Grants for Small businesses - International Development

This program provides financial support to Ohio-based small businesses to help them expand their international sales through eligible export-related activities.

This program provides financial support to small to mid-sized Pennsylvania businesses to enhance their export activities through reimbursement for various international trade-related expenses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to strengthen the health system in the Philippines by improving disease management, service delivery, and public health capacity.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that develop innovative education solutions to improve learning outcomes and job readiness for youth in emerging markets.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects that leverage transformative AI to improve global health and wellbeing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, while addressing potential risks to vulnerable populations.

This grant provides funding to U.S. organizations involved in exporting agricultural products, enabling them to send samples to foreign buyers to promote and build demand for U.S. commodities.

This notice is subject to availability of funding. A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Belgrade, announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project that will establish a network of researchers, analysts, business leaders, and/or journalists in the Western Balkans, who promote responsible trade and foreign direct investment. This includes considerations for stewardship of the environment, development of human capital, advancement of long-term prosperity built on a market- and rule of law-based system, and engagement with Euro-Atlantic commercial and analytical partners. This network of diversified stakeholders will investigate the current effects of trade and FDI on economic growth in the six Western Balkan states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), evaluate free trade agreements, promote Euro-Atlantic trade, and create mechanisms to maintain this network to promote economic reform that interests key stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and academia.Please follow all instructions below. A.1 BackgroundThe six Western Balkan countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia can be considered small, open economies that have varying degrees of reliance on trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) for growth.The qualities that allow a country to trade and to attract FDI, however, do not always promote long-term prosperity. Economic reforms aimed at (i) improving resource allocation by eliminating market-distorting policies, (ii) minimizing the regulatory burden on business, (iii) reducing FDI volatility by increasing political and economic stability, and (iv) removing natural resource dependence by diversifying the economy can benefit the Western Balkan countries and induce growth in the long run. Moreover, continued integration with Euro-Atlantic commercial and academic institutions, including through trade and investment, often can enhance long-term prosperity in the Western Balkans.A.2 GoalsThe first goal of this project is to establish a network of researchers, analysts, business leaders, and/or journalists in the Western Balkans, who promote Euro-Atlantic trade, responsible foreign direct investment, stewardship of the environment, development of human capital, long-term prosperity built on a market- and rule of law-based system, and engagement with Euro-Atlantic commercial and analytical partners. This network of diversified stakeholders will investigate the current effects of trade and FDI on economic growth in the six West Balkan states and promote Euro-Atlantic integration through a trade and investment forum as well as through public discourse. A second goal is to create mechanisms to maintain this network, which will promote economic reforms that interest key stakeholders, including the government of Serbia, the Serbian civil society and private sector, in addition to the Serbian academic society.A.3 Expected ResultsIllustrative examples of anticipated program outcomes include: Publicly accessible information on the current effect of free trade agreements and FDI on economic growth in the six West Balkan states. In particular, this should emphasize the positive impacts of Euro-Atlantic trade and investment in the Western Balkans, A significant trade and investment forum to promote Euro-Atlantic commercial relations with the Western Balkans, Greater public awareness of and expert attention to the environmental effects of FDI, Greater public awareness of and expert attention to FDIs effects on human capital, for example the creation of jobs overall as well as the creation of high-level, high-wage employment in leadership and management positions of foreign-owned companies in the Western Balkans, Development and/or implementation of local, national, or European Union-led strategies to mitigate risks associated with existing FDI in infrastructure, mining, auto and battery production sectors. These risks might include the potential for exploitation of cheap labor and resources and the risk of cultural clashes and political instability.A.4 Main ActivitiesIllustrative examples of program activities include: Development of a public trade and FDI portal and creation of a mechanism to ensure it continues beyond the two-year program of the grant, Organizing and hosting a trade and investment forum in the Western Balkans and creation of a mechanism to ensure the forum has long-lasting spillover effects, commercial, political, and/or analytical, Articles and op-eds published in local languages and/or English discussing trade and FDI and emphasizing, when possible, the positive impact of Euro-Atlantic investment and trade, Roundtable discussions in covered countries, organized by local partners, to publicize findings and galvanize responses.A.5 Performance IndicatorsThe project should aim to have an impact that leads to measurable increases in public awareness of trade and FDI, increased public attention regarding the positive impacts of EU and transatlantic commercial ties and investment, and evidence of continuing networking on relevant issues in the Western Balkan region. A catalog of the number of media stories with such an emphasis could be an indicator of success. New and widely publicized data regarding positive impact of Euro-Atlantic trade and investment on job creation, especially high-wage managerial positions, would be another indicator as would an increase in such job creation, though the latter would take several years to produce. In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, programs should implement strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veterans status. Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible. All programs should be non-discriminatory, and implementers should include strategies for nondiscrimination of individuals/ organizations/beneficiaries based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veterans status.Priority Region: Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia)B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: Up to 36 monthsNumber of awards anticipated: 1Award amount: $500,000Total available funding: $500,000Type of Solicitation: Open CompetitionType of Funding: FY23/24 AEECA Funds under the Foreign Assistance ActAnticipated program start date: Your project should start no earlier than October 1, 2024, and no later than September 30, 2025.Funding Instrument Type: GrantProgram Performance Period: Proposed program activities should be completed in 36 months or less. (This includes the time for assessment and evaluation, as well as the drafting of the final report.)The Department of State may entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities, from one of the six Western Balkan countries or from the United States, are eligible to apply: Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks, business associations, universities, and civil society/non-governmental organizationsIndividuals may not apply for this program.2. Cost Sharing or Matching.Cost sharing is allowed but not required and will not impact funding decisions.While filling out the application, you will be required to tell us whether you are also receiving funding from other donors for your project. Please be aware, however, that you must be able to carry out all the activities described in your application with the funding you receive, even if the contributions from other donors or other funding sources fail to materialize.3. Other Eligibility Requirements.In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.If an applicant has already received a grant from the U.S. Embassy the grant period for the new project will overlap with the existing one, or if an organization has submitted more than one project proposal, please use section y in the application form to explain how you will manage more than one project and describe your capacity to do so.4. Funding Restrictions.You may NOT apply for this grant if your project: involves partisan political activity; involves charitable activities and/or the distribution of humanitarian aid; is a fundraising campaign; is commercial in nature, i.e., you or a project partner are making money from this project, or the activity supports a current or future business or entrepreneurial venture. involves the provision of health care or services, childcare, food subsidies, or other social services to populations.This funding opportunity aims to support specific projects with objectives which can be achieved within a set timeframe. We will not accept applications which are aimed more broadly at supporting your organizations usual or typical daily activities and operations. Those will be deemed technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding by the review committee.For this particular NOFO, grant funding can be used to cover the cost of international travel as an essential part of the project.As a general rule, participants or audiences should not be charged for taking part in any the U.S. Embassy Belgrade-funded activity. If you envisage that your project activity will not be free for some reason, please contact the U.S. Embassy Belgrade while you are in the process of completing the application to see whether that could be allowed. Depending on the funding source, the U.S. Embassy Belgrade might be able to support your project, but only if you can demonstrate how the revenue generated will be used to support the larger objectives and explain that your organization will profit from the modest entrance fee.See also Guidelines for Budget Justification under Section H in the full text of the NOFO for more information on budget items.D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Requesting the Application Package Application forms required below are available at https://rs.usembassy.gov/grants-programs/ and www.grants.gov.2. Content and Form of Application SubmissionPlease 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 that: 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 All documents are formatted to 8 x 11 or A4 paper, and All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.The following documents are required:a. SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance organizations)b. SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)c. SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) if the applicant is an organization whose registration in SAM.gov is still pending.d. the U.S. Embassy Belgrade Grant Application Form for Fiscal Year 2024. Note: Detailed directions for filling out the grant application are included with the form.e. Budget Justification Narrative (Excel Spreadsheet): After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use the Excel spreadsheet template to describe and explain each of the budget expenses in detail. See section H. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.f. Attachments 1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner, if applicable. Official permission letters, if required for program activities. Proof of SAM registration. If you still have not completed SAM.gov registration, a screenshot from SAM.gov reflecting that you have started the process.Please follow all the instructions when filling out the Application Form. 3.Required Registrations:All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee. Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.4. Submission Dates and Times: Applications are due no later than August 28, 2024.5. Other Submission Requirements: All application materials must be submitted by email to BLGECON@state.If the U.S. Embassy Belgrade does not receive a complete project proposal at the above address by the deadline, it will be considered technically ineligible and will not be considered for funding. 6. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates: The U.S. Embassy Belgrade anticipates that final funding decisions will be made by September 13, 2024. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTSIf you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: BLGECON@state.For detailed information please see the full text of the Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Related Documents tab ..

This funding opportunity supports organizations working to improve access to information and promote democracy and human rights in North Korea.

GCJ seeks to advance victim-survivor-centered investigations and prosecutions of perpetrators of atrocities committed in Burma since 2011, by supporting the implementation of the justice and accountability components of UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/219 with respect to the situation of human rights of Rohingya and other ethnic and/or religious minority groups in Myanmar. A successful project will result in the advancement of victim-survivor-centered investigations and prosecutions of perpetrators of atrocities committed in Burma since 2011.

The United States Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), through the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is pleased to announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the BOLD (Balkanski Omladinski Lideri, Young Balkan Leaders) Network Small Grants Competition for BiH BOLD network members. The BOLD network is a project of PDS that seeks to empower young people across BiH, ages 18-35, through leadership opportunities and training, to implement projects for positive change in their communities. The goal of these small grants, up to $15,000 each, is to empower BOLD network members to implement projects in their communities that will contribute to economic development or encourage increased civic engagement. Project proposals must be submitted in the name of one BOLD member who will be responsible for receiving funds and maintaining oversight of those funds. However, that applicant may apply with one or more additional BOLD members and the project may be implemented in partnership with other BOLD network members, organizations, government authorities, or educational institutions.

This grant provides financial assistance to Florida-based manufacturers and service providers looking to expand their export sales by facilitating meetings with qualified international buyers and agents.

The "Reducing Barriers that Impede Access to Education and Decent Work for LGBTQI+ Youth in Brazil and the Latin American and Caribbean Region" grant is a $4 million funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor to support a project that enhances understanding of, coordination for, and capacity to provide safe environments for LGBTQI+ youth, thereby improving their access to education and decent work in Brazil and the Latin American and Caribbean region.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that empower young people in Pakistan to engage with governance and improve legislative drafting skills, promoting democratic principles and human rights.

To implement a project aimed at advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities by supporting initiatives that make decision-making structures and processes in fragile, conflict, or crisis-affected contexts more reflective of and responsive to the needs and perspectives of partner states to ensure strategic trade control systems meet international standards and by engaging on bilateral, regional and multilateral levels with foreign governments to aid in the establishment of independent capabilities to regulate transfers of weapons of mass destruction, WMD-related items, conventional arms, and related dual-use items, and to detect, interdict, investigate, and prosecute illicit transfers of such items.

CSO announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for programs that support increasing the capacity of a cohort of civil servants within the Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG) to identify priorities for the development of inclusive stabilization plans.

The Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture offer the Idaho Online Global Program Awards to support Idaho small businesses in international export marketing initiatives. The program aims to increase the number of small businesses that export, the value of exports, and exploration of new trade opportunities.Overview Individual awards of $9,000 are available for eligible activity occurring between September 30, 2024 – September 29, 2025. Only one application will be accepted per round. Multiple rounds are dependent upon the availability of funds. 20% cash match required. For every authorized $100 you spend you will be reimbursed $80. Reviewing and scoring processes are highly competitive. Watch our overview of the program here. Watch a testimonial from a previous recipient here. Receive a free website and SEO performance report here. Eligible activities for Online Global Program Design and development of website, with an international focus Website translation, search engine optimization (SEO), and localization services Mobile App integration, creation, and updates to support sales Webstore setup and/or maintenance costs Translation of marketing media, including audio and video Set up to receive and/or process online payments and orders Costs associated with selling on platforms such as but not limited to: Amazon Services, Walmart Marketplace, Alibaba Inc., FlipKart, Rakuten Cybersecurity protection to support exports

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working in Namibia to improve health information systems and enhance public health programs related to HIV, tuberculosis, and other health threats.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES: PDS Poland invites proposals to equip the next generation of Polish leaders (aged 15 30) to implement impactful civic engagement programs focused on the promotion of human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law. Activities should equip participants with skills to successsfully navigate the complexities of their society, engage constructively, and contribute meaningfully to their communitys development and Polands future. Projects should also be designed with the intent of fostering enduring connections and collaboration among participants after the projects conclusion. PRIORITY PROGRAMMING AREAS: A successful proposal will include a comprehensive calendar of activities up to 36 months that include the following three elements: 1. A series of skills-building workshops and/or interactive trainings; 2. Support for implementation of participant-led community projects; 3. A minimum of 12 months of ongoing mentoring and networking opportunities for participants following the completion of elements 1 and 2 above. All projects must address the development of youth leadership, critical thinking, project management skills, and resilience as well as at least one of below programming areas: Human Rights Engagement and Problem-Solving: Initiatives promoting human rights and tolerance, focused on active community engagement, including local analysis of challenges and identification of solutions. Promoting Democratic Participation: Programs that encourage democratic involvement, and increase youth participation in the public policy process, including collaboration with local governments, communities, NGOs, civil society organizations, and/or the private sector. Programs should focus on teaching advocacy skills and the formulation of policy reforms to develop strategies addressing local issues to affect meaningful change. Inclusive Engagement: Strategies for engaging typically civically inactive youth and ensuring that the needs and rights of minority communities are considered in building safe and tolerant environments. Examples of types of activities that can be included in proposals: 1. Projects organized and carried out by youth (aged 15 - 30) that focus on the themes mentioned above. Initiatives aimed at empowering young people by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively plan and execute community projects. 2. Programs that train educators to equip young people (aged 15 - 30) with the necessary skills (including resilience) to carry out civic engagement projects (this type of activity must include a youth-implemented project) in their communities. 3. Mentoring and networking events. PDS Poland welcomes proposals that incorporate the involvement of U.S. experts, trainers, models, and/or best practices, as appropriate. Participants and Audiences: Proposals should describe both the primary and secondary audiences for the program, including anticipated numbers to be reached. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the projects primary audiences as a result of their participation (For example, a workshop for educators would have teachers as the primary audience and the students in their classrooms organizing a civic engagement project in their local communities as the secondary audience). Programs ensuring gender parity and socio-economic inclusion across all its activities are encouraged. Applicants should be as specific as possible in their proposals about their projects primary audience and how they will engage them through programming. The principal method of engagement will be through in-person programming. Virtual engagement may be a part of the overall strategy, augmenting in-person programming. Additional proposal elements to note: The grantee is expected to lead recruitment efforts of program participants, ensuring DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and access) principles are promoted in the recruitment process. U.S. Mission Poland will amplify program opportunities on its social media platforms. The language of instruction can be English and/or Polish. The proposal must include detailed information about the project members/coordinators, including CV and other relevant professional experience. The trainers or facilitators of the program should be experienced professionals working in the field. The proposal must include a proposed activity schedule and monitoring and evaluation plan to measure program impact. Marketing and outreach strategies to recruit target program participants are required. Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to: Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns; Projects that support specific religious activities; Exchange programs; including travel to the U.S. Social welfare projects; Trade activities; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; construction projects; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization itself; Conferences, lectures, scientific research, studies, etc.; Book publishing or translation for the purposes of publishing a book; Ongoing salary costs of organization staff; Equipment, including but not limited to, cameras and for the office; and Food and drink beyond the cost of coffee breaks and working lunches (alcohol will not be funded).

Export Vouchers, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), reimburses eligible export expenses up to $10,000, depending on the expense. The following lists the eligible activities and reimbursement levels. If your business qualifies, you may receive up to the maximum allowed for that activity, or a lesser amount. Awards are granted based on committee review of your export voucher application.Qualifying Export Expenses Design of international marketing, digital advertising Website design, maintenance and international payment handling Online market listing fees E-commerce platform fees Expenses to set up a website to accept international payments Services of the U.S. Commercial Service International shipment of product samples Compliance requirements to enter an export market Export research tool subscription Cost associated with international IP protection (limited to the following–USPTO PCT transmittal fee, filing fee, search fee; Hague Intl Design App transmittal fee, Trademark Madrid Protocol fee) International business travel (airfare only) International trade show or trade mission fees (virtual or in-person) Foreign market sales trips Translation of marketing media, including audio/video EXIM Credit Insurance fees

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for an evaluation project that contributes to building a portfolio of evidence regarding inclusive human rights in Ukraine. In support of this goal, DRL seeks to promote the use of sound data and generate findings on what works, for whom, and why in democracy and human rights programming abroad. Projects should support the following objective: the rights of marginalized, underserved, and at-risk individuals in Ukraine are recognized and respected within a democracy, rights, and good governance framework.