NOFO: MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (US)

Priorities 

• To increase the capacity of MBEs and improve their entrepreneurial outcomes, MBDA has established the following priorities for this Program. Applicants must address Priority Area 1 (Access to Capital) and must choose at least one more Priority Area to address in their proposal.
  • Priority Area 1: Facilitate Access to Capital
    • Facilitating access to capital for MBEs is critical to ensuring they have fair access to the tools needed to launch their business ventures. For example, even when an entrepreneur has a business-ready idea, they might lack the institutional banking relationships that would allow them to access traditional sources of funding. Similarly, they may lack the awareness and capacity to apply for or participate in programs, including government programs, designed to facilitate small business access to capital. Ensuring these entrepreneurs can access capital (including debt or equity), is essential to business sustainability.
  • Priority Area 2: Support Participation in High Growth Industries
    • Women entrepreneurs are underrepresented in high growth industries, including STEM. While the United States is a leader in research and development, and women comprise nearly half of the American workforce, women represent less than 30 percent of the STEM workforce, and an even smaller percentage when considering STEM entrepreneurship. Providing support to MBEs who seek to launch STEM-focused ventures is essential to supporting their nation’s critical supply chains and increasing participation in high growth industries.
  • Priority Area 3: Increase Entrepreneurs’ Capacity to Do Business with the Federal Government
    • The Federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the United States. In FY 2024, the federal government spent approximately $764 billion on federal contracts. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, in FY 2023, 28% of prime contracts were awarded to small businesses representing more than $178.6 billion in federal spending. Women-owned business realized 14 percent of this small business spending or $25.5 billion. Federal contracts are an incredible opportunity to expand small businesses and to create wealth for entrepreneurs. Expanding access to opportunity, including through the business certification process, can increase the number of businesses able to contract with the federal government at competitive prices and create steady income streams for entrepreneurs and their employees.

Funding Information

• In fiscal year (FY) 2025, MBDA expects to obligate approximately $2 million for multi-year awards, which MBDA anticipates funding annually, made under this NOFO for the selected proposals; the financial assistance awards will have an overall four-year period of performance. MBDA anticipates making approximately 5 awards under this NOFO.
• The funding amount for each award in FY 2025 will be approximately $400,000. MBDA anticipates that an equivalent amount will be available in FY 2026 through FY 2028 to support continuation of the program for the subsequent budget periods (12 months each) of the selected projects.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants are limited to organizations that meet both of the following two requirements:
  • The organization must be a private nonprofit organization as described in paragraph (3), (4), (5), or (6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a); and
  • The organization must provide – as a primary activity of the organization – services to Minority Business Enterprises, whether through education, making grants or loans, or other similar activities.
• Entities must submit documentation and evidence that they meet both eligibility requirements in order to be considered for funding.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.