Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026, Estonia

> Download XLSX file: AEIF 2026 Budget Form.xlsx

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AEIF proposal form

2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Proposal Form

To be completed by exchange alumni team leaders or U.S. Embassy/Consulate

All sections in this form need to be completed in order for the proposal to be eligible for submission.

Application Form Guidance is provided at the end of this form.

Application Form Guidance

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Estonia AEIF 2026 NOFO

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund

U.S. Embassy Tallinn, Department of State

Opportunity number: TAL-001-AEIF2026

Application deadline: April 30, 2026

U.S Department of State
U.S. Embassy Tallinn

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Basic Information

Overview

Funding Instrument Type: Grant or fixed amount award (FAA).

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 months or less.

Priority Region: Estonia

This funding opportunity is limited to projects implemented in Estonia. All proposed activities must take place within Estonia and directly benefit local communities.

This notice is subject to the availability of funding. The U.S. Mission reserves the right to award more or fewer grants than anticipated, depending on the quality of proposals and available resources.

Executive Summary

The U.S. Mission in Estonia’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is pleased to announce the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF). The AEIF is an annual funding opportunity designed to invest in U.S. government-funded exchange participants and programs by helping alumni develop and implement projects that promote shared interests and policy objectives and benefit local communities. We invite you to submit proposals for projects that meet the requirements of the program (discussed in Section C below). Please read this notice carefully before preparing and submitting a funding proposal.

Please note: This solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by the U.S. government. A final award cannot be made until the proposal has been reviewed and approved, and an award agreement is drawn up and signed by a grants officer. The U.S. Mission reserves the right not to issue an award after receipt of any proposal. The U.S. Mission also reserves the right to reduce, revise, and/or increase a proposal budget in accordance with the needs of the program and availability of funds. Grant expenses may not be incurred prior to the effective date of the grant agreement. Any expenses outside the approved budget require prior written approval of the grants officer.

Only alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Applications from individuals or organizations not meeting this criterion will not be considered.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

• Alumni who participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program where the proposed project involves at least two U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumni, and one is a specified team lead.

• Alumni associations from countries with current U.S. representation, but such applications must specify an alumni team lead.

• If three or more alumni are applying together, U.S. citizen alumni may be included on alumni teams, but the team must have at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange program alumni. U.S. citizen alumni cannot be team leads on project proposals.

• Not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions are eligible to apply provided the organizing team consists of U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumni meeting the criteria described above.

Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required. However, applicants are encouraged to include cost sharing or in-kind contributions, such as volunteer time or donated venues, to demonstrate community support and enhance the sustainability of the project.

Other Eligibility Requirements

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Program Description

Goals and Objectives

The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) amplifies the U.S. government’s investment in exchange programs by empowering alumni to design and implement projects that advance U.S. policy objectives and foster shared interests. All AEIF 2026 projects must celebrate and promote Freedom250—the 250th anniversary of the United States—and directly support key policy goals, including strengthening U.S. security, prosperity, and global leadership; celebrating American excellence; and defending freedom of speech.

To be eligible, every AEIF project must fulfill at least one of the following objectives:

Build or expand alumni networks: Convene alumni from different U.S. government exchange programs to collaborate on common interests and increase regional or global cooperation.

Deepen alumni-U.S. government partnerships: Strengthen the relationship between alumni and the U.S. government through joint activities that address shared goals and challenges.

Develop alumni leadership and community impact: Support alumni as they grow their leadership skills and implement high-impact projects that benefit their communities.

Projects that clearly demonstrate alignment with these goals and objectives will be prioritized for funding.

Substantial Involvement

Not Applicable

Application Contents and Format

Carefully follow all instructions below. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated instructions will be deemed ineligible.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Only proposals submitted using the official AEIF 2026 forms will be considered for funding. Submit all proposals by email to SusiJ@state.gov. The email subject line must read: AEIF26_Estonia_Project Title. Attach all required documentation to the email; documents uploaded to shared drives will not be retrieved. Proposals that do not adhere to these submission requirements will be ineligible.

The required application and budget forms are available on the U.S. Embassy Tallinn website. All applications and budgets must use the official AEIF 2026 forms.

Content of Application

Ensure that your submission meets the following requirements:

The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity.

All documents are in English.

All budgets are in U.S. dollars.

All pages are numbered.

All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, use 14-point Times New Roman font, and have a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – individuals)

• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs). Note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in SAM.gov.

Proposal:

The attached Microsoft Word proposal form, AEIF 2026 Proposal Form.docx, must be used. Do not save as a PDF. Rename the document to AEIF26_Estonia_Project Title.docx. A partially completed form may result in your application being rejected on technical grounds.

Budget:

The attached Microsoft Word proposal form, AEIF 2026 Budget Form.xlsx must be used. Do not save as a PDF. Rename the document to AEIF26_Estonia_Project Title.xlsx. Read the “Budget Guidelines” tab first. Budget amounts must be in U.S. dollars.

AEIF 2026 can support the following budget items:

• Intra-regional or in-country transportation

• Rental of venues for project activities

• PPE and sanitizing equipment

• Meals/refreshments integral to the project (i.e., working lunch for a meeting)

• Reasonable costs to support virtual programming (i.e., subscription to Zoom, WebEx, camera/microphones for virtual meetings, mailing services, etc.)

• Trainer or speaker honoraria expenses (i.e., maximum $250/day fee, travel, lodging, per diem)

• Reasonable equipment and materials

• Communications and publicity materials, such as manuals or project advertisements

AEIF 2026 will not support the following budget items:

• Staff salaries, office space, and overhead/operational expenses

• Large items of durable equipment or construction programs

• Alcohol, excessive meals, refreshments not integral to the project, or entertainment

• Any airfare to/from the United States and its territories

• Activities that take place in the United States and its territories

• Individual scholarships

• Social travel/visits

• Gifts, gratuities, or prizes

• Duplication of existing programs

• Institutional development of an organization

• Venture capital, for-profit endeavors, or charging a fee for participation in the project

• Support for specific religious activities

• Fund-raising campaigns

• Support or opposition of partisan political activity or lobbying for specific legislation

• Academic or scientific research

• Charitable or development activities

• Provision of direct social services to a population

Additional attachments are optional:

For example, support materials like workshop agendas, curricula, or previous pilot projects connected to your submission.

Attachments

• 1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner (optional)

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Address to Request Application Package

Application forms required above are available at the U.S. Embassy Tallinn website, and alternatively over e-mail from SusiJ@state.gov

Department of State Contacts

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: SusiJ@state.gov.

Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO.

The 2 CFR 200 requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

Organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain an NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx

NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato.int)

Exemptions

An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than April 30, 2026, at 23:59 EET.

Funding Restrictions

• Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

• None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

• Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws (It seems this provision applies only to awards with place of performance or delivery within the USA)

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

• Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;

• It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted by email to SusiJ@state.gov.

Application Review Information

Review Criteria

1. Review Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the criteria outlined below.

Alignment with Freedom250
The proposal clearly demonstrates how project activities will celebrate and promote Freedom250, the 250th anniversary of the United States, in a manner that is meaningful and relevant to the target audience.

Support for U.S. Policy and Administration Priorities
The proposal aligns with current U.S. policy goals and administration priorities, such as strengthening U.S. security, prosperity, and global leadership; defending freedom of speech; and celebrating American excellence.

Relevance to the Embassy’s Priorities (see section C above)
The proposal provides sufficient information on how the activities will support the Mission’s priorities. Proposed project ideas must be public diplomacy and public service oriented in nature (i.e., not development or military).

Purpose and Summary, Description, and Implementation Plan
Applicants should ensure that the purpose, summary, description, and implementation plan are clear, concise, and compelling. Reviewers will assess the likelihood of the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the community. The proposal should address an important gap or need, describe how it will improve existing knowledge or practice, and specify the intended audience and participant selection process.

Degree of Alumni Involvement
Projects must include the involvement of at least two exchange alumni. More than two alumni may comprise the team; however, the minimum is two. Alumni team leaders must be closely involved in project planning and implementation. The proposal must include for each alumni team member: first name, last name, exchange program, country of citizenship, roles and responsibilities, and degree of time spent on the project.

Participation and Support from Local Partners
The proposal demonstrates buy-in and support from the community where the project will take place. Local partner involvement is a strong indicator of community support and broad engagement with relevant stakeholders, such as subject matter experts, community centers, academic institutions, businesses, government, NGOs, and American Spaces.

Monitoring and Evaluation of the Project
A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan is pivotal to project implementation and tracking progress toward objectives and goals. The M&E plan should include:

Completeness

Applicability and logic of objectives and indicators

Clear approach to monitoring

Adherence to SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) criteria

Data quality plan

Capacity to implement the plan

Communication, Media, and Outreach Plan
The project should include a clear plan and timeline for how and when the team will share information about the project. The U.S. Embassy should receive recognition throughout the process, as circumstances permit.

Budget and Budget Narrative
The budget and narrative justification must be sufficiently detailed. Costs should be reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget must be realistic, account for all necessary expenses, and justify the total cost of the project. Budget items must be reasonable, allowable, and allocable.

Eligibility and Compliance
The applicant and project team must meet all eligibility and compliance requirements as outlined in the NOFO, including alumni status, team composition, and (for organizations) SAM.gov registration.

Feasibility and Sustainability
The project plan must be realistic and achievable within the proposed timeline and budget. Proposals should demonstrate the potential for sustained impact after the grant period ends.

Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Review and Selection Process

A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications.

Risk Review

• Risk factors

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

• Financial stability

• Management systems and standards

• History of performance

• Audit reports and findings

• Ability to effectively implement requirements

Award Notices

The award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient for review and counter-signature. The recipient may only start incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by August 22, 2026, via email.

Payment Method:

Recipients will be required to request payments by completing form SF-270—Request for Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form to the Grants Officer.

Recipients may not draw down funds without the affirmative authorization of the Department of State. In addition, recipients must submit, with each SF-270 payment request, a detailed explanation justifying the request.

Post-Award Requirements and Administration

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:

Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),

Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),

Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and

Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

• 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

• 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

• 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

• 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

• 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. The award document will specify what reports are required and how often these reports must be submitted.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

Other Information

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits:
Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will work directly on the program. Specify the percentage of time each staff member will dedicate to the program.

Travel:
Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for program staff, consultants, speakers, and participants or beneficiaries. If the program includes international travel, provide a brief justification for its necessity.

Equipment:
Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property required for the program that has a useful life of more than one year (or longer than the program duration) and costs at least $10,000 per unit.

Supplies:
List and describe all items and materials needed for the program, including computer devices. If an item costs more than $10,000 per unit, include it under Equipment.

Contractual:
Describe goods and services to be acquired through contracts with vendors. Also detail any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help implement program activities.

Other Direct Costs:
Describe other costs directly associated with the program that do not fit into the categories above, such as shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs:
These are costs that cannot be linked directly to program activities, such as overhead needed to keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations without a NICRA may request indirect costs of up to 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs, as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.

Cost Sharing:
Cost sharing refers to contributions from the applicant organization or other entities, including in-kind contributions such as volunteer time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages:
Award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.