U.S.-D.R. Technology and Science Fair

Description

1. Project Background, Goals, and ObjectivesThe U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo seeks to increase Dominican engagement with U.S.-linked opportunities in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries at a time when fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, engineering, cybersecurity, and digital innovation are reshaping the global economy and workforce. The Dominican Republic has a growing ecosystem of students, entrepreneurs, startups, and innovation-focused institutions interested in STEM and technology-related sectors. However, many young Dominicans and emerging professionals have limited direct exposure to U.S. companies, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurial models, and private-sector leaders that can help them access international opportunities and envision future collaboration with U.S. partners.This program seeks to address these challenges by creating a high-visibility public event that connects Dominican audiences with U.S. companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and technology leaders through interactive and practical experiences. The U.S. Tech and Science Innovation Fair will showcase U.S. leadership in technology and innovation while creating opportunities for networking, mentorship, collaboration, and exposure to U.S.-linked educational and professional pathways. Activities may include corporate booths and demonstrations, panels on U.S. leadership in technology and semiconductors, entrepreneur and alumni storytelling sessions, networking opportunities, innovation showcases, and outreach related to exchange and professional development opportunities connected to the United States.The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo has previously supported programming related to entrepreneurship, workforce development, innovation, higher education internationalization, exchange programs, and technology-focused outreach initiatives. Previous efforts have demonstrated that public-facing events that combine hands-on engagement, networking opportunities, mentorship, and direct interaction with U.S. experts and private-sector representatives are highly effective in increasing participant interest in U.S.-linked opportunities. Events that provide practical demonstrations, interactive exhibits, and opportunities for direct engagement consistently generate stronger audience participation and media visibility than traditional conference-style programming. Lessons learned from previous initiatives indicate that programming focused primarily on lectures or passive participation produces lower long-term engagement and fewer follow-on opportunities for participants.The U.S. Embassy seeks proposals capable of implementing a large-scale, high-quality event that attracts broad public participation and generates measurable engagement with U.S. companies, innovation ecosystems, and exchange opportunities. Competitive proposals should demonstrate strong event management capacity, private-sector engagement experience, branding and communications expertise, and the ability to coordinate effectively with U.S. Embassy staff, private-sector stakeholders, and local partners.Success will be measured through participant engagement, attendance numbers, media visibility, increased awareness of U.S. technology and innovation leadership, growth in exchange and professional opportunity inquiries, strengthened connections between Dominican and U.S. innovation ecosystems, and sustained follow-on engagement beyond the event itself.Project Audience(s): 1. Dominican University Students and Young Professionals: Undergraduate and graduate students, coding bootcamp participants, STEM students, gamers, makerspace users, and early-career professionals interested in science, technology, entrepreneurship, engineering, innovation, and emerging industries.2. Entrepreneurs and Innovation Ecosystem Leaders: Startup founders, innovation hub participants, incubators and accelerators, small business owners, technology entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and private-sector collaboration opportunities with U.S. companies and institutions.3. Private-Sector and Industry Representatives: Dominican companies, chambers of commerce, technology associations, and representatives from industries related to technology, semiconductors, engineering, digital transformation, and innovation seeking networking and collaboration opportunities with U.S. companies and experts.4. Academic and Institutional Stakeholders: University faculty, engineering and STEM departments, international offices, career services offices, and higher education leaders interested in strengthening connections with U.S. institutions, innovation ecosystems, and professional development opportunities.5. U.S. Government Exchange Alumni and STEM Professionals: Alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs working in technology, entrepreneurship, science, engineering, and innovation-related sectors who can serve as mentors, speakers, and connectors between U.S. and Dominican innovation ecosystems. Project Goal: Advance U.S. foreign policy priorities by positioning the United States as the leading and most accessible partner for Dominican youth, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders in technology, science, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries, while strengthening commercial, educational, and people-to-people ties between the United States and the Dominican Republic.Project Objectives: ● Objective 1: Increase awareness of U.S. leadership in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries by engaging at least 500 participants in interactive activities such as corporate demonstrations, innovation showcases, panel discussions, networking sessions, and technology exhibitions, resulting in increased participant awareness of U.S.-linked academic, professional, and entrepreneurial opportunities.● Objective 2: Strengthen connections between Dominican audiences and U.S. private-sector and innovation ecosystem representatives by facilitating participation from at least three U.S. companies and one U.S. higher education institution through booths, panel discussions, mentorship activities, networking opportunities, or demonstrations, resulting in expanded opportunities for collaboration and follow-on engagement between Dominican and U.S. stakeholders.2. Substantial Involvement This award will be administered as a fixed amount award.● APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMATPlease follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.Content of ApplicationPlease ensure:● The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity● All documents are in English● All budgets are in U.S. dollars● All applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms. The following documents are required: 1. Mandatory application forms● SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) at grants.gov● SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) at grants.gov● SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) at grants.gov 2. Proposal (15 pages maximum)Applicants must submit a complete narrative proposal in a format of their choice. The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. The proposal must include all the items below: ● Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.● Introduction to the Organization applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or U.S. government agencies as well as experience with and expertise in areas related to those described in the NOFO. ● Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed● Program Methods, Design, Activities, and Deliverables: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable. Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. ● Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.● Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program? ● Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees (if applicable). ● Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.● Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: Proposals must include a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) that explains how the applicant plans to track project performance and measure progress toward the project’s goals and objectives. The PMP should include “If-Then” statements to illustrate how the project activities will lead to the intended results, along with a short datasheet outlining proposed project activities and the indicators that will be used to measure success. 3. Budget Justification Narrative● Detailed Budget - Applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget. Line-item expenditures should be listed in the greatest possible detail. The budget must identify the total amount of funding requested, with a breakdown of amoun

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