Closed · OFOP0002524 · CFDA 19.022 · Discretionary

U.S. Embassy Cotonou AEIF FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Federal grant opportunity posted by U.S. Mission to Benin, cataloged on Grants.gov.

$5K-$35K
Award range
Closed
Status
April 22, 2026
Close date
50
Expected awards

The verdict

U.S. Embassy Cotonou AEIF FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity is a closed discretionary listing from U.S. Mission to Benin that offered $5,000 -- $35,000 across 50 expected awards. Future funding cycles may be published under the same CFDA number.

$5K-$35K
award range
Closed
application status
50
expected awards
19.022
CFDA program

Opportunity snapshot. This Grants.gov announcement - U.S. Embassy Cotonou AEIF FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity - is cataloged under number OFOP0002524 and tied to CFDA assistance listing 19.022, posted by U.S. Mission to Benin. Grants.gov currently shows the opportunity as closed, first posted on March 23, 2026. The funding category is Discretionary, delivered as a grant.

Award economics. The award range on file is $5,000 -- $35,000. It expects to issue 50 awards. Cost sharing or matching funds are required, meaning applicants must contribute a portion of the project budget from non-federal sources, factor this into your financial plan before drafting the proposal. Federal award ranges are often upper bounds; actual allocations reflect program appropriations, the strength of the applicant pool, and the evaluation committee's scoring.

Deadline and action path. This opportunity closed on April 22, 2026. Future funding cycles may be published under the same CFDA number, so monitoring the parent program page is the most reliable way to catch re-announcements. Every Grants.gov submission requires an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID. Review the Eligibility section below carefully, federal eligibility categories (nonprofit, state or local government, tribal, individual, educational institution, small business) have distinct registration and reporting requirements. Pre-application outreach to the listed agency contact is permitted and often welcomed, it helps clarify scope and scoring priorities. Before acting on the deadline or award figures above, verify them directly on the official Grants.gov listing, amendments can change dates and amounts after this page was last refreshed.

Award Range

$5,000 -- $35,000

Close Date

April 22, 2026

Posted

March 23, 2026

Expected Awards

50

Instrument

Grant

Cost Sharing

Required

Description

Benin hosts a dynamic network of U.S. government exchange program alumni, trained in innovation, leadership, business, civic engagement, and emerging technologies. This alumni network offers significant potential to drive national development and advance U.S. foreign policy objectives, particularly by expanding commercial opportunities for U.S. businesses in Benin.To capitalize on this potential, U.S. Embassy Cotonou is launching an initiative in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary (“Freedom 250”). The initiative invites alumni to propose projects that mobilize their network to train and mentor Beninese youth (ages 18–35) in two key areas: (1) technology and entrepreneurship, and (2) civic engagement and leadership. The primary audiences are U.S. exchange alumni, university students, early-stage entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and emerging civic leaders. The project’s overarching goal is to leverage alumni expertise to empower Beninese youth with critical skills, thereby advancing U.S. foreign policy, strengthening bilateral relations, and fostering economic growth and democratic participation.

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category code 25. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

Official Listing on Grants.gov

View full details, application forms, and submission instructions.

View on Grants.gov

Agency Contact

cotonoupasgrants@state.gov

Key Dates

Posted March 23, 2026
Close Date April 22, 2026
Last Updated March 23, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this grant opportunity?
This is a federal funding opportunity titled "U.S. Embassy Cotonou AEIF FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity", offered by U.S. Mission to Benin. It is associated with CFDA program 19.022. Benin hosts a dynamic network of U.S. government exchange program alumni, trained in innovation, leadership, business, civic engagement, and emerging technologies. This alumni network offers significa...
Is this opportunity still open?
No, this opportunity is closed. It closed on April 22, 2026. Check the parent program page for future funding cycles.
How much funding is available?
The award range for this opportunity is $5,000 -- $35,000. Expected number of awards: 50.
How do I apply?
Applications for federal grant opportunities are typically submitted through Grants.gov. Visit the official listing at grants.gov for application instructions, required documents, and submission deadlines.

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from Grants.gov and SAM.gov and is for informational purposes only. Opportunity details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Always verify current information directly on Grants.gov before applying. PlainGrants is not affiliated with any federal agency.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Related

Browse all → | Rankings →
Data sourced from the SAM.gov Assistance Listings and Grants.gov. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainGrants Editorial