All applications will undergo an initial eligibility screening in stage one to ensure they comply with the eligibility criteria. In order to be considered eligible for a grant award, prospective grantees must:

• Be legally registered as a for profit organization in accordance with the laws of Ethiopia (registration documents required).
• Not be part of a government or any government structures.
• Not appear on any list of debarred or suspended entities (as found on www.sam.gov), or on any terrorist watch list or other published list of ineligible recipients.
• Certify that they are not affiliated with any political party nor engaged in any partisan activities.
• Submit the concept paper via the provided link in accordance with the terms and conditions of the RFA, by or before the time and date deadline(s) stipulated in the RFA.
• Comply with the application format guidelines mandated in the RFA, including submitting a budget within the identified funding limitations of the RFA.
• All applicants must have a sustainable and financially viable business model for their innovation in the Ethiopian fertilizer value chain. The eligibility requirements for applicants are as follows:
• Poorly developed supply chains or systems to manufacture, distribute, or sell fertilizer-related products or services.
• Absence of proper financing tools to fund the expansion of enterprises selling innovative fertilizer-related products or services.

If the organization is a mix or different (e.g., business-to-government) from these business models, the enterprise must explain its business model type (e.g., mix of B2B and B2C) and demonstrate a similar level of existing clients and/or sales.

In addition, all prospective Grantees under consideration for an award exceeding $25,000 (or local equivalent) must present proof of registration for a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number. As needed, MS4G can provide an Amharic-language Help Desk session on UEI application. Note: GSA has developed a useful interactive PDF tool that guides through the most common scenarios about UEI (https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=af05f8fb1b44851006b09796bc4bcb6d)

Note: The public sector, government entities, and individuals are not eligible to apply.