Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0008068
The Department of State, through its Office of Acquisitions Management and under the Office of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), announced a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Global Innovation through Science and Technology in Ukraine and AI Activities" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0008068). The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the government expects substantial involvement during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The activity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category (CFDA 19.017) and was designed to support U.S. economic and national security priorities by strengthening science, technology, and innovation (STI) capacity in a strategically important partner country.
At its core, the opportunity seeks an implementing partner to use the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative as the main platform for building the skills, networks, and operating environment for Ukrainian innovators and entrepreneurs. The emphasis is on practical, programmatic support that helps early-stage startups and science-and-technology founders develop into viable ventures, while also reinforcing the broader innovation ecosystem around them. The solicitation highlights several typical GIST-style activities: in-country startup trainings, interactive online programs, online mentorship mechanisms, and global pitch competitions. In other words, the work is not limited to research; it is meant to translate technical ideas into entrepreneurial outcomes through training, mentoring, exposure to investors and partners, and structured opportunities to present products and business models.
The stated goals are twofold. First, the cooperative agreement aims to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs, including improving the ecosystems in which they operate (such as support organizations, mentor networks, and pathways to commercialization). Second, it aims to support economic outcomes and deepen connections with U.S. businesses, positioning GIST as a bridge between Ukrainian startup talent and American partners, markets, and networks. The title also references AI activities, indicating that artificial intelligence-related innovation may be a thematic priority or component area within the broader STI and entrepreneurship programming, aligning with current technology and competitiveness priorities.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity projected a single award, with an award ceiling of $1,920,688. The notice was created on May 3, 2021, with an original application closing date of June 18, 2021. Eligibility is listed as "Others," with the solicitation indicating applicants should consult the additional eligibility language in the full announcement for clarification, which commonly covers categories such as nonprofits, educational institutions, private entities, or other organizations with relevant programming capacity.
Organizations considering this type of award would typically need to demonstrate experience running entrepreneurship or accelerator-style programs, managing mentorship networks, delivering hybrid or online training, and coordinating events like pitch competitions. Because this is a cooperative agreement, an applicant would also generally be expected to show strong capacity for collaboration with the Department of State and for meeting reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements tied to public diplomacy or strategic economic objectives. The announcement directs readers to GISTNetwork.org for background on the GIST initiative and its suite of programming, signaling that proposed activities should align closely with established GIST models and standards while tailoring delivery to the Ukrainian context and priorities.Apply for SFOP0008068
- The Department of State, Office of Acquisitions Management in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Innovation through Science and Technology in Ukraine and AI Activities" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 03, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 18, 2021. (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 $1,920,688.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Global Innovation through Science and Technology in Ukraine and AI Activities."
Who is offering this grant opportunity?
It is offered by the U.S. Department of State, through its Office of Acquisitions Management, under the Office of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0008068.
What type of award is being offered?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This generally means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement during implementation, rather than providing funds with minimal engagement.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity projected a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $1,920,688.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on May 3, 2021.
What was the application closing date?
The original application closing date was June 18, 2021.
What is the CFDA number and program area for this opportunity?
The activity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category with CFDA 19.017.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is designed to support U.S. economic and national security priorities by strengthening science, technology, and innovation (STI) capacity in Ukraine, described as a strategically important partner country.
What platform or program model is expected to be used?
The implementing partner is expected to use the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative as the main platform for program design and delivery.
Who is the intended beneficiary group?
The opportunity focuses on Ukrainian innovators and entrepreneurs, particularly early-stage startups and science-and-technology founders who need practical support to develop viable ventures.
Is this opportunity focused on research or commercialization?
It is not limited to research. The emphasis is on translating technical ideas into entrepreneurial outcomes through training, mentoring, networks, and opportunities to present products and business models.
What kinds of activities does the solicitation highlight?
The solicitation describes typical GIST-style activities such as in-country startup trainings, interactive online programs, online mentorship mechanisms, and global pitch competitions.
What are the primary goals of the cooperative agreement?
The stated goals are twofold: (1) strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs, including improving the ecosystems in which they operate; and (2) support economic outcomes and deepen connections with U.S. businesses, positioning GIST as a bridge between Ukrainian startup talent and U.S. partners, markets, and networks.
What does "strengthening the ecosystem" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, it includes improving support organizations, mentor networks, and pathways to commercialization that help innovators move from ideas to market-ready ventures.
How does this opportunity connect Ukrainian innovators to the United States?
The program is intended to deepen connections with U.S. businesses and position GIST as a bridge to American partners, markets, and networks.
Does the opportunity include artificial intelligence (AI) as a focus area?
Yes. The title references "AI Activities," indicating that artificial intelligence-related innovation may be a thematic priority or component area within the broader science, technology, and entrepreneurship programming.
What does "AI Activities" mean for proposed programming?
The information provided suggests AI may be an emphasized theme aligned with technology and competitiveness priorities, potentially influencing the focus areas of trainings, mentorship, and startup support activities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others." The solicitation indicates applicants should consult the additional eligibility language in the full announcement for clarification, which commonly may include nonprofits, educational institutions, private entities, or other organizations with relevant programming capacity.
Where can applicants learn more about the GIST initiative?
The announcement directs readers to GISTNetwork.org for background on the GIST initiative and its suite of programming.
How closely should proposals align with GIST programming?
Proposed activities are expected to align closely with established GIST models and standards, while tailoring delivery to the Ukrainian context and priorities.
What kind of experience would a strong applicant typically demonstrate?
Organizations considering this type of award would typically show experience running entrepreneurship or accelerator-style programs, managing mentorship networks, delivering hybrid or online training, and coordinating events like pitch competitions.
What additional capabilities are important because this is a cooperative agreement?
Because the award is a cooperative agreement, applicants would generally be expected to demonstrate strong capacity for collaboration with the Department of State and for meeting reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements tied to strategic economic or public diplomacy objectives.
Is this opportunity meant to support individual founders directly or an implementing organization?
The opportunity seeks an implementing partner (an organization) to run programming that supports Ukrainian innovators and entrepreneurs through the GIST platform.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve for startups?
Based on the description, the program aims to help early-stage startups and S&T founders develop into viable ventures by building skills, networks, mentorship access, and opportunities to pitch to investors and partners.
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