2023 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs: U.S. formally opens application

The United States (U.S.) has officially opened the application for the 2023 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).

The U.S. government on Thursday threw the application open via the Twitter handle of the United States Diplomatic Mission Nigeria.

Attention: Calling Nigerian Businesswomen! The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) —Nigeria is receiving applications for AWE Cohort 5.

AWE is a U.S. Government initiative that provides women entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and scale… pic.twitter.com/5igtQ3uoHa

— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) June 8, 2023

“Attention: Calling Nigerian Businesswomen! The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) —Nigeria is receiving applications for AWE Cohort 5,” the tweet reads.

“AWE is a U.S. Government initiative that provides women entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and scale successful businesses.

“Interested? Apply for free before the June 22 deadline at http://bit.ly/awe2023.”

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a U.S. government initiative that provides women with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and scale successful businesses.

The AWE’s reach extends across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and other regions where promoting women’s economic empowerment is a principal U.S. policy priority.

The AWE uses a hybrid model that combines the online platform “DreamBuilder” (developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan) with in-class mentoring and facilitation.

Through the AWE, participants learn core business skills, then get together as a class virtually to discuss the material with experienced implementers, local mentors, and U.S. Exchange Alumni.

Additional training on how to competitively apply for the U.S. African Development Foundation financing and navigate the U.S. federal grants process is also provided.

The program requires a commitment of at least six hours a week of combined self-study and online facilitated classes.

Although the majority of the program will take place virtually, applicants have the opportunity to participate in one in-person networking session.

This year, they are looking for 150 talented, applicants who work in the agriculture, creative industries and tech sectors with the deadline to apply June 22, 2023.