Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007878
The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, offered a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Support for Women-Owned SMEs in Less Privileged Communities in Sri Lanka" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007878). The program was designed to strengthen women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in Sri Lanka, with a clear focus on women business leaders from less privileged and/or rural backgrounds. It also explicitly included support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, recognizing that these entrepreneurs may face additional barriers to stability, safety, and long-term economic participation.
At its core, the grant aimed to help these women maintain viable, successful businesses in ways that translate into improved economic well-being for their families and communities. The opportunity was framed as an extension of ongoing U.S. Government efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among disadvantaged communities, meaning it was not simply about short-term training or one-time assistance. Instead, it emphasized strengthening the conditions that allow women-owned businesses to keep operating, grow, and contribute to local economic resilience.
A key secondary goal was to help participants overcome both social and technical obstacles that commonly limit business growth. On the technical side, the program highlighted the importance of taking businesses online, which typically involves building digital skills, adopting e-commerce or online marketing tools, and improving access to broader markets beyond immediate local areas. On the social side, the opportunity recognized that women entrepreneurs, especially in rural or less privileged settings, often face restrictive norms, limited networks, stigma (particularly for survivors of gender-based violence), and reduced access to mentorship or business services. To address these issues, the project concept also included community education and awareness-building, aiming to improve the broader environment around women entrepreneurs so their chances of success increase over time rather than depending solely on individual effort.
Administratively, the award was structured as a grant with a single expected award. The maximum funding amount (award ceiling) was listed as $987,500. The opportunity was published on March 25, 2021, with an original application deadline of May 25, 2021. The funding activity category was listed under Business and Commerce, and the associated CFDA number was 19.700. Eligibility was not limited to a narrow set of applicants; it was listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice (meaning prospective applicants would have needed to consult the complete announcement to confirm whether their organization type and qualifications fit the program requirements).
Overall, this grant opportunity targeted practical business sustainability and growth for women-owned SMEs in underserved Sri Lankan communities, with an emphasis on digital transition, entrepreneurship support aligned with broader U.S. efforts, and community-level change to reduce social barriers that hold women entrepreneurs back.Apply for SFOP0007878
- The Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support for Women-Owned SMEs in Less Privileged Communitiesin Sri Lanka" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.700.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 25, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 25, 2021. (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 $987,500.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Support for Women-Owned SMEs in Less Privileged Communities in Sri Lanka (SFOP0007878)
1) What is the official title of this grant opportunity?
The official title is "Support for Women-Owned SMEs in Less Privileged Communities in Sri Lanka."
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007878.
3) Which U.S. government agency offered this grant?
The grant was offered by the U.S. Department of State.
4) Which bureau within the Department of State is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was offered through the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
5) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program was designed to strengthen women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka, focusing on women business leaders from less privileged and/or rural backgrounds so they can maintain viable, successful businesses that improve economic well-being for their families and communities.
6) Who is the program intended to support?
The program targeted women-owned or women-led SMEs in Sri Lanka, with a clear emphasis on women entrepreneurs from less privileged and/or rural communities.
7) Does the program include support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly included support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, recognizing that these entrepreneurs may face additional barriers to stability, safety, and long-term economic participation.
8) What outcomes was the grant trying to achieve for participants?
The grant aimed to help participating women maintain sustainable businesses, strengthen long-term viability, and translate business success into improved economic well-being for families and communities.
9) Was this program focused on short-term training only?
No. The opportunity emphasized building conditions for women-owned businesses to keep operating, grow, and contribute to local economic resilience, rather than only providing one-time assistance or short-term training.
10) What kinds of barriers did the program aim to address?
The program aimed to address both technical and social obstacles that commonly limit business growth for women entrepreneurs in underserved settings.
11) What technical obstacles were highlighted in the opportunity description?
A major technical emphasis was helping businesses transition online, which may include building digital skills, using e-commerce or online marketing tools, and expanding access to markets beyond local areas.
12) What social obstacles were highlighted in the opportunity description?
The opportunity recognized that women entrepreneurs in rural or less privileged communities may face restrictive norms, limited networks, stigma (including stigma faced by SGBV survivors), and reduced access to mentorship or business services.
13) Did the opportunity include any community-level components?
Yes. The project concept included community education and awareness-building to improve the broader environment around women entrepreneurs and reduce social barriers over time.
14) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument was a grant.
15) How many awards were expected under this opportunity?
The opportunity indicated a single expected award.
16) What was the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?
The maximum funding amount (award ceiling) was $987,500.
17) When was this funding opportunity published?
The opportunity was published on March 25, 2021.
18) What was the application deadline listed for this opportunity?
The original application deadline was May 25, 2021.
19) What funding activity category was this opportunity listed under?
The funding activity category was listed as Business and Commerce.
20) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number was 19.700.
21) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as "Others," and the notice referenced additional eligibility details in the full announcement. Applicants would have needed to consult the complete notice to confirm whether their organization type and qualifications met program requirements.
22) Was eligibility limited to a narrow set of applicant types?
No. Based on the summary provided, eligibility was not presented as narrowly restricted, but the full notice was required to confirm specific eligibility criteria.
23) Where was the program intended to take place?
The program focused on Sri Lanka, specifically less privileged and/or rural communities.
24) How does the opportunity connect to broader U.S. Government efforts?
The opportunity was framed as an extension of ongoing U.S. Government efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among disadvantaged communities.
25) What types of business improvements were implied by the "taking businesses online" emphasis?
The description pointed to efforts like strengthening digital skills, adopting e-commerce and online marketing tools, and improving access to broader markets beyond immediate local areas.
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