Elevating Women Science and Technology Entrepreneurs and Women-Focused Startups in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Member Economies | SFOP0008823

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0008823

The grant opportunity titled "Elevating Women Science and Technology Entrepreneurs and Women-Focused Startups in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Member Economies" is a U.S. Department of State funding announcement designed to advance U.S. economic security priorities by expanding support for women-led innovation and entrepreneurship across selected APEC economies. It sits under the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative, a longstanding program that aims to strengthen the skills, networks, and market readiness of early-stage science and technology innovators in low- and middle-income countries, while also improving the broader innovation ecosystems that help startups form, grow, and attract investment. In practical terms, the opportunity is focused on enabling women science and technology entrepreneurs and boosting startups that are either led by women or explicitly designed to benefit women, with an emphasis on building capacity that translates into real business growth and resilience.

This is a discretionary funding opportunity administered by the Department of State, specifically the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (often associated with international science, technology, innovation, and research cooperation). The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means the awardee should expect substantial involvement from the U.S. government during the project period, such as collaboration on program design, approvals for key activities, and coordination on deliverables. The activity category is "Science and Technology and other Research and Development," and it is associated with CFDA number 19.017, which is commonly used for State Department public diplomacy and exchange-related programming, including initiatives that combine training, mentoring, partnerships, and ecosystem development.

The program targets countries identified as GIST priorities for this award: Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The country list signals where the implementing organization would likely be expected to recruit participants, run programming, and build partnerships with local accelerators, universities, investors, industry, and government stakeholders. The broader intent is not only to help individual entrepreneurs succeed, but also to strengthen the surrounding support structures that determine whether women founders can access mentorship, technical expertise, markets, and financing at the same rate as others. By emphasizing women’s participation in science and technology entrepreneurship, the opportunity aligns with U.S. policy goals laid out in the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, which prioritizes reducing structural barriers and expanding economic opportunity for women.

From a funding standpoint, the announcement (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0008823) indicates an anticipated single award, with an award ceiling of $345,625. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types may apply, subject to any additional conditions described in the full announcement. The opportunity was created on April 6, 2022, with an original closing date of May 19, 2022, which places it within a defined competition window rather than an open rolling solicitation. Overall, the grant is structured to select one implementing partner capable of designing and delivering a high-impact, regionally relevant program that elevates women entrepreneurs in STEM-related sectors and supports women-focused startups, while reinforcing local innovation ecosystems in the specified APEC member economies.

• The Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Elevating Women Science and Technology Entrepreneurs and Women-Focused Startups in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Member Economies" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 06, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 19, 2022. (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 $345,625.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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