Opportunity Information: Apply for C NOFO 20 103
The grant opportunity titled "Investigative Journalism to Counter Disinformation: A Regional Language Media Initiative" is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to India) funding program administered through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai. It is designed as a public diplomacy project that strengthens investigative reporting capacity among regional-language journalists in South India, with the broader goal of reducing the impact of disinformation and misinformation in the media ecosystem. The program emphasizes practical verification and investigative techniques, aiming to help journalists more confidently authenticate photos, videos, and datasets while producing stronger accountability reporting that can serve as a direct counterweight to false or misleading narratives.
The core focus is skill-building for non-English language media professionals working in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. The project is structured to reach 45 journalists across South India and includes instruction from a visiting U.S. subject matter expert, supplemented by additional U.S. counterparts who would participate remotely through digital video conferences. Beyond training sessions, the initiative also seeks to expand awareness and use of the recently published Countering Disinformation Handbook by introducing it to a wider audience of working journalists and, indirectly, to journalism educators and students through shared curriculum materials.
The opportunity sets clear, outcome-based objectives. First, it requires the training of 45 regional language journalists in investigative journalism methods and disinformation-countering practices, combining in-person expertise from a U.S. speaker with virtual engagement from other U.S.-based specialists. Second, it expects real-world reporting outputs: each participant must publish at least one investigative article focused on disinformation or misinformation, written in Tamil, Malayalam, or Kannada, within three months after the training concludes. Third, it requires each participant to submit at least one example of a fact-checked item, which can be in text, video, audio, or photographic form. These fact-check examples are meant to serve two purposes: they can be incorporated into the training curriculum as model materials, and they can be used by the participants' media outlets to raise public awareness about how disinformation and misinformation spread and how they can be identified.
Another important element is the creation or contribution to a curriculum on investigative journalism that can be shared with journalism departments in South India. This signals that the program is not just aimed at one-time professional development, but also at leaving behind training assets that can be reused by academic institutions, helping embed investigative and verification skills into longer-term journalism education pipelines.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a grant (listed as a grant/cooperative agreement in the narrative), categorized under discretionary funding and aligned with an education activity category. The assistance listing is CFDA 19.040. The program anticipates making one award, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $65,000. The funding opportunity number is "C NOFO 20 103." The posting indicates an original closing date of May 22, 2020, and a creation date of March 23, 2020.
Eligibility is limited to legally recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations that can meet both U.S. and Indian technical and legal requirements. In the provided eligibility field, it specifies nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education). In practice, that points toward established nonprofit implementers capable of designing and running journalism training programs, coordinating expert participation, managing participant selection and outputs, and delivering tangible deliverables like published investigations, fact-check exemplars, and sharable curriculum modules.Apply for C NOFO 20 103
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Investigative Journalism to Counter Disinformation: A Regional Language Media Initiative" 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 23, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 22, 2020. (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 $65,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Investigative Journalism to Counter Disinformation: A Regional Language Media Initiative."
Which U.S. government entity is offering and administering this program?
This is a U.S. Department of State funding program under the U.S. Mission to India. It is administered through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai.
What is the purpose of the grant?
The project is designed as a public diplomacy initiative to strengthen investigative reporting capacity among regional-language journalists in South India, with the broader aim of reducing the impact of disinformation and misinformation in the media ecosystem.
What kinds of skills or topics does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes practical verification and investigative techniques. It is intended to help journalists more confidently authenticate photos, videos, and datasets, and to produce stronger accountability reporting that can counter false or misleading narratives.
Who is the target audience for the training?
The core focus is skill-building for non-English language media professionals working in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada in South India.
How many journalists is the project expected to reach?
The project is structured to reach 45 journalists across South India.
How is the training expected to be delivered?
Instruction is expected to include a visiting U.S. subject matter expert (in person), supplemented by additional U.S. counterparts who participate remotely via digital video conferences.
What are the required outcomes or deliverables for participants after the training?
The opportunity sets specific participant outputs:
- Each participant must publish at least one investigative article focused on disinformation or misinformation, written in Tamil, Malayalam, or Kannada, within three months after the training concludes.
- Each participant must submit at least one example of a fact-checked item in text, video, audio, or photographic form.
What is the fact-check example used for?
The fact-check examples are meant to serve two purposes: (1) they can be incorporated into the training curriculum as model materials, and (2) they can be used by participants' media outlets to raise public awareness about how disinformation and misinformation spread and how they can be identified.
Is this program only about training working journalists, or does it include education materials too?
It includes both. Beyond training sessions for working journalists, the initiative requires creation or contribution to a curriculum on investigative journalism that can be shared with journalism departments in South India, supporting longer-term adoption of investigative and verification skills in journalism education.
Does the program reference any specific handbook or resource?
Yes. The initiative seeks to expand awareness and use of the recently published Countering Disinformation Handbook by introducing it to a wider audience of working journalists and indirectly to educators and students through shared curriculum materials.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant, described in the narrative as a grant/cooperative agreement.
How is this funding categorized?
It is categorized as discretionary funding and aligned with an education activity category.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing is CFDA 19.040.
How many awards does the program anticipate making?
The opportunity indicates it anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $65,000.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is "C NOFO 20 103."
What were the key dates shown for this opportunity?
The posting lists a creation date of March 23, 2020 and an original closing date of May 22, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to legally recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations that can meet both U.S. and Indian technical and legal requirements. The eligibility field specifies nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education).
Are universities and other institutions of higher education eligible?
The eligibility field specifies 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education), indicating that institutions of higher education are excluded under the provided eligibility description.
What types of organizations are best positioned to implement the project based on the requirements?
Based on the described expectations, eligible organizations would typically need the capacity to design and run journalism training programs, coordinate in-person and virtual U.S. expert participation, manage participant selection and follow-up, and deliver tangible outputs such as published investigations, fact-check exemplars, and shareable curriculum modules.
What languages are required for participant reporting outputs?
Participant investigative articles must be written in Tamil, Malayalam, or Kannada.
What is the required timeline for publication of participant investigative articles?
Each participant must publish at least one investigative article within three months after the training concludes.
What formats are acceptable for the required fact-check submission?
The fact-checked item can be submitted in text, video, audio, or photographic form.
What geographic region does the initiative focus on?
The initiative focuses on South India, specifically through engagement with regional-language journalists working in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
What is the broader intended impact of the initiative?
The broader intended impact is to reduce the influence of disinformation and misinformation in the media ecosystem by increasing investigative and verification capacity, strengthening accountability reporting, and leaving behind reusable training and curriculum assets.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Fair Housing Initiative Program - Fair Housing Organization Initiative
Previous opportunity: Research on Juvenile Reoffending, Fiscal Year 2020
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for C NOFO 20 103
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (C NOFO 20 103) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Engage Native Youth through Culturally Responsive Curricula Apply for P20AS00044 Funding Number: P20AS00044 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $340,000 |
| Journey to Gunaaxoo Homeland Apply for P20AS00045 Funding Number: P20AS00045 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Think Twice: Caravan to Safeguard Against Disinformation Apply for ND NOFO 20 101 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 101 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $70,000 |
| Combatting Trafficking in North India Apply for ND NOFO 20 102 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 102 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| OSERS-OSEP: Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education Early Intervention and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs, CFDA Number 84.325K: Focus Area A Apply for ED GRANTS 033020 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 033020 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| OSERS-OSEP: Interdisciplinary Preparation in Special Education Early Intervention and Related Services for Personnel Serving Children with Disabilities who have High-Intensity Needs, CFDA Number 84.325K: Focus Area B Apply for ED GRANTS 033020 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 033020 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program--Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling CFDA Number 84.129B Apply for ED GRANTS 033020 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 033020 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Fossil, Fishing Y Familia Apply for P20AS00049 Funding Number: P20AS00049 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $11,420 |
| EONS 2020: Appendix I MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research Cooperative Agreement Apply for NNH20ZHA002N MSTAR Funding Number: NNH20ZHA002N MSTAR Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| EONS 2020: Appendix J NASA MUREP INCLUDES PLANNING GRANT Apply for NNH20ZHA002N NMI Funding Number: NNH20ZHA002N NMI Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| YouthPower 2: Youth Excel Addendum Apply for 7200AA20APS00008 Funding Number: 7200AA20APS00008 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Education Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| Think Tank Engagement on Indo-Pacific Issues Apply for ND NOFO 20 104 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 104 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Cultural Explosion at ACND Apply for ND NOFO 20 105 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 105 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Access 2020: Training for Access Administrators from India and Afghanistan Apply for ND NOFO 20 106 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 106 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Blended English Teacher Certification Program with State Governments Apply for ND NOFO 20 107 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 107 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Department of Defense (DoD) – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Outreach Programs Apply for W15QKN 20 R 0ANX Funding Number: W15QKN 20 R 0ANX Agency: Department of Defense, Army Contracting Command - New Jersey Category: Education Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Rock/Metal Diplomacy in India Apply for ND NOFO 20 108 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 108 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $70,000 |
| Promoting Internationalization of Indian Universities Through U.S. collaborations Apply for ND NOFO 20 109 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 109 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Support for Alcohol Law Enforcement to Prevent Impaired Driving Apply for 693JJ920R000016 Funding Number: 693JJ920R000016 Agency: Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Prosecutor Support for Impaired Driving Apply for 693JJ920R000008 Funding Number: 693JJ920R000008 Agency: Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,240,743 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "C NOFO 20 103", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.