Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 004 01252021
The Empowering Girls through STEM grant is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Pakistan) funding opportunity designed to tackle a persistent skills and opportunity gap for Pakistani girls in technology and other STEM fields. The core problem the program is responding to is that many young girls do not get early, practical exposure to modern technological skills, which later limits their access to emerging education pathways and employment in fast-growing tech sectors. The opportunity is framed within a broader regional gender imbalance in STEM, citing UNESCO reporting that women make up only 18.5 percent of workers in research and development roles in South and West Asia, and it positions early engagement, confidence-building, and career awareness as key levers for change.
The Embassy is seeking one implementing partner (a grantee) to design and deliver a year-long series of hands-on STEM learning programs for middle- to high-school-aged girls, working through Pakistan's network of Lincoln Corners. Lincoln Corners are collaborative spaces hosted inside universities, public libraries, and cultural centers that function as multimedia resource hubs where visitors can access learning resources, strengthen English skills, and engage with U.S.-related educational content and programming. Several Lincoln Corners already have basic makerspace-style equipment such as a limited number of 3D printers and kits for robotics or virtual reality, and they have experience hosting youth-focused tech activities. At the same time, the grant does not restrict applicants to a fixed set of tools or platforms; instead, it explicitly invites experienced organizations to recommend which technologies are most relevant and impactful for the target participants and local context.
Programmatically, the grant emphasizes active, experience-based learning rather than lecture-style instruction. The intended learning outcomes go beyond technical exposure and are centered on transferable skills that support long-term success in STEM: critical thinking, creative problem-solving, collaboration, and design thinking. The activities are expected to help participants explore real STEM career options by doing practical projects, with examples including maker or do-it-yourself camps and coding workshops. In other words, the spirit of the program is to make STEM feel accessible and personally relevant, while also giving girls the confidence that they can build, test, and improve technology-based solutions.
Deliverables are clearly defined. The selected grantee must develop a curriculum and organize a total of 20 foundational, technology-based programs delivered across five Lincoln Corners located in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Muzaffarabad. Each site is expected to serve 40 girls, meaning the workshops are designed for structured cohorts with manageable group sizes and consistent participation. In addition to these Corner-based workshops, the grantee must run two in-person summer events, such as maker camps or hackathons, drawing up to 100 students from the earlier workshops. These summer events must include a juried competition that selects and recognizes the top three winning technology-based projects or products, which could take forms like a website, application, game, or other software-based output. This competitive element signals that participants should have a chance to synthesize what they learned, build something tangible, and present it for evaluation, reinforcing both technical practice and communication skills.
From a management and coordination standpoint, the project is structured as a 12-month calendar of activities beginning in October 2021, and the grantee is responsible for providing a detailed schedule for each participating Lincoln Corner across that year. The Embassy retains an active oversight and quality-control role: in consultation with the implementing partner, it will set participant selection criteria, approve the final participant list, and review and approve each program curriculum. This suggests the partner must be comfortable with collaborative planning, iterative approvals, and compliance with Embassy requirements for participant selection and content.
In terms of the grant mechanics, this is a discretionary award administered as a grant (not a contract) under Funding Opportunity Number SCAISB 21 AW 004 01252021 and CFDA 19.501. The opportunity was posted January 25, 2021, with an original closing date of March 26, 2021. The program anticipates making one award, with an award ceiling of $50,000, meaning the proposal must be scoped realistically to deliver multi-site programming, curriculum development, and two larger events within that funding cap. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at partners that can combine youth programming experience, practical STEM facilitation, curriculum design capability, and the logistical capacity to coordinate across multiple cities and community-based learning spaces.Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 004 01252021
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Empowering Girls through STEM" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.501.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 25, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 26, 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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Blindness and Low Vision
Previous opportunity: DRL Promoting and Protecting Media Freedom in Bangladesh
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 004 01252021
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SCAISB 21 AW 004 01252021) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Annual Program Statement Apply for SVM700 21 PAS 001 Funding Number: SVM700 21 PAS 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Vietnam Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| EXBS Online Learning Apply for SFOP0007545 Funding Number: SFOP0007545 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Niamey PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for AFNIA 21 02 Funding Number: AFNIA 21 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Niger Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| 2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Apply for AFNIA 21 01 Funding Number: AFNIA 21 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Niger Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Alumni Grants Program Apply for DOS GEO 21 004 012521 Funding Number: DOS GEO 21 004 012521 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| Book Translation Program Apply for DOS GEO 21 002 012521 Funding Number: DOS GEO 21 002 012521 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DRL Promoting and Protecting: Women’s Rights in Marriage; Free and Fair Elections; Rule of Law; and Marginalized Communities Apply for SFOP0007563 Funding Number: SFOP0007563 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Preventing DPRK WMD and Missile Program Proliferation Apply for SFOP0007548 Funding Number: SFOP0007548 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Cultural and Educational Small Grants Program Apply for DOS GEO 21 001 012521 Funding Number: DOS GEO 21 001 012521 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $24,000 |
| FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO programs benefiting refugees in South Sudan Apply for SFOP0007575 Funding Number: SFOP0007575 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Developing Female Leadership in Higher Education Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 005 01262021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 005 01262021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION AND YOUTH SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for 005 FY2021 Funding Number: 005 FY2021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Public Engagement to counter Trafficking in Persons Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 006 01262021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 006 01262021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Promoting a Culture of Inclusion and Research Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 007 01262021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 007 01262021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| English Access Microscholarship Program Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 008 01262021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 008 01262021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Monrovia PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS MON FY21 01 Funding Number: PAS MON FY21 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Liberia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Connecting Across Borders Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 009 01272021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 009 01272021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Community Engagement Office - Annual Program Statement Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 011 01272021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 011 01272021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Trading West - Building Competitive Skills for Trade with Afghanistan Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 010 01272021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 010 01272021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Community Engagement Office - Women as Peace Architects Apply for SCAISB 21 AW 012 01272021 Funding Number: SCAISB 21 AW 012 01272021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SCAISB 21 AW 004 01252021", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.