Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2023 0015
The Women and Technology initiative is a competitive U.S. Department of State grant opportunity issued by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad (U.S. Mission to Iraq). It seeks proposals for a single project designed to help women in Iraq, specifically ages 18 to 30, enter and succeed in information technology careers. The program is framed as an education-focused public diplomacy effort that combines workforce-ready technical training with access to recognized U.S.-issued IT certifications, with the broader goal of improving employability and building lasting professional ties with U.S. tech communities.
At the core of the project, applicants are expected to deliver advanced computer and technology training. While organizations can propose additional modules, the solicitation highlights priority subject areas that should be covered, including information and network security, web design and development, system administration, database management, cybersecurity, and network engineering. The training is meant to be practical and career-oriented, equipping participants with skills that map directly to in-demand IT roles and that can be validated through industry-standard credentials.
A major required component is facilitating the issuance of Information Technology certifications from certified U.S. institutions to strengthen participants job prospects. The notice specifically points to well-known, high-value certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), while leaving room for proposals to include other relevant credentials. In practice, this implies the program should not only provide instruction but also create a clear pathway to certification readiness, testing, and formal credential award, so participants can demonstrate verified competencies to employers.
The opportunity also includes an exchange and exposure element: the project should identify top-performing participants (approximately 8 to 10) and support their visit to one or more U.S.-led technology establishments. This portion is intended to provide real-world insight, professional exchange, and direct engagement with U.S. workplace culture and innovation environments, reinforcing both technical learning and the public diplomacy objective of people-to-people connections.
Finally, the program is expected to create and maintain a sustainable professional network that supports women in tech industries in the United States. This signals that the initiative is not meant to end when the training cohort finishes; instead, applicants should plan for ongoing mentorship, alumni engagement, professional networking, and continued support structures that can help graduates navigate career entry and advancement and remain connected to U.S.-linked professional communities over time.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number DOS BAGHDAD PD 2023 0015) under CFDA 19.021. The eligible applicant pool is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The agency anticipates making one award, with a maximum funding ceiling of $500,000. The opportunity was posted on August 1, 2023, with an original application deadline of August 31, 2023.Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2023 0015
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women and Technology initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.021.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 01, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Women and Technology Initiative (U.S. Embassy Baghdad) - FAQs
What is the Women and Technology initiative?
The Women and Technology initiative is a competitive U.S. Department of State grant opportunity issued by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad (U.S. Mission to Iraq). It seeks proposals for a single project that helps women in Iraq (ages 18 to 30) enter and succeed in information technology careers through advanced, workforce-ready training, access to U.S.-issued IT certifications, and professional exchange and networking tied to U.S. tech communities.
Who is the funding agency for this grant?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of State, through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad (U.S. Mission to Iraq).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS BAGHDAD PD 2023 0015.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.021.
What is the main purpose of the project being funded?
The project is intended to prepare women in Iraq (ages 18 to 30) for IT careers by combining practical, career-oriented technical training with pathways to recognized U.S.-issued IT certifications, while also strengthening employability and building lasting professional ties with U.S. tech communities as part of an education-focused public diplomacy effort.
Who is the target participant group?
The target participants are women in Iraq between the ages of 18 and 30.
What kind of training is expected under the project?
Applicants are expected to deliver advanced computer and technology training that is practical and career-oriented, designed to map directly to in-demand IT roles and to support certification readiness.
Which technical subject areas are prioritized in the solicitation?
The solicitation highlights priority subject areas that should be covered, including information and network security, web design and development, system administration, database management, cybersecurity, and network engineering.
Can a proposal include additional training modules beyond the listed priority areas?
Yes. Organizations can propose additional modules, but the notice identifies priority subject areas that should be included.
Are IT certifications required as part of the project?
Yes. A major required component is facilitating the issuance of Information Technology certifications from certified U.S. institutions to strengthen participants job prospects.
Which certifications are specifically referenced as examples?
The notice specifically points to Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) as well-known, high-value examples.
Does the opportunity allow other certifications besides CCNP, CCIE, and CISSP?
Yes. While those certifications are specifically referenced, the opportunity leaves room for proposals to include other relevant credentials.
What does "facilitating the issuance" of U.S.-issued IT certifications imply for project design?
Based on the description provided, it implies the project should go beyond instruction and create a clear pathway to certification readiness, testing, and formal credential award so participants can demonstrate verified competencies to employers.
Is there an exchange or exposure component in addition to training and certification?
Yes. The project should identify top-performing participants (approximately 8 to 10) and support their visit to one or more U.S.-led technology establishments to provide real-world insight, professional exchange, and direct engagement with U.S. workplace culture and innovation environments.
How many participants are expected to take part in the U.S.-led technology establishment visits?
The project should identify top-performing participants, approximately 8 to 10, for the visit component.
What is the purpose of the visit to U.S.-led technology establishments?
The visit is intended to provide real-world insight and professional exchange, expose participants to U.S. workplace culture and innovation environments, reinforce technical learning, and advance the public diplomacy objective of people-to-people connections.
Is the project expected to have impact beyond the training cohort?
Yes. The program is expected to create and maintain a sustainable professional network that supports women in tech industries in the United States, indicating that mentorship, alumni engagement, professional networking, and continued support structures should extend beyond the end of the initial training.
What does "sustainable professional network" mean in the context of this opportunity?
The description indicates the initiative is not intended to end when training concludes. Applicants should plan for ongoing mentorship, alumni engagement, professional networking, and continued support structures that help participants navigate career entry and advancement and remain connected to U.S.-linked professional communities over time.
What type of grant is this (competitive or noncompetitive)?
This is a competitive grant opportunity.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. Administratively, it is described as a discretionary grant.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
The eligible applicant pool is limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?
No. Institutions of higher education are explicitly excluded from eligibility, even if they otherwise have nonprofit status.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The maximum funding ceiling is $500,000.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on August 1, 2023.
What was the application deadline?
The original application deadline was August 31, 2023.
Is the project limited to a single project or multiple projects?
The opportunity seeks proposals for a single project designed to achieve the stated objectives.
How does this initiative connect to public diplomacy goals?
It is framed as an education-focused public diplomacy effort that combines training and certification with exchange opportunities and lasting professional ties to U.S. tech communities, emphasizing people-to-people connections and ongoing professional networks.
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