NOFO: Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2025 – Bangladesh

By fostering entrepreneurial skills and promoting financial independence, the program creates opportunities for women to overcome barriers to economic participation. With a focus on empowering women from underserved and marginalized communities, AWE prepares participants to thrive in the private sector and contribute meaningfully to their local economies.

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) was launched by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in 2019 to address the barriers women face in starting and scaling businesses. The program empowers women by providing access to practical, nocost online business education and localized coaching and mentorship. It leverages platforms like DreamBuilder, created in partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, and the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative to deliver flexible, high-impact training in core business skills. AWE also fosters peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities with U.S. exchange alumni and local business leaders.

Project Goal

• Empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh by providing them with the knowledge, networks, and skills essential for business success. AWE aims to prepare women for leadership roles through a flexible educational platform, fostering connections with peers, and facilitating mentorship opportunities with accomplished female leaders in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Objectives 

• Objective 1: Train 25-30 aspiring women entrepreneurs from diverse and marginalized backgrounds in foundational business skills, including strategic planning, marketing, and finance, through globally recognized curricula like DreamBuilder or the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative.
• Objective 2: Strengthen mentorship and peer-to-peer networks by engaging U.S. exchange alumni, local business leaders, and facilitators to provide guidance, practical support, and opportunities for collaboration among participants.
• Objective 3: Empower program participants to create scalable business models, with measurable outcomes including at least 30% reporting increased income and 15% hiring additional staff within a year of program completion.
• Objective 4: Foster long-term alumni engagement by organizing targeted follow-on activities such as regional summits, networking events, and skills enhancement workshops, ensuring continuous development and knowledge-sharing.
• Objective 5: Promote inclusivity and diversity by ensuring that at least 50% of participants represent economically disadvantaged, rural, or minority communities, advancing equitable socio-economic development across Bangladesh.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $35,000 pending availability of funds
• Award amounts: $25,000 to $35,000
• Length of performance period: 12 months or less

Ineligible Projects 

• This opportunity will not support:
  • Projects relating to partisan political activity;
  • Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support
  • Construction projects;
  • Projects that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns;
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
  • Scientific research or surveys;
  • Commercial projects;
  • Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
  • Projects that duplicate existing projects; or
  • Illegal activities

Project Audience(s)

• The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program targets aspiring women entrepreneurs from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds across Bangladesh. Primary beneficiaries include women from marginalized communities, rural and urban areas, and various educational and professional levels, ensuring an inclusive approach to fostering entrepreneurship. The program prioritizes those facing systemic barriers to economic participation, equipping them with skills, networks, and confidence to succeed.  Some demographics to consider, include:
  • Gender
  • Geographic Location
  • Age Group
  • Level of Education
  • Social Class
  • Religious Practice
  • Profession

Eligibility Criteria 

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Think tanks
  • Public and private educational institutions
  • Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions
• For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO. Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When subcontracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.

Application Contents 

• Content of Application Please ensure:
  • The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
  • All documents are in English
  • All budgets are in U.S. dollars
  • All pages are numbered
  • All applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.