2022 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund-Italy
🏛 U.S. Mission to Italy
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. educational and cultural institutions seeking to strengthen alumni engagement and networks in Italy. Eligible recipients typically include accredited U.S. colleges, universities, and educational exchange organizations that have established alumni populations in Italy or seek to deepen connections with Italian-based American alumni. The grant supports innovative programming, digital platforms, mentorship initiatives, and community-building activities that reinforce ties between U.S. institutions and their graduates abroad. Geographic scope is limited to Italy. Activities funded may include alumni reunions, professional networking events, skill-sharing programs, and virtual engagement platforms that enhance long-term relationships between alumni and their home institutions.
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Program description
AEIF 2022 should submit proposals to italyalumni@state.gov by January 30, 2022.
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
AEIF 2022 provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and funded exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience in order to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. (https://alumni.state.gov/aeif/congrats-2021-aeif-competition-winners) This year, AEIF 2022 will support the United States’ commitment to principles of diversity and inclusion as tools to promote cultural, democratic, and linguistic engagement with Italian publics, and to reinforce our shared democratic values and norms..
The U.S. Mission to Italy will accept public service projects proposed and managed by teams comprised of at least two (2) alumni that support the following themes:
• Democratic Practices and Principles in Support of Human Rights including diversity and inclusion of minority populations (migrants, LGBTQI+) women’s empowerment, disability rights, intergenerational justice, and climate change.
• Increasing Youth Engagement on Shared Values; including connecting and innovating through language and the arts.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Completed SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative (program description, goals, activities, timeline, evaluation plan)
- Detailed project budget with budget narrative justifying all expenses
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status or institutional credentials for colleges/universities
- Letters of support or commitment from partner institutions or alumni organizations
- Organization history and capacity documentation
- Curriculum vitae or qualifications of key project personnel
Program contact
- 👤 Raissa Brighi Grantor
- 📧 brighir@state.gov
- 📞 +390646742967
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.040 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$4,682,072
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$3,371,312
-
$2,650,000
-
$2,446,525
-
$2,050,500
-
$1,861,451
-
$1,700,000
-
$1,565,795
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,480,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.040). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $129,428,262 | |
| 2019 est. | $34,549,598 | |
| 2020 | $129,979,440 | |
| 2021 | $128,999,999 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Accredited U.S. educational institutions, universities, colleges, and recognized exchange organizations with established or developing alumni communities in Italy are typically eligible. Private and public institutions may apply.
What types of activities does this grant support?
Funded activities commonly include alumni engagement events, mentorship and networking programs, digital engagement platforms, professional development initiatives, and cultural exchange activities designed to strengthen alumni connections to U.S. institutions.
What is the geographic scope of this grant?
This grant is focused on alumni engagement activities in Italy, supporting initiatives that connect American alumni located in or connected to Italy with their U.S. educational institutions.
How competitive is this grant?
As an innovation-focused grant from the State Department, this is moderately to highly competitive. Strong applications typically demonstrate clear outcomes, sustainability planning, and alignment with both institutional and U.S. diplomatic engagement goals.
What is the typical funding range?
Federal grants from the State Department for educational initiatives typically range from $25,000 to $200,000, though specific amounts vary by program year and proposal scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate how your alumni engagement initiative strengthens ties between the U.S. and Italy while advancing your institution's mission and strategic goals.
- Include measurable outcomes and evaluation metrics, such as alumni participation rates, engagement frequency, and long-term impact on institutional advancement and network development.
- Demonstrate innovation in your approach—whether through technology platforms, unique programming models, or cross-institutional collaboration that goes beyond traditional alumni events.
- Build a detailed budget that shows cost-effectiveness and leverages institutional or partner resources to maximize impact with grant funds.
- Develop a sustainability plan that explains how the initiative will continue or expand after federal funding ends, such as through institutional funding, alumni giving, or partnership revenue.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail by focusing too narrowly on one-time events rather than demonstrating long-term strategic value for alumni engagement. Many proposals lack clear metrics for success or fail to show how the initiative advances both institutional priorities and U.S. foreign policy goals in Italy. Additionally, applicants frequently underestimate the importance of demonstrating sustainability and cost-efficiency, or submit budgets that don't align with stated activities.
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