Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative

The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs? Office of Science and Technology Cooperation (Dept of State) announces the Request for Applications (RFA) for the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative. The GIST initiative provides young science and technology entrepreneurs around the world with training in skills development and networking to build capacity in science and technology innovation. GIST seeks to promote economic growth. There are two distinct projects included within this RFA. Project A is the 2014 GIST Technology Idea (Tech-I) Competition ($594,000) and Project B is GIST Boot Camps and TechConnects ($396,000). Applicants are invited to apply within their competencies for one or both of these projects. Applicants must submit separate application materials for each project proposal. RFA applicants for either or both of Project A and Project B should demonstrate an expert level understanding of, and capability in, innovation education and entrepreneurship capacity building internationally. Applicants should address gender equality in S&T entrepreneurship and innovation. Project A is the planning and implementation of the 2014 GIST Technology Idea (Tech-I) Competition. OES intends to fund an award to run the fourth annual GIST Technology Idea (Tech-I) competition. Tech-I is a competition that assesses Idea and Startup Stage companies with science or technology products or services based initially on a simple online application and later through an in-person final competition at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES). This competition is open to young science and technology (S&T) entrepreneurs (18 to 35 years old) from the countries listed in Appendix I. The Tech-I applicants? product or service must address one or more of the following topics: Health, Energy, Agriculture, and ICT (Information and Communications Technology). The Tech-I competition will have six main segments: (1) an online application process to determine finalists, (2) a public voting component to raise awareness and to expand the GIST community, (3) a Tech-I fina l round business pitch to choose winners, (4) entrepreneurship and business skills training for all finalists, (5) a public awards ceremony in conjunction with the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Morocco in 2014, and (6) mentorship/follow-up for all Tech-I finalists after the GES.Project B is the planning and implementation of GIST Boot Camps and TechConnects (minimum two each). GIST boot camps are hands-on capacity building activities in selected fields of science and technology with the purpose of increasing capacity to innovators; to support them in the setup of new or the advancement of existing products and businesses. Boot camps are open to young science and technology (S&T) entrepreneurs (18 to 35 years old) from GIST countries listed in Appendix I. GIST focuses on the sectors of Health, Energy, Agriculture, and ICT (Information and Communications Technology). GIST boot camps provide 2-3 days of on-the-ground entrepreneurship skills training. Boot camps work with a local, strong on-the-ground partner and the U.S. Embassy to ensure targeted outreach to participants who will benefit most from the boot camp and to ensure follow-up and sustainability. GIST TechConnects are live, interactive webchats that allow geographically dispersed audi ences to ask U.S. experts questions on specific entrepreneurship topics. The webchats focus on contemporary issues for young S&T entrepreneurs globally such as bootstrapping and networking.Please see full RFA announcement and documentation for complete description and requirements.