# Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, FY2025

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pds-002-fy2025-academy-for-women-entrepreneurs-fy2025/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/357727

> U.S. Mission to Ethiopia offered grants of up to $35,000 (at least $15,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $35,000 in total. Applications closed on January 23, 2025.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | PDS-002-FY2025 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Ethiopia |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | January 23, 2025 |
| Award ceiling | $35,000 |
| Award floor | $15,000 |
| Expected awards | 1 |
| Total funding | $35,000 |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.022 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

The following organizations are eligible to apply: ● Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations ● Public and private educational institutions ● Individuals ● Public international organizations and governmental institutions For-profit or commercial entities, including for-profit media organizations, are not eligible to apply. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:a. Programs relating to partisan political activity b. Charitable or development activities c. Construction programs d. Programs that support specific religious activities e. Fund-raising campaigns f. Lobbying for specific legislation or programs g. Scientific research h. Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; ori. Programs that duplicate existing programs.

## What the grant funds

A global initiative, AWE provides resources to support the social and economic empowerment of women including the skills, networks, and opportunities needed to compete in the Ethiopian and global economy. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, and public international organizations and governmental institutions. Cost-sharing or matching funding is not required. Note: We strongly encourage applicants to incorporate digital literacy training into their FY2025 AWE program proposals to enhance participants' technical skills and digital access. ECA launched AWE in 2019 to help women develop the skills and networks needed to start and grow businesses. Participants learn skills like strategic planning, marketing, and finance through online and in-person sessions, with guidance from business leaders and U.S. exchange alumni mentors. In partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School for Global Management, AWE uses no-cost platforms like DreamBuilder and the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative to deliver course content. DreamBuilder, created by ASU and Freeport-McMoRan, offers modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, plus a business plan generator. Available in English and Spanish, it supports local language mentoring; the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative available in 40 languages, provides a more advanced curriculum on entrepreneurship and innovation. Proposals must choose either DreamBuilder or 100 Million Learners for their curriculum. The proposals should meet the following objectives: ● Increase participants’ understanding of business planning and scaling up operations ● Connect participants with U.S.-based business experts and share U.S. models of running enterprises ● Build a network of female entrepreneurs that is committed to supporting and promoting relationships that help grow businesses and drive local partnerships, and ● Equip participants with skills and knowledge to build sustainable businesses. Applicants are encouraged to include digital skills and English language training in their proposals. Applicants are encouraged to train startups, beginner entrepreneurs, and mid-career entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa and other major regional cities where the U.S. Embassy maintains American Corners, including Jimma, Dire Dawa, Mekelle, and Bahir Dar.

## Questions people ask

### Is PDS-002-FY2025 still open?

No. It closed on January 23, 2025.

### Who can apply for Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, FY2025?

U.S. Mission to Ethiopia accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, FY2025?

Closed January 23, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $35,000 each. About $35,000 in total for one award.

### Who has won Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees, Georgetown University, Persatuan Gaya Hidup Lestari Biji Biji Kuala Lumpur. The program made 3,361 awards worth $57.2 million in that time.