Deadline: 15-Jul-2026

The Strengthening U.S. Market Mastery and Investment Ties Program supports Jordan-based entrepreneurs seeking to expand into the United States through SelectUSA programmes and investment opportunities. The initiative provides training, market preparation, business networking, and investment promotion support to strengthen commercial ties between Jordan and the United States.

The programme will select 15 Jordanian entrepreneurs for a structured readiness programme, with five participants receiving support for a U.S. investment promotion visit and participation in the 2027 SelectUSA Investment Summit.

Overview of the Strengthening U.S. Market Mastery and Investment Ties Program

The U.S. Embassy Amman, U.S. Department of State has launched a competitive funding opportunity to implement a programme supporting Jordanian entrepreneurs interested in entering the U.S. market.

The initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs:

• Understand U.S. business environments
• Develop market entry strategies
• Build international partnerships
• Improve investment readiness
• Expand commercial opportunities

The programme focuses on strengthening private sector growth and long-term economic connections between Jordan and the United States.

Purpose of the Programme

The initiative aims to:

• Increase Jordanian entrepreneurs’ readiness to invest in the U.S.
• Improve access to U.S. markets
• Support international business expansion
• Build connections with U.S. companies and investors
• Promote entrepreneurship and innovation

The programme helps entrepreneurs move from business preparation to real-world market engagement.

Key Focus Areas

U.S. Market Entry Preparation

The programme supports entrepreneurs in understanding:

• U.S. market conditions
• Customer expectations
• Business regulations
• Commercial opportunities

Participants will learn how to develop effective strategies for entering the U.S. market.

Business Practices and Commercial Readiness

Training will strengthen:

• Business planning
• Investment preparation
• Sales strategies
• Market positioning
• Growth planning

Partnership Development

The initiative encourages:

• Business-to-business connections
• Investor relationships
• Strategic partnerships
• Commercial collaborations

Investment Promotion

Participants will learn how to:

• Present investment opportunities
• Engage with U.S. stakeholders
• Promote their companies internationally
• Build investor confidence

SelectUSA Engagement

The programme connects entrepreneurs with:

• SelectUSA programmes
• Investment networks
• U.S. business communities
• Technology-focused events

Programme Structure

The programme consists of two main phases.

Phase 1: Entrepreneur Readiness Training

The first phase includes:

• 15 selected Jordanian entrepreneurs
• 10-week training programme

Training topics include:

• U.S. market entry strategies
• Business practices
• Partnership development
• Commercial readiness
• Investment preparation

The goal is to prepare entrepreneurs for successful engagement with U.S. markets.

Phase 2: U.S. Investment Promotion Visit

After the training period, participants compete for selection.

Five successful entrepreneurs will receive:

• A three-week U.S. business visit
• Participation in the 2027 SelectUSA Investment Summit
• Access to technology-focused spin-off events
• Networking opportunities

The visit will help entrepreneurs:

• Meet potential partners
• Explore market opportunities
• Develop commercial relationships

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS

Applicants must have the capacity to implement entrepreneurship and business development programmes.

Programme Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries are:

• Jordan-based entrepreneurs
• Startups
• Growth-oriented businesses
• Entrepreneurs working in U.S. priority sectors

Participants should be interested in:

• Expanding to the U.S. market
• Attracting customers
• Establishing U.S. operations
• Building international partnerships

Funding Details

The programme provides:

• Estimated total funding: USD 500,000
• Award ceiling: USD 500,000
• Award floor: USD 200,000

Funding will support programme implementation activities.

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Entrepreneur Selection

The programme identifies:

• Qualified Jordanian entrepreneurs
• Businesses with U.S. expansion potential
• Participants aligned with priority sectors

Step 2: Training and Capacity Building

Selected entrepreneurs participate in a structured training programme covering:

• Market research
• Business strategy
• Investment readiness
• Partnership building

Step 3: Competitive Selection

Participants demonstrate their readiness through:

• Business presentations
• Commercial plans
• Market strategies

Step 4: U.S. Market Engagement

Selected entrepreneurs travel to the United States to:

• Attend investment events
• Meet stakeholders
• Explore opportunities

Expected Outcomes

The programme aims to create:

Stronger Jordanian Entrepreneurship

• Improved business skills
• Increased international readiness
• Greater market knowledge

Increased U.S. Market Access

• New business connections
• Customer opportunities
• Investment pathways

Stronger Bilateral Economic Relations

• Expanded commercial cooperation
• Increased business partnerships
• Long-term investment ties

Why This Programme Matters

Many entrepreneurs face challenges when entering international markets, including:

• Limited market knowledge
• Lack of investor networks
• Difficulty building partnerships

This initiative helps reduce those barriers by providing:

• Training
• Mentorship
• Business connections
• International exposure

Supporting entrepreneurs strengthens innovation, economic growth, and cross-border collaboration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Designing programmes without measurable outcomes
• Ignoring entrepreneur needs
• Providing unclear implementation plans
• Failing to demonstrate U.S. market relevance
• Not explaining partnership strategies

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Show experience supporting entrepreneurs
• Explain training methodology
• Highlight U.S. business connections
• Provide clear selection criteria
• Include measurable programme outcomes
• Demonstrate capacity to manage international programmes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Strengthening U.S. Market Mastery and Investment Ties Program?

It is a programme designed to help Jordanian entrepreneurs build readiness for investment and business expansion in the United States.

How many entrepreneurs will participate?

The programme will support a cohort of 15 entrepreneurs from Jordan.

How many entrepreneurs will visit the United States?

Five entrepreneurs will be selected for the U.S. investment promotion visit.

What is SelectUSA?

SelectUSA is a U.S. government initiative that promotes foreign investment into the United States and connects international businesses with U.S. opportunities.

What will participants receive?

Participants receive training, market preparation support, networking opportunities, and potential participation in U.S. investment events.

How much funding is available?

The programme has an estimated funding amount of USD 500,000.

Who can apply to implement the programme?

Private higher education institutions and eligible nonprofit organizations can apply.

Conclusion

The Strengthening U.S. Market Mastery and Investment Ties Program creates a pathway for Jordanian entrepreneurs to access U.S. markets through training, investment readiness support, and global networking.

By connecting entrepreneurs with SelectUSA opportunities and U.S. business networks, the programme strengthens innovation, private sector growth, and long-term economic partnerships between Jordan and the United States.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.