Deadline: 24-Jun-23
The U.S. Consulate General Chennai and the U.S. Department of State announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to highlight the significance of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, with a particular focus on Defense and Security Partnership.
Based on funding availability, this project willprovide a group of strategic analysts and opinion leaders with a deeper understanding of the true extent and significance of the U.S.-India strategic partnership. The selected grantee organization will identify U.S. and Indian experts focused on key thematic areas /sectors under U.S.-India strategic, defense, and security cooperation; organize a series of virtual meetings and consultations among these experts to discuss challenges and prospects of achieving the full potential of the bilateral partnerships; and convene these experts together with key Indian policy experts and analysts for an in-person workshop/symposium in a South Indian city to further explore cross-sectoral cooperation and plan a media campaign.
Project Goal: A group of Indian opinion leaders will have a deeper understanding of theextent, scope, and significance U.S.-India strategic partnershipin the current geopolitical scenario; analyze the prospects and challenges of taking it to the next level;recognize that in the present geopolitical scenario, the United States is able and willing to be a partner of choice for India; and disseminate this knowledge to key audiences through media platforms of their choice.
Program Objectives
- Within six months of the project period, a group of at least 40 Indian strategic analysts and opinion leaders representing key thematic areas and sectors influencing U.S.-India Defense and Security partnershipwill engage in a series of (at least four) virtual meetings to analyze the current extent and significance of the partnership and identify prospects and challenges of taking it to the next level.
- Within eight months of the project period, the 40analysts representing different sectors will convene in a city in Southern India to explore cross-sectoral cooperation by participating in a series of interactive engagements, networking opportunities, and site visits, and formulate a media plan to further disseminate the significance of the partnership to key audiences.
- Within 10 months of the project period, the grantee will work with the U.S. experts and Indian participants to create/produce/broadcast at least five opinion pieces in leading Indian publications; 10 podcasts and/or interviews with prominent Indian mediawith significant viewership.
- Within 12 months of the project period, the granteewill organize follow on virtual meetings with the participants as required and assess the change in understanding and behaviorof project participants through curated pre-and post-event polls and surveys and conduct qualitative as well as quantitative analyses of the participants’ traditional and social media output over a period of time, including (but not limited to) writings, interviews, podcasts etc. commissioned as part of the project.
- The applicant should budget for the operational and personnel costs; honoraria for U.S. and Indian experts; honoraria for virtual and traditional media content production; travel of U.S. and Indian experts and participants to take part in the in-person workshop; and contractual expenses for venue, AV, food etc. as well as other justifiable expenses towards meeting the project goal and objectives mentioned.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $150,000
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $130,000 to a maximum of $150,000.
- Length of performance period: 10 to 12 months
Project Audience(s): Indian opinion leaders and strategic analysts (30-60 years old), who regularly communicate to Indian audiences, both in English and/or regional languages, about geopolitics and international relations with a particular focus on defense and security ties
The grantee will develop a strategy to ensure gender balance in program invitations, participation, and viewership.
Priority Region: India
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations.
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
