The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) | SMY 300 FY24 AWE

Opportunity Information: Apply for SMY 300 FY24 AWE

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) grant opportunity is an open competition run by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur under the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Malaysia). The purpose is to fund one organization to develop and implement AWE in Malaysia, a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) initiative launched in 2019 to help women gain the knowledge, networks, and practical access needed to start new businesses or expand existing ones. The program has already supported more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs across nearly 100 cohorts worldwide, and Malaysia is expected to deliver a cohort model aligned with the global AWE approach while also tailoring activities to local needs.

AWE in Malaysia is designed around two different entrepreneur segments and is expected to run for about 6 to 9 months. One track is aimed at younger or less-developed entrepreneurs using the DreamBuilder online training module, while the other track targets more advanced entrepreneurs through the 100 Million Learners Bootcamp on Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Both online curricula come from Arizona State Universitys Thunderbird School of Global Management, and the implementing organization is expected to integrate these standardized modules into a broader program that also includes locally relevant learning and relationship-building components.

Beyond the online coursework, applicants are expected to propose a full program plan that adds local training content such as talks, networking events, and mentorship. The embassy expects the organization to run a public call for women entrepreneurs to apply for the program, and participant selection must be conducted in consultation with relevant U.S. Embassy officers. The grantee will also receive online guidance from AWE on best practices for delivering the program, suggesting the award is not just a simple grant but a structured partnership with the embassy and the AWE team to maintain consistency, quality, and measurable outcomes.

Geographic reach is a key requirement. The program must be implemented in at least five states in Malaysia and must include Klang Valley. To make that feasible, the applicant must assign a facilitator for each participating state. These facilitators are expected to track participant progress, support engagement with the online modules, and run additional state-level sessions that help participants build peer networks and local business connections. In practice, this means the project is expected to function as a distributed, multi-state cohort program rather than a single centralized workshop series.

The opportunity also emphasizes visibility, stakeholder engagement, and long-term ecosystem support. Applicants are expected to secure buy-in from relevant government ministries, agencies, and other stakeholders, which can help with participant recruitment, mentorship pipelines, market access, and sustainability after the cohort ends. The program must conclude with a closing ceremony that highlights participant success stories, reinforcing public diplomacy goals while also giving entrepreneurs a platform to showcase progress, pitch ideas, or demonstrate business growth.

Applicants are encouraged to add a regional dimension by organizing virtual talks featuring respected businesswomen and established entrepreneurs for AWE participants and alumni across the Indo-Pacific region, coordinated in consultation with the AWE team at the U.S. Embassy. This element signals that the embassy values cross-border networking and exposure to diverse role models and markets, and it gives the Malaysia cohort a chance to connect to the broader AWE global community.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary award using a Cooperative Agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects to be substantively involved during implementation rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The opportunity lists one expected award with a funding ceiling of USD 80,000. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions in the categories specified). The funding opportunity is identified as SMY 300 FY24 AWE, administered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malaysia, with an original closing date of July 31, 2023 and a creation date of May 9, 2023.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malaysia in the business and commerce, community development, education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 09, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2023. (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 $80,000.00 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.

Apply for SMY 300 FY24 AWE

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: