JACKSONVILLE — The U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families to provide veteran women with a unique training opportunity to start or grow a business.

The training is open to current veteran women, active-duty women who are transitioning out of the military in the next 24 months, and a spouse or female partner of a veteran.

Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-Wise) is a three-phase training program. In the first phase, participants will complete a self-study, 15-day online course, focused on the basic skills of entrepreneurship and the language of business.

The start date for that program will be Dec.18. The second phase of the training will be a three-day conference held at the Jacksonville Omni Hotel and Resort, 245 Water St., Jacksonville, from Jan. 10-12, 2012. All hotel and conference fees will be paid for by the SBA; however participants are responsible for a one-time registration fee of $75 and transportation to and from the conference location. Phase three of the program is ongoing support to veteran women through a comprehensive network of mentors and partners.

Those interested in this program should apply online no later than Dec.14 at whitman.syr.edu/VWISEApplication2.

For other information contact the university at 315-443-4629 or Natalie Hall, SBA North Florida Veteran’s representative at 904-443-1902.