# Implementation of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/sti-400-25-ca-0001-implementation-of-the-academy-of-women-entrepreneurs-awe/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/357863

> U.S. Mission to Tajikistan offered grants of up to $35,000 (at least $25,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $35,000 in total. Applications closed on January 20, 2025.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | STI-400-25-CA-0001 |
| Agency | U.S. Mission to Tajikistan |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | January 20, 2025 |
| Award ceiling | $35,000 |
| Award floor | $25,000 |
| 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 not for profit organizations are eligible to apply: • Non-profit organizations • Civil society/non-governmental organizations • Public and private educational institutions

## What the grant funds

Project Background, Goals, and Objectives The U.S. Embassy Dushanbe’s Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) announces an open competition to implement the second cohort of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Tajikistan. The AWE program, established by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in 2019, aims to provide women with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to launch or scale successful businesses. The program uses the no-cost, online DreamBuilder platform, developed in partnership with Arizona State University and Freeport-McMoRan. The DreamBuilder platform teaches participants the fundamentals of starting or growing a small business from a U.S. perspective, offering modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, and includes a built-in business plan generator. By promoting women’s economic opportunities and ensuring that women have the capabilities and resources to participate in the economy, the AWE program directly supports the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and Khatlon regions of Tajikistan have significant potential for economic development, particularly through the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. Despite recent progress, women in these regions face numerous challenges, including limited access to financial resources, business training, and market opportunities. Cultural and social barriers also hinder women’s participation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These regions have been particularly associated with a large population of labor migrants. Approximately 30% of the working-age population in GBAO and 25% in Khatlon are engaged in labor migration, primarily to Russia and other neighboring countries. This migration trend significantly impacts the local economy and the availability of human resources, particularly affecting women who often remain behind to manage households and seek alternative income sources. Project Goal: Increase participation of women entrepreneurs in Tajikistan’s GBAO and Khatlon regions’ local economy by offering a U.S.-style online education facilitated and localized by State Department exchange alumni and local partners. The project aims to foster networks for peer-to-peer mentorship, business partnerships, and scale opportunities with regional and U.S. businesses. Project Objectives: Project proposals may address one or more of the project themes listed below.

## Questions people ask

### Is STI-400-25-CA-0001 still open?

No. It closed on January 20, 2025.

### Who can apply for Implementation of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)?

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

### What is the deadline for Implementation of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)?

Closed January 20, 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.