Empowering Saudi Women through the Creation and Launch of an Entrepreneurs Networking and Mentorship Initiative | DOS SAU PD 2206

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS SAU PD 2206

The Department of State, through the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia and its Public Affairs Section (PAS), announced a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Empowering Saudi Women through the Creation and Launch of an Entrepreneurs Networking and Mentorship Initiative" (Opportunity Number: DOS SAU PD 2206; CFDA: 19.040). The funding is intended to support programs that strengthen U.S.-Saudi bilateral relations by advancing women’s entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia, specifically by building a structured, ongoing network and mentorship pipeline connecting experienced entrepreneurs with aspiring Saudi women business leaders.

The opportunity responds to a need identified by Embassy contacts over roughly the prior 18 months: while short-term entrepreneurship programming exists, there is a gap in sustained mentorship and networking that helps women entrepreneurs transfer practical skills, expand professional connections, and improve access to capital and investment networks. PAS notes that the U.S. Mission has already run multiple entrepreneurship-related grants with Saudi and American partners and has an existing pool of potential mentors and participants from those efforts. Applicants are therefore expected to leverage that momentum by formalizing and scaling a durable initiative that can outlast the grant period.

Proposals are expected to cover the full lifecycle of the initiative, including design and setup of the program, a concrete launch plan, and about twelve months of activities that actively grow and engage membership among both established and aspiring Saudi women entrepreneurs. A central requirement is a credible sustainability plan explaining how the network will continue operating after U.S. government funding ends, emphasizing long-term governance, membership growth, partnerships, and practical value to participants.

While PAS will consider a wide range of approaches, competitive proposals are described as those with clearly defined objectives, measurable goals, and quantifiable milestones. Strong applications should prioritize recruiting from groups already connected to U.S. government-supported programming, including alumni of U.S. exchange programs, participants from previous Embassy entrepreneurship grants, and applicants who previously sought participation but were not selected. The initiative should be designed to facilitate peer-to-peer resource sharing, skill transfer, and relationship building, anchored by a mentorship component aimed at accelerating early success and leadership capacity within Saudi business communities.

The Embassy also signals interest in programs that blend traditional and innovative training and networking methods, tying entrepreneurship support to broader outcomes such as women’s empowerment, economic development, job creation, leadership development, diversity awareness, and business growth. In addition, applicants are encouraged to include an integrated messaging and media plan to extend the project’s reach beyond direct participants, helping amplify key themes and attract additional members and stakeholders. Proposals that showcase American expertise, highlight U.S.-Saudi institutional partnerships, or build durable cross-border professional connections between Americans and Saudis are explicitly aligned with the program’s bilateral-relations focus.

Eligibility is limited to entities that qualify to receive U.S. grants and can implement programming in Saudi Arabia within the proposed timeframe. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). Applicants should demonstrate expertise in areas such as business or academic programming, entrepreneurship and management, organizing entrepreneurship training, and building institution-to-institution partnerships. The Embassy and Department of State specifically encourage organizations that have not previously received U.S. government international program funding to apply, signaling openness to new implementers with strong local capacity and credible program design.

In terms of award details, the NOFO listed an award ceiling of $125,000 with an expectation of one award. The opportunity was posted April 6, 2022, with an original application deadline of June 1, 2022. Applicants were instructed to follow the full NOFO instructions and eligibility requirements provided in the official announcement materials.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia in the business and commerce, employment, labor and training, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Empowering Saudi Women through the Creation and Launch of an Entrepreneurs Networking and Mentorship Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 06, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOS SAU PD 2206

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