The U.S. Mission to Iraq, under the U.S. Department of State, is offering a grant opportunity titled "Starting Online Businesses". This grant aims to build capacity among visual artists and IT students and recent IT graduates in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) and Kirkuk governorate. The program seeks to diversify the economy of the IKR, which is currently overly dependent on petroleum export, by helping various demographics launch online businesses.
The grant will support two separate programs. The first program targets IT students or recent graduates from specific universities in the IKR. It will provide mentorship and guidance to help participants conceive and develop a new app, with the goal of monetizing it online through existing app marketplaces. The expected outcome is the creation of one monetized app for each participant.
The second program focuses on visual artists with an existing social media following of at least 5,000 individuals. It aims to assist them in creating an online sales platform or utilizing existing online sales platforms to monetize their work. The desired outcome is for each participant to successfully use an online sales platform to monetize their artwork.
Both programs are designed to strengthen cultural ties between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, promoting shared values and bilateral cooperation. They must also include an American cultural element or connection with American experts, organizations, or institutions to enhance understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
The grant has an award ceiling of $100,000 and an award floor of $75,000. The estimated total program funding is $100,000, with an expected number of 10 awards. Private Institutions of Higher Education are eligible to apply. The closing date for applications is July 1, 2024. For inquiries, interested parties can contact Rebeen K Wali, the Resource Coordination Specialist, at ErbilPDGrants@state.gov.