Opportunity Information: Apply for APS OAA 17 000001ADDENDUM
The Women`s Economic Empowerment and Equality (WE3) Business Services opportunity is a USAID grant addendum under the VISP Annual Program Statement (APS OAA 17 000001ADDENDUM) focused on helping growth-oriented women entrepreneurs overcome practical, well-documented barriers that slow business expansion. Grounded in USAID`s Policy on Gender Equality and Female Empowerment, the opportunity is centered on the idea that women-owned businesses often do not lack ambition or viable ideas, but instead face gaps in leadership development, access to tailored business advice, and meaningful connections to networks that can open doors to financing and markets. USAID frames these constraints as mutually reinforcing, especially when women entrepreneurs have limited exposure to experienced advisors, role models, and business relationships that can translate knowledge into action.
At the core of the activity is expanding the person-to-person support system around women entrepreneurs, emphasizing individualized guidance and relationship-based networks rather than generic training alone. The grant is meant to strengthen leadership capabilities, improve availability and quality of business advisory services that are responsive to women`s needs, and build the kinds of connections that help businesses become more resilient and positioned for growth. The description also highlights that the lack of mentors and connectors is itself a barrier, suggesting that proposals would likely be expected to build or scale mentorship, coaching, advisory pipelines, peer learning communities, and referral systems that link women to capital providers and market opportunities.
Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (CFDA 98.001) and uses a Cooperative Agreement, meaning USAID expects to be more actively involved than in a standard grant, often through collaboration on implementation details and learning. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The award ceiling is $250,000, with an anticipated four awards, indicating a relatively small portfolio of targeted projects rather than a large-scale rollout. The notice was created on May 3, 2018, with an original closing date of June 14, 2018, placing it as a time-bound funding window tied to that APS addendum.
Overall, WE3 Business Services is aimed at practical, high-touch interventions that help women entrepreneurs move from operating in isolation to being supported by advisors, mentors, and networks that can sharpen leadership, strengthen business decision-making, and improve access to credit and markets. The emphasis is less on abstract commitments to equality and more on filling the specific support gaps that women entrepreneurs themselves identify as essential for growth and resilience.Apply for APS OAA 17 000001ADDENDUM
- The Agency for International Development in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women's Economic Empowerment and Equality (WE3) Business Services" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 03, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 14, 2018. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the WE3 Business Services grant opportunity?
The Women`s Economic Empowerment and Equality (WE3) Business Services opportunity is a USAID grant addendum under the VISP Annual Program Statement (APS OAA 17 000001ADDENDUM). It focuses on helping growth-oriented women entrepreneurs overcome practical barriers that slow business expansion, especially gaps in leadership development, tailored business advice, and connections to networks that can lead to financing and market opportunities.
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under CFDA 98.001.
What funding mechanism does USAID use for this opportunity?
USAID uses a Cooperative Agreement for this opportunity. This typically means USAID expects to be more actively involved than in a standard grant, often collaborating on implementation details and learning during the life of the award.
What is the main purpose of WE3 Business Services?
The main purpose is to strengthen the support systems around women entrepreneurs so they can grow more resilient and growth-ready businesses. The opportunity emphasizes person-to-person support, individualized guidance, and relationship-based networks rather than relying on generic training alone.
What problem is this opportunity trying to address for women entrepreneurs?
USAID frames the challenge as women-owned businesses often not lacking ambition or viable ideas, but facing barriers such as limited leadership development opportunities, insufficient access to tailored business advisory services, and weak or missing connections to mentors, role models, and business networks that open doors to financing and markets. These constraints are described as mutually reinforcing.
What types of activities are emphasized in the opportunity description?
The description highlights high-touch, relationship-driven interventions, including building or scaling mentorship and coaching, strengthening advisory pipelines, creating or expanding peer learning communities, and developing referral systems that connect women entrepreneurs to capital providers and market opportunities.
Is this opportunity focused more on training programs or individualized support?
It is centered more on individualized guidance and relationship-based networks. The opportunity explicitly emphasizes expanding person-to-person support systems rather than providing generic training alone.
How does the opportunity define the kind of support women entrepreneurs need?
The opportunity stresses practical supports that translate knowledge into action, particularly through exposure to experienced advisors, mentors, role models, and business relationships that help entrepreneurs strengthen decision-making, leadership, and connections to financing and markets.
What outcomes is USAID aiming for through WE3 Business Services?
Based on the description, USAID aims to strengthen leadership capabilities, improve the availability and quality of business advisory services that are responsive to women`s needs, and build meaningful connections that help women-owned businesses become more resilient and positioned for growth.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000.
How many awards does USAID anticipate making?
USAID anticipates making four awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. Institutions of higher education are excluded.
Are universities or colleges eligible applicants?
No. The eligibility criteria exclude institutions of higher education.
Is the opportunity tied to a broader solicitation?
Yes. It is described as an addendum under the VISP Annual Program Statement (APS OAA 17 000001ADDENDUM).
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on May 3, 2018.
What was the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date was June 14, 2018.
What does USAID mean by barriers being "mutually reinforcing"?
In the description, USAID suggests that gaps like limited leadership development, lack of tailored advisory support, and weak professional networks tend to compound each other. For example, without mentors and connectors, entrepreneurs may have fewer chances to learn practical leadership skills, fewer pathways to quality advice, and fewer introductions to financing and markets.
How is this opportunity connected to gender equality policy?
The opportunity is grounded in USAID`s Policy on Gender Equality and Female Empowerment, and it focuses on practical actions that address specific support gaps affecting women entrepreneurs` ability to grow and compete.
What kind of approach does USAID appear to prefer for proposed projects?
Based on the description, USAID appears to prefer practical, high-touch interventions that reduce isolation for women entrepreneurs by surrounding them with advisors, mentors, and networks that can strengthen leadership, improve business decision-making, and expand access to credit and markets.
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