Deadline: 28 February 2020

The Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) is seeking applications for its program entitled “Support for Independent Media in Syria”.

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to advance the following U.S. Government policy objectives in Syria:

• Ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and counter violent extremism, including other extremist groups in Syria
• Achieve a political solution to the Syrian conflict under the auspices of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254;
• End the presence of Iranian forces and proxies in Syria.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $35,000,000
• Award Ceiling: $35,000,000
• Award Floor: $5,000,000

Activities

Support Media Subaward Activities Assistance may include, but is not limited to, subgrants and fixed amount awards to established and emerging Syrian media outlets in order to:

• Enhance the reach and appeal of sources of accurate, trusted and locally relevant news and information for Syrian citizens;
• Support moderate voices and counter the violent extremist ideology and influence of ISIS, , HTS, and Iranian-backed proxies;
• Expose and counter state-backed disinformation operations that distort understanding of the Syrian conflict;
• Support programming to enhance social cohesion and community reconciliation in non-regime controlled areas, with a special emphasis on inclusion of religious and ethnic minority groups;
• Support programming to raise awareness, enhance understanding and support opportunities for civil engagement in the political transition process under UNSCR 2254;
• Promote accountability and bolster the transparency of local governance entities, especially to provide an alternative to violent extremist groups;
• Improve the organizational capacity, structure, production and editorial processes and standards of Syrian independent media outlets;
• Provide equipment and technical assistance to enhance the capacity of Syrian media organizations to reach target audiences

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. or foreign
  • non-profit organizations;
  • For-profit organizations;
  • Private institutions of higher education;
  • Public or state institutions of higher education;
  • Public international organizations;
• NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. They encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.

For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=323226