Economic Diversification and Access to Finance in Bahrain

Deadline: 06-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 startup 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

Estimated Total Program Funding: $500,000
Estimated Award Ceiling: $500,000
Estimated Award Floor: $400,000
Estimated Length of Project Period: 12-24 Months

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.
NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. They encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.
NEA/AC strongly encourages applications from civil society organizations headquartered in the Middle East and North Africa region. International non-governmental organizations with principal bases of operations outside the Middle East and North Africa are also encouraged to apply, but the percentage of total budget actually spent in the region through local partners will be among the elements of evaluation for this competition.