DOS-AF-PDPA-FY24-03: Media Smart: Spotting Truth in a Fake News World for Non-Journalists
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Austrian-American Partnership Fund (AAPF) (OFOP0002825). Status: Closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left). It is in our archive of Africa Regional Services notices from 2024.
Africa Regional Services offered grants of up to $250,000 (at least $250,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $250,000 in total. Applications closed on June 15, 2024.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 10, 2024. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$250,000
- Award floor$250,000
- Total funding$250,000
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | May 10, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | June 15, 2024 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | July 15, 2024 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations - Public and private educational institutions - Individuals
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Public Diplomacy Programs awards averaged $26,570; this notice allows up to $250,000 per award.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Africa Regional Services, Bureau of African Affairs’ Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (AF/PDPA) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition to submit applications to organize a training on Media Smart: Spotting Truth in a Fake News World for Non-Journalists. The program aims to empower youth, young adults, education professionals and community leaders and organizers with the skills and knowledge to effectively counter misinformation and disinformation. The series of workshops should include but are not limited to the following topics: Understanding Media Literacy: Identifying bias, evaluating sources, recognizing types of media. Information, news, and opinion. Types of Disinformation: Misinformation, propaganda, fake news. Impact of Disinformation: Effects on public opinion, democracy, and social cohesion and real-world examples. Spotting Disinformation Critical Thinking Skills Media Bias, Objectivity and Trust Digital Citizenship and Responsibility Strategies to Combat Disinformation Understanding AI and Recognizing AI-generated content The project will be conducted in French and English, virtually over six months. It will consist of online presentations and dialogues between American experts and African audience, discussing theories and case studies, and sharing best practices, strategies and resources. Budget permitting the project will design an in-person colloquium with selected participants. The project should also provide a strategy for and facilitate peer-to-peer contact and content sharing between program participants following program completion. All subject matter experts must be American citizens. Targeted countries are sub-Saharan African countries, with a priority given to West African countries. Please follow all instructions below. Background: In Africa, the rise of disinformation, accelerated by digital technology, demands urgent media literacy initiatives among youth. Recent studies, such as those by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, reveal an alarming escalation in false information targeting African media, facilitated by digital channels. This surge correlates directly with societal unrest and democratic erosion. With over 60% of Africa's population under 25, empowering youth with media literacy skills is critical.
Who has won Public Diplomacy Programs grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Public Diplomacy Programs (19.040) awarded $358 million across 13,489 grant awards, an average of $26,570 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees | 2,478 | $50.3 million | |
| Meridian International Center | District of Columbia | 27 | $6.5 million |
| American Councils for International Education: Actr/Accels, Inc. | District of Columbia | 72 | $4.7 million |
| Cultural Vistas, Inc. | District of Columbia | 22 | $4.7 million |
| World Learning Inc. | Vermont | 25 | $4.4 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, OFOP0002825, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is DOS-AF-PDPA-FY24-03 still open?
No. It closed on June 15, 2024. A newer notice is open: OFOP0002825, closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left).
Who can apply for Media Smart: Spotting Truth in a Fake News World for Non-Journalists?
Africa Regional Services accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Media Smart: Spotting Truth in a Fake News World for Non-Journalists?
Closed June 15, 2024. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $250,000 each. About $250,000 in total for one award.
Who has won Public Diplomacy Programs grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees, Meridian International Center, American Councils for International Education: Actr/Accels, Inc. The program made 13,489 awards worth $358 million in that time.