The U.S. Embassy in Budapest announced on Apr. 15 that it is accepting project proposals for the 2026 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), inviting alumni of U.S. government exchange programs to submit ideas aimed at strengthening communities and celebrating America’s upcoming 250th birthday.
The fund offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 for projects lasting up to twelve months. The embassy said eligible projects should focus on revitalizing alumni networks, promoting collaboration and mentorship among program participants, delivering tangible benefits to Hungarian communities and institutions, and advancing shared priorities between the United States and Hungary.
To qualify, applicants must be non-U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government exchange programs based in Hungary; teams must have at least two members with a clearly identified team lead who is not a U.S. citizen, though American alumni may participate as team members but cannot lead the projects.
Proposals must be submitted using official AEIF forms via email to BudapestGrants@state.gov by May 5, 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time. The subject line should follow the format: AEIF26_BUD_Project Title (for example: AEIF26_BUD_STEM Curricula). Those seeking more information or application materials are encouraged to contact the same email address.
According to the announcement, “Turn your alumni experience into a high impact project that connects fellow alumni, supports Hungarian communities, and celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.” The embassy encourages interested parties to begin drafting their proposals promptly.
