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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (U.S. Embassy Ankara)

1) What is the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program?

It is a U.S. Embassy Ankara Public Affairs Section grant opportunity to support a nationwide program in Turkey that encourages creativity and entrepreneurship among Turkish high school students. The program is meant to help students develop practical innovation and business skills and to build lasting formal and informal connections between Turkish youth and American youth involved in business education.

2) What are the main goals of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity focuses on two connected goals: (1) strengthening high school students' innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical business skills; and (2) promoting cross-cultural engagement and relationship-building by creating shared learning experiences and potential collaboration between Turkish and American youth.

3) Who is offering the grant?

The grant is offered by the U.S. Embassy Ankara Public Affairs Section.

4) Where will the program take place?

The program is intended to be nationwide in Turkey, reaching students across the country rather than focusing on a single city or region.

5) Who can apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants are non-governmental, non-profit organizations registered in Turkey. The announcement notes that organizations may need to validate their registration status.

6) Are government entities eligible to apply?

The eligibility description provided specifies non-governmental, non-profit organizations registered in Turkey, which indicates this opportunity is aimed at NGOs rather than government entities.

7) Is partnership encouraged or required?

Partnership is strongly encouraged. The Embassy signals a strong preference for coalition projects involving two, or ideally more, Turkish NGOs. Proposals designed as collaborative efforts are likely to be viewed more competitively based on the stated preference for partnership-based proposals.

8) Are U.S.-Turkey partnerships important for competitiveness?

Yes. The announcement highlights the value of U.S.-Turkish partnership elements. Proposals that incorporate collaboration or linkages between Turkish organizations and U.S. counterparts, or that directly facilitate ties between Turkish and American youth, are indicated as likely to be more competitive.

9) How much funding is available?

The total estimated funding is $200,000.

10) How many awards are expected?

One award is expected.

11) What is the award ceiling and floor?

Both the award ceiling and the award floor are listed as $200,000. This indicates the grant is structured as a single full-size award, not as a range of smaller awards.

12) What type of funding mechanism is this?

Funding is offered as a grant under a continuation opportunity category.

13) How long is the project period?

The project period is 18 months, and proposals must be designed to fit within that timeline.

14) When are programs expected to begin?

Programs are expected to begin in September 2009.

15) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on July 22, 2009.

16) What is the proposal deadline?

The information provided contains two closely related dates: the narrative text references an August 21 deadline, while the listing shows an August 22 closing date (both in 2009). Applicants should account for this discrepancy and rely on the official posting and instructions available through the U.S. Embassy Ankara website.

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No formal cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated. However, applicants are encouraged to secure co-funding from non-U.S. Government sources, which can strengthen a proposal by showing broader buy-in and sustainability.

18) What kinds of activities can be included in a proposal?

The program design is intentionally flexible. Suggested components include distributing educational materials, delivering a series of trainings or workshops, offering web-based education, hosting information fairs, organizing media events to broaden outreach and visibility, and potentially running exchange programs.

19) Does the program need to focus on entrepreneurship only, or also innovation?

It is intended to cover both innovation and entrepreneurship. The stated emphasis is on encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship, building entrepreneurial thinking, developing practical innovation and business skills, and strengthening networks for participants.

20) Is the program expected to include cross-cultural exchange elements?

Cross-cultural engagement is a core design element. The program aims to build relationships through shared learning experiences and potential collaboration, including lasting connections between Turkish youth and American youth involved in business education.

21) Are exchange programs allowed or required?

Exchange programs are listed as a potential component, meaning they are allowed as one possible activity type. The information provided does not state that exchanges are required; it indicates flexibility in program design.

22) What makes a proposal more competitive, based on the announcement?

The announcement indicates stronger competitiveness for proposals that: (1) are partnership-based, especially coalition projects involving two or more Turkish NGOs; (2) include U.S.-Turkish partnership elements (such as collaboration with U.S. counterparts); and (3) directly facilitate ties between Turkish and American youth.

23) Where can applicants find additional guidelines and details?

Additional guidelines and details are available through the U.S. Embassy Ankara website.

24) Who is the point of contact for questions or access issues?

The listed point of contact is Deniz A. Gursan, Youth Programs Coordinator. The phone number provided is 312-455-5555.