Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) | OES OPP 17 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for OES OPP 17 001

The Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) opportunity is a U.S. Department of State funding announcement issued by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), specifically through its Office of Science and Technology Cooperation. It is a discretionary Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) designed to support projects that help young innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries turn science- and technology-driven ideas into viable startups. The core purpose is practical capacity building: connecting innovators to networks, strengthening their technical and business skills, providing structured mentoring, and improving pathways to financing so they can develop solutions that respond to real economic and development challenges in their communities.

Funding under this opportunity is provided through a cooperative agreement, which typically means the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement during implementation (for example, coordinating on program direction, milestones, or key activities rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back). The funded work falls under the “Science and Technology and other Research and Development” activity category, and the program is listed under CFDA number 19.017. The funds cited for these awards come from Fiscal Year 2016 Economic Support Funds (ESF), and the announcement notes that awards are subject to the availability of funds, which is standard language indicating final funding depends on appropriations and release of funds.

In terms of scale and timing, the opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number OES OPP 17 001) had an original application closing date of December 15, 2016, and a creation date of November 4, 2016. The maximum award amount (ceiling) is listed as $2,500,000. While the posting includes a field for “Expected Awards,” the number is not provided in the source data, so applicants would typically infer that the agency may make one or more awards depending on budget, applicant quality, and program design.

Eligibility is geared toward organizations capable of running international entrepreneurship and innovation programming. Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (including those that are not institutions of higher education), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and “others” as listed in the announcement. The narrative description further clarifies that eligibility is limited to U.S. nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations under 501(c)(3), foreign nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and public international organizations. In practice, that means the Department of State is looking for experienced implementing partners that can deliver multi-country or regional activities such as entrepreneur training, mentorship networks, startup acceleration support, and connections to investors or other sources of capital, all aligned with the broader GIST objective of strengthening innovation ecosystems in developing contexts.

Overall, this NOFO is best understood as support for an entrepreneurship enablement program rather than a basic research grant. The emphasis is on building human capital and networks around science and technology innovation, helping promising founders develop and test solutions, and increasing their chances of achieving traction and sustainability through mentorship, skills development, and improved access to financing.

• The Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-11-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-12-15. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for OES OPP 17 001

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