Opportunity Information: Apply for HRV 001 FY2026
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF) is a competitive grant opportunity run through the U.S. Embassy Zagreb Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) that supports projects designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs. The basic purpose is to help exchange alumni take what they learned during their U.S.-supported experiences and turn it into practical, community-facing projects that advance shared interests, align with U.S. policy objectives, and deliver clear benefits in Croatia. In other words, this is not a general public grant; it is specifically meant to keep U.S. exchange networks active and impactful by funding alumni-driven ideas with measurable local outcomes.
A key feature of this opportunity is that it functions as a nomination pipeline rather than a guaranteed award. The Embassy selection process identifies winning projects as Croatia candidates for the larger AEIF program, and those nominated proposals then compete against submissions from other countries for final approval and funding. The notice also stresses that submitting a proposal does not create any commitment to fund it. Even after review, an award only exists once it is formally approved and an agreement is signed by a grants officer. The Embassy also explicitly reserves the right to make no awards at all and to adjust project budgets up or down based on program priorities and available funds.
Eligibility is tightly defined around exchange alumni participation and team composition. Proposals must involve at least two alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, and one person must be identified as the team lead. Alumni associations may also apply if the country has current U.S. representation, but they still must designate an alumni team lead. If a larger group of three or more alumni applies together, U.S. citizen alumni are allowed to participate, but the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni, and U.S. citizens cannot serve as team leads. The solicitation is very clear that non-alumni should not apply.
From an administrative standpoint, applicants should be prepared for standard U.S. government grants compliance requirements. Organizations involved must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required, which lowers the barrier for alumni groups that have strong ideas but limited cash resources.
In terms of funding size and timing, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number HRV 001 FY2026 and CFDA 19.022, administered by the U.S. Mission to Croatia. The application deadline is May 11, 2026. The award ceiling is $35,000 per award, and the Embassy expects to make about two awards, indicating a competitive process with limited slots. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed as "Other," which typically signals flexibility in project themes as long as the proposal clearly fits the AEIF purpose and required criteria.
Overall, AEIF 2026 in Croatia is best understood as a targeted, alumni-only funding channel for team-based projects that translate exchange experience into concrete community impact. Strong applications will usually be those that clearly demonstrate an active alumni partnership, a realistic plan and budget within the $35,000 limit, alignment with shared U.S.-Croatia interests and policy priorities, and outcomes that can be described and measured, while also meeting the eligibility and SAM.gov/UEI requirements needed to receive U.S. government funding.Apply for HRV 001 FY2026
- The U.S. Mission to Croatia in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026" 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 2026-04-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-11. (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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Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF) - FAQs
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF)?
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2026 (AEIF) is a competitive grant opportunity run through the U.S. Embassy Zagreb Public Diplomacy Section (PDS). It supports projects that are designed and led by alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs, with a focus on practical, community-facing impact in Croatia.
Who is running and administering this opportunity?
This opportunity is run through the U.S. Embassy Zagreb Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) and is administered by the U.S. Mission to Croatia.
Is this a general public grant anyone can apply for?
No. This is not a general public grant. The solicitation is specifically meant for alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, and it explicitly states that non-alumni should not apply.
What is the main purpose of AEIF in Croatia?
The purpose is to help exchange alumni turn what they learned during their U.S.-supported exchange experiences into practical projects that benefit communities in Croatia. Projects are expected to advance shared interests, align with U.S. policy objectives, and deliver clear local benefits with measurable outcomes.
What kinds of projects does AEIF support?
The activity category is listed as "Other," which suggests flexibility in project themes. However, projects must clearly fit the AEIF purpose: alumni-led, community-facing, aligned with shared U.S.-Croatia interests and U.S. policy objectives, and designed to deliver clear and measurable benefits in Croatia.
What makes this opportunity a "nomination pipeline"?
The Embassy selection process identifies winning projects as Croatia candidates for the larger AEIF program. Those nominated proposals then compete against submissions from other countries for final approval and funding, meaning a proposal selected locally is not automatically guaranteed final funding.
Does submitting a proposal guarantee funding?
No. The notice emphasizes that submitting a proposal does not create any commitment to fund it. An award only exists once it is formally approved and an agreement is signed by a grants officer.
Can the Embassy decide not to fund any proposals?
Yes. The Embassy explicitly reserves the right to make no awards at all.
Can the proposed budget be changed by the Embassy?
Yes. The Embassy reserves the right to adjust project budgets up or down based on program priorities and available funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is tightly defined around exchange alumni participation. Proposals must involve at least two alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs, and one person must be identified as the team lead. The solicitation is clear that non-alumni should not apply.
How many alumni are required on a project team?
At least two alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs must be involved in the proposal.
Is a team lead required?
Yes. One person must be identified as the team lead.
Can alumni associations apply?
Yes. Alumni associations may apply if the country has current U.S. representation, but they still must designate an alumni team lead.
Can U.S. citizen alumni participate?
Yes, in a specific scenario. If a larger group of three or more alumni applies together, U.S. citizen alumni are allowed to participate, but the team must include at least two non-U.S. citizen exchange alumni.
Can a U.S. citizen serve as the team lead?
No. In teams of three or more alumni where U.S. citizens participate, U.S. citizens cannot serve as team leads.
Are non-alumni allowed to apply or lead?
No. The solicitation explicitly states that non-alumni should not apply.
What compliance or registration requirements should applicants expect?
Applicants should be prepared for standard U.S. government grants compliance requirements. Organizations involved must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required.
What is the maximum grant amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $35,000 per award.
How many awards are expected?
The Embassy expects to make about two awards, indicating a competitive process with limited slots.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 11, 2026.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA listing?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HRV 001 FY2026, and the CFDA number is 19.022.
What country is the project impact focused on?
The notice describes this as an AEIF opportunity in Croatia, and it emphasizes community-facing projects that deliver clear benefits in Croatia.
What should strong applications demonstrate?
Strong applications will typically show an active alumni partnership, a realistic plan and budget within the $35,000 limit, alignment with shared U.S.-Croatia interests and U.S. policy priorities, and outcomes that can be described and measured, while also meeting eligibility and SAM.gov/UEI requirements.
When is an award considered official?
An award is only considered official once it is formally approved and an agreement is signed by a grants officer.
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