Deadline: 30 August 2019
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs’ (OES) Office of Science and Technology Cooperation at the Department of State, has announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) for Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative that focuses on the Indo-Pacific region in support of the United States Indo-Pacific Strategy.
GIST is a program that highlights American leadership in innovation, promotes S&T innovation and entrepreneurship among young innovators in low and middle income countries through networking, skills building, mentoring, and access to financing, and connects foreign entrepreneurs to American businesses in support of U.S. economic and security priorities. The agreements awarded will use Fiscal Year 2018 Economic Support Funds, subject to the availability of funds. Should additional funds become available, OES may consider expanding initial programs and/or issuing additional awards to proposals deemed meritorious but not initially funded.
GIST will support projects that strengthen young science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries and the innovation ecosystems in which they operate by connecting them with American businesses and experts. Incorporated into GIST will be In-Country Training Activities to grow capacity and technology entrepreneurship in communities with Start-Up Trainings and Pitch Competitions. Integrated will be long-term meetup groups, and pre- and post-event training activities and mentoring to continue the strength of the program. Another aspect will be interactive Online Activities to leverage U.S. expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship to engage science and technology entrepreneurs in emerging economies online through TechConnects.
Program Goals
GIST strengthens the capacity of young science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries and the innovation ecosystems in which they operate. This program will focus on the Indo-Pacific region and build entrepreneurial and innovation capacity within the region. Specifically, GIST:
- Identifies and recruits the most talented young S&T entrepreneurs in GIST eligible countries and territories.
- Connects American businesses and experts with global innovators.
- Catalyzes participants’ success and boosts the confidence of participants through training, networking, and program structure.
- Promotes GIST participants’ innovations and stories to the public as role models for entrepreneurship and youth.
- Reinforces the role of American and scientific values, including integrity, ethics, merit-based competition, transparency, and scientific rigor.
- Engages participants, mentors, prominent U.S. entrepreneurs, and others to support GIST, to educate entrepreneurs, and to become and remain part of the broader GIST Network community.
- Ensures women and other underrepresented groups are well represented (experts, judges, participants, and mentors).
- Assembles participant/event information and updates to support the identification of gaps and the monitoring and evaluation of the ecosystem.
- Delivers activities that address skill and resource gaps in priority entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Award Information
- OES has funding available for one award totaling up to $1,000,000 USD for Global Innovation through Science and Technology.
- The initial period of performance will be for up to 18 months.
Indo-Pacific GIST Eligible Countries
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Chile, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Fed. Sts., Mongolia, Niue, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Eligible Applicants
Eligibility is limited to U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code and U.S. educational institutions. Foreign organizations or Public International Organizations will NOT be considered for this competition.
How to Apply
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=318479