Countering Region Two Propaganda and Disinformation | SFOP0005657

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005657

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, announced a discretionary funding opportunity called "Countering Region Two Propaganda and Disinformation" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0005657). The program is designed to support projects that address propaganda and disinformation challenges specifically tied to "Region Two" and its proxies. A key restriction is that proposals focused on any other threat actors are not eligible for consideration, which signals that the program is narrowly targeted and expects applicants to keep their activities, research, messaging, and measurement tightly aligned to that defined region and its associated proxy actors.

This opportunity is structured as the first stage of a two-stage competitive process. In Stage One, applicants do not submit a full proposal; instead, they submit a concept paper that responds to one of the program areas described in the full NOFO. Concept papers are typically used to screen for fit, feasibility, and strategic alignment before inviting selected applicants to submit more detailed applications in Stage Two. Because this is a staged competition, the initial concept paper effectively functions as a gatekeeper: it needs to demonstrate a clear understanding of the Region Two disinformation environment, a plausible approach for countering it, and enough specificity to show the project can be executed and evaluated if advanced to the next round.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which usually means the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. In practical terms, this can include close coordination on planning and execution, shared input on major deliverables, ongoing consultation, and more active federal oversight of project direction, messaging, or implementation milestones. The funding activity category is listed as Information and Statistics, and the CFDA number is 19.040, aligning the program with public diplomacy and information-focused work rather than infrastructure or direct service delivery.

Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," meaning the opportunity is open to any type of entity as long as it meets any additional conditions or clarifications stated in the NOFO. That language typically accommodates a wide range of applicants such as nonprofit organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, think tanks, media and journalism organizations, private sector entities, and potentially individuals or other groups if the NOFO allows it. Even with broad eligibility, the subject-matter constraint remains strict: the work must center on Region Two and its proxies.

From a funding standpoint, the award ceiling is $2,000,000, and the agency anticipated up to 10 awards. This suggests the Department expected to support multiple separate projects rather than a single large initiative, with awards that could vary in size depending on scope, approach, and the program area addressed. The opportunity was created on March 15, 2019, with an original closing date of April 29, 2019, indicating a relatively standard application window for applicants to develop and submit a first-round concept paper.

Overall, this NOFO is a targeted State Department public affairs funding effort aimed at countering a specific regional propaganda and disinformation threat. The immediate requirement for applicants is to produce a focused concept paper that fits one of the NOFO program areas and stays exclusively within the Region Two threat frame. Applications that broaden the scope to other actors or regions are explicitly excluded, so the competitive advantage in Stage One would come from a sharply defined Region Two problem statement, a credible and measurable approach to countering disinformation, and a clear rationale for why the project aligns with the Department of State's public affairs objectives under a cooperative agreement model.

• The Department of State, Public Affairs in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering Region Two Propaganda and Disinformation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 15, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 29, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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