Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016734
Capacity Building for AWEP is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant opportunity issued by the Bureau of African Affairs to support the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). AWEP is designed to help African businesswomen expand access to business capital and strengthen the skills, networks, and resources they need to participate more fully in international trade. This particular funding opportunity focuses on practical export readiness and export growth, aiming to help AWEP members build the capabilities required to sell products and services beyond their home markets and into regional and global markets.
The grant is meant for a single implementing organization that can design and run a project combining capacity-building and technical assistance with direct support in the form of grants to beneficiaries. In other words, the selected grantee is expected to deliver trainings and hands-on support that improve export capabilities, while also administering some level of grant funding that helps women-owned businesses put those skills into action. Programming can be delivered either in person, online, or through a hybrid approach, which allows the project to reach entrepreneurs across different countries and chapters while adapting to varying connectivity and travel realities.
Beneficiaries are expected to come from AWEP’s existing network, which includes more than 30 AWEP chapters across Africa. These chapters function as business associations for African businesswomen and serve as an on-the-ground platform for identifying participants, organizing activities, and sustaining engagement. A strong proposal would therefore be built around how the applicant will partner with, leverage, and strengthen these chapters while delivering consistent, high-quality export-focused assistance across multiple locations.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits that have IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity is listed under the Business and Commerce funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 19.989. The government anticipates making one award, with a maximum funding amount (award ceiling) of $1,627,725. The opportunity was created on June 28, 2024, and the original application deadline was August 6, 2024. Applicants are directed to consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), particularly page 1, for the complete and authoritative list of eligible applicants and any additional eligibility or submission requirements.Apply for DFOP0016734
- The Bureau of African Affairs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Capacity Building for AWEP" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-06. (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 $1,627,725.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Capacity Building for AWEP" grant opportunity?
Capacity Building for AWEP is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, issued by the Bureau of African Affairs, to support the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). The project focus is on helping AWEP members strengthen their ability to export by building practical export readiness and driving export growth.
What is AWEP and who does it serve?
The African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) is designed to help African businesswomen expand access to business capital and strengthen the skills, networks, and resources needed to participate more fully in international trade. The beneficiaries for this opportunity are expected to come from AWEP's existing network of chapters across Africa.
What is the main goal of this specific funding opportunity?
This funding opportunity emphasizes practical export readiness and export growth. The aim is to help AWEP members build the capabilities required to sell products and services beyond their home markets, including into regional and global markets.
Who is expected to receive support through the project?
Beneficiaries are expected to be drawn from AWEP's existing network, which includes more than 30 AWEP chapters across Africa. These chapters function as business associations for African businesswomen and serve as an on-the-ground platform for engagement and participant identification.
How many awards does the government anticipate making?
The U.S. government anticipates making one award under this opportunity.
What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?
The maximum funding amount (award ceiling) is $1,627,725.
What type of organization will be selected to implement the project?
The grant is intended for a single implementing organization that can design and run a project that combines capacity-building and technical assistance with direct support in the form of grants to beneficiaries.
Does the implementing organization need to provide both training and funding to beneficiaries?
Yes. The selected grantee is expected to deliver trainings and hands-on support to improve export capabilities and also administer some level of grant funding that helps women-owned businesses apply those skills in practice.
What types of program delivery formats are allowed?
Programming may be delivered in person, online, or using a hybrid model. This flexibility is intended to help the project reach entrepreneurs across countries and chapters while adapting to varying connectivity and travel realities.
How important are AWEP chapters in the project design?
AWEP chapters are central to the expected approach. They function as business associations and provide an established platform for identifying participants, organizing activities, and sustaining engagement. A strong proposal would explain how the applicant will partner with, leverage, and strengthen these chapters while delivering consistent export-focused assistance across multiple locations.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the Business and Commerce funding activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.989.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits that have IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. Applicants are directed to consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the complete and authoritative list of eligible applicants and any additional eligibility requirements.
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. Institutions of higher education are specifically excluded from eligibility as described in the opportunity summary.
Where should applicants look for the official eligibility and submission requirements?
Applicants should consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), particularly page 1, for the complete and authoritative list of eligible applicants and any additional eligibility or submission requirements.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 28, 2024.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was August 6, 2024.
Is the project expected to operate across multiple countries or locations?
The opportunity is structured to work through AWEP's chapter network (more than 30 chapters across Africa) and allows in-person, online, or hybrid programming, which supports delivery across multiple locations and varying conditions.
What elements would be important to include in a strong proposal, based on the opportunity description?
Based on the description, a strong proposal would explain how the applicant will (1) deliver practical, export-focused capacity-building and technical assistance, (2) administer direct grants to beneficiaries, and (3) partner with, leverage, and strengthen AWEP chapters to deliver consistent, high-quality support across multiple locations.
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