Support Independent Media

The summary for the Support Independent Media grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, 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 as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Middle East Partnership Initiative, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Support Independent Media: 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.