Promote Diversity in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) | M NOFO 23 102

Opportunity Information: Apply for M NOFO 23 102

The grant opportunity titled "Promote Diversity in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)" is a discretionary grant issued by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to India (Public Diplomacy section in Mumbai). It supports a single, time-bound program in India designed to strengthen diversity and inclusion practices within the country s MSME sector. The core idea is to fund one recipient organization to run a structured effort that helps MSMEs develop, formalize, and implement stronger diversity and inclusion (D and I) policies, with the expectation that these participating firms will serve as visible examples that encourage broader adoption across the MSME ecosystem.

The main program deliverable described in the announcement is the creation of a cohort of approximately 60 to 75 MSMEs drawn from across India. The cohort is expected to consist of enterprises that will either already have promising diversity and inclusion commitments or will be positioned to adopt meaningful policies with targeted support. The program is meant to move beyond general awareness raising and instead foster concrete, replicable practices inside businesses, such as written D and I policies and internal approaches that can be sustained after the grant ends. The cohort model also implies that participants should be cultivated as peer influencers, meaning the impact is intended to extend beyond the direct beneficiaries and into the larger MSME community through demonstration effects, knowledge sharing, and sector level signaling.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a grant (not a contract) with an award ceiling of USD 150,000, and the funder anticipates making one award in total. The opportunity number is "M NOFO 23 102," and it falls under CFDA number 19.040. The funding activity categories listed emphasize business and commerce, community development, and education, which matches the program s focus on practical enterprise level change supported by learning, technical guidance, and community oriented outcomes. The announcement notes that implementation is contingent on funding availability, which is a common condition in government assistance opportunities and generally means that the final award depends on appropriations and internal approvals.

Eligibility is relatively broad but still bounded by the funder s stated categories. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions). The listing also indicates "Others" may be eligible, with the caveat that applicants should consult the additional eligibility language in the full announcement for clarification. In practice, this mix suggests the funder is open to universities, research and training institutions, and established nonprofit implementers that can recruit MSMEs nationally and deliver a cohesive cohort based program with measurable outputs.

Key dates provided in the source data indicate the opportunity was created on April 24, 2023, with an original closing date of June 22, 2023. While those dates signal the submission window for that specific round, the underlying summary remains useful for understanding what the funder was trying to support: a nationally sourced cohort, structured support to embed D and I policies in MSMEs, and an outward facing influence strategy aimed at shifting norms and practices across the broader MSME landscape in India. For full program design expectations, required application components, and any detailed definitions of diversity and inclusion measures, the announcement directs applicants to the complete notice posted in the related documents section.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the business and commerce, community development, education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promote Diversity in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)" 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 Apr 24, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 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 $150,000.00 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, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for M NOFO 23 102

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