U.S. Consulate Chennai South Asia Young Entrepreneurs Summit (SAYes) Grant Opportunity

Proposals should be based on the participation of 25 young entrepreneurs from throughout South Asia. The awardee must receive approval from the U.S. Consulate Chennai on the final list of invited participants and expert speakers. The awardee, in consultation with the U.S. Consulate, will invite appropriate local participants in India.

Topics for the conference should include, but are not limited to, clean energy, green technology, renewable energy, power, transportation, infrastructure, hospitality, tourism, health and education service sectors, role of business incubators, private equity and venture capital funding, technology and innovation, mentoring and opportunities for public private partnership.

Proposals should cover the myriad of expenses associated with a major conference, from the development of the conference agenda and securing the participation of expert speakers to organizing and paying for airfare, transportation and hotel logistics. The proposal should include all relevant administrative and logistical costs for organizing this conference. The awardee must develop budgets that include, but are not limited to, the following costs:

• Economy class roundtrip airfare, lodging, and per diem costs of participants and expert speakers and appropriate awardee administrative staff in Bangalore
• Conference venue rentals in Bangalore
• Lunch and coffee/tea break service for two days
• Agenda preparation
• All conference venue related expenses beyond room rental (utilities, backup generator, etc.)
• Conference materials, posters, folders and resource materials
• Publicity materials, including a conference website
• Audio-visual requirements
• Travel Agency expenses
• Invitations

The first two days of the conference should be held at a centrally located hotel in Bangalore. The awardee will then organize travel and accommodations for the 25 participants for the two days of the conference.

A panel comprised of Consulate and Embassy staff members will review each complete proposal received before the application deadline. Please note that selected proposals will have to complete additional forms and registration documents within thirty days of notification in order to receive funding.

The awardee is encouraged to seek and find additional funding for this conference, subject to approval by the U.S. Consulate Chennai and U.S. Embassy New Delhi.