Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS NBO PAS FY20 001
The Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS NBO PAS FY20 001) was offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya through Public Affairs Nairobi. It invited organizations to propose an innovative, practical program aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by people with disabilities in Kenya, with a specific geographic emphasis on Northern and Coastal regions. The opportunity was structured as a discretionary grant, with one anticipated award and a maximum funding level of up to $50,000. The notice was posted on February 19, 2020, with an original closing date of March 31, 2020 (CFDA 19.040).
At its core, the grant sought to increase the capacity of Kenyan entrepreneurs with disabilities to engage more effectively in business, including doing business with the United States, while also contributing to a more enabling business environment for disabled people. Proposals needed to show how the implementer would identify and recruit business owners with disabilities, build their business skills in a measurable way, connect them to mentorship and professional networks, and culminate the effort in a business plan competition that pushes participants to apply what they learned. A key requirement was a clear American element throughout the program, meaning proposals had to incorporate U.S. cultural content or direct connections to U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, U.S. institutions, or U.S. businesses in a way that supports mutual understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
The program design was expected to include three main components. First, training had to provide at least 60 hours of instruction focused on concepts that directly help businesses grow and succeed. The training had to be delivered in person (though not necessarily in a traditional classroom setting), taught by recognized subject-matter experts with at least three years of prior teaching experience, and assessed through knowledge checks to measure learning and effectiveness. By the end of the training period, participants were expected to be able to produce a solid and realistic business plan tailored to their existing enterprise.
Second, every participant had to be placed into a structured mentorship arrangement. Mentors were expected to come from U.S.-owned or U.S.-based companies, or alternatively be disabled executives working in large Kenyan companies. The mentorship element needed to include at least twice-monthly contact through in-person meetings, video calls, or phone check-ins, with the project implementer providing clear guidelines so the mentor-mentee relationship stays focused and productive. While virtual contact was acceptable, mentors were encouraged to meet face-to-face when feasible. This mentorship requirement reinforced the grant's emphasis on real market connections and exposure to business practices, standards, and networks that can support U.S.-Kenya commercial engagement.
Third, the project had to end with a business plan competition designed to showcase participant progress and create momentum beyond the training. Each participant would present a business plan based on their current business and integrating lessons from the training and mentorship. The competition needed to include both a formal pitch to a panel of judges and an expo-style fair open to the public, creating visibility for disabled entrepreneurs and their products or services. Importantly, the judges were expected to be regional or international angel investors, signaling that the competition was meant to be grounded in credible investment perspectives rather than purely symbolic recognition.
Proposals also had to align with at least one of the stated priority program areas. These priorities included promoting shared U.S.-Kenyan economic interests (such as trade, investment, economic governance, and inclusive, market-driven and environmentally sustainable growth), reinforcing shared U.S.-Kenyan values by expanding institutional and people-to-people connections, and supporting Kenya's ability to advance sustainable development through stronger human capacity, livelihoods, resilience, and reduced suffering. The grant emphasized inclusion and practical outcomes for entrepreneurs with disabilities, while also tying those outcomes to broader economic and development goals.
The intended scale of the program was significant for a public diplomacy grant: the target audience was at least 300 people with disabilities who own businesses, with most participants operating in Northern or Coastal Kenya. Implementers were also encouraged to use American Corners in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Lamu where applicable, which points to an expectation of leveraging existing U.S.-affiliated community spaces and networks to support training, convenings, and U.S.-linked programming. Overall, the opportunity was designed to blend entrepreneurship development with mentorship, public visibility, and U.S.-Kenya business connections, producing tangible business plans and stronger networks for disabled business owners in priority regions.Apply for DOS NBO PAS FY20 001
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities" 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 Feb 19, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 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 $50,000.00 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).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities (DOS NBO PAS FY20 001)
What is the Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities grant opportunity?
It is a U.S. government discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kenya (Public Affairs Nairobi). It called for an innovative, practical program to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by people with disabilities in Kenya, with a geographic emphasis on Northern and Coastal regions.
Who offered this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Kenya, Public Affairs Section (Public Affairs Nairobi).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS NBO PAS FY20 001.
What type of funding instrument was this?
This opportunity was structured as a discretionary grant.
How many awards were anticipated?
One award was anticipated.
What was the maximum funding level?
The maximum funding level was up to $50,000.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The notice was posted on February 19, 2020. The original closing date was March 31, 2020.
What CFDA number was listed for this opportunity?
The notice referenced CFDA 19.040.
What was the main goal of the program being solicited?
The core goal was to increase the capacity of Kenyan entrepreneurs with disabilities to engage more effectively in business, including doing business with the United States, while also contributing to a more enabling business environment for disabled people.
Who was the intended target audience?
The target audience was at least 300 people with disabilities who own businesses (SMEs), with most participants operating in Northern or Coastal Kenya.
Which regions of Kenya were emphasized?
The opportunity placed specific geographic emphasis on Northern and Coastal regions of Kenya.
What kinds of outcomes did proposals need to demonstrate?
Proposals needed to show how the implementer would: identify and recruit business owners with disabilities; build business skills in a measurable way; connect participants to mentorship and professional networks; and culminate in a business plan competition where participants apply what they learned.
What were the three main program components expected in the design?
The program was expected to include: (1) in-person business training of at least 60 hours; (2) structured mentorship for every participant; and (3) a culminating business plan competition including both formal pitches and an expo-style public fair.
How much training was required, and what did it need to focus on?
The training component had to provide at least 60 hours of instruction focused on concepts that directly help businesses grow and succeed.
Did the training have to be delivered in person?
Yes. Training had to be delivered in person, though it did not have to take place in a traditional classroom setting.
What qualifications were required for trainers or instructors?
Training had to be taught by recognized subject-matter experts who have at least three years of prior teaching experience.
How was learning supposed to be measured during the training?
The training was expected to include knowledge checks to assess learning and measure effectiveness.
What were participants expected to be able to produce by the end of the training?
By the end of the training period, participants were expected to be able to produce a solid and realistic business plan tailored to their existing enterprise.
Was mentorship required for all participants?
Yes. Every participant had to be placed into a structured mentorship arrangement.
Who could serve as mentors under the program model described?
Mentors were expected to come from U.S.-owned or U.S.-based companies, or alternatively be disabled executives working in large Kenyan companies.
How frequently were mentors and mentees expected to connect?
The mentorship element was expected to include at least twice-monthly contact, which could occur via in-person meetings, video calls, or phone check-ins.
Could mentorship be conducted virtually?
Yes. Virtual contact was acceptable, although mentors were encouraged to meet face-to-face when feasible.
What was the implementer expected to do to keep mentorship productive?
The implementer was expected to provide clear guidelines so the mentor-mentee relationship stays focused and productive.
What was required for the business plan competition?
The project was expected to end with a business plan competition where each participant presents a business plan based on their current business and integrating lessons from the training and mentorship.
What formats needed to be included in the competition event?
The competition needed to include both: (1) a formal pitch to a panel of judges; and (2) an expo-style fair open to the public to increase visibility for disabled entrepreneurs and their products or services.
Who were the judges expected to be?
The judges were expected to be regional or international angel investors.
What is meant by an "American element" in this opportunity?
A clear American element was required throughout the program. Proposals had to incorporate U.S. cultural content or direct connections to U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, U.S. institutions, or U.S. businesses in ways that support mutual understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Why was the American element emphasized?
The opportunity was framed as a public diplomacy grant, so the American element was a key requirement to link entrepreneurship programming with U.S.-Kenya mutual understanding, U.S. perspectives, and real connections that can support commercial engagement.
What priority program areas did proposals need to align with?
Proposals needed to align with at least one priority area, including: promoting shared U.S.-Kenyan economic interests (trade, investment, economic governance, inclusive market-driven and environmentally sustainable growth); reinforcing shared values by expanding institutional and people-to-people connections; and supporting Kenya's sustainable development through stronger human capacity, livelihoods, resilience, and reduced suffering.
How did the opportunity connect disability inclusion with broader economic goals?
It emphasized practical outcomes for entrepreneurs with disabilities (skills, mentorship, business plans, public visibility) while tying those outcomes to broader economic and development priorities such as inclusive growth, sustainable development, and stronger U.S.-Kenya economic ties.
Were American Corners mentioned as potential venues or partners?
Yes. Implementers were encouraged to use American Corners in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Lamu where applicable, suggesting an expectation to leverage U.S.-affiliated community spaces for training, convenings, or U.S.-linked programming.
What made the scale of the program notable?
The intended scale was notable for a public diplomacy grant because it targeted at least 300 business owners with disabilities, with a structured combination of training, mentorship, and a public-facing competition.
What was the intended practical end product for participants?
A central practical deliverable was a solid, realistic business plan for each participant's existing enterprise, developed through the training and mentorship and presented during the competition.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant - Disaster Relief Act 2019 Grant Funds
Previous opportunity: Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DOS NBO PAS FY20 001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DOS NBO PAS FY20 001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 20 FAC 0086 Funding Number: USGS 20 FAC 0086 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| DRL Request for Statements of Interest: Iraq Apply for SFOP0006427 Funding Number: SFOP0006427 Agency: Department of State, Office of Acquisitions Management Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| DRL Supporting Social Cohesion in Ukraine Apply for SFOP0006485 Funding Number: SFOP0006485 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $691,355 |
| Clinical Studies of Orphan Products Addressing Unmet Needs of Rare Diseases (R01) Clinical Trials Required Apply for RFA FD 21 001 Funding Number: RFA FD 21 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| 2020 American Leadership Academy - NOFO Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY20 04 Funding Number: PAS MOROCCO FY20 04 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Morocco Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Thinking for a Change Video Project Apply for 20AC02 Funding Number: 20AC02 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| FY 2020 Safe from the Start initiative and global Innovation Programs to Address GBV Apply for SFOP0006499 Funding Number: SFOP0006499 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Management of the Lincoln Learning Centers in Afghanistan Apply for SCAKAB 20 CA 001 SCA 02232020 Funding Number: SCAKAB 20 CA 001 SCA 02232020 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Probation and Parole Executive Orientation Training Curriculum Revision and Development Apply for 20CS04 Funding Number: 20CS04 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $65,000 |
| Structured Decision Making Framework Implementation Project Apply for 20CS06 Funding Number: 20CS06 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| USAID/Zimbabwe Parliamentary Strengthening Program (PSP) Apply for 72061320RFA00002 Funding Number: 72061320RFA00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Zimbabwe USAID-Harare Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| DRL Promoting and Protecting: Women’s Right to Promoting and Protecting: Women’s Right to Property; Free and Fair Elections; and Media Freedom in Pakistan Apply for SFOP0006508 Funding Number: SFOP0006508 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,750,000 |
| DRL FY19 Supporting Investigative Journalism in Africa Apply for SFOP0006497 Funding Number: SFOP0006497 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Dakar Public Affairs Section Request for Statements: Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS DKR RSOI FY20 02 Funding Number: PAS DKR RSOI FY20 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Senegal Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| DRL Evaluation Innovation Fund – Evidence and Learning Platform Apply for SFOP0006519 Funding Number: SFOP0006519 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| DRL Request for Statements of Interest: Iraq Apply for SFOP0006527 Funding Number: SFOP0006527 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| DRL Evaluation Innovation Fund – Understanding Factors and Conditions for Democracy and Rights Organizations Apply for SFOP0006516 Funding Number: SFOP0006516 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| PAS Beirut-English Language Small Grants Apply for LBN PAS 20 004 Funding Number: LBN PAS 20 004 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Lebanon Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| FY 2020 Office of the U.S. Speaker Program Apply for SFOP0006534 Funding Number: SFOP0006534 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,200,000 |
| DRL Evaluation Innovation Fund – Community-Defined Impact Apply for SFOP0006512 Funding Number: SFOP0006512 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DOS NBO PAS FY20 001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.