Academy for Women Entrepreneurs 2024: Empowering Zimbabwean Business Leaders

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe, Public Diplomacy Section invites proposals to implement a new Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Zimbabwe.

Proposals must integrate the online interactive DreamBuilder course and elements of a new online curriculum, the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, on key topics in entrepreneurship and innovation as part of the proposal. The program may be held in several locations, run cohorts of up to 30 participants, and should have a strong American component, including U.S. experts as guest teachers or coaches, articulated in the proposed activities syllabus. Proposals must have follow-on entrepreneurship programing or engagement activities for AWE alumnae. Proposals that have site visits, seed funding, exchanges, pitch competitions, fairs, networking, or other creative engagement elements will be more competitive. 

Program Objectives: 

The proposals should meet the following objectives: 

• Increase participants’ understanding of business planning, financial forecasting, marketing, and scaling up operations; 
• Connect participants with U.S. based business experts and share U.S. models of running enterprises; 
• Foster a network that support female entrepreneurs through peer-to-peer mentorship to help grow businesses and drive local partnerships; and  
• Equip women entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge to build sustainable businesses.  

Audience: 

The AWE program targets current or future women business owners in Zimbabwe. AWE participants must commit to complete the program, have proven computer skills, and have access to the Internet or a reliable data connection. Applicants are encouraged to develop programs for underrepresented populations, niche business sectors, or areas of potential growth.  

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 

To Request Application Package 

Email PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov; an automatic reply with the Application forms will be sent. 

Content and Form of Application Submission  

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible. 

Please ensure: 

The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity. 

All documents are in English. 

All budgets are in U.S. dollars. 

All pages are numbered and, 

All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. 

The following documents are required:   

1. Mandatory application forms 

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance -individuals) * 
• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) * 

* Only required from grantee after selection for funding.  

2. Application (6 pages maximum): The application includes seven sections: 

• Program Information: Summary of program data.  

• Executive Summary: Program overview in five sentences or less. 

• Program Design: A description of the cohort(s) and characteristics of the target audience. The section should specify target participants, logistics, location, recruitment, and selection processes, identify the U.S. and local partners and how they will support the AWE program. The proposed timelines should be included noting dates, locations and planned activities and events. 

• Alumni Engagement: Describe how the program foster greater alumni engagement and how USG exchange alumni will be involved as mentors or partners. Include proposed activities specifically seeking to strengthen the local AWE community and sustain gains from previous AWE programs.  

• Communication and Outreach: Describe the communications strategies for generating interactions with AWE gradates, social media presence, media outreach and any relevant communication ideas. 

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Describe the monitoring and evaluation plan and how impact and results will be communicated to the Embassy, including the specific tools to be used.  

• Budget: Please fill out the specific AWE budget template. 

3. Budget:  Proposals must include the budget line items tab and budget narrative tab.  

Guidelines for Budget Justification: Describe how you arrived at the costs listed on the main budget tab.   

Programming/Personnel: Describe the program costs. Staff wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program. Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor.   

Travel Costs: Estimate the costs of transportation for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel. 

Lodging: Justify any lodging requirements for program staff, consultants, or speakers. 

M&IE: Describe the Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) required for the program.   

Supplies, Materials and Equipment: List and describe all the items and materials that are needed for the program. If an item cost more than $5,000 per unit a stronger justification is required along with a disposal plan.  

Other Costs: Describe other costs associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained. 

Cost Sharing: This refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy.  It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues. 

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.  

4. Required Registrations: Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)  

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: 

• www.SAM.gov registration which will generate a UEI 

The UEI will be assigned when an organization registers or renews its registration in SAM.gov at www.SAM.gov. To access SAM.gov an organization is required to have a Login.gov account. Organization can create an account at https://login.gov/. As a reminder, organizations need to renew its sam.gov registration annually.  

www.sam.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov.  

If an organization plans to issue a sub-contract or sub-award, those sub-awardees must also have a unique entity identifier (UEI number). Those entities can register for a UEI only at SAM.gov. 

If an organization does not have an active registration in SAM.gov prior to submitting an application, the application will be deemed ineligible. All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. The latter are free of charge. 

5. Submission Dates and Times 

Applications are due no later than December 15, 2023. All application materials must be submitted by email to PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov   

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS 

 If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov . 

The Embassy will host a virtual bidding conference on a date to be advised to answer questions from all potential applicants.