Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 386 12 000006
Apply for RFA 386 12 000006
- The India USAID New Delhi in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Partnership on Womens Entrepreneurship in Clean Energy ( wPOWER)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 31, 2012 and posted on Jul 13, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 21, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,212,611.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,212,611.00 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).
- Limited for local Indian entity that meets all the criteria.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Partnership on Womens Entrepreneurship in Clean Energy (wPOWER) is a USAID/India grant opportunity designed to expand womens economic participation in the clean energy sector while also improving energy access in rural, off-grid communities. The core idea is to help women become clean energy entrepreneurs and to place them throughout the small-scale clean technology supply chain, not just as end users. In practice, this means supporting women to take on roles such as local distributors, retailers, technicians, service providers, and business owners connected to clean energy products and services, with the larger goal of making energy access more sustainable and locally driven.
USAID describes the approach as holistic, meaning it is not limited to training alone or to a single technology. Instead, the program is intended to create a model that is innovative, replicable, scalable, and sustainable, built through a public-private partnership. A major emphasis is on strengthening networks of women entrepreneurs in clean energy so they can share market connections, technical knowledge, financing pathways, and business support. The expected outcome is a stronger ecosystem where women-led enterprises can grow while clean energy solutions reach underserved rural areas that are not connected to reliable grid electricity.
This funding opportunity is issued as a Request for Applications (RFA) and will be implemented through a Cooperative Agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the funding agency during implementation, such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, or technical direction. The announcement notes that the RFA was amended to incorporate questions and answers, and applicants are directed to the full announcement for the detailed Q and A content, which would usually clarify eligibility, submission requirements, and program expectations.
The opportunity is administered by USAID in New Delhi under the foreign assistance CFDA listing 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). It falls under the Energy funding activity category and is structured as a single award. The total estimated funding is $1,212,611, and both the award ceiling and floor are listed at exactly $1,212,611, signaling that USAID anticipated making one award for that full amount rather than a range of possible award sizes.
Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning the selected applicant must contribute resources toward the project (such as cash, in-kind support, or partner contributions) in addition to the USAID funding. Eligibility is limited to a local Indian entity that meets all specified criteria described in the full announcement, so it is not broadly open to international applicants unless they qualify under that local-entity requirement or are otherwise permitted through the specific eligibility language in the full RFA.
Key dates in the notice show the opportunity was posted on July 13, 2012, with an original and current closing date of August 21, 2012, and an internal creation date of July 31, 2012. For technical issues accessing the full announcement, the listed contact is Vandana Vats, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at USAID/India in New Delhi, with the provided phone number for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Partnership on Women's Entrepreneurship in Clean Energy (wPOWER) grant opportunity?
wPOWER is a USAID/India grant opportunity intended to expand women's economic participation in the clean energy sector while also improving energy access in rural, off-grid communities in India. The program focuses on helping women become clean energy entrepreneurs and participate across the small-scale clean technology supply chain.
What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The main goal is to support women as active participants in clean energy markets (not only as end users) and to strengthen locally driven, sustainable energy access in underserved rural areas that lack reliable grid electricity.
What types of roles for women does the program aim to support?
The opportunity emphasizes placing women throughout the small-scale clean technology supply chain, including roles such as local distributors, retailers, technicians, service providers, and business owners connected to clean energy products and services.
Is this program limited to training activities?
No. USAID describes the approach as holistic, meaning it is not limited to training alone. The intent is to build an innovative, replicable, scalable, and sustainable model through a public-private partnership.
Is this opportunity limited to a single clean energy technology?
No. The information provided indicates the program is not limited to a single technology. The program is meant to support women entrepreneurs connected to clean energy products and services more broadly.
What does it mean that the approach is "holistic"?
Based on the description, "holistic" means the program is designed to go beyond a single intervention (like training) and instead build a broader ecosystem. This includes strengthening networks of women entrepreneurs so they can share market connections, technical knowledge, financing pathways, and business support.
What outcomes does USAID expect from this program?
Expected outcomes include a stronger ecosystem where women-led enterprises can grow and clean energy solutions can reach underserved rural, off-grid areas in a way that is more sustainable and locally driven.
How is this funding opportunity being offered (what is the application format)?
This opportunity is issued as a Request for Applications (RFA).
What type of award instrument will be used?
The award will be implemented through a Cooperative Agreement.
What does a Cooperative Agreement typically imply for implementation?
A Cooperative Agreement typically indicates substantial involvement by the funding agency during implementation, such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, or technical direction.
Who is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by USAID in New Delhi (USAID/India).
What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 98.001, which is USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
It falls under the Energy funding activity category.
Is USAID planning to make one award or multiple awards?
The opportunity is structured as a single award.
How much total funding is available?
The total estimated funding is $1,212,611.
What are the award ceiling and floor amounts?
Both the award ceiling and the award floor are listed as $1,212,611.
What does it mean that the award ceiling and floor are the same amount?
It signals that USAID anticipated making one award for the full amount of $1,212,611, rather than making awards across a range of possible sizes.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required.
What can count toward cost sharing or matching for this opportunity?
The notice indicates the selected applicant must contribute resources in addition to USAID funding, such as cash, in-kind support, or partner contributions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to a local Indian entity that meets all specified criteria described in the full announcement.
Is the opportunity open to international applicants?
It is not broadly open to international applicants. The notice states eligibility is limited to a local Indian entity unless an organization qualifies under that local-entity requirement or is otherwise permitted through the specific eligibility language in the full RFA.
Where can applicants find the detailed eligibility criteria and requirements?
Applicants are directed to the full announcement for the detailed requirements, including eligibility, submission requirements, and program expectations.
Was the RFA amended, and if so, why does that matter?
Yes. The announcement notes the RFA was amended to incorporate questions and answers. This matters because the incorporated Q&A content typically clarifies key points like eligibility, submission requirements, and program expectations, and applicants should rely on the full announcement for those details.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 13, 2012.
What is the application closing date?
The original and current closing date is August 21, 2012.
What is the internal creation date listed in the notice?
The internal creation date is July 31, 2012.
What should an applicant do if they have technical issues accessing the full announcement?
For technical issues accessing the full announcement, the notice lists a contact at USAID/India in New Delhi.
Who is the contact person for technical access issues, and what is their role?
The listed contact is Vandana Vats, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at USAID/India in New Delhi.
What kind of support is the listed contact intended to provide?
The contact information is provided specifically for technical issues accessing the full announcement.
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