Capacity Building for AWEP
ID: 355217Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Bureau of African Affairs (DOS-AF)

Award Range

$2M - $2M

Eligible Applicants

Nonprofits Without 501(c)(3) Status

Funding Category

Business and Commerce

Funding Instrument

Grant

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes
Timeline
    Description

    The Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State is offering a federal grant opportunity titled "Capacity Building for AWEP," aimed at enhancing the export capabilities of African women entrepreneurs through the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). This initiative seeks applications from U.S.-based nonprofits and educational institutions to develop projects that provide capacity-building and technical assistance training, as well as competitive grants for business growth, specifically targeting the underrepresentation of African women in international trade. The total funding available for this program is $1,627,725, with a single award expected to be made, and applications must be submitted by August 6, 2024. Interested applicants can reach out to the grantor at Cartersm2@state.gov or BubnaAC@state.gov for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document outlines budget submission guidelines for federal grants and RFPs, requiring specific components alongside the SF-424A form. Applicants must submit a summary budget, a detailed line-item budget in an Excel format, and a budget narrative that justifies expenses. Cost categories addressed include personnel, fringe benefits, travel, supplies, equipment, contractual costs, and other direct costs, each with specific reporting and justification requirements. Indirect costs may follow an established NICRA or a de minimis rate if no agreement exists. It emphasizes the importance of documenting cost-sharing contributions, specifying that these contributions must be justified and must not include other US government funding. Additionally, all costs must comply with federal standards outlined in 2 CFR 200, emphasizing the importance of maintaining supporting records for costs and in-kind contributions, which are subject to audit. The document's purpose is to establish standardized budgetary reporting and ensure accountability in government-funded projects while fostering transparency and compliance among applicants.
    The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs, has announced a funding opportunity aimed at enhancing the Capacity Building and Business Capital for the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). A grant totaling $1,627,725 is available for U.S.-based non-profit organizations and educational institutions to support African women entrepreneurs seeking to improve their export capacity. The project aims to address the underrepresentation of these women in international trade, especially under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Key objectives include organizing capacity-building workshops on exporting, providing competitive grants between $15,000 and $50,000 to successful participants for business growth, and ensuring that grant funding is allocated for export-related purposes. The program also emphasizes the importance of language accessibility and local partnerships. The application process requires a single submission per organization, with a deadline of August 6, 2024. Eligible applicants must demonstrate previous experience in similar projects and meet specific eligibility criteria. Overall, this initiative reflects the U.S. government's commitment to promoting women’s economic empowerment and broader trade relations with Africa.
    The Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for Department of State applicants detail the requirements for submitting applications through Grants.gov for federal funding opportunities. Submissions must meet specific eligibility criteria, including timely receipt, completeness, and adherence to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Key sections of the PSI include application registration portals, required forms, and detailed proposal documents. Applicants must register with sam.gov and Grants.gov, ensuring their submission is validated. The document outlines necessary forms from the SF-424 series and mandates that proposals include a cover page, narrative, budget documents, program evaluation plans, and biographical information for key personnel. Proposals should emphasize clarity, focus on specific project objectives using SMART criteria, and detail a realistic budget narrative justifying costs. Monitoring and evaluation plans must show how project outcomes will be measured and reported. Overall, the PSI serves as a comprehensive guide to facilitate successful application submissions for federal funding, emphasizing compliance with various regulations and structured documentation.
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