedom 250"?
Yes. A competitive proposal is expected to show how project activities, messaging, audiences, and outcomes actively support Freedom 250 and connect it to the local Bosnia and Herzegovina context, rather than referencing the theme only briefly.
What policy goal directions can projects align with?
In addition to promoting Freedom 250, projects must align with at least one policy goal direction described in the opportunity, such as contributing to a safer, stronger, and more prosperous United States, highlighting and celebrating American excellence, or defending freedom of speech.
Do projects have to align with U.S. policy priorities?
Yes. The opportunity specifically emphasizes that projects should support U.S. policy priorities and advance shared U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina interests while producing visible local benefits.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs, and the application must be submitted by a team rather than a single individual acting alone.
Can one person apply alone?
No. Eligibility is designed around teams of exchange alumni. Proposals must involve at least two eligible alumni, with one person designated as the team lead.
How many alumni are required for a proposal to be eligible?
At least two alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs must be involved in the proposal, and one must be identified as the team lead.
What is the role of the team lead?
The proposal must clearly designate one person as the team lead. For alumni associations and teams, the lead is the identified point person for the alumni team under the application.
Can alumni associations apply?
Yes. Alumni associations from countries where there is current U.S. representation can apply, but they must still identify a specific alumni team lead.
Are mixed-nationality alumni teams allowed?
Yes. The rules allow mixed-nationality teams under specific conditions described for teams of three or more alumni.
Can U.S. citizen alumni participate on a team?
Yes, if three or more alumni apply together. In that case, U.S. citizen alumni may participate as team members, subject to the requirement that the team include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni.
Can a U.S. citizen alumni serve as the team lead?
No. Under the rules for mixed-nationality teams, U.S. citizen alumni are not permitted to serve as the team lead on the proposal.
If a team includes U.S. citizen alumni, what is the minimum non-U.S. citizen alumni requirement?
The team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is USD 35,000 per award.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The U.S. Mission anticipates making about two awards under this announcement.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 19.022.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is BH 001 FY2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date for applications is April 30, 2026.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of April 22, 2026.
How much time is there between posting and the deadline?
Based on the creation date (April 22, 2026) and the closing date (April 30, 2026), the window between posting and the deadline is short. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly.
What should applicants plan for given the short timeline?
Applicants should plan time to assemble an eligible alumni team, define roles (including the team lead), develop a realistic workplan and budget, and ensure the project is strongly tied to Freedom 250 and at least one of the stated policy objectives.
What makes a proposal more competitive under this opportunity?
Based on the opportunity description, competitive proposals would clearly and concretely integrate Freedom 250, align with at least one policy goal direction (such as celebrating American excellence or defending freedom of speech), and demonstrate how activities and messaging will produce visible benefits locally in Bosnia and Herzegovina while advancing shared U.S.-Bosnia and Herzegovina interests.
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