NOFO: Supporting Investigative Journalism in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Deadline: 12-Jun-23

The U.S. Consulate General Erbil of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to support investigative and independent journalism in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Program Objectives

• Few media outlets or freelance journalists in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region have the resources to conduct investigative journalism, the practice of which is important to bringing more transparency to governance, the economy, and society, indirectly improving good governance indicators, and creating opportunities for public and government discussion which may ultimately help resolve social, economic, or political issues in the region. The goal of this program is to increase the overall number of non-partisan investigative journalism articles or stories published in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, bolstering the ability of Iraqi Kurdish media to inform the public about issues of import that may not already be covered by mainstream media.
• The program would entail a jury of highly experienced Kurdish journalists providing financial awards to journalists or media outlets in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (and Kirkuk governorate) based on a clear and transparent application process, with specific, measurable criteria used to evaluate those applications. Such criteria might include (not an exhaustive list), for example, whether the application is realistic, able to be carried out in a non-partisan fashion, on an issue likely to be of interest to either the general public or specific, specialist audiences, or other factors to be determined in consultation with the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil.

Funding Information

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $50,000.
• Length of performance period: 12

Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

Priority Region: Iraqi Kurdistan Region, with particular emphasis on Sheikhan and Halabja governorate, as well as Kirkuk governorate

Participants and Audiences: Target audiences receiving sub-awards should have at least two years of full-time experience as working journalists. The minimum amount of sub-awards shall be two.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations.
  • Public and private educational institutions
  • Public International Organizations.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.