Guidelines: ADM Eligibility Criteria

ADM Eligibility Criteria[2]

The ADM seeks the most promising proposals for sustainable commercially-oriented business that met the eligibility criteria outlined below:

Business Location

 

African Diaspora Participation

  • The ADM’s definition of African diaspora consists of people of African origin who are permanent residents or citizens of the United States. African origin includes all people of African descent not only first generation immigrants. 
  • Business proposals may be submitted by an individual Diaspora member, a group of Diaspora members or a Diaspora-owned business based in the United States.  All businesses must involve a Diaspora member who is active in management.  All entries must include a minimum of 25 percent ownership, which is defined as partnership or equity interest in the company, by the proposing US-based Diaspora member.

 

Partnership Criteria

  • Proposals submitted by companies that are or will be 100 percent owned by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident that is a member of the African Diaspora, (or group of U.S. citizens or permanent residents that are members of the African Diaspora), do not need a partner.
  • Proposals submitted for companies that are or will be less than 100 percent owned by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident that is a member of the African Diaspora, (or group of U.S. citizens or permanent residents that are members of the African Diaspora), do need a partner based in the country where the business is or will be registered. In this case, the U.S. citizen or permanent resident member of the African Diaspora must own at least 25 percent of the business.

 

Business Criteria

  • Must be a start-up or established business seeking to expand or introduce goods or services.
  • Must be legally registered in the African country of implementation. Businesses that are not yet legally registered may also participate in the competition provided they are able to become legally incorporated before advancing to the final round of the competition.
  • Must include a minimum of 25 percent ownership by the proposing U.S.-based diaspora member. Proposals that advance to the final round will be required to submit evidence of diaspora ownership.
  • Eligible sectors: All commercially viable proposals in information & Communication Technology ICT, Agribusiness, and Renewable Energy will be considered.  These sectors are defined as:
    • ICT - A business engaged in development of product(s) derived from information and communications technologies - ICT.  ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning.
    • Agribusiness - A business engaged in the production of food and non-food crops (including timber), the manufacture and distribution of agricultural equipment and supplies, and the processing, storage, and distribution of agricultural commodities. Provided, that any commodities are not subject to US restrictions.
    • Renewable energy - A business engaged in generation of energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished).  Renewables include small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels.
    • For Libya and Tunisia only: All commercially viable proposals will be considered; however, the ADM II is particularly supportive of proposals for business ventures working in "productive sectors" including but not limited to: agribusiness, handicrafts, textiles, tourism, environmental services such as waste management, construction and infrastructure, logistics and transportation, manufacturing and assembly, fisheries, livestock and information and communication technologies (ICT).

 

Matching Contribution

  • Applications must demonstrate a minimum of one-to-one leverage ratio of applicant contributions to ADM grant funding. Proposals that offer to leverage beyond that are viewed favorably. At least some portion of the leverage must be in the form of a financial contribution. In addition to monetary contributions, in-kind resources such as property, equipment, and supplies are also valuable contributions. Applications must clearly specify the contributions of each party and indicate the cash value of in-kind support.

 

Implementation Timeframe

  • Proposed activities must be completed within 18 months of receiving the initial disbursement from the ADM.

 

Award size

  • Requests for ADM funding should be up to but not exceeding USD50,000. Accompanying technical assistance may be in the range of USD10,000 to USD20,000.

 

Language

  • Proposals must be submitted in English.

 

Restrictions

 

Partners