Leveraging UNESCO Networks to Address the STEAM Gender Gap in Africa | USUNESCO 17 NOFO 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for USUNESCO 17 NOFO 001

The grant opportunity titled "Leveraging UNESCO Networks to Address the STEAM Gender Gap in Africa" is a U.S. Department of State-funded initiative administered through the U.S. Mission to UNESCO (USUNESCO). It seeks a single organization to design and run a three-year, grantmaking program focused on finding, strengthening, and scaling grassroots-led efforts that help close the long-standing gender gap in science, technology, engineering, arts/design, and math (STEAM) across Africa. The core idea is to use UNESCO-related networks and connections to surface high-potential local initiatives, support their growth, and help them reach more women and girls with effective pathways into STEAM education, training, and careers.

The program is specifically oriented toward measurable progress toward gender parity in STEAM over time, with a clear emphasis on empowerment and economic opportunity. It frames STEAM participation not only as access to schooling or training, but as a way for women and girls to gain the socioeconomic benefits that come with in-demand technical and creative skills. A key theme in the description is shifting women and girls from being primarily consumers of technology to becoming creators and innovators, meaning the supported initiatives are expected to build real agency, capability, and representation in fields where women remain underrepresented.

Geographically, the planned grants program targets a defined set of African countries: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. While the administering entity may be based elsewhere (depending on eligibility rules), the grassroots initiatives ultimately supported through the sub-grants are intended to operate within these countries, reflecting local leadership and locally grounded solutions.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USUNESCO 17 NOFO 001; CFDA 19.801) under the Department of State, Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. The award structure anticipates one primary awardee (Expected Awards: 1) who would be responsible for the overall program design and management across the three-year period, including identifying grantees, administering sub-awards, and overseeing performance and results. The maximum federal funding available for the main award is listed as an award ceiling of $493,750, which implies that the selected organization must manage the program strategically, balancing grant support to grassroots initiatives with the operational needs of administering a multi-country, multi-year portfolio.

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than universities), with additional eligibility details referenced in the full opportunity text. The funding activity categories associated with the opportunity span arts, humanities, education, employment and training, community development, and regional development, which matches the interdisciplinary nature of STEAM and the broad set of barriers that commonly keep girls and women from entering and staying in these fields (such as access to quality learning, mentoring, job pathways, community support, and enabling environments).

In terms of timing, the opportunity was created on November 14, 2016, with an original application deadline of January 31, 2017. Even though those dates indicate the competition window for this specific posting, the summary content captures the program model and priorities: a single implementing partner running a three-year, UNESCO-network-informed grants program that elevates proven grassroots solutions, expands what works, and ultimately increases the number of African women and girls who can study, work, and lead in STEAM fields.

• The Department of State, Secretarys Office of Global Womens Issues in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), community development, education, employment, labor and training, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Leveraging UNESCO Networks to Address the STEAM Gender Gap in Africa" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.801.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 14, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2017. (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 $493,750.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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