ACADEMY FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS LESA
Q. What is the typical performance period for the DreamBuilder program?
A. The program consists of 13 courses. The average course takes about one to two hours to complete. The participants should be committed to an average of 5 hours per week to the AWE program.
Q. Can we offer additional modules not offered currently under the DreamBuilder program?
A. No, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is a program of the U.S. Department of State and Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. It is centered on the online training program, DreamBuilder, developed through a partnership between Thunderbird and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan.
Q. Why does the opportunity list South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, and how much should the alumni facilitators in each site be remunerated?
A. Applicants for this notice of funding opportunity will support cohorts of women entrepreneurs in the priority region of seven cities – five in South Africa and one each in Lesotho and Eswatini. The cohorts will attend virtual, hybrid, and in-person events at American Spaces in each location. All costs associated with the program should be determined by the applicant and be included in the budget, not exceeding the ceiling for the available funds.
Q. Are DreamBuilder participants allowed to use American Spaces facilities, and what technological support can they expect?
A. Yes, all U.S. Exchange Program participants are encouraged to use our American Spaces to further their entrepreneurial journey and collaborate with like-minded women entrepreneurs. The American Spaces technological supports includes, conference facilities with virtual meeting capabilities and podcast facilities, however, participants must have basic computer skills and access to a laptop/computer with internet access.
Kindly refer to pages one and two of the NOFO.
STRENGTH IN PARTNERSHIP: CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Q. Why does this opportunity have two deadlines, and does it matter which date we choose?
A. All our funding opportunities are subject to the availability of funding. The sooner we submit requests to Washington, the more likely we are to receive funding, hence the relatively early deadline of February 28, 2023. However, we recognize that that may be too early for some potential applicants, hence the second deadline of April 30, 2023. Funding is limited and the process is competitive, so only the very best applications will be submitted to Washington on a first come, first served basis.
Q. Should an application list partners that won’t be actual sub-awardees (or very small ones)?
A. Please see Section D in the NOFO: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION – Introduction to the Organization applying – Project Partners: “List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.” If no or very little money will be paid to a partner, but it nevertheless will play a significant role, it should be listed.