Deadline: 31-Mar-25
The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation collaborated with the Department of Energy to launch the Women in Strategic Trade (WiST) Initiative to increase women’s representation in all areas of strategic trade control systems (STCs).
Comprehensive strategic trade control systems (STCs) are required to address proliferators’ evolving export control and sanctions evasion tactics and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. These challenges are more complex and dispersed than they have ever been and require inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives, particularly those of women who have systemically been underrepresented in strategic trade, nonproliferation, and arms control.
WiST is intended to be a concerted and sustained effort aimed at recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in this field. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and the U.S. Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017, which recognize and encourage the participation of women in maintenance and promotion of peace and security. In addition, it responds to the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality which aims to address long-standing gender gaps and dismantle systemic barriers that hamper women’s participation and achievements in all professional fields.
The purpose of this NOFO is to create a professional network and community of practice to advance women working in strategic trade through sustained mentorship. Experienced international strategic trade experts and practitioners will guide early- or mid-career women in the strategic trade field through a sustained six-month mentorship. These early- to mid-career women will work with their mentor to develop a project that addresses a strategic trade-related issue in their institution or within their interagency. Through guided education, problem-solving, and mentorship, this partnership should yield a product relevant to the mentee’s institution and strategic trade operations. This can include a communication strategy for leadership buy-in, STC implementation roadmap, STC 101 for field officers course, industry outreach campaign, interagency coordination forum, etc. At the end of six months, the mentees will convene with a new cohort to present their projects and start a new cycle of mentor/mentee engagement.
Goals and Objectives
- This NOFO aims to bolster the Women in Strategic Trade Initiative’s objectives to recruit, retain, train, and promote women in STCs by providing professional and leadership development opportunities through sustained mentorship. It is an opportunity to share expertise and engage with a diverse community of stakeholders worldwide to share perspectives, best practices, and improve strategic trade implementation and enforcement. The intended approach is to pair an experienced, well-networked strategic trade control expert or practitioner with an early- to mid-career official for a sustained, 6-month mentorship to jointly execute projects targeted to enhance legal-regulatory frameworks, licensing capabilities, enforcement measures, outreach to industry and/or academia, or international cooperation/treaty adherence. The final project should be related to the mentee’s institution and strategic trade operations. This can include a communication strategy for leadership buy-in, STC implementation roadmap, STC 101 for field officers course, industry outreach campaign, interagency coordination forum, etc. At the end of six months, the mentees will convene with a new cohort to present their projects and start a new cycle of mentor/mentee engagement.
- This is a global initiative and can include partners from the Western Hemisphere, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South and Central Asia. ISN/ECC may invite up to six of the mentees to present at an EXBS sponsored conference.
- ISN/ECC envisions that this award will produce the following deliverables:
- Develop a mentorship framework to serve as a guide for the mentor/mentee relationship;
- Enroll at least six mentees per cohort. There will be two cohorts under this award. Grantee will work with EXBS to identify and select appropriate candidates;
- Identify at least six individuals from the strategic trade community to serve as mentors; Project completion (and roll out of project, as appropriate), presentation, and report from mentor/mentee pair;
- At least two virtual check-in engagements with mentor/mentee pair;
- One in-person workshop for at least 12 individuals (six mentors, six mentees);
- One in-person workshop for at least 18 individuals (six mentors, six mentees from round one, six mentees from second cohort) for completion of the first round of pairings and launch of second round of pairings; and
- One in-person WiST forum.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $450,000 pending availability of funds
- Award amounts: Award amount is approximately $450,000
- Length of performance period: 24 months
Expected Outcomes
- ISN/ECC expects to accomplish the following through implementation of this project:
- Enhance foreign officials’ understanding of international strategic trade control norms and enforcement measures best practices.
- Build capacity for implementing export controls and licensing.
- Strengthen government agencies’ capacity to improve interagency functioning and cooperation.
- Build capacity for implementing ICPs.
- Increase industry’s understanding of compliance expectations and Vietnam’s STC requirements.
- Strengthen trust and collaboration between government agencies and industry.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following U.S. or foreign organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- For-profit organizations (only if allowed by appropriation – not for PD funds) Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs.
- Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.