Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS FRANCE FY2021 06
Start US Up - Marseille is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy in France) grant opportunity seeking one nonprofit partner to design and run a six-month entrepreneurship and leadership program for roughly 20 to 30 young participants in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) region. The program blends classic startup training (the practical, technical skills needed to launch a viable business) with a structured sports component intended to build leadership, resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Embassy expects to stay actively involved, including participating on the jury that selects the final cohort and staying in regular contact on planning and implementation.
At its core, the program is meant to strengthen early-stage entrepreneurs by combining weekly workshops with ongoing project support. Participants are expected to work on real entrepreneurial projects and, over the six months, sharpen their business model, strategy, and execution plan. The curriculum is expected to cover fundamentals like pitching, business planning, and financial management, and it must be delivered in a safe, accessible venue with a clear schedule set in advance and consistent start and stop times. Sessions should be designed to leave room for questions and individualized guidance so that each startup can make concrete progress rather than just attend lectures.
A defining feature of Start US Up is the dual emphasis on entrepreneurship and sports as complementary tools for leadership development. The selected partner must design and lead recurring sports trainings (examples mentioned include boxing, running, and general physical training) explicitly tied to leadership outcomes such as discipline, teamwork, and confidence under pressure. In addition to regular sports activities, the program must include a trip within France that culminates in a physical and endurance challenge, reinforcing the leadership and mental toughness themes in a memorable, shared experience.
The Embassy also expects the program to be clearly connected to the Olympic legacy context. With the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games taking place in Paris and Los Angeles, and with an existing cooperation agreement between the two cities, Start US Up is positioned as a platform for transatlantic exchange and best-practice sharing. Participant projects should align with Olympic legacy themes, specifically sports and innovation, solidarity and inclusion, events, and sustainable development. Preference is indicated for social-impact startups, and proposals are expected to reflect that by emphasizing sustainable, mission-driven business models rather than purely commercial concepts.
The partner organization has wide operational responsibility. It must recruit applicants broadly and run a competitive selection process, including setting up the jury structure and securing an appropriate venue for candidate presentations, with the Embassy serving on the selection jury. It must also secure high-quality speakers and mentors, including successful American and French entrepreneurs and top French athletes for keynotes and seminars. Another required element is English instruction, aimed at helping participants pitch their ventures in an international setting, reinforcing the program's international and transatlantic character.
Program coordination and network-building are major expectations, not minor add-ons. The grantee is tasked with developing and maintaining the Start US Up network to strengthen the program's reputation among professionals, Olympic-related stakeholders, and government representatives. The Marseille chapter must also synchronize with the Paris (Ile-de-France) Start US Up chapter: it is required to follow the same calendar and to organize joint programming once per month, alternating hosting duties every other month. Applications are expected to explain in practical terms how the applicant will collaborate with the Paris chapter to deliver these recurring joint activities.
The program culminates in a high-stakes final pitch event at the U.S. Embassy, where participants present their business projects to a professional jury. The intended outcome is that graduates leave the program better prepared to pursue next-step opportunities, specifically including the ability to apply to ESS 2024, the incubator launched by Paris 2024 to support startups connected to the Olympics. After completion, participants should also be integrated into an alumni structure, with networking and follow-up events, an alumni online directory maintained by the partner, and continued community-building to support long-term success beyond the six-month training window.
From a communications standpoint, the opportunity places strong emphasis on visibility and public value. The grantee must develop and implement a robust communications plan that publicizes the program, highlights participant successes, and clearly acknowledges U.S. Embassy involvement. This plan is expected to cover web presence, content development, social media, and press/public relations. The partner must also handle required administrative procedures and maintain regular reporting and communication with the Embassy about progress, challenges, and upcoming milestones.
In terms of eligibility and funding details, the opportunity is offered by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to France, with an expected single award (one recipient) and an award ceiling of $102,500. Eligible applicants are nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The funding opportunity is categorized under areas that include arts/cultural affairs, business and commerce, community development, education, and employment/training. The target participant profile is young adults roughly ages 18 to 35 with varied socioeconomic and educational backgrounds who are serious about entrepreneurship and have projects connected to the Paris 2024 Olympic legacy themes, with a stated preference for initiatives that generate social impact.Apply for PAS FRANCE FY2021 06
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to France in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), business and commerce, community development, education, employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Start US Up - Marseille" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 12, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 20, 2021. (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 $102,500.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Start US Up - Marseille (U.S. Embassy France) Grant Opportunity: FAQs
1) What is Start US Up - Marseille?
Start US Up - Marseille is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy in France) grant opportunity to select one nonprofit partner to design and run a six-month entrepreneurship and leadership program in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) region. The program combines classic startup training with a structured sports component focused on leadership development.
2) Who is offering this grant?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to France (U.S. Embassy in France).
3) How many awards will be made?
The Embassy expects to make a single award to one recipient (one nonprofit partner).
4) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $102,500.
5) What type of award is this?
This award is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means the U.S. Embassy expects to remain actively involved in the program, including participating on the jury that selects the final cohort and staying in regular contact throughout planning and implementation.
6) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
7) Where will the program take place?
The program is intended for young participants in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) region, with the Marseille chapter coordinating locally and synchronizing with the Paris (Ile-de-France) Start US Up chapter.
8) How long is the program and what is the expected cohort size?
The program is expected to last six months and serve roughly 20 to 30 participants.
9) Who are the participants supposed to be?
The target participant profile is young adults roughly ages 18 to 35, coming from varied socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, who are serious about entrepreneurship and have real projects they will actively develop during the program.
10) Do participant projects need to align with specific themes?
Yes. Participant projects should align with Paris 2024 Olympic legacy themes, specifically: sports and innovation, solidarity and inclusion, events, and sustainable development.
11) Is there a preference for certain types of startups?
Preference is indicated for social-impact startups. Proposals are expected to emphasize sustainable, mission-driven business models rather than purely commercial concepts.
12) What does the entrepreneurship training need to include?
The curriculum is expected to cover practical startup fundamentals such as pitching, business planning, and financial management. The program should combine weekly workshops with ongoing project support so participants make concrete progress on their ventures, including individualized guidance and time for questions.
13) What are the expectations for the workshop format and venue?
Workshops must be delivered in a safe, accessible venue. The schedule should be set in advance, with consistent start and stop times, and sessions should be structured to support real project advancement rather than lecture-only attendance.
14) What is the sports component and why is it required?
A defining feature is the dual emphasis on entrepreneurship and sports as complementary tools for leadership development. The selected partner must design and lead recurring sports trainings (examples mentioned include boxing, running, and general physical training) tied explicitly to leadership outcomes such as discipline, teamwork, resilience, and confidence under pressure.
15) Is there a required trip or special challenge during the program?
Yes. The program must include a trip within France that culminates in a physical and endurance challenge intended to reinforce leadership and mental toughness through a shared, memorable experience.
16) How does the program connect to the Olympics and transatlantic exchange?
The program is positioned in an Olympic legacy context, referencing the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games in Paris and Los Angeles and an existing cooperation agreement between those cities. Start US Up is presented as a platform for transatlantic exchange and best-practice sharing.
17) What role will the U.S. Embassy play in selection and implementation?
The Embassy expects to stay actively involved under the cooperative agreement model. This includes participating on the jury that selects the final cohort and maintaining regular contact regarding planning, progress, challenges, and key milestones.
18) Who is responsible for recruiting and selecting participants?
The partner organization must recruit applicants broadly and run a competitive selection process. This includes setting up the jury structure and securing an appropriate venue for candidate presentations, with the U.S. Embassy serving on the selection jury.
19) What speakers, mentors, and experts are expected?
The partner must secure high-quality speakers and mentors, including successful American and French entrepreneurs and top French athletes for keynotes and seminars.
20) Is English instruction required?
Yes. English instruction is a required element, aimed at helping participants pitch their ventures in an international setting and reinforcing the program's international and transatlantic character.
21) What networking and community-building responsibilities does the partner have?
Program coordination and network-building are major expectations. The grantee must develop and maintain the Start US Up network to strengthen the program's reputation among professionals, Olympic-related stakeholders, and government representatives.
22) How must Marseille coordinate with the Paris Start US Up chapter?
The Marseille chapter must synchronize with the Paris (Ile-de-France) Start US Up chapter by following the same calendar and organizing joint programming once per month. Hosting duties must alternate every other month. Applications are expected to explain how the applicant will collaborate with the Paris chapter to deliver these recurring joint activities.
23) What is the final deliverable or culminating event?
The program culminates in a final pitch event at the U.S. Embassy, where participants present their business projects to a professional jury.
24) What outcomes are expected for graduates after the program ends?
Graduates are intended to leave better prepared for next-step opportunities, specifically including the ability to apply to ESS 2024, the incubator launched by Paris 2024 to support Olympics-connected startups.
25) Are there alumni requirements after the six-month program?
Yes. Participants should be integrated into an alumni structure that includes networking and follow-up events, an alumni online directory maintained by the partner, and ongoing community-building to support long-term success beyond the training period.
26) What are the communications and visibility requirements?
The grantee must develop and implement a robust communications plan that publicizes the program, highlights participant successes, and clearly acknowledges U.S. Embassy involvement. The plan is expected to cover web presence, content development, social media, and press/public relations.
27) What reporting and coordination with the Embassy is expected during the award?
The partner must handle required administrative procedures and maintain regular reporting and communication with the Embassy about progress, challenges, and upcoming milestones, consistent with the cooperative agreement structure.
28) What general funding categories does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under areas including arts/cultural affairs, business and commerce, community development, education, and employment/training.
29) Does the program need to prioritize accessibility and participant support?
Yes. The program is expected to be delivered in a safe, accessible venue, with a clear schedule and a format that leaves room for questions and individualized guidance so each participant can make concrete progress.
30) What makes this program different from a typical startup accelerator?
Start US Up explicitly blends entrepreneurship training with recurring sports trainings tied to leadership outcomes, requires a France-based trip culminating in an endurance challenge, includes English instruction for international pitching, requires monthly joint programming with the Paris chapter, and culminates in a final pitch event hosted at the U.S. Embassy.
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