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To advance the priority of gender equality, The Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Partnership (INL/CAP) strives to integrate women and women?s perspectives into its criminal justice system assistance programs. Mentors and advisors deployed to INL missions are in a unique position to help INL advance its objectives with respect to integrating women and women?s perspectives. In particular, they may have opportunities to offer suggestions concerning the participation of women to host country counterparts. To help prepare them for this aspect of their work, INL/CAP seeks to incorporate into pre-deployment training a module that informs training participants about the importance of integrating women and women?s perspectives, and how they might help with this effort.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata (PAS Kolkata) seeks proposals for a project entitled "Women for Women: Supporting Each Other to Build Sustainable Careers." Under this project, a grantee will partner with PAS Kolkata to host weekly mentoring workshops at the American Center for 20 women between the ages of 20-25 pursuing undergraduate studies in STEM fields in Kolkata who have little to no exposure to the U.S and the American higher education system. The workshops will be conducted by four experts, preferably female alumni of USG programs, who have built successful careers. In addition, each woman will participate in 12 one-on-one virtual exchange sessions with a current STEM student studying in a U.S. university, preferably EducationUSA alumni or STEM Fulbright Fellow. The findings from the virtual exchanges will be incorporated into the workshop to achieve a global perspective of working women professionals. (Please refer to the full announcement available under related documents tab.)

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 International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL, or the Department), announces the availability of approximately $5,000,000 total costs (subject to the availability of Federal funds) for one cooperative agreement to fund a technical assistance project in an identified country to economically empower women and girls. The objective of the project is to reduce the risk of child labor, forced labor, and other violations of labor rights for vulnerable women and girls within an identified supply chain. The project will aim to achieve the following outcomes: (1) improved economic participation by women and girls vulnerable to child labor, forced labor, and/or other violations of labor rights within a supply chain; and (2) improved business practices by private sector actors to protect against child labor, forced labor, and other violations of labor rights for vulnerable women and girls working within a supply chain.

The most recent survey by the Moroccan High Commission for Planning, published in 2011, found that 62.8 percent of women aged 18 to 65 had experienced physical, psychological, sexual, or economic violence within the prior 12 months. Further, 55 percent of women surveyed reported domestic violence and 13.5 per cent reported family violence. Less than 3 percent of women who had experienced domestic violence had reported it to the authorities. Both national and international civil society reports indicate that of women who do report abuse to authorities, many do not receive the assistance required by existing Moroccan law and procedure. This has been attributed to a lack of a clear legal framework specific to gender-based violence (GBV) - draft law 103-13 on combatting violence against women remains pending - as well as social stigma, and limited awareness and implementation of existing GBV protections and reforms. 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 help combat gender-based violence in Morocco. DRL's objective for this program is to enhance the ability of Moroccan government and civil society stakeholders engaging on GBV to advance survivor-centered protections. All proposals should include efforts that bring together key stakeholders, including justice and security sector actors, to promote effectiveness and accountability in gender-based violence prevention and response. Note this was previously posted under Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0003662 but the original posting has been removed.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the U.S. Consulate General in Lahore announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to establish an Academic Partnership in Gender and Development Studies between a U.S. educational institution and the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) in Lahore, 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 Lahore College for Women University. Objectives detailed as priorities for this partnership include: collaborative research, curriculum development, long distance teaching via internet/DVC, professional development for faculty by US counterparts, abroad or locally, and faculty and student exchange. Faculty exchange programs ranging from a few weeks to a full semester, and shorter-term graduate student exchange programs, are preferred by the Lahore College for Women University. In addition, the university is interested in training and other assistance in developing multi-media awareness materials, conducting collaborative workshops, and leadership training for women.

Applicants for the funds may be students or faculty. The project, program, or entrepreneurial idea must be created by, led by or benefit women. Grants are awarded in values of $2500 to $20,000. While we prefer the base grant to be $5,000, we are considering a limited number of $2500 which will be required to show high impact. These applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The grants must be submitted online via the link below and must include a 2-minute video. Applicants will be narrowed to a pool of 10-15 finalists by our M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Grants Committee. This committee will review applications; contact applicants if additional information is required, and present the finalists to the M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Steering Committee and Development Staff. Grant deadline for this year is Feb. 9, 2018. These finalists will perform in a fast-pitch style Hawk Tank event on April 11, 2018. Finalists will be offered fast-pitch training courtesy of the Farmers School of Business - school of Entrepreneurship, and will receive coaching and support. They will then pitch their idea in 5 minutes or less on April 11, 2018 at the event. Giving Circle members are the voters who will determine winners. Absentee voters will be given the option to vote online. Winners will be announced that night or the next day at the Symposium, to be determined.

Under the theme of Civic Engagement, this workshop will include both men and women seeking to identify reasons behind gender inequality in Southeast Asia and to find collaborative solutions to closing the gender gap. This will help pave the way for strong coalitions to promote the advancement of women in society, and reduce the use of stereotypes that keep women in lower-level roles. Sharing perspectives across the region and creating opportunities for making connections alongside male champions for gender equality would be a valuable opportunity.

The Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Consulate General Karachi (PAS Karachi) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), contingent on funding availability, through the Public Diplomacy Grants Program. The projects set forth in this NOFO support individual and institutional capacity-building in STEM entrepreneurship. Two (2) different projects are described in this NOFO. Organizations may submit one proposal for each project, but no more than one proposal per project. Project 1: Entrepreneurship and Software Engineering: To develop and leverage entrepreneurial skills of women in and around Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, and Larkana, particularly in the textile industry. Project 2: STEM Hackathon: A STEM hackathon for female programmers in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Quetta, to engage more girls in STEM-related fields; to help women in STEM-related fields to find and connect with mentors; and to identify solutions to career or education-related challenges that women in STEM fields face.

This program supports initiatives designed to promote women's leadership and the political, economic, and social advancement of women across Bosnia and Herzegovina. We particularly welcome proposals for projects that equip women who have leadership potential with the skills and knowledge to advocate effectively for their rights and to become opinion leaders, successful communicators and business women.

The Miami Initiative for Advancing, Mentoring and Investing in Women (M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN) awarded nearly $104,000 in Giving Circle grants to students and faculty during the annual Leadership Symposium on April 12, 2018. Finalists pitched their projects the previous evening at the inaugural Hawk Tank event. This grant fund is open again for the 2018-2019 cycle.

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of approximately $1.5 million total costs for one or more cooperative agreements to fund a project to integrate the issues of child labor alleviation and acceptable conditions of work into women's economic empowerment initiatives. The project intends to support service providers and policy makers when working with women entrepreneurs to ensure women-led enterprises can improve livelihoods responsibly without resorting to child labor or harmful labor practices. The project's outcomes include: Outcome 1: Increased understanding of child labor and acceptable conditions of work in the context of women's economic empowerment initiatives. Outcome 2: Increased availability of tools to integrate child labor awareness and acceptable conditions of work into women's economic empowerment initiatives. Outcome 3: Demonstrated effectiveness of tools in mitigating child labor and unacceptable conditions of work in women's economic empowerment initiatives. Outcome 4: Increased awareness and adoption of tools to integrate child labor awareness and acceptable conditions of work into women's economic empowerment initiatives by a broad range of stakeholders.The duration of the project will be a maximum of 4 years (48 months) from the effective date of the award.

The U.S. Mission to UNESCO (USUNESCO) announces the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a new program to design and administer a three-year grants program aimed at identifying, developing, and expanding the most promising grassroots-led initiatives in Africa to help address the persistent gender gap in science, technology, engineering, arts/design, and math (STEAM) fields. The targeted African countries for the proposed grants program would be: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. This program aims to make progress toward eventually achieving gender parity in STEAM-related fields so that more African women and girls are empowered by the socioeconomic benefits derived from acquiring expertise in these fields and so that more women and girls contribute to innovation by creating, rather than just using, technology.

In 2009, the Children Support Center (CSC) was founded in Kabul, the first center of its kind created to identify and protect Afghan children living in prison with their incarcerated mothers. Since 2011, INL has supported CSCs in Afghanistan and protected over 1300 children of incarcerated women across the country. The CSCs provide comprehensive alternative care that includes safe and secure housing, access to education and tutoring, psychosocial counseling, vocational training, medical services, recreation, exposure to cultural activities, and quarterly prison visits to see their mothers. To continue supporting this integral program, the U.S. Department of State has allocated $950,000 over a three year period for a CSC to protect children of incarcerated Afghan women living in Herat and surrounding provinces.

Based on funding availability, the proposed grant will support two annual international women's film festivals featuring films from Afghanistan and around the world. To qualify for submission, films should address women's lives and the issues confronting them, or their producers or directors should be women. The proposed festivals will provide talented Afghan professionals in cinema with an opportunity to engage with their international counterparts, celebrate and elevate women's roles and representation in film, mobilize public opinion regarding violations of women's rights, and provide a platform for young filmmakers to share their stories of Afghanistan with an international audience. The festivals will provide an artistic platform for the presentation of work by and about women and will include panel discussions with actors and directors, workshops, and cultural performances. PAS intends to issue an award for a period of 24 months (base period) with an option for one additional 12-month period (option period one).

The endowment enhances women's empowerment and gender equity, an Intermediate Result in the current USAID/Afghanistan strategic framework, by assisting Afghan women in obtaining a university or graduate education, better enabling them to serve in positions of influence in the public and private sectors. The endowment merges with other Promote components to create a full suite of empowerment activities, supporting women from the beginning of their higher education through attaining a professional position. Establishing the endowment also preserves empowerment successes by sustaining long-term educational assistance.

The goal of this NOFO is to provide comprehensive HIV services in Zambia to the general population in areas of high HIV prevalence; and priority populations (PPs), including people living with HIV (PLHIV), adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), men, couples, pregnant women, prisoners, and key populations (KPs). Services to be provided will include: community-based HIV testing services (HTS); HIV prevention services (risk reduction counseling,gender norms, and links to post gender-based violence (GBV) care); TB prevention and treatment, and community based antiretroviral therapy (ART). These services will be linked with community health care facilities. The recipient(s) will work closely with the relevant District Medical Offices (DMOs) selected in consultation with CDC Zambia. To ensure efficiencies and program effectiveness, this NOFO will support activities that complement activities supported by the Zambian government and partners with full transition to the local districts by the end of year five.

Fellowships area awarded to women from other countries who are pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the United States. Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are supported. Fellowship amounts are as follows: $18,000 to recipients pursuing a master's/first professional degree, $20,000 for doctoral programs, and $30,000 for postdoctoral programs. Up to five fellowships for master's/first professional degrees will be renewable for a second year. To be eligible, applicants must be a citizen of a country other than the U.S. or possess a non-immigrant visa if residing in the U.S. Women who currently are or expect to become a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or dual citizen during the fellowship are not eligible. Applicants must also hold a completed academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.

This initiative aims to: (1) enhance our understanding of the multi-level factors that influence HIV prevention strategy use among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa and (2) develop and test novel interventions to address these factors and enhance the uptake and adherence to HIV prevention strategies among AGYW in sub-Saharan Africa.  The goal of this initiative is to look at the multiple levels of influence on AGYW's behavior from the individual level, to her partners, family members and peers as well as cultural, social norms and structural factors that may influence uptake and adherence to prevention strategies.     

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi announces an open competition through the Public Diplomacy Grants program for a Cooperative Agreement to implement one or both activities of a "TechCamp" project focused on growing women-owned social enterprises in India and Pakistan which includes a workshop and follow-on. The TechCamp workshop will take place in a third-party country easily reached from both countries. (Please refer to the full announcement available under related 'documents tab')