U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Armenia has issued the ‘Innovation for Productivity‘ Annual Program Statement (APS) soliciting proposals from prospective Armenian organizations for projects that would encourage and support innovation to facilitate productivity growth in any sector of the Armenian economy.
USAID/Armenia works towards building partnerships in order to mobilize resources, expertise, creative approaches, and technologies to stimulate and support economic innovation in Armenia. The number of awards under this Annual Program Statement (APS) is subject to the availability of funds. USAID/Armenia may make multiple awards or no awards at all under this APS, and reserves the right to close this program at any point up to the closing date of.
Purpose
USAID is seeking applications from Armenian commercial companies, business associations, economic development oriented NGOs, and learning institutions to partner with USAID in support of innovation to boost competitiveness and diversification in the private sector. The APS allows for a range of ideas, focusing on various growth opportunities or ways to overcome barriers to innovation in the Armenian economic sphere.
While there is considerable flexibility in terms of which types of innovative ideas will be considered, the following key cross-cutting themes are expected to be considered throughout the proposals:
- Technology Transfer
- Workforce Development
- Promoting Local Innovation
Results Expected
The expected results for this program include: creation of sustainable employment opportunities, better access to market information and modern production technologies, support of innovative SMEs and start-ups in a broad range of sectors, greater cooperation between business and knowledge-generating institutions, and increase in sales and export potential for Armenian SMEs.
Partner Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria are flexible to welcome new types of partners. Potential partners include Armenian registered organizations owned and operated by Armenians, such as private businesses, business and trade organizations, learning institutions, and foundations. Applicants proposing partnerships or having existing partnerships with non-Armenian organizations are encouraged to apply.
In addition, applications from the following categories of applicants are particularly encouraged: Innovation by women entrepreneurs. Innovation that has potential for economic growth impacting rural areas for job creation and youth involvement.
Activity Eligibility Criteria
Applications must have clearly defined objectives that support the overall objective of this program, and offer the prospect of significant impact in terms of enterprises affected, enhanced sustainability, or the potential for replication or scaling up;
Applications must demonstrate significant non-public resources—money, technologies, experience or expertise, and cash;
Proposed activities must be implemented in the territory of the Republic of Armenia;
Last date for submitting the concept notes is November 16, 2012.
For more information, visit this link and search by the Funding Opportunity Number APS-111-12-000001.
