Opportunity Information: Apply for S DR860 21 NOFO 003
The Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO (Funding Opportunity Number S-DR860-21-NOFO-003) is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity offered through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. It funds the design and delivery of a fully online hackathon aimed at helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas of the Dominican Republic respond to and recover from the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. The program is meant to move beyond discussion and training alone by guiding participants to develop practical, technology-based concepts that rural businesses can use to pivot operations, protect livelihoods, and build longer-term resilience in rural economies.
The core activity is a virtual hackathon for roughly forty participants. The target group is intentionally diverse and includes alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs, entrepreneurs, members of academia, and civil society actors. The idea is to create a collaborative environment where people with different skills can share challenges from rural communities, form remote teams, and rapidly prototype solutions. The hackathon concept is framed around innovation and business pivoting, meaning participants should learn how to adapt business models, shift to new markets or channels, improve operations, or launch new ventures that fit the realities of pandemic-era and post-pandemic rural life.
A central requirement is that proposals incorporate resources from the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI). Applicants are expected to leverage YLAI online courses, the YLAI online network, and the involvement of YLAI Fellows as part of the program design. In practice, that means the hackathon should not be a stand-alone event; it should connect participants to an existing regional entrepreneurship ecosystem, promote continued learning through structured online content, and encourage networking and mentorship opportunities that last beyond the final pitch session.
Program content should balance hands-on training with structured collaboration time. The NOFO emphasizes providing spaces for participants to connect, learn best practices for rural business development, and receive training on innovation and pivoting. It also expects the program to promote health and safety measures related to COVID-19, reflecting the public health context that rural businesses and communities have had to navigate. The end goal is that teams produce concrete, technology-based solutions that can be implemented or piloted to support rural entrepreneurs, strengthen rural development, and open new avenues for sustainable economic activity.
A culminating pitch event is required. At the end of the hackathon, teams must present their projects to a panel that includes program facilitators and mentors, U.S. Embassy representatives, and business leaders. The pitch component is not just ceremonial; it is tied to seed funding intended to help winning teams move from concept to early execution. The NOFO requires that seed funding equal at least 10 percent of the total program budget, and it allows awards to be split across more than one team. Proposals must therefore include a clear plan for how seed funds will be distributed, along with transparent selection criteria for choosing recipients, so the process is understandable, fair, and aligned with program objectives.
On the funding side, the opportunity is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the Education activity category (CFDA 19.040). The award ceiling is $30,000, and the Embassy anticipates making up to six awards. The opportunity was created May 7, 2021, with an original closing date of June 14, 2021. Eligibility is broadly described as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, signaling that both individuals and organizations may apply, subject to the specific conditions in the NOFO.
Overall, this grant supports an online, outcomes-driven entrepreneurship program that blends training, mentorship, teamwork, and pitching to generate technology-oriented solutions for rural Dominican SMEs affected by COVID-19. Strong applications would be expected to present a clear virtual program structure, a credible participant recruitment plan for the intended mix of stakeholders, meaningful integration of YLAI tools and networks, a robust mentorship and judging approach, and a well-defined, criteria-based seed funding mechanism that ensures at least 10 percent of the budget directly helps teams launch their ideas.Apply for S DR860 21 NOFO 003
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO" 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 May 07, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 14, 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 $30,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 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 Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO?
It is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number S-DR860-21-NOFO-003) offered through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. The funding supports the design and delivery of a fully online hackathon focused on helping rural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Dominican Republic respond to and recover from COVID-19-related economic disruption.
Who is offering this grant?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo.
What is the main purpose of the funded project?
The funded project is meant to move beyond discussion and training alone by guiding participants to develop practical, technology-based concepts that rural businesses can use to pivot operations, protect livelihoods, and build longer-term resilience in rural economies.
What is the primary activity the grant will fund?
The core activity is a virtual (fully online) hackathon for roughly forty participants. The hackathon is designed to support collaboration, rapid problem-solving, and prototyping of solutions relevant to rural Dominican SMEs affected by COVID-19.
Where is the program focused geographically?
The program is focused on rural areas of the Dominican Republic and the needs of rural SMEs operating in those communities.
How many participants is the hackathon expected to have?
The NOFO describes a virtual hackathon for roughly forty participants.
Who should the hackathon participants include?
The target group is intentionally diverse and includes alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs, entrepreneurs, members of academia, and civil society actors. The intent is to build cross-sector teams that can share challenges from rural communities and develop solutions together.
What does "innovation and pivoting" mean in this program?
In this context, innovation and pivoting refers to helping participants learn how to adapt business models, shift to new markets or channels, improve operations, or launch new ventures that fit the realities of pandemic-era and post-pandemic rural life.
What kinds of outcomes are expected from teams?
Teams are expected to produce concrete, technology-based solutions that can be implemented or piloted to support rural entrepreneurs, strengthen rural development, and open new avenues for sustainable economic activity.
Is this an in-person event?
No. A central requirement is that the hackathon be fully online.
What is required regarding the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI)?
Proposals must incorporate resources from the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI). Applicants are expected to leverage YLAI online courses, the YLAI online network, and the involvement of YLAI Fellows as part of the program design.
Does the hackathon need to connect to an ongoing entrepreneurship ecosystem?
Yes. The NOFO indicates the hackathon should not be a stand-alone event. It should connect participants to an existing regional entrepreneurship ecosystem through YLAI resources, continued learning opportunities, and networking/mentorship that can extend beyond the final pitch session.
What should the program agenda include besides teamwork?
Program content should balance hands-on training with structured collaboration time. The NOFO emphasizes creating spaces for participants to connect, learn best practices for rural business development, and receive training on innovation and pivoting.
Are COVID-19 health and safety topics expected to be included?
Yes. The NOFO expects the program to promote health and safety measures related to COVID-19, reflecting the public health context rural businesses and communities have had to navigate.
Is a final pitch event required?
Yes. A culminating pitch event is required at the end of the hackathon.
Who is expected to be on the pitch/judging panel?
The NOFO states that teams must present to a panel that includes program facilitators and mentors, U.S. Embassy representatives, and business leaders.
Is seed funding required as part of the project design?
Yes. The pitch component is tied to seed funding intended to help winning teams move from concept to early execution.
How much seed funding must be included in the budget?
The NOFO requires that seed funding equal at least 10 percent of the total program budget.
Can seed funding be awarded to more than one team?
Yes. The NOFO allows awards to be split across more than one team.
What must applicants include about seed funding distribution?
Proposals must include a clear plan for how seed funds will be distributed and must describe transparent selection criteria for choosing recipients so the process is understandable, fair, and aligned with program objectives.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
What activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is listed in the Education activity category and references CFDA 19.040.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $30,000.
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making up to six awards.
When was the opportunity created and when did it originally close?
The opportunity was created May 7, 2021, with an original closing date of June 14, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This signals that both individuals and organizations may be able to apply, subject to the specific conditions in the NOFO.
What would a strong application be expected to include?
Based on the NOFO description, strong applications would be expected to present a clear virtual program structure, a credible participant recruitment plan for the intended mix of stakeholders, meaningful integration of YLAI tools and networks (including YLAI courses, the YLAI network, and YLAI Fellows), a robust mentorship and judging approach, and a well-defined seed funding mechanism that commits at least 10 percent of the budget to seed support with transparent selection criteria.
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