Rural Innovation and Pivoting Hackathon NOFO | S DR860 21 NOFO 003

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.

• 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).

Apply for S DR860 21 NOFO 003

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