Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13d08-3cbe-73d9-9947-0e380d3988df/notice-for-strengthening-higher-education-for-female-empowerment-shefe closed GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Notice for Strengthening Higher Education for Female Empowerment (SHEFE) [Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office](https://tendernation.io/buyers/foreign-commonwealth-and-development-office) Estimated value £41,000,000 Published 20 Jan 2025 Deadline Closed 18 Mar 2025 ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender Inception Period: The below work will be preceded by an inception period to fully resource the team as well as finalise design of the programme. Grant Management: In Phase 1 of the grant management activity the Supplier will design a closed call competitive grant process to invite and select 4 successful pilots from the SPHEIR programme up to a total of £12.7 million with each grant receiving between (£1-4 million). These have demonstrated 'proof of concept' and strong results in improving access, quality, and relevance to scale and replicate interventions in new states and geographies. SPHEIR pilots will be required to pivot their concepts to adopt a comprehensive gender transformative approach. In Phase 2 The Supplier will run an open call competitive process to invite 8 new, high potential and innovative proposals up to a total of £25.6 million, in priority geographies with a focus on improving access, safeguarding and employment outcomes for women and girls. Interventions may include improving take up of STEM subjects and increasing female representation in academia and underrepresented fields such as the tech industry. The Supplier will also invite proposals that drive an evidence-based approach to reducing all forms of gender-based violence and harm, including tackling sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and harassment in the HE sector. Centre of Expertise - Higher Education: The Supplier will launch a new pilot offer under the Centre of Expertise for Education which will be delivered through SHEFE. The demand-led, draw down facility will ensure the FCDO's global network has access to high-quality technical expertise, best practice and tailored policy advice. This will not only expand our global reach to support HE reform, but it will also help to strengthen diplomatic engagement with policy makers. The new enhanced offer will also respond to new windows of opportunity when they arise, including short term requests for direct support from host governments to deliver HE reform, including short-term deployments of embedded experts. It will enhance the 'Best of British' brand by promoting UK expertise and showcase our ability to convene prominent international experts in a community of practice. To view and register for this opportunity please go to: [fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html](https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html) Read full description ## CPV classification Foreign economic-aid-related services Source Contracts Finder (UK) [View official notice](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/7cb90cf6-ee3e-4f58-af6a-8fb4f1531524) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. 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