Opportunity Information: Apply for S DR860 26 NOGO 0002
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 - Summit Dominican Republic is a U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo funding opportunity that supports alumni-led summits designed to strengthen economic freedom, democratic innovation, and collaboration across the Americas in connection with "Freedom 250," marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The program is built around the idea that U.S. strengths in free enterprise, transparent markets, rule of law, and innovation can be shared through practical, high-impact convenings that help entrepreneurs and creative-industry leaders across Latin America and the Caribbean grow stronger businesses and build durable cross-border partnerships. Selected projects are expected to take place in the Dominican Republic and to bring together exchange alumni and ecosystem stakeholders to expand regional networks, transfer applied knowledge, and showcase U.S.-aligned approaches to entrepreneurship and democratic economic principles.
Funding is provided through FY 2026 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds under Assistance Listing 19.022. The anticipated project start date is August 2026, with a performance period ranging from 4 to 12 months, but the proposed summits themselves should be completed between August and December 2026. Award sizes are expected to range from USD 40,000 to USD 90,000, with total funding up to USD 90,000 pending availability. The instrument may be a grant, a fixed amount award, or a cooperative agreement; if a cooperative agreement (or FAA with substantial involvement) is used, the U.S. Embassy will play an active role in key elements of implementation rather than acting solely as a funder. While cost sharing is encouraged, it is not required. The notice also indicates the possibility of non-competitive continuation funding beyond the initial budget period, dependent on funds, performance, and U.S. government interest.
Eligible applicants include Dominican alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs such as YLAI, IVLP, Fulbright, and other ECA programs, as well as Dominican not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs) and Dominican public or private educational institutions that are led by or formally partnering with exchange alumni. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration (individuals are not required to have UEI/SAM.gov). A key administrative limitation is that only one proposal may be submitted per organization; if an organization submits multiple proposals, all submissions from that institution may be deemed ineligible.
The opportunity is framed around a specific regional need: Latin America and the Caribbean have large and growing creative and cultural industries (cited as generating over USD 124 billion annually) and an expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem, but many entrepreneurs, especially in creative and emerging sectors, remain less prepared to attract investment, face persistent intellectual property challenges, and have limited connection to U.S. market frameworks and advanced-economy practices. In response, the summits are meant to combine practical skills-building with structured networking and follow-on mechanisms that keep collaborations alive after the event. The Embassy highlights approaches that have worked well before, including multi-day formats for deeper engagement, company visits that expose participants to innovative business models, pitch rounds and matchmaking sessions to stimulate deals and partnerships, and public-facing conferences that broaden the impact beyond the core cohort.
The primary audience is exchange alumni entrepreneurs and innovation leaders (generally ages 25-45) from the Dominican Republic and across Latin America and the Caribbean, with a particular emphasis on creative industries, technology, and related "new economy" sectors. Participation is also intended to include U.S. exchange alumni, business leaders, investors, and subject matter experts who can serve as speakers, trainers, mentors, or facilitators. Beyond direct participants, the summits are expected to engage broader alumni networks and ecosystem stakeholders through public-facing conference components, reaching audiences such as private sector leaders, investors, civil society, government representatives, media, and the general public.
Program success is defined in measurable outcomes that emphasize both skills gains and real collaboration. By the end of the summits, at least 85 percent of participating alumni should show increased knowledge in at least three targeted areas, which include investment readiness for creative enterprises, intellectual property protection, ethical AI literacy in creative industries, governance and transparency frameworks, and cross-border market expansion strategies aligned with U.S. advanced-economy practices (measured through pre- and post-event surveys). Within three months after each summit, the program expects at least three documented cross-border collaborations per summit, such as co-productions, distribution agreements, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships. Each summit is also expected to include a public-facing conference that convenes at least 200 alumni and stakeholders, with at least 70 percent reporting increased understanding of entrepreneurship and the creative economy as strategic growth areas tied to democratic economic principles and U.S. values. Finally, within one month after each summit, organizers should generate at least five media or digital features that highlight U.S.-regional collaboration and the themes of economic freedom and innovation.
If awarded as a cooperative agreement (or an FAA with substantial involvement), the U.S. Embassy plans to be directly engaged in implementation in several ways. Embassy roles include delivering opening and closing remarks, reviewing and approving major milestones such as participant criteria, speaker selection, and the agenda, joining planning meetings to ensure alignment with policy priorities and Freedom 250 themes, facilitating connections to U.S. speakers or private sector partners when appropriate, reviewing communications and branding for compliance with State Department guidelines, and monitoring implementation and evaluation. The recipient organization is expected to handle end-to-end execution: designing the program, recruiting and selecting participants under approved criteria, managing logistics (venue, travel, catering, materials), developing curriculum and coordinating speakers, running monitoring and evaluation and collecting required data, managing the budget and federal-compliant reporting, and organizing follow-on activities while tracking cross-border partnerships after the summit.
The solicitation also clearly lists what it will not fund, which is important for applicants shaping project ideas. Prohibited activities include partisan political work, direct charitable or development services (such as medical, psychological, or humanitarian aid), construction, religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, scientific research or surveys, commercial projects, projects primarily aimed at growing the applicant institution itself, duplicative projects, and any illegal activities. In practical terms, proposals need to stay focused on convening, training, network-building, and collaboration outcomes that connect alumni and regional partners to U.S. business excellence, democratic governance principles, and market-based economic growth.Apply for S DR860 26 NOGO 0002
- The U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 – Summit Dominican Republic" 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 2026-05-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-04. (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 $90,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 - Summit Dominican Republic
What is the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2026 - Summit Dominican Republic?
AEIF 2026 - Summit Dominican Republic is a U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo funding opportunity that supports alumni-led summits in the Dominican Republic. The summits are designed to strengthen economic freedom, democratic innovation, and collaboration across the Americas in connection with "Freedom 250," marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Who is offering and funding this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo and funded through FY 2026 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds under Assistance Listing 19.022.
What types of projects is this grant meant to support?
The opportunity supports alumni-led summits that combine practical skills-building with structured networking and follow-on mechanisms that keep collaborations active after the event. The emphasis is on convenings that help entrepreneurs and creative-industry leaders across Latin America and the Caribbean grow stronger businesses and build durable cross-border partnerships aligned with U.S. strengths such as free enterprise, transparent markets, rule of law, and innovation.
Where are the selected projects expected to take place?
Selected projects are expected to take place in the Dominican Republic.
When is the anticipated project start date?
The anticipated project start date is August 2026.
How long can the project performance period be?
The performance period can range from 4 to 12 months.
When must the summit itself be completed?
The proposed summits should be completed between August and December 2026.
How much funding is available per award?
Award sizes are expected to range from USD 40,000 to USD 90,000, with total funding up to USD 90,000 pending availability.
What kind of funding instrument will be used?
The instrument may be a grant, a fixed amount award, or a cooperative agreement. If a cooperative agreement (or FAA with substantial involvement) is used, the U.S. Embassy will play an active role in key elements of implementation rather than acting solely as a funder.
Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required.
Is there a possibility of continuation funding?
Yes. The notice indicates the possibility of non-competitive continuation funding beyond the initial budget period, depending on funds availability, performance, and U.S. government interest.
Who is eligible to apply as an individual?
Eligible individual applicants include Dominican alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs such as YLAI, IVLP, Fulbright, and other ECA programs.
Who is eligible to apply as an organization?
Eligible organizational applicants include Dominican not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs) and Dominican public or private educational institutions that are led by or formally partnering with exchange alumni.
Do organizations need a UEI and SAM.gov registration?
Yes. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration.
Do individual applicants need a UEI and SAM.gov registration?
No. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or SAM.gov registration.
How many proposals may an organization submit?
Only one proposal may be submitted per organization. If an organization submits multiple proposals, all submissions from that institution may be deemed ineligible.
What is the main regional need this program is responding to?
The opportunity is framed around the growth of creative and cultural industries (cited as generating over USD 124 billion annually) and an expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside gaps such as limited investment readiness, persistent intellectual property challenges, and limited connection to U.S. market frameworks and advanced-economy practices. The summits are intended to address these needs through applied learning, networking, and collaboration.
Who is the primary audience for the summits?
The primary audience is exchange alumni entrepreneurs and innovation leaders (generally ages 25-45) from the Dominican Republic and across Latin America and the Caribbean, with emphasis on creative industries, technology, and related "new economy" sectors.
Who else is expected to participate?
Participation is intended to include U.S. exchange alumni, business leaders, investors, and subject matter experts who can serve as speakers, trainers, mentors, or facilitators. The summits are also expected to engage broader alumni networks and ecosystem stakeholders through public-facing conference components.
What program formats or activities does the Embassy highlight as effective?
The Embassy highlights multi-day formats for deeper engagement, company visits that expose participants to innovative business models, pitch rounds and matchmaking sessions to stimulate deals and partnerships, and public-facing conferences to broaden impact beyond the core cohort.
What outcomes are expected by the end of the summit?
By the end of the summits, at least 85 percent of participating alumni should show increased knowledge in at least three targeted areas, measured through pre- and post-event surveys.
What are the targeted knowledge areas participants may be assessed on?
The targeted areas include investment readiness for creative enterprises, intellectual property protection, ethical AI literacy in creative industries, governance and transparency frameworks, and cross-border market expansion strategies aligned with U.S. advanced-economy practices.
What collaboration results are expected after the summit?
Within three months after each summit, the program expects at least three documented cross-border collaborations per summit, such as co-productions, distribution agreements, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships.
Is a public-facing conference required?
Yes. Each summit is expected to include a public-facing conference that convenes at least 200 alumni and stakeholders.
What outcomes are expected from the public-facing conference component?
At least 70 percent of public-facing conference attendees are expected to report increased understanding of entrepreneurship and the creative economy as strategic growth areas tied to democratic economic principles and U.S. values.
Are there media or communications deliverables?
Yes. Within one month after each summit, organizers should generate at least five media or digital features highlighting U.S.-regional collaboration and the themes of economic freedom and innovation.
What does it mean if the award is a cooperative agreement?
If awarded as a cooperative agreement (or an FAA with substantial involvement), the U.S. Embassy plans to be directly engaged in implementation, including delivering opening and closing remarks; reviewing and approving major milestones such as participant criteria, speaker selection, and the agenda; joining planning meetings to ensure alignment with policy priorities and Freedom 250 themes; facilitating certain connections to U.S. speakers or private sector partners when appropriate; reviewing communications and branding for compliance with State Department guidelines; and monitoring implementation and evaluation.
What is the recipient expected to do if funded?
The recipient organization is expected to handle end-to-end execution, including program design; recruiting and selecting participants under approved criteria; logistics (venue, travel, catering, materials); curriculum development and speaker coordination; monitoring and evaluation and data collection; budget management and federal-compliant reporting; and organizing follow-on activities while tracking cross-border partnerships after the summit.
What types of activities are explicitly not funded?
Prohibited activities include partisan political work, direct charitable or development services (such as medical, psychological, or humanitarian aid), construction, religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, scientific research or surveys, commercial projects, projects primarily aimed at growing the applicant institution itself, duplicative projects, and any illegal activities.
What kinds of project ideas fit best given the restrictions?
Based on the notice, proposals should stay focused on convening, training, network-building, and collaboration outcomes that connect alumni and regional partners to U.S. business excellence, democratic governance principles, and market-based economic growth, rather than activities that fall into the prohibited categories.
What sectors are emphasized for participants and programming?
The opportunity places particular emphasis on creative industries, technology, and related "new economy" sectors, while maintaining a broader entrepreneurship and innovation focus.
How will knowledge gains be measured?
Knowledge gains are expected to be measured through pre- and post-event surveys tied to the targeted learning areas described in the notice.
What counts as a documented cross-border collaboration?
The notice provides examples of collaborations such as co-productions, distribution agreements, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships, and expects at least three documented collaborations per summit within three months.
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