Deadline: 22-May-23
The Office of Private Sector Exchange (BridgeUSA) of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for the administration of the BridgeUSA Ukraine Journalism Scholarship Program.
The Office plans to issue one cooperative agreement of approximately $100,000, pending the availability of funds. Accredited U.S. colleges and universities including consortia of accredited U.S. colleges and universities and U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide 10 to 15 Ukrainian exchange visitors with scholarships to participate in journalism and media-related exchanges under the Specialist category of the Exchange Visitor Program. The program will be administered over 36 months from the date the award is made.
Purpose
In order to enhance the U.S. Department of State’s engagement with BridgeUSA exchange visitors in support of U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy objectives, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA), Private Sector Exchange Directorate (BridgeUSA), will issue a cooperative agreement for $100,000, pending the availability of funds, to implement the BridgeUSA Ukraine Journalism Scholarship Program over 36 months. One of the most effective ways to combat disinformation about the United States and democracy is to promote and support high-quality, independent journalism and an open and pluralistic media environment. This support is particularly critical given Russia’s war against Ukraine, as disinformation from the Kremlin and other malign actors can have a devastating impact on morale and social stability. Ukrainian exchange visitors on this program will collaborate with American media experts on various topics to include including countering disinformation and false narratives designed to destabilize society, sharing best practices for reporting from conflict zones, and enhancing broadcast and reporting quality of local media outlets.
Goals
BridgeUSA programs enable foreign nationals to come to the United States to teach, study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills, or receive on the job training for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years. BridgeUSA’s mission – to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries – remains vital to U.S. national security and building people-to-people connections around the world. The BridgeUSA Ukraine Journalism Scholarship Program would build expertise and connections between American and Ukrainian journalists and emphasize the United States’ commitment to core democratic values. These values promote tolerance, independent judiciary, freedom of speech, open and pluralistic media environment, and protection of the rule of law. High-quality independent journalism and freedom of the press perform a critical function in ensuring the protection of these values and creating stable, inclusive societies less vulnerable to malign actors. Through the Ukraine Journalism Scholarship Program, BridgeUSA aims to:
- Promote mutual understanding and lasting partnerships between emerging leaders from Ukraine and the United States;
- Provide opportunities for BridgeUSA program exchange visitors to collaborate and share ideas, approaches, and strategies to develop solutions to pressing local and global challenges;
- Create resilient communities and address disinformation by supporting civil society, open transparent institutions, diversity and inclusion, and human rights; and
- Build a global network of like-minded professionals committed to creating positive change in their workplaces and communities.
Exchange Visitor Program J-1 Category Eligible Program Description
Specialist: The purpose is to promote the interchange of knowledge and skills among foreign and American specialists who are defined as experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skills, and who visit the United States for the purpose of observing, consulting, or demonstrating their special skills. This category is intended for exchanges with experts in areas such as mass media communication. The exchange of specialists is seen as promoting mutual enrichment and furthering linkages among scientific institutions, government agencies, museums, corporations, libraries, and similar types of institutions. Such exchanges are primarily non-academic and provide opportunities to increase the exchange of knowledge and ideas between American and foreign specialists. Participation in this category shall not exceed one year.
Funding information
- Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2023
- Approximate Total Funding: $100,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.
- Approximate Number of Awards: One.
- Approximate Average Award: $100,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.
- Minimum “Floor” of Award: $100,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.
- Maximum “Ceiling” of Award: $100,000, pending the availability of FY 2023 funds.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Applicants
- U.S. public and private academic and cultural institutions, exchange-of-persons, and other notfor-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition. Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application.
- Other Eligibility Requirements
- The following additional eligibility requirements apply to this NOFO announcement:
- All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO, POGI (if applicable), and the PSI; non-compliance will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.
- For this program: Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.
- Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document.
- The following additional eligibility requirements apply to this NOFO announcement:
- Eligible Countries: Under this NOFO, a single award will be issued for Ukrainian-speaking exchange visitors residing in the following countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine. 10 to 15 exchange visitors must be selected, with priority given to exchange visitors currently residing in Ukraine (the award recipient should plan to select at least half of exchange visitors from Ukraine).
For more information, visit ECA.