The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2025 is a funding opportunity provided by the U.S. Department of State through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission to South Africa. This program is designed to support the development of women entrepreneurs in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini by combining online learning with in-person mentoring and facilitation. The program aligns with the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, which offers entrepreneurial education through Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management.

The program seeks to train 100 women entrepreneurs, including 60 participants from South Africa, 20 from Lesotho, and 20 from Eswatini. Participants will be required to complete an 18-module course on entrepreneurial strategies and innovation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The coursework is delivered through hybrid learning formats, including virtual, hybrid, and in-person sessions held at American Spaces or partner locations. Facilitators, who are alumni of U.S. government programs, will lead discussions and mentorship activities, as well as conduct in-person training sessions in each city.

The implementing partner will be responsible for organizing program launch events, pitch competitions, graduation ceremonies, and online masterclasses led by industry experts. The partner is encouraged to collaborate with national, provincial, and municipal government departments, NGOs, investors, and other entities focused on economic development and women’s empowerment. Participants are required to be young women aged 21-35, residing in urban, semi-urban, or semi-rural areas of the eligible countries, and must have basic computer skills and internet access.

Eligible applicants for the grant include non-profit organizations based in South Africa or the U.S., including think tanks, civil society organizations, and public or private educational institutions. Individuals are not eligible to apply. The grant will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, meaning that the U.S. Department of State will be actively involved in program implementation. The total funding available for this opportunity is up to $69,000, with only one award expected to be granted. The program’s performance period is expected to last between 8 to 12 months, starting on May 1, 2025.

Applications must be submitted by March 14, 2025, at 23h59 GMT+2. Required documents include standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, a detailed proposal, a budget justification, resumes of key personnel, letters of support, and official permission letters where applicable. Applicants must also be registered with SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). An information session will be held on January 13, 2025, to address potential applicants' questions.

The selection process will evaluate applications based on feasibility, organizational capacity, program planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. The selected recipient will be notified by March 14, 2025, with funds disbursed through electronic fund transfer. The recipient will be required to submit periodic financial and programmatic reports throughout the grant period. The grant explicitly prohibits funding for United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) or activities encouraging migration towards the U.S. southwest border.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria via email at PretoriaGrants@state.gov.