Opportunity Information: Apply for SBUR SGPIG 15 005
Apply for SBUR SGPIG 15 005
- The DOS-SBUR in the business and commerce, employment, labor and training, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Liberalizing Innovation Opportunity Nations (LIONS) Partnership" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.301.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 08, 2016 and posted on Jun 08, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2016. (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 $275,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Liberalizing Innovation Opportunity Nations (LIONS) Partnership grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: SBUR SGPIG 15 005) is a U.S. Department of State program administered under DOS-SBUR that uses a cooperative agreement to deepen and expand the LIONS@FRICA public-private partnership focused on African innovation and technology startups. The central aim is to make LIONS@FRICA a more influential, visible, and effective platform in the African startup ecosystem by strengthening strategic ties with the private sector and translating those relationships into practical programming that benefits entrepreneurs across the continent.
Under this opportunity, one awardee is expected to play a convening and implementation role, acting as the partner that facilitates collaboration between LIONS@FRICA and private-sector stakeholders. The emphasis is on improving startups' real-world access to the resources that most directly affect their ability to grow: investors, mentors, networks, and financing. The grant also explicitly calls for reinforcing and adding momentum to existing LIONS@FRICA initiatives, including DEMO AFRICA (a startup showcasing and pitch platform), afriCoderDojo (youth coding and digital skills community efforts), and the African Business Angels Network (ABAN), which supports early-stage investment networks and angel investing activity.
The activities supported through the cooperative agreement are meant to expand LIONS@FRICA's footprint and strengthen the pipeline of African-led innovation by providing capacity-building and training in business development, linking founders to global innovation networks, and increasing pathways to capital. The opportunity also prioritizes creating partnership opportunities (for example, connections to corporates, accelerators, investment groups, and experienced operators) and systematically showcasing best practices and success stories from African entrepreneurs and locally driven solutions. In practical terms, the award is designed to support programs that help startups become investment-ready, build stronger business models, improve connectivity to international markets and knowledge networks, and gain visibility with funders and strategic partners.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The total funding is capped at $275,000, with an expectation of a single award. The funding activity categories attached to the opportunity span business and commerce, employment and workforce-related training, and science and technology/research and development, reflecting the program's blend of entrepreneurship support, skills development, and innovation ecosystem building. The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 19.301. The original and current closing date for applications was July 15, 2016, and the announcement was posted on June 8, 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is the Liberalizing Innovation Opportunity Nations (LIONS) Partnership grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SBUR SGPIG 15 005.
Which U.S. government agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State program administered under DOS-SBUR.
What type of award is being used?
The opportunity is administered through a cooperative agreement.
What is the overall purpose of the LIONS Partnership cooperative agreement?
The central purpose is to deepen and expand the LIONS@FRICA public-private partnership focused on African innovation and technology startups, and to make LIONS@FRICA a more influential, visible, and effective platform in the African startup ecosystem.
What does the program want to improve in the African startup ecosystem?
The emphasis is on improving startups' real-world access to resources that most directly affect growth, including investors, mentors, networks, and financing.
How many awards are expected under this opportunity?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of a single award.
What is the maximum total funding available?
The total funding is capped at $275,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
No. Institutions of higher education are excluded from eligibility under this opportunity.
What role is the awardee expected to play?
One awardee is expected to play a convening and implementation role by facilitating collaboration between LIONS@FRICA and private-sector stakeholders.
What does it mean that the awardee will be a "convening" partner?
Based on the opportunity description, the awardee is expected to bring together LIONS@FRICA and private-sector stakeholders and help translate those relationships into practical programming that benefits entrepreneurs across Africa.
What kinds of programming does the grant aim to support for startups?
The award is designed to support programs that help startups become investment-ready, build stronger business models, improve connectivity to international markets and knowledge networks, and gain visibility with funders and strategic partners.
What types of capacity-building and training are within scope?
The cooperative agreement supports capacity-building and training in business development, along with activities that strengthen the pipeline of African-led innovation.
What kinds of connections and partnerships are prioritized?
The opportunity prioritizes creating partnership opportunities such as connections to corporates, accelerators, investment groups, and experienced operators.
Does the opportunity focus on showcasing African startup success stories?
Yes. It prioritizes systematically showcasing best practices and success stories from African entrepreneurs and locally driven solutions.
Which existing LIONS@FRICA initiatives should be reinforced?
The grant explicitly calls for reinforcing and adding momentum to existing LIONS@FRICA initiatives including DEMO AFRICA, afriCoderDojo, and the African Business Angels Network (ABAN).
What is DEMO AFRICA in the context of this opportunity?
DEMO AFRICA is described as a startup showcasing and pitch platform.
What is afriCoderDojo in the context of this opportunity?
afriCoderDojo is described as youth coding and digital skills community efforts.
What is ABAN in the context of this opportunity?
ABAN refers to the African Business Angels Network, which supports early-stage investment networks and angel investing activity.
Is the opportunity focused only on entrepreneurs in one African country?
No. The description indicates a continent-wide focus, with programming intended to benefit entrepreneurs across the African continent.
What funding activity categories are associated with this grant?
The attached funding activity categories span business and commerce, employment and workforce-related training, and science and technology/research and development.
What does the blend of funding activity categories suggest about the program?
It reflects a mix of entrepreneurship support, skills development, and innovation ecosystem building.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.301.
When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on June 8, 2016.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date for applications was July 15, 2016.
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