Opportunity Information: Apply for STI 400 25 CA 0001
The U.S. Mission to Tajikistan, through the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe Public Diplomacy Section, is offering a discretionary grant competition to implement the second cohort of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Tajikistan. AWE is a U.S. State Department initiative launched by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in 2019 to help women entrepreneurs gain practical business knowledge, build professional networks, and access resources needed to start or grow businesses. The core training tool for this cohort is DreamBuilder, a free online entrepreneurship platform created with Arizona State University and Freeport-McMoRan, which teaches small-business essentials from a U.S. business education perspective, including marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, and guides participants through developing a business plan using an integrated business plan generator. The opportunity is framed as supporting broader U.S. policy priorities, including the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, by expanding women s economic opportunities and strengthening their ability to participate meaningfully in the economy.
The project is focused specifically on the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and Khatlon, two regions with strong economic development potential but persistent barriers for women entrepreneurs. The Embassy notes that women in these areas often face limited access to financing, business training, and market linkages, alongside cultural and social constraints that can reduce participation in entrepreneurship. The program context also highlights high levels of labor migration in both regions, with roughly 30 percent of working-age residents in GBAO and 25 percent in Khatlon engaged in labor migration, largely to Russia and neighboring countries. This migration pattern can strain local labor availability and household economies and can leave women managing households while also seeking income-generating options, increasing the relevance of locally grounded entrepreneurship support.
The central goal of the grant is to increase women s participation in local economies in GBAO and Khatlon by delivering a U.S.-style online entrepreneurship education that is facilitated and localized by State Department exchange alumni and local partners. Beyond training alone, the project is expected to build practical networks that enable peer-to-peer mentorship, potential business partnerships, and pathways to scaling, including connections with regional and U.S. businesses where feasible. Applicants can design proposals around one or more themes, but they are encouraged to include all objectives tied to the theme(s) they choose, with clear performance targets and follow-up timeframes.
Under the training and skills development theme, the program is expected to measurably improve participants confidence and motivation to pursue and expand their businesses, targeting a 90 percent improvement in self-reported confidence by the end of the training. It also aims for tangible business outcomes: at least 50 percent of participants should either launch a registered business or scale up an existing business within six months after completing the program. A strong emphasis is placed on technology adoption, with a target that at least 90 percent of participants actively use two or more digital tools in their businesses, such as e-commerce platforms, social media marketing tools, and financial management or bookkeeping software.
A second major theme centers on increasing awareness of business opportunities and improving access to funding. The program aims for at least 90 percent of participants to apply for at least one business opportunity within three months of finishing the training, signaling that the curriculum and mentorship should lead directly to action in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. In addition, the project seeks to strengthen the capacity of a subset of participants (roughly 15 to 20 women entrepreneurs) to pursue funding opportunities such as grants, loans, or investments. Performance targets include at least 50 percent of participants applying for funding within six months after the program and 50 percent receiving funding approval to support business growth, indicating the Embassy is looking for implementers who can provide practical coaching on applications, pitch preparation, and navigating local finance channels.
The intended participants are women aged 18 to 45 from Khatlon or GBAO who have at least a high school education (university education is also acceptable), around 1 to 2 years of business experience, and clear motivation to start or scale a long-term business or entrepreneurial activity. The cohort should be drawn from diverse backgrounds within the two regions. Because the program relies on an online platform, participants should have at least intermediate computer skills. The Embassy also signals a preference for women with demonstrated leadership and, ideally, community volunteering experience. Some English is preferred but explicitly not required, implying implementers should be prepared to localize content and support participants in the language(s) most accessible to them while still leveraging DreamBuilder s structure.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Embassy is likely to remain engaged during implementation rather than providing a fully hands-off award. The funding opportunity number is STI 400 25 CA 0001 under CFDA 19.022, with a single expected award and an award ceiling of $35,000. The original closing date listed is January 20, 2025. Eligible applicants are not-for-profit entities, including non-profit organizations, civil society or non-governmental organizations, and public or private educational institutions. The full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is referenced as a PDF attachment for additional requirements, selection criteria, and compliance details.Apply for STI 400 25 CA 0001
- The U.S. Mission to Tajikistan in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Implementation of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)" 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 2024-12-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-20. (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 $35,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: U.S. Mission to Tajikistan
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: Addressing Stigma to End the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.
Previous opportunity: Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for STI 400 25 CA 0001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (STI 400 25 CA 0001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| U.S. Embassy Kampala Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement Apply for DOS PDS FY25 02 Funding Number: DOS PDS FY25 02 Agency: U.S. Mission to Uganda Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Call for Proposals Apply for OFOP0001721 Funding Number: OFOP0001721 Agency: U.S. Mission to Jamaica Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| S/GWI FY24 NOFO: Women for Promoting Engagement, Accountability, Conflict Resolution and Empowerment (PEACE) Apply for DFOP0017088 Funding Number: DFOP0017088 Agency: Office of the Secretary Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,466,699 |
| 2025 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program Apply for SMK800 25 PAS003 Funding Number: SMK800 25 PAS003 Agency: U.S. Mission to North Macedonia Category: Other Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Small Grants Program 2025 Apply for DOS KAZ AST AEECA 25 001 Funding Number: DOS KAZ AST AEECA 25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Democracy Commission Small Grants Program Apply for TASHKENT PDS FY25 002 Funding Number: TASHKENT PDS FY25 002 Agency: U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY 2025 Community College Initiative Program Apply for DFOP0017094 Funding Number: DFOP0017094 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $5,625,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund NOFO Apply for PDS KIGALI FY25 002 Funding Number: PDS KIGALI FY25 002 Agency: U.S. Mission to Rwanda Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Apply for DOS KAZ AST ECA 25 001 Funding Number: DOS KAZ AST ECA 25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Countering Information Manipulation Following Investigations of Suspected Biological Attacks Apply for DFOP0017102 Funding Number: DFOP0017102 Agency: Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| S/GWI FY24 RSOI: SHE’s BRIGHT - Supporting Her Empowerment: Building Resilient Initiatives and Girls’ Hope Together Apply for DFOP0017101 Funding Number: DFOP0017101 Agency: Office of the Secretary Category: Other Funding Amount: $493,339 |
| Women’s Amplified Voices in the Economy (WAVE) Apply for DFOP0017065 Funding Number: DFOP0017065 Agency: Office of Global Womens Issues Category: Other Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| Laboratory Twinning: Genome Sequence Analysis as a Tool Investigating an Alleged Biological Weapons Attack Apply for DFOP0017103 Funding Number: DFOP0017103 Agency: Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other Funding Amount: $480,000 |
| U.S. EMBASSY SINGAPORE ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT 2025 Apply for PAS SINGAPORE FY25 001 Funding Number: PAS SINGAPORE FY25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Singapore Category: Other Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| 2025 Annual Program Statement – DRC Small Grants Program Apply for AF DRC PDS FY25 01 Funding Number: AF DRC PDS FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo Category: Other Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| ACADEMY FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (AWE) 2025 DRC Apply for AF DRC PDS FY25 02 Funding Number: AF DRC PDS FY25 02 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| ALUMNI-INFLUENCERS SUMMIT 2025 DRC Apply for AF DRC PDS FY25 05 Funding Number: AF DRC PDS FY25 05 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2025 Apply for PDS HON AEIF FY25 01 Funding Number: PDS HON AEIF FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Honduras Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Managua Public Diplomacy Section Alumni Small Grants Competition Apply for PDS MGA FY25 01 Funding Number: PDS MGA FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Nicaragua Category: Other Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| FY2025 ABPP - Preservation Planning Grants Apply for P25AS00476 Funding Number: P25AS00476 Agency: National Park Service Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "STI 400 25 CA 0001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.