Building a Community of Practice for Women in Strategic Trade

The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation under the U.S. Department of State has announced a funding opportunity titled *"Building a Community of Practice for Women in Strategic Trade."* This grant aims to establish a professional network and community of practice specifically designed to support women working in the field of strategic trade. The program will focus on providing sustained mentorship through a structured six-month initiative, pairing early- or mid-career women with experienced international strategic trade experts and practitioners. The goal is to foster professional growth, enhance expertise, and build a collaborative community dedicated to advancing women's participation in this specialized area. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to address gender disparities in strategic trade fields by creating a platform for mentorship, professional development, and collaboration. The initiative seeks to empower women by facilitating knowledge-sharing, enhancing leadership capabilities, and offering guidance from established professionals in the field. Through structured mentorship and networking opportunities, the program aims to build long-term professional relationships and strengthen women's representation in strategic trade. The funding opportunity will be issued as a Cooperative Agreement, with an award ceiling of $450,000 and no minimum award floor specified. There is no cost-sharing or matching funds requirement for applicants. The grant will support activities necessary to establish and sustain the mentorship program, including outreach, training, coordination, and networking events designed to achieve the program's objectives. Specific budgetary allocations will depend on the proposal submitted by the applicant. Eligible applicants include a diverse range of organizations, both domestic and international. This includes domestic non-federal entities such as state and local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Foreign nonprofit organizations, foreign public entities (including foreign public international organizations), and both domestic and foreign for-profit organizations (with the condition that they waive any fees or profit) are also eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025, which is both the original and current closing date for this opportunity. Proposals must align with the grant's objectives and demonstrate a clear plan for building and sustaining the mentorship network. Applicants are expected to outline their methodology, provide timelines, and describe measurable outcomes that align with the program's goals. The evaluation criteria will likely focus on the clarity and feasibility of the proposed project plan, the experience and qualifications of the project team, the potential impact of the initiative on advancing women's participation in strategic trade, and the sustainability of the proposed community of practice. Applications should demonstrate a deep understanding of the program's goals and present a comprehensive strategy to achieve them. For additional details and access to the full funding opportunity announcement, applicants are encouraged to visit the provided grant link or contact ECC_Grants@state.gov for assistance.