Dear all, ** ** The GSMA mWomen Programme <http://www.mwomen.org/> aims to accelerate the use of mobile technology to achieve positive social and economic outcomes for resource-poor women. We do this by encouraging an industry shift towards investing in women; increasing the availability of life-enhancing value-added services for women and promoting solutions to women’s technical and cultural barriers to adoption. We are pleased to announce the launch of the *GSMA mWomen Innovation Fund grants for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Please consider applying and/or sharing with your networks*.**** ** ** *This round of grants is dedicated to NGOs (including social enterprises)*, *working in partnership with mobile network operators*. Its objectives are to:**** **· **Provide seed funding to support the design and launch of innovative products, services, marketing approaches and distribution mechanisms aimed at increasing women’s access to mobile and use of life-enhancing mobile services **** **· **Generate lessons and models of success which can be shared with the wider development community and the mobile industry**** **· **Stimulate productive partnerships between NGOs and mobile network operators. **** ** ** Please note that this round of grants is open only to NGOs. *The next round of grants for mobile network operators will be launched in the second half of 2013*.**** ** ** Attached and here<http://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/gsma-mwomen-innovation-fund-grant-documentation-ngos-april-2013>are several tools to help you begin the application process, including: **** **· **An overview of the Innovation Fund, including objectives, the definition of success, geographic focus, submission deadlines for this round and more**** **· **A term sheet containing greater detail to help you decide whether to apply and to help prepare your concept note**** **· **A concept note template for you to prepare as the first step of the application process.**** ** ** Please note the two step, competitive process and key dates ahead:**** **· **A four-page concept note, using the attached template, is due *Wednesday, 12 June*.**** **· **Based on this submission, eligible applicants will be invited to prepare a full application, due *Friday, 16 August*.**** ** ** To help you prepare your submissions, the GSMA mWomen team offers the following services:**** **· **The team is ready to provide feedback and advice for all interested applicants. Please contact mWomengrants@gsma.com if you would like to schedule a call to discuss your ideas for the concept note.**** **· **We also will host a *webinar on Tuesday, 7 May from 8 – 9am, and again from 5 - 6pm UK time (BST) *for those who cannot make the morning session*.* The webinar will feature an overview of the Innovation Fund objectives and terms, as well as practical advice for preparing a competitive application and an opportunity to ask questions. Please find instructions for joining the webinar below. ** ** ** ** Please write to us at mWomengrants@gsma.com if you intend to submit a concept note, or with any questions you may have. **** ** ** We look forward to hearing from you!**** ** ** The GSMA mWomen team**** ** ** *To join the webinar:* * * *8-9am BST*, Tuesday 7 May, please register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/741641462 **** *5-6pm BST*, Tuesday 7 May, please register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/859342774 **** ** ** _________________________________________________________________________________ **** ** ** **** Part of GSMA Mobile for Development**** * * Read the latest mWomen blog <http://www.mwomen.org/News>** Connect with us on Twitter @GSMAmWomen <http://twitter.com/GSMAmWomen>**** Join our LinkedIn Group <http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4476906>**** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** This email and its attachments are intended for the above named only and may be confidential. If they have come to you in error you must take no action based on them, nor must you copy or show them to anyone; please reply to this email or call +44 207 356 0600 and highlight the error. -- *Christopher Burns* *Senior Advisor and Team Lead for Mobile Access* *Office of Innovation and Development Alliances/Mobile Solutions* *U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)* *1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 20523* Tel. 202-712-0226 | chburns@usaid.gov