Opportunity Information: Apply for S DR860 NOFO 20 006
The Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity administered by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. It funds a virtual hackathon-style program focused on helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in rural parts of the Dominican Republic respond to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. The central idea is to convene entrepreneurs, students, and academic partners in an online setting where they can learn practical innovation and business "pivoting" skills, then collaborate in teams to design technology-based solutions that strengthen rural businesses and local economic resilience.
The program is structured as a hands-on, team-based innovation experience. Applicants are expected to propose a format that creates space for participants to connect, share ideas, and work remotely in teams while receiving guidance on rural business development, innovation methods, and strategies for adapting business models during crises. The NOFO emphasizes that the hackathon should not only generate ideas, but also support participants in developing workable, tech-enabled concepts that can realistically be tested or launched to create new opportunities for growth in rural communities. Another explicit component is public health: the program should help promote COVID-19 health and safety measures alongside business recovery and adaptation.
A key requirement is the integration and promotion of Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) resources. Proposals should incorporate YLAI assets such as its online courses, its online network, and the involvement of YLAI fellows. In practice, this means the program design should actively leverage those tools for training content, mentoring, participant networking, or recruitment and engagement, rather than treating YLAI as a minor reference.
The NOFO also makes clear that the event should culminate in a pitching phase. At the end of the program, teams are expected to present their solutions to a panel that includes facilitators and mentors, U.S. Embassy representatives, and business leaders. This pitch event is tied to seed funding intended to help teams kickstart their projects. The seed funding is not optional: at least 10 percent of the total program budget must be dedicated to these small awards, and the funds may be split across more than one team or proposal. Applications must therefore include a clear selection and distribution plan explaining how seed funding recipients will be chosen and how the awards will be allocated.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility includes organized American and/or Dominican civil-society organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and similar entities. The notice also indicates the Embassy is seeking proposals from U.S. and/or Dominican-based higher education institutions that meet the stated eligibility requirements, reinforcing the expectation that universities or comparable academic organizations may be strong implementers for this type of training-and-innovation program.
The total funding available is listed as $25,000, with an award ceiling of $25,000, and the notice references an expectation of multiple awards (noted as 8 in the source data). The assistance listing is CFDA 19.040 (General Department of State Assistance), and the activity category is education, reflecting the training and capacity-building emphasis of the hackathon model.
Applications are required to be submitted electronically by email to SantoDomingoGrants@state.gov. The NOFO includes multiple date references: it opened in late July 2020, with a closing date shown as August 24, 2020 in the source data, while the narrative text also references an August 30, 2020 submission time of 11:59 p.m. Applicants would need to confirm the controlling deadline from the official notice or guidance, but the submission method and point of contact are clearly specified as the Embassy grants email address.Apply for S DR860 NOFO 20 006
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 03, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 24, 2020. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO
What is the Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO?
It is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity administered by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. The funded activity is a virtual, hackathon-style program designed to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in rural parts of the Dominican Republic respond to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.
What is the main goal of the funded program?
The program aims to convene entrepreneurs, students, and academic partners online to learn practical innovation and business "pivoting" skills, then work in teams to design technology-based solutions that strengthen rural businesses and local economic resilience.
What does "pivoting" mean in the context of this NOFO?
Based on the NOFO description, pivoting refers to adapting business models and strategies during crises (specifically COVID-19-related disruption) so rural SMEs can recover, continue operating, and potentially find new opportunities for growth.
Is the hackathon required to be virtual?
Yes. The NOFO describes the activity as a virtual hackathon-style program and emphasizes an online setting where participants connect and collaborate remotely.
Who is the program intended to benefit?
The program is focused on supporting rural SMEs in the Dominican Republic by generating and developing tech-enabled concepts that can be tested or launched to create growth opportunities and strengthen local economic resilience.
What kinds of participants are expected to take part?
The NOFO highlights entrepreneurs, students, and academic partners. The design should enable these participants to connect, share ideas, learn, and collaborate in teams in an online environment.
What kinds of activities should the proposed hackathon include?
Applicants are expected to propose a hands-on, team-based format that creates space for remote collaboration while providing guidance on rural business development, innovation methods, and strategies for adapting business models during crises.
Does the program need to produce more than just ideas?
Yes. The NOFO emphasizes that the hackathon should not only generate ideas, but also support participants in developing workable, tech-enabled concepts that can realistically be tested or launched.
Is there a public health component required by the NOFO?
Yes. The program should help promote COVID-19 health and safety measures alongside business recovery and adaptation.
What is the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) requirement?
A key requirement is integrating and promoting YLAI resources. Proposals should incorporate YLAI assets such as its online courses, its online network, and the involvement of YLAI fellows.
How should YLAI resources be used in the program?
The NOFO expects YLAI tools to be actively leveraged for training content, mentoring, participant networking, or recruitment and engagement, rather than being treated as a minor reference.
Is a pitching or demo day required?
Yes. The program should culminate in a pitching phase where teams present their solutions.
Who should be included on the pitch panel?
The NOFO states the panel should include facilitators and mentors, U.S. Embassy representatives, and business leaders.
Is seed funding required as part of the program?
Yes. Seed funding is explicitly required and is tied to the pitch event. It is intended to help teams kickstart their projects.
How much of the budget must be dedicated to seed funding?
At least 10 percent of the total program budget must be dedicated to seed funding awards.
Can seed funding be split among multiple teams?
Yes. The NOFO notes the seed funding may be split across more than one team or proposal.
What must an application include regarding seed funding?
Applications must include a clear selection and distribution plan explaining how seed funding recipients will be chosen and how the awards will be allocated.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity?
Eligible applicants include organized American and/or Dominican civil-society organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and similar entities.
Are universities or higher education institutions encouraged to apply?
Yes. The NOFO indicates the Embassy is seeking proposals from U.S. and/or Dominican-based higher education institutions that meet the stated eligibility requirements.
What is the total funding available under this NOFO?
The total funding available is listed as $25,000, and the award ceiling is $25,000.
Are multiple awards expected?
The notice references an expectation of multiple awards, noted as 8 in the source data.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing referenced is CFDA 19.040 (General Department of State Assistance).
What is the activity category for this program?
The activity category is education, reflecting the training and capacity-building emphasis of the hackathon model.
How must applications be submitted?
Applications are required to be submitted electronically by email.
What email address should applications be sent to?
Applications should be emailed to SantoDomingoGrants@state.gov.
What are the submission deadlines mentioned in the NOFO?
The source information includes multiple date references: the source data shows a closing date of August 24, 2020, while the narrative text also references an August 30, 2020 submission time of 11:59 p.m.
Which deadline should applicants follow if there are conflicting dates?
Based on the information provided, applicants would need to confirm the controlling deadline from the official notice or guidance, since both August 24, 2020 and August 30, 2020 (11:59 p.m.) are referenced.
When did the NOFO open?
The NOFO opened in late July 2020.
What geographic focus does the program emphasize?
The focus is on rural parts of the Dominican Republic, with an emphasis on strengthening rural businesses and local economic resilience.
What kind of solutions is the hackathon expected to produce?
The NOFO emphasizes technology-based solutions and tech-enabled concepts that can realistically be tested or launched to create new growth opportunities for rural communities.
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