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PAS Kolkata seeks proposals for the project titled "Cyber Safe East India-Workshops on Cyber Security for E-Businesses." Based on funding availability, the Recipient organization will organize a series of workshops for business practitioners in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Guwahati. The workshops will be devised and implemented by the grantee with the help of U.S. cyber security and data protection experts. The goal of the workshops is to connect American and Indian cyber security experts to help small and medium businesses adopt safer business practices, ultimately ensuring the shared prosperity between the U.S. and India. The grantee will solicit participation from local and American cyber security experts, academics, chamber of commerce representatives, cyber law enforcing agency officials, and other relevant stakeholders to conduct a needs assessment of local business owners regarding web-based business tools. Collaborations should start early and virtually and will continue in-person during the workshops. The experts, in tandem with the grantee, will design the curriculum for a series of three workshops that help business owners mitigate e-business risks. The curriculum should be practical and relevant to a wide spectrum of businesses.The workshops should be conducted in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Guwahati. Other workshop locations are a possibility depending on the findings of the needs assessments conducted by the grantee as a pre- workshop survey. Workshop duration and the number of participants at each city will be determined by the grantee and experts in close consultation with PAS Kolkata.

1) Development and implementation of an action plan to build AUAF business school and research structure. Through mentoring plus virtual and in-person sessions the grantee will assist the business school faculty to: improve curricula, materials, technology and teaching methods related to business and research. The grantee will co-teach virtual classes and, ideally, conduct one in-person course per year in Kabul as the security situation allows; and conduct collaborative research and publish papers co-authored with AUAF faculty or students. The project will develop an Executive-in-Residence program as the security situation allows. 2) Advise AUAF in the development of longer-term strategic plans pertaining to promoting the academic quality and research capacity of AUAF in general and of the business school in particular. The partner will support the professional development of non-business faculty in teaching and research methods through transfer of knowledge gained in the business school project. In addition, the partner will advise on: steps needed for AACSB accreditation; the recruitment of target students and faculty; technical needs; the development of an on-line research journal; and, paths for research-related fund raising. PAS intends to issue an award for a period of up to 24 months.

The Small Business Regional Training project will support the creation of a regionally appropriate standardized training curriculum and accreditation/certification to Central American business counselors and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) staff, such that SBDCs can expand services and capacity for micro -, small-, and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Central America. This grant will also include a focus on advising for women-owned small businesses and promoting women’s entrepreneurship generally in Central America. This project will enhance the competitiveness of more than 16,000 MSMEs in Central America by strengthening regional capabilities through technical training to over 250 business counselors and the development of standard operating procedures at a growing number of SBDCs in Central America.

The centers funded will: Be national resources for the teaching of improved business techniques, strategies, and methodologies that emphasize the international context in which business is transacted; Provide instruction in critical foreign languages and international fields needed to provide an understanding of the cultures and customs of U.S. trading partners; Provide research and training in the international aspects of trade, commerce, and other fields of study; Provide training to students enrolled in the institution or institutions in which a center is located; Serve as regional resources to local businesses by offering programs and providing research designed to meet the international training needs of such businesses; and Serve other faculty, students, and institutions of higher education located within their respective regions.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) will provide Federal assistance to support innovative projects seeking to promote and ensure the inclusion and use of minority enterprises. This Announcement is a mechanism to encourage new activities, education, outreach, innovative projects or sponsorships that are not addressed through other MBDA programs. MBDA has established key priorities designed to overcome the unique challenges faced by minority business enterprises (MBEs). MBDA is now initiating new approaches to serve MBEs that compliment Presidential priorities and U.S. Department of Commerce goals. These program priorities are separated according to the following 14 initiatives: Access to Capital American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Project Aquaculture Disaster Readiness Disaster Recovery Entrepreneurship Education Program for Formerly Incarcerated Persons Global Minority Women Economic Empowerment Initiative Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Initiative Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative Research Space Commerce Sustainable Business Model Technology Transfer and Commercialization Virtual Business Center

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq invites eligible organizations to submit proposals to assist in the development and implementation of a business mentoring program in southern Iraq geared primarily toward female single heads of household who wish to start their own businesses or enter the job market. U.S. Consulate General Basrah seeks to engage southern Iraqi women who are in positions of increased financial responsibility due to the loss of a family member to armed conflict, violent extremism, and/or sectarian violence. The goal is to enable Iraqi women to meet their essential economic needs and those of their families. Grant objectives are to connect Iraqi women with mentors-preferably female-in the business community, who can teach skills and model strategies that will increase their participation in the local economy, including basic computer skills, resume building, and the use of social media and other online platforms. English training is a desirable, but not required component of the training. Training that facilitates direct contact between the Iraqi diaspora and local women is also desirable. Participants will receive training and access resources as part of a local network of mentors that can provide them real-time tailored feedback and offer ongoing support, advice, and resources to overcome the challenges businesswomen face in the context of southern Iraqi society. The program should also incorporate virtual mentoring sessions with American entrepreneurs - particularly women, and those fluent in Arabic - who can speak to their experiences, offer best practices, and promote linkages between Iraqi and American businesspeople.

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) announces a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at promoting social and private entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by partnering with its Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) alumni. Alumni networks can be effective social networks that generate both a higher level of interaction and longer-lived relationships, and ultimately improve social and private entrepreneurial performance by at least 8% more than other non-connected initiatives, according to a 2010 Harvard Business Review study. The corporate world is realizing that treating ex-employees as “alumni” increases referrals, client business, as well as advice and input on internal issues and job leads. MEPI aims to apply these lessons in its new initiative aimed at enhancing its alumni relations in order to sustain its social and business entrepreneurship efforts in the region. Problem Statement Since 2002,

This project will provide two separate streams of English training, one for journalists and one for export-oriented business professionals, for the purpose of giving both audiences the necessary language skills to communicate more effectively. For journalists, the project will enable participants to more effectively research and develop stories in English, and to represent current events in Afghanistan to a larger international audience. For export-oriented business professionals, the course will enhance their ability to engage in relationship-building and transactions with other English speakers, with the intent of boosting international trade. The successful applicant is expected to administer and conduct English courses for each group, separately, over a 12-month period to at least 80 participants for each of the two separate streams. The courses will include topics and vocabulary relevant to each audience, and will improve participants' English ability in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. To target the skills development of women, gender balance among participants will be taken into consideration in the selection process.

To partner with the U.S. Consulate Mumbai to implement a public-private partnership (PPP) project that links American and Indian businesses' CSR programs with social entrepreneurs in western India in order to promote innovative and sustainable technological solutions to overcome social and developmental challenges. The selected grantee will work closely with PAS Mumbai to develop PPPs with American and Indian businesses with CSR resources and to organize a contest to solicit proposals of innovative and sustainable entrepreneurial projects that address developmental challenges in five categories; organize the review and selection of the top 10 proposals; conduct a training/mentoring workshop for the shortlisted projects; organize and manage a public finale event at which the 10 short-listed projects will be pitched to a jury panel and one winner is chosen in each category; and track and report on the five winning projects funded through the PPP for up to six months from the disbursement of funds. (Please refer to the full announcement available under related documents tab.)

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to establish an Academic Partnership in Business Management & Environmental Sciences between a U.S. educational institution and the Karakoram International University (KIU) in Gilgit, Pakistan. Accredited U.S. four-year colleges and universities meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to pursue institutional or departmental objectives in partnership with the Karakoram International University. Objectives detailed as priorities for this partnership include: curriculum development, collaborative research, professional development for faculty by U.S. counterparts, and faculty and student exchange. The duration of faculty and student exchanges can be managed according to the time required for the specific task or activity of their exchange. KIU has indicated the primary focus areas should be the environmental sciences programs and the business management programs. In addition, KIU has expressed a desire for assistance with laboratory equipment and training, involving environmental sciences students and faculty in research, and launching a program for encouraging entrepreneurial aptitude among youth and facilitating their transition to become entrepreneurs.

Each program assisted with federal funds must enhance primarily the international academic program of the institution. Eligible activities may include but are not limited to: Development of a global or international studies program that is interdisciplinary in design; Development of a program that focuses on issues or topics, such as international business or international health; Development of an area studies program and programs in corresponding foreign languages; Creation of innovative curricula that combine the teaching of international studies with professional and preprofessional studies, such as engineering; Research for and development of specialized teaching materials, including language instruction, i.e., business French; Establishment of internship opportunities for faculty and students in domestic and overseas settings; and Development of study abroad programs.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata (PAS Kolkata) seeks proposals for a project entitled "Food Diplomacy: A Recipe for Entrepreneurship." Under this project, PAS Kolkata will partner with a grantee to implement a two-day workshop with approximately 20-30 participants from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and East India. Participants should be business professionals from the food industry who have a moderate to higher level of experience in the industry. The majority of the workshop will be led by 2-3 speakers/entrepreneurs from the United States who have significant expertise in food-based business and entrepreneurial ventures.

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that strengthen the capacity of civil society to meaningfully shape business and human rights (BHR) in Tanzania and at least in one neighboring country in sub-Saharan Africa.

The U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City invites proposals for projects that focus on at least one of the priority women's empowerment programs and target audiences specified including Professional Skills, Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) and Business, Media & Arts, Civil Society, Women in Politics and Governance, and Underprivileged and Vulnerable Groups.

Through Grand Challenges for Development (GCD), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its partners are sourcing, selecting, and accelerating science, technology, and business model innovations that have the potential to achieve large-scale development impact. Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development (SWFF) is part of a portfolio of 7 GCDs, each tackling a critical and complex development challenge. SWFF's objective is to enable the production of more food with less water and/or make more water available for food production, processing, and distribution in developing and emerging countries. It is jointly funded by USAID, the South African Department of Science and Technology, Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (collectively, the "Founding Partners"). This is the fourth Call for Proposals (RFA) under Securing Water for Food.

Indiana University's African Studies Program invites applications for a short-term residency to conduct research in IU's Libraries/African Studies Collections. Indiana University's African Studies Collection ranks among the top tier of such collections in the U.S. It comprises more than 150,000 volumes of monographs and over 700 serial subscriptions as well as materials in other formats (e.g. posters, slides, film/video, audio tapes, etc). The focus of the collection is on the humanities and social sciences, supporting a wide range of students and faculty in such departments as history, anthropology, fine arts, theatre & drama, literature, folklore, ethnomusicology, communication and culture, linguistics, religious studies, education, political science, business, economics, journalism, and applied health science. This residency is intended for faculty members at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or at other U.S. colleges / universities with limited Africa collections, to conduct research in Indiana University's libraries and special collections in support of curriculum development or publications. The successful applicant will receive an award that covers domestic travel, accommodations in Bloomington, and a modest per diem for up to two weeks of research. The award will cover expenses up to a maximum of $2,000 and must be used before August 01, 2014. The recipient is expected to reside in Bloomington during the period of her/his award.

The DAAD/AICGS Research Fellowship Program, funded by a generous grant from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), is designed to bring scholars and specialists working on Germany, Europe, and/or transatlantic relations to AICGS for research stays of two months each. Fellowships include a monthly stipend of up to $4,725, depending on the seniority of the applicant; transportation to and from Washington; and office space at the Institute. Please note that the DAAD/AICGS Research Fellowship supports fellows conducting research at AICGS in Washington DC. We are unable to support research in Germany/Europe. DAAD/AICGS Research Fellows will be expected to produce a short analytical essay that will be published on the AICGS website and distributed via the Institute's targeted analysis newsletter, The AICGS Advisor. For fellows producing research output of exceptional quality and interest, AICGS will provide opportunities for public presentations to the broader Washington policy community. Project proposals should address a topic closely related to one or more of the Institute's three research and programming areas: Business and Economics Foreign and Domestic Policy Society, Culture & Politics

The Center for Cultural Diplomacy Studies (of the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy) offers educational and professional development opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing further education and careers in academia, diplomacy, government, and/or the private sector. The CCDS focuses in particular on exploring the  balance between hard and soft power, the process of globalization in an interdependent world, international economics & business multiculturalism, intercultural dialogue & exchange, human rights, religion, and the ability for culturally based initiatives to further mutual understanding and in turn to foster global peace and stability.

Issuance Date: 3 February, 2015RFA Clarification Questions Due: 19 February, 2015; 1600 Closing Date and Time for Application Submission: 12 March, 2015; 1600 Addis Ababa Local Time Subject: Request for Applications (RFA) Number: USAID-Ethiopia- RFA-663-15-000006 RFA Title: Social and Behavior Change Communication for Health (SBCC- Health Project) EthiopiaLadies and Gentlemen: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for Assistance Agreements from all U.S. and non-U.S. qualified organizations (other than those from foreign policy restricted countries) for funding to support a program entitled Social and Behavior Change Communication for Health (SBCC- Health Project) Ethiopia. The overall goal of the program is to build the capacity of Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) with regards to SBCC interventions while also developing effective messages and coordinating SBCC messaging across stakeholders. The authority for the RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977. While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments such as cooperative agreements. However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the grant program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, OMB Circular A-122 for non-profit organization, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31 for-profit organizations), may be paid under the Cooperative Agreement.USAID expects to award one Cooperative Agreement based on this RFA. Subject to the availability of funds, USAID intends to allocate approximately $22.2 million funding to be allocated over a Five (5) year period. USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.The Government of Ethiopia laws require prior regist

The Kennan Institute seeks fellowship applicants from diverse, policy-oriented sectors such as media, business, local government, law, civil society, and academia to examine important political, social, economic, cultural, and historical issues in Russia, Ukraine, and the region. Among the aims of the new fellowships are to build bridges between traditional academia and the policy world, as well as to maintain and increase collaboration among researchers from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S.