Opportunity Information: Apply for AFKAM PAS FY21 2
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2021 grant opportunity, offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda (Public Affairs Office), seeks one Ugandan partner to design and run an intensive entrepreneurship training program for about 100 emerging female entrepreneurs. The project is structured around four cohorts of 25 participants each and is meant to help women founders strengthen the practical skills needed to launch, stabilize, or scale their businesses, while also building lasting peer and mentor networks for continued collaboration after the program ends. The award is made as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Embassy expects to stay actively involved in shaping elements of the program, especially around the American focus and the recruitment of U.S.-connected experts.
Eligibility is primarily aimed at established, non-profit Ugandan associations, well-organized civil-society organizations, and academic institutions with the capacity to recruit participants and deliver high-quality training. U.S. organizations, third-country organizations, or foreign nationals cannot receive the cooperative agreement on their own; they may only participate if they are partnered with a Ugandan organization that serves as the eligible applicant and lead implementer. The funding opportunity was listed under CFDA 19.022, with an award ceiling of $30,000 and an expectation of a single award.
The core training content is anchored in an online curriculum called DreamBuilder, provided by the U.S. Department of State. Implementers are expected to facilitate DreamBuilder modules through guided, interactive sessions rather than leaving participants to self-study. The online coursework is intended to be reinforced with in-person programming such as talks, workshops, and practical learning activities. Suggested enhancements include sessions led by successful Ugandan and American entrepreneurs, as well as alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, and opportunities like trade fairs, business accelerators, or pitch competitions that can expose participants to real markets, feedback, and potential partnerships.
The intended participant profile is clearly defined: Ugandan women entrepreneurs and business owners roughly 25 to 40 years old with about 1 to 5 years of business experience. Recruitment must be handled through a competitive application process that selects for demonstrated motivation and a baseline level of entrepreneurship experience. Because DreamBuilder is delivered online and in English, participants must be computer literate, have reliable access to an internet-connected computer or smartphone, and possess sufficient English proficiency to complete the curriculum and engage fully in the sessions.
Geographically, the program is to be implemented in Kampala plus three additional regional centers. Those regional locations are chosen by the grantee but must be selected in consultation with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office. The cohorts also have thematic priorities: the Kampala cohort is focused on entrepreneurship in the creative sector, while the other three cohorts are oriented toward the technology sector or businesses that use technology as a major component of operations, such as digital sales, e-commerce, or digital marketing.
A defining feature of the opportunity is the requirement that activities maintain a strong American focus. To support this, the Public Affairs Office will collaborate with the awardee to identify and recruit American business experts and professors based in Uganda, experts from Ugandan branches of American companies, and U.S. government exchange alumni who can contribute lectures, workshops, and mentorship. There is an explicit intention to include a substantial share of female role models among these speakers and mentors. The awardee is responsible for integrating these experts into the overall curriculum and covering logistical needs such as travel and lodging, ensuring their participation is well-planned and tied to the learning objectives rather than treated as stand-alone guest appearances.
The program objectives emphasize both business outcomes and public diplomacy goals. First, the program should expand participants understanding of the fundamentals of developing and scaling a business, which typically includes topics like business modeling, market research, customer discovery, budgeting and financial management, operations, branding, legal considerations, and growth planning. Second, it should expose participants to U.S. approaches and models for entrepreneurship and connect them directly with American experts, strengthening practical learning while also increasing understanding of U.S. values and institutions. Third, it must intentionally build an ongoing network of women entrepreneurs who can continue sharing best practices and supporting one another, while sustaining a relationship with the U.S. Embassy over time, positioning the alumni community as a durable platform for mentorship, collaboration, and future engagement.
Key administrative details from the notice include the funding opportunity number (AFKAM PAS FY21 2), categorization as a discretionary opportunity, and an original application closing date of April 12, 2021, with the opportunity initially posted on February 26, 2021.Apply for AFKAM PAS FY21 2
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, 2021" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 26, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 12, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2021 - Uganda (AFKAM PAS FY21 2) FAQs
1) What is the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2021 grant opportunity in Uganda?
AWE 2021 is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity offered through the U.S. Mission to Uganda (Public Affairs Office) to support an intensive entrepreneurship training program for about 100 emerging female entrepreneurs in Uganda. The selected Ugandan partner is expected to design and run the program, deliver training, and help participants build long-term peer and mentor networks.
2) Who is offering the award?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Uganda, Public Affairs Office (U.S. Embassy).
3) What type of award is this?
The award is a cooperative agreement. This means the U.S. Embassy expects to remain actively involved in shaping parts of the program, particularly the American focus and recruitment of U.S.-connected experts.
4) How many awards are expected?
The notice indicates an expectation of a single award.
5) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $30,000.
6) What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?
The opportunity was listed under CFDA 19.022.
7) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is AFKAM PAS FY21 2.
8) Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. The notice categorizes it as a discretionary opportunity.
9) When was the opportunity posted and when was the original application deadline?
The opportunity was initially posted on February 26, 2021, with an original application closing date of April 12, 2021.
10) Who is eligible to apply as the lead applicant?
Eligibility is primarily aimed at established, non-profit Ugandan associations, well-organized civil-society organizations, and academic institutions that have the capacity to recruit participants and deliver high-quality entrepreneurship training.
11) Can a U.S. organization apply directly and receive the award?
No. U.S. organizations cannot receive the cooperative agreement on their own. They may only participate as partners with an eligible Ugandan organization that applies and serves as the lead implementer.
12) Can a third-country organization or foreign national apply directly?
No. Third-country organizations and foreign nationals cannot receive the cooperative agreement on their own. They may only be involved if partnered with an eligible Ugandan organization that serves as the applicant and lead implementer.
13) What is the overall size and structure of the program?
The program is designed for about 100 participants, structured into four cohorts of 25 participants each.
14) What is the main goal of the program?
The program is intended to help women founders strengthen practical skills to launch, stabilize, or scale their businesses while building lasting peer and mentor networks that continue after the program ends.
15) What curriculum is the program based on?
The core training content is anchored in an online curriculum called DreamBuilder, provided by the U.S. Department of State.
16) Are participants expected to complete DreamBuilder on their own?
No. Implementers are expected to facilitate DreamBuilder modules through guided, interactive sessions rather than leaving participants to self-study.
17) Is the program only online?
No. While DreamBuilder is an online curriculum, the notice expects it to be reinforced with in-person programming such as talks, workshops, and practical learning activities.
18) What kinds of in-person activities are suggested?
Suggested enhancements include sessions led by successful Ugandan and American entrepreneurs, participation by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, and opportunities like trade fairs, business accelerators, or pitch competitions to expose participants to real markets, feedback, and potential partnerships.
19) Who are the intended participants?
The intended participant profile is Ugandan women entrepreneurs and business owners roughly 25 to 40 years old with about 1 to 5 years of business experience.
20) How will participants be recruited and selected?
Recruitment must be handled through a competitive application process that selects for demonstrated motivation and a baseline level of entrepreneurship experience.
21) What language and technical requirements apply to participants?
Because DreamBuilder is delivered online and in English, participants must be computer literate, have reliable access to an internet-connected computer or smartphone, and have sufficient English proficiency to complete the curriculum and fully participate in sessions.
22) Where will the program be implemented?
The program is to be implemented in Kampala plus three additional regional centers.
23) Who chooses the three regional centers outside Kampala?
Those regional locations are chosen by the grantee, but they must be selected in consultation with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office.
24) Are there sector themes for the cohorts?
Yes. The Kampala cohort focuses on entrepreneurship in the creative sector. The other three cohorts are oriented toward the technology sector or businesses that use technology as a major component of operations (for example, digital sales, e-commerce, or digital marketing).
25) What does it mean that the program must have a "strong American focus"?
The program must intentionally incorporate U.S. approaches and models for entrepreneurship and connect participants directly with American experts. The Embassy expects the American focus to be a defining feature of program activities, not an add-on.
26) Who helps identify and recruit American experts and speakers?
The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office will collaborate with the awardee to identify and recruit American business experts and professors based in Uganda, experts from Ugandan branches of American companies, and U.S. government exchange alumni.
27) Is there an emphasis on women speakers and mentors?
Yes. The notice explicitly intends to include a substantial share of female role models among speakers and mentors.
28) What is the grantee responsible for when bringing in American or U.S.-connected experts?
The awardee is responsible for integrating these experts into the overall curriculum and covering logistical needs such as travel and lodging, ensuring their participation is well planned and tied to learning objectives rather than treated as stand-alone guest appearances.
29) What business topics should the training cover?
The objectives emphasize expanding participants understanding of fundamentals for developing and scaling a business. The notice highlights typical topics such as business modeling, market research, customer discovery, budgeting and financial management, operations, branding, legal considerations, and growth planning.
30) Beyond business skills, what other outcomes does the program aim to achieve?
In addition to business outcomes, the program has public diplomacy goals: exposing participants to U.S. approaches and connecting them with American experts, increasing understanding of U.S. values and institutions, and sustaining an ongoing alumni network that maintains a relationship with the U.S. Embassy over time.
31) What is expected regarding networking and alumni engagement?
The program must intentionally build an ongoing network of women entrepreneurs who continue sharing best practices and supporting one another after the program ends, with the alumni community positioned as a durable platform for mentorship, collaboration, and future engagement with the U.S. Embassy.
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