Support Independent Media

The summary for the Support Independent Media Federal Grant is detailed below. It contains information such as the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number, who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, important deadlines, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed in the Grant Announcement Contact section. If these sections are incomplete, please visit the website of the government agency that is offering this grant.


	Federal Grant Title:	Support Independent Media
	CFDA Number:	19.500
	CFDA Description:	Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)
	Federal Agency Name:	Middle East Partnership Initiative
	Category of Funding Activity:	Other
	Category Explanation:	Request for Applications
	Opportunity Category:	Discretionary
	Funding Opportunity Number:	MEPI02082006
	Document Type:	Modification to Previous Grants Notice
	Funding Instrument Type:	Grant
	Posted Date:	Feb 08, 2006
	Creation Date:	Feb 08, 2006
	Original Closing Date for Applications:	Mar 31, 2006
	Current Closing Date for Applications:	Information not provided
	Archive Date:	Apr 30, 2006
	Expected Number of Awards:	7
	Estimated Total Program Funding:	$5,000,000
	Federal Grant Award Ceiling:	$1,000,000
	Federal Grant Award Floor:	$100,000
	Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	No

Applicants Eligible for this Grant: Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Information on Eligibility: This competition is open to local, privately-owned media outlets (print, broadcast, and new media) that are committed to public service-oriented programming and to objective, locally-oriented content. MEPI will support with promising independent outlets by providing appropriate assistance, and where required technical guidance, to promote independent operations, self-sustainability, and to develop professional, fact-based and balanced media.
Grant Description: I. The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) announces an open competition for projects to advance free and independent media in the Middle East and North Africa. The purpose of this RFA is to provide needed technical and material assistance to independent media outlets in the region for the continued support of media reform efforts with focus on underserved local priorities in particular countries. Under this RFA, local media outlets may seek funding for specific needs and activities.This competition is open to local, privately-owned media outlets (print, broadcast, and new media) that are committed to public service-oriented programming and to objective, locally-oriented content. MEPI will support with promising independent outlets by providing appropriate assistance, and where required technical guidance, to promote independent operations, self-sustainability, and to develop professional, fact-based and balanced media. MEPI is seeking concept papers as pre-applications under this RFA. Applications should detail the objectives, company or organization background, managements professional experience, market conditions, and budget with justification. Applicants should outline how they plan to pursue the creation of content that serves the public good while addressing any organizational weaknesses and operational challenges. The submission must explain the overall approach as well as plans for product distribution and advertising and how these activities will be implemented. Submission should describe also how MEPI assistance will increase financial viability of the outlet. Applicants should outline clearly how their concept will advance one or both of the following reform goals: strengthening local democratic practices and institutions by developing public service content; and increasing the political space by creating programming to share public information and promote political reform. RFA applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the media industry in their country.Some areas of activities that could be supported through this RFA include but are not limited to:. Local news coverage that serves the public good or creates a forum for discussion on political processes, which might include election and candidate coverage, parliamentary proceedings, etc;. Content that covers issues of local concern to citizens as they take greater involvement in their society and government;. Innovative technological or other approaches that encourage public participation in reform issues and enable the interaction of the society with public officials and civil society leaders to expand political pluralism.All proposed budgets should project significant cost sharing. Any associated customs, duties, and taxes on any equipment must be paid for by the receiving outlet. Concept papers may be submitted by local independent print, broadcast, and news media (such as the Internet) outlets. Government-owned, -funded, or -affiliated media are not eligible to participate. Any collaborative relationships between the applicant and other organizations should be clearly stated and their role as partners clearly defined. Pre-applications may be submitted by outlets in: Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria (no equipment), Tunisia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, and the West Bank and Gaza.
Link to Full Grant Announcement: mepi.state.gov/c10133.htm
Grant Announcement Contact: Jacquelyn Johnson
Phone 202-776-8697 nea-grants@state.gov Middle East Partnership Initiatives
Similar Government Grants: • Establishing MEPI Alumni Network Local Chapters; • Tunisia: Supporting a Democratic Transition; • Establishing Student Councils - Phase III; • Civic Education; • Syria Democracy Program Announcement; • Legal and Business Internship Program; • Iran Democracy Program Announcement