HOW TO APPLY – SUBMISSION  OF CONCEPT NOTES

Concept Note Template

Applications must be submitted using the Concept Note Template. Applicants should keep strictly to the format of the Concept Note form and fill in the paragraphs and the pages in order.

The Concept Note Template should be filled in as carefully and clearly as possible so that it can be properly assessed. The Applicant should be precise and provide enough detail to ensure the application is clear, particularly as to how the aims of the project will be achieved, the benefits that will flow from it and the way in which it is relevant to the JBF’s objectives. Your text should follow the questions mentioned under each section. The document should not be distorted in any way, except by extending sections as provided for in the form.

Any error or major discrepancy related to the points listed in the Checklist (section E of the Concept Note form) may lead to the rejection of the application.

Clarifications will only be requested when information provided is unclear, thus preventing the JBF from conducting an objective assessment.

Please note that only the Concept Note form and signed declaration will be used for evaluation. It is therefore of utmost importance that the Concept Note document contain ALL relevant information concerning the project. No supplementary annexes should be sent.

Where and how to send concept notes

The completed Concept Note form and signed declaration should be submitted via email to info@jamaicabusinessfund.com. The subject on the Email should be ‘Application for Jamaica Business Fund – <name of applicant>’. Please do not convert the application form from its original .doc Word format. The scanned declaration may be in any common image format.

You will receive an email acknowledgement of receipt of your application.

Applicants must verify that their Concept Note is complete using the checklist (section E of the concept note form). Incomplete concept notes may be rejected.

Please note that the application form is also available from the Fund Management Unit (FMU) located at 17 Ruthven Road, Kingston 10.   The document should not be distorted in any way, except by extending sections as provided for in the form.

Deadlines for receipt of the Concept Notes

The deadline for receipt of Round 4 Concept Notes is January 31, 2020 at 4:00 PM, Jamaica Time (UTC/GMT – 5). All concept notes received by the deadline will be evaluated, shortlisted and successful applicants advised on or around February 28, 2020 to move on to the full application stage. Any concept note received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Further information

Questions may be sent by e-mail no later than 10 days before the deadline for the receipt of concept notes to the address below:

E-mail address:  info@jamaicabusinessfund.com

Responses will be posted on the JBF website no later than 8 days before the deadline for the receipt of concept notes.

Questions that may be relevant to other applicants, together with the answers, will be published on the JBF website.

Selection of the Concept Notes for the second phase

Concept notes will be evaluated using a scoring system as detailed in the concept note evaluation grid. Following the Concept Note evaluation, a table listing the proposals ranked according to their score will be established.

The JBF will send letters to the applicants whose concept note has been evaluated, indicating the scores obtained for this first part of the evaluation and whether the applicant is invited to submit a full application form. As all concept notes would have gone through an extensive review and evaluation process it must be noted that the JBF’s decision to reject a concept note submission is final.

SECOND PHASE

Full Application

Applicants who have submitted concept notes which are short listed by the evaluation committee will be invited to submit full applications. Information on the process for submitting full applications will be made available to shortlisted applicants.