Opportunity Information: Apply for WHAP WHAAQPPC 16 004
Apply for WHAP WHAAQPPC 16 004
- The DOS-WHA in the business and commerce, community development, employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business Development Centers in Central America" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.750.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 08, 2016 and posted on May 08, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 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 $1,188,118.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA), issued a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Small Business Development Centers in Central America" (Funding Opportunity Number WHAP WHAAQPPC 16 004) aimed at growing and strengthening the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network across the region. The program is built around the U.S. SBDC model, which supports local and regional economic development by helping small businesses start, stabilize, and expand through practical consulting, training, and access to resources. The underlying idea is straightforward: better-supported small businesses are more likely to create and retain jobs, which contributes to broader community stability and economic growth.
This opportunity focuses on providing technical assistance to reinforce and expand SBDC operations in seven Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. Central American governments have already made meaningful progress toward adopting and adapting the U.S. model, investing political and financial capital since 2010 and establishing a total of 38 centers, most commonly housed at universities embedded in local communities. The grant is intended to build on that existing momentum by improving the quality, reach, and sustainability of these centers rather than starting from scratch. While the network includes El Salvador, the notice specifies that USAID will separately provide technical assistance for El Salvador's SBDC network, indicating a parallel support track for that country.
Funding for the award was expected to come from FY 2015 Economic Support Funds, subject to availability, with an award ceiling not to exceed $1,188,118 for a project period of up to three years. WHA anticipated making one award under this announcement. The funding activity aligns with business and commerce, community development, and employment/labor/training priorities (CFDA 19.750). A notable program expectation is that proposed activities should incorporate measures that promote equal access for women entrepreneurs, ensuring that training and advisory services are designed and delivered in ways that reach women-owned and women-led businesses effectively.
Eligibility was open to a range of institution types that are commonly positioned to deliver training and advisory networks, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions within that category). Key timeline details included a questions deadline of June 13, 2016, and an application closing date of June 20, 2016 (original and current closing dates were the same). The notice was created and posted on May 8, 2016, by DOS-WHA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Small Business Development Centers in Central America."
Which U.S. government office issued this opportunity?
It was issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is WHAP WHAAQPPC 16 004.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The main purpose is to grow and strengthen the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network in Central America by providing technical assistance that reinforces and expands SBDC operations across the region.
What model is the program based on?
The program is built around the U.S. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) model, which supports local and regional economic development by helping small businesses start, stabilize, and expand through practical consulting, training, and access to resources.
Why does the program focus on small business support?
The underlying idea described in the notice is that better-supported small businesses are more likely to create and retain jobs, contributing to broader community stability and economic growth.
Which countries are included in the Central America SBDC focus area?
The opportunity focuses on technical assistance for SBDC operations in seven countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Is El Salvador included in this network, and is there anything special noted about it?
Yes, El Salvador is included in the network list. However, the notice specifies that USAID will separately provide technical assistance for El Salvador's SBDC network, indicating a parallel support track for that country.
Is this grant intended to create new SBDCs from scratch?
No. The notice emphasizes building on existing progress and momentum by improving the quality, reach, and sustainability of centers that have already been established, rather than starting from scratch.
What progress had already been made in the region before this grant?
According to the notice, Central American governments have invested political and financial capital since 2010 toward adopting and adapting the U.S. SBDC model and have established a total of 38 centers.
Where are the SBDCs in Central America commonly housed?
The notice states that SBDCs are most commonly housed at universities embedded in local communities.
What kinds of activities are expected under this opportunity?
The opportunity is focused on providing technical assistance to reinforce and expand SBDC operations. The notice frames SBDC services as practical consulting, training, and access to resources to help small businesses start, stabilize, and expand.
Does the opportunity include any expectations related to women entrepreneurs?
Yes. A specific program expectation is that proposed activities should incorporate measures that promote equal access for women entrepreneurs, with training and advisory services designed and delivered in ways that effectively reach women-owned and women-led businesses.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was not to exceed $1,188,118.
How long is the project period?
The project period is up to three years.
What funding source was expected to support the award?
Funding was expected to come from FY 2015 Economic Support Funds, subject to availability.
How many awards did WHA anticipate making under this announcement?
WHA anticipated making one award under this announcement.
What is the CFDA number and program alignment mentioned?
The notice lists CFDA 19.750 and aligns the activity with business and commerce, community development, and employment/labor/training priorities.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was open to the following institution types: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions within that category).
Are both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits eligible?
Yes. The notice includes nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status and also nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, with the caveat that the non-501(c)(3) nonprofit category excludes higher education institutions.
When was the opportunity created and posted?
The notice was created and posted on May 8, 2016, by DOS-WHA.
What was the deadline to submit questions?
The questions deadline was June 13, 2016.
What was the application closing date?
The application closing date was June 20, 2016. The notice indicates the original and current closing dates were the same.
Is this described as a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The notice describes it as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What region is the program intended to benefit?
The program is intended to benefit Central America through strengthened SBDC operations across the specified seven countries.
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