Media and Information in Russia | DOSRU21GR004

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRU21GR004

The Media and Information in Russia grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DOSRU21GR004) is a U.S. Department of State program run through the U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section (PAS). It is designed to support engagement between Americans and Russians around traditional and citizen journalism, press freedom, and media literacy. The overall goal is to strengthen public understanding of why a free press matters, encourage good journalistic practice, expand access to reliable information, and help Russian audiences better navigate today s information environment. Proposals are expected to do more than deliver one-off activities; competitive applications should build in meaningful involvement from American experts, organizations, or institutions in a way that encourages longer-term U.S.-Russia professional connections that can continue after the funded project ends.

Funding is available as grants, with an award ceiling of up to 200,000 per project. Applicants are not expected to request the maximum amount; budgets should match the organization s capacity and be clearly tied to realistic objectives and deliverables. The announcement notes that smaller awards may move faster through approval. The total amount available is described as dependent on funds availability, and the program anticipated up to around 50 awards.

Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2021, with proposals reviewed monthly. Funding decisions and disbursements were handled on a first-come, first-served basis as funds were available. Some awards could be made quickly, while others might not receive funding until as late as September 2021, depending on timing and available resources. Applicants were instructed to use the official PAS application materials and budget templates provided on the embassy website and to follow the published instructions closely.

The program priorities are organized around two main content tracks: journalism and information. Under journalism, PAS highlighted projects that improve investigative reporting skills and public awareness of investigative journalism s role in identifying issues of social concern and exposing illegal, irregular, or abusive activity. Another journalism-focused priority is examining the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democratic society, which could include professional ethics, legal frameworks, newsroom standards, and public accountability. Under information, PAS emphasized projects that expand access to credible information for Russians, with particular interest in young people and communities that are traditionally underrepresented or considered at risk. Another key information priority is the development of practical tools or toolkits that help audiences detect misinformation and disinformation, supporting stronger media literacy and critical consumption habits.

A major operational constraint in this funding round was the COVID-19 requirement. PAS Moscow stated it could not fund travel or in-person interaction at that time. Projects that included any in-person components had to provide a credible virtual alternative that could be implemented if in-person programming remained impossible. Applications that failed to address how programming would pivot to a fully virtual format risked being removed from consideration.

The opportunity also included several clear restrictions. Projects could not be designed to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, business, or university, meaning the activity should have broader public value and a wider set of beneficiaries. Projects were not supposed to be income-generating; if any income did arise incidentally, it had to be reinvested directly into expanding or extending the program s goals, such as supporting additional participants or lengthening the project. Finally, proposals were not meant to primarily support academic or scientific research, signaling that PAS was looking for practical programming, training, capacity-building, tools, and public-facing initiatives rather than research-first academic studies.

Eligibility was relatively broad and included U.S. and Russian nonprofits, NGOs and civil society organizations, institutions of higher education, and certain community-based entities such as museums, parks, reserves, and community organizations. The source eligibility list also referenced school districts and small businesses, as well as individuals, though the narrative guidance cautioned that corporations and individuals would only be funded in limited circumstances and encouraged potential applicants in those categories to email PAS with questions before applying.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia in the information and statistics, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Media and Information in Russia" 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 Dec 01, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 2021. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.

Apply for DOSRU21GR004

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