Deadline: 7 June 2020
The U.S. Embassy in Morocco is pleased to announce the open competition to award a cooperative agreement for a new program, the “Academy for Women Entrepreneurs” (or “AWE”).
The Public Affairs Office invites proposals from established Moroccan associations, committed and organized civil-society organizations, and academic institutions, to design and implement an intensive, one-week entrepreneurship “boot camp” that would provide approximately 50 emerging female entrepreneurs with critical skills for founding or scaling up their businesses and help develop a network among participants and trainers for future collaboration and support. U.S. and third-country organizations or nationals are not eligible for cooperative agreements under this program unless in partnership with a Moroccan entity.
Objectives
Each proposal should meet the following objectives, in addition to strengthening understanding of U.S. values, institutions, and precepts:
- Expand participant’s understanding of the fundamentals of developing, launching, and scaling up a business.
- Expose participants to U.S. models for business development and connect them with American entrepreneurship experts.
- Facilitate the development of an ongoing network of female entrepreneurs who can offer support and ongoing best practices while sustaining their relationship with the U.S. Embassy.
Proposals
Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that use a variety of interactive activities, workshops, and other learning experiences to help participants develop their entrepreneurship skills. All proposals should contain a proposed syllabus briefly describing how in-person speakers and other activities would supplement the online sessions in the attached Dreambuilder course description, and how these activities would relate to overall program objectives. Proposals should also include a detailed explanation of how applicants will be recruited and a description of how institute activities will bring about the intended results. Proposals should include ideas for at least one follow-on activity approximately two to six months after the institute that would allow all or select participants to deepen their entrepreneurship skills (please note that this award would not cover the costs of any such follow on activity, which would be subject to additional funding resources).
Only Moroccan associations, committed and organized civil-society organizations, and academic institutions with full SAM registration and experience executing youth programs will be eligible to receive funding.
Funding Information
- Approximate award amount: The amount may range from a minimum of $18,000 to a maximum of $25,000. Projects for lesser or greater values will be considered on a case-by- case basis. Funding may be renewed for up to an additional two years on a non-competitive basis pending successful performance and availability of funds.
- Type of Funding: FY20 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
- The awardee should plan to end the project by July 2021 with dates to be set in coordination with the Embassy.
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must have the following registrations:
- Moroccan associations, civil-society organizations and academic institutions applying to this program should have experience both in organizing large-scale programs as well as demonstrated knowledge of the entrepreneurship and business environment in Morocco.
- U.S. and third-country organizations or nationals are not eligible for awards under this program unless in partnership with a Moroccan NGO.
- The cooperative agreement will be only awarded to Moroccan associations, committed and organized civil-society organizations and academic institutions that already have a final registration receipt and an established bank account at the time that they apply.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326842