Deadline: 6-May-21
The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs’ Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) invites applications that foster entrepreneurial and startup activity and accelerate economic diversification in Bahrain. The funding supports proposals that assist businesses in shifting from the start-up stage to the intermediate and expansion stages in order to increase new employment opportunities.
Proposals are encouraged to include the development of partnerships with government offices, including the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism; the Economic Development Board; the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry; local Business Associations; and U.S. companies and investors to leverage private sector expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Achievable Objectives
A successful project will result in:
- Participating startup businesses shift from the startup stage to the intermediate and expansion stages;
- Established businesses continue growing and expanding employment opportunities;
- Rapid business growth is achieved using innovative approaches; and
- Lenders or investors develop new financial products and services
Funding Information
- Funding Mechanism Type: Grant
- Estimated Number of Awards: 1
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $500,000
- Estimated Award Ceiling: $500,000
- Estimated Award Floor: $400,000
- Estimated Length of Project Period: 12-24 Months
Project activities shall include:
- Training, mentoring, and/or coaching SMEs to shift to the intermediate/expansion stage using an innovative approach;
- Building and promoting collaborations between the public and private sectors, including U.S. and other businesses, multinational corporations, local incubators, government agencies, universities, mentors, trainers, and/or other financial sponsors
Project beneficiaries shall include:
- Women and youth-owned SMEs;
- Public and private sector lenders, including banks, non-traditional lenders, or investors; and
- Private-sector Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. or foreign
- Non-profit organizations;
- For-profit organizations; and
- Small and Medium-sized businesses with function and regional experience in the areas of entrepreneurship and communication and financial technology in the MENA region.
Prime Applicant
To be considered for funding under this opportunity, applicants MUST:
- Have demonstrable previous experience working in the MENA region. This should be addressed within the project narrative section of the application.
- Meet ALL of the registration requirements
- Meet any requirements
- Demonstrate experience working in the MENA region.
- Demonstrate ability to form relationships/partnerships with MENA-based technology organizations and premier U.S. private sector entities to ensure that all project activities can be implemented effectively and efficiently.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332496