Women in CHIPS Initiative

The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) under the U.S. Department of State has announced a funding opportunity titled **Women in CHIPS Initiative.** This program seeks to create a professional network and community of practice aimed at advancing women working in strategic trade, specifically within the semiconductor industry. The initiative focuses on sustained mentorship, technical training, focused workshops, and an immersive study tour. By fostering professional development, the program aims to increase the representation of women in both public and private sectors of the semiconductor industry. This initiative builds upon the existing Women in Strategic Trade Initiative (WiST), which supports increased participation of women in leadership roles, STEM fields, and other key stakeholder positions. The primary goal of the Women in CHIPS Initiative is to address gender disparities in the semiconductor sector by providing women with opportunities for career growth, technical skill development, and leadership training. Specific objectives include the establishment of mentorship programs pairing early- and mid-career women with experienced professionals, organizing technical training sessions to enhance industry-specific expertise, conducting workshops focused on key strategic trade and semiconductor-related topics, and facilitating an international study tour to foster cross-border knowledge-sharing and collaboration. These activities aim to create a sustainable community of practice that empowers women to contribute meaningfully to the global semiconductor supply chain. The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement, with a maximum funding ceiling of $493,339. This funding will support program activities over a designated period, with substantial involvement from the U.S. Department of State to ensure alignment with program objectives and expected outcomes. Activities supported under this agreement may include mentorship program coordination, curriculum development for training and workshops, logistical planning for study tours, and capacity-building initiatives tailored to address gender gaps in the semiconductor industry. Eligible applicants include domestic non-federal entities such as state and local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, foreign nonprofit organizations, domestic and foreign for-profit organizations (with the condition that profit or fees must be waived), and foreign public entities, including foreign public international organizations, are also eligible to apply. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of application submission. Applications must include a detailed project proposal outlining specific activities, timelines, measurable objectives, and expected outcomes. Proposals should also describe the applicant's experience in mentorship programs, technical training delivery, and fostering women’s leadership in strategic industries. Additionally, submissions must include a detailed budget narrative, a risk assessment and mitigation plan, and performance indicators to evaluate program success. Evaluation criteria will focus on the clarity and feasibility of the proposed plan, the applicant's experience and capacity to implement international mentorship and training programs, and the potential long-term impact of the initiative on increasing women’s participation in the semiconductor industry. Proposals that demonstrate innovative approaches, collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and sustainable outcomes will be prioritized. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or MyGrants by **March 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.** Questions regarding the application process can be directed to **ECC_Grants@state.gov.** Additional information, including access to required application documents and resources, is available through the provided grant portal link.