The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through its Public Affairs Section, announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the *2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Philippines*. This program aims to provide women with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to launch and scale successful businesses. The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a hybrid program combining online learning through the DreamBuilder platform, developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and Freeport-McMoRan, with in-person mentoring and facilitation. The program seeks to empower women entrepreneurs, support gender equity, and strengthen local economic development. The total funding available under this opportunity is $35,000, with one award anticipated, and the project is expected to run for 12 months starting in September 2025.

The initiative requires the implementation of eight AWE cohorts in Bacolod, Baguio, Bohol, Cebu, Manila, Puerto Princesa, Quezon City, and Zamboanga del Sur. At least five of these cohorts will be managed through sub-awards with U.S. Embassy American Corners and AWE alumnae. Each cohort should consist of approximately 25-30 women and will run for three to four months, featuring a mix of online and in-person sessions, including lectures, seminars, mentorship activities, pitch competitions, and trade fairs. Mandatory launch and graduation ceremonies are also required. Proposals must outline a detailed recruitment process, identify qualified facilitators for each cohort, and describe how past AWE graduates will be engaged as mentors or resource personnel to showcase program benefits.

The selected organization will be responsible for distributing sub-grants to selected American Corners and AWE alumnae, with 80 percent of funding provided upon submission of a detailed timeline and work plan, and the remaining 20 percent awarded after the submission of a final report detailing project results. Proposals should demonstrate the organization’s capacity to establish partnerships with local government units, universities, chambers of commerce, and other relevant institutions to enhance program sustainability and impact. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan is also required, detailing key performance indicators, data collection methods, and feedback mechanisms to measure program effectiveness.

The U.S. Embassy will provide substantial oversight and support, including virtual training sessions for facilitators, selection of American Corners for collaboration, and ongoing communication and evaluation. All major program elements, including participant selection, facilitators, mentors, session content, and promotional materials, must be approved by the U.S. Embassy before implementation.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign non-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Individuals are also eligible to apply. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration on SAM.gov. Applicants may submit only one proposal per organization, and cost-sharing is not required under this funding opportunity.

Applications must include mandatory federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B where applicable), a summary page, a detailed project proposal (not exceeding 10 pages), a budget justification narrative, an itemized budget in Excel format, résumés of key personnel, letters of support from program partners, and, if applicable, a copy of the organization’s latest Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Proposals must address key aspects such as program design, alumni engagement, communication strategies, and performance monitoring.

Evaluation criteria include program design (20 points), alumni engagement (20 points), communication and outreach (20 points), monitoring and evaluation (20 points), and budget (20 points). Proposals will be reviewed by a committee and assessed based on technical merit, alignment with program goals, cost-effectiveness, and organizational capacity.

Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by January 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Philippine time. Early registration on SAM.gov and Grants.gov is strongly encouraged to avoid technical delays. Questions regarding this opportunity must be directed to GrantsManila@state.gov.

This funding opportunity represents an important initiative to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship in the Philippines by providing participants with essential business skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Through this program, the U.S. Embassy aims to support women entrepreneurs in becoming leaders and agents of economic growth in their communities.