The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala's Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) is issuing the 2025 Annual Program Statement (APS) to support programs promoting women's economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Guatemala. The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) initiative, funded through the White House’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative, seeks to empower Guatemalan women entrepreneurs through a hybrid educational program.

This APS aims to implement the AWE program in twelve Guatemalan departments, targeting 420 women entrepreneurs. The program will leverage the Spanish version of the Dream Builder platform to provide entrepreneurial training through 14 facilitated sessions, additional skill-building courses, and enrichment activities such as mentoring, pitch competitions, and virtual trade shows. Local and international mentors, U.S. business networks, and alumni will support participants by providing guidance and connections.

Eligible applicants include U.S. and Guatemalan nonprofit organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions with demonstrated experience in entrepreneurship and training. Applicants should have a commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity practices. The award offers funding from $10,000 to $150,000, with no cost-sharing required but viewed favorably. Applicants must register with SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2025, via email to GTM-PASGrants@state.gov. Required documents include a project summary, a detailed proposal in English, a budget justification narrative, and proof of organizational eligibility. Submissions must comply with formatting standards and clearly outline goals, objectives, and evaluation metrics.

Evaluation criteria focus on the alignment of proposals with U.S. Embassy priorities, program feasibility, clarity of goals and objectives, organizational capacity, budget reasonableness, and sustainability. Proposals will be reviewed individually, and selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals for final consideration.

Awarded grants will require compliance with U.S. Department of State regulations, including reporting requirements, branding standards, and non-discrimination policies. The program is expected to run from January to August 2026, with activities conducted entirely in Guatemala and in Spanish. For inquiries, contact the PDS Guatemala at the provided email address.