# FY 2023 Digital Connections Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/sfop0009618-fy-2023-digital-connections-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/347245

> Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs offered grants of up to $2.6 million to nonprofits and colleges and universities. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on May 30, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | SFOP0009618 |
| Agency | Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | May 30, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $2.6 million |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 1 |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.415 |

## Who can apply

- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Please see full announcement.

## What the grant funds

The Office of Citizen Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) invites proposals for the FY 2023 Digital Connections Program (Digital Connections) in Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. 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 conduct this unique exchange program designed to counter new and emerging digital threats from authoritarianism, the weaponization of information, and the undermining of democratic values by malign actors. Digital Connections provides a framework for developing, fostering, and connecting human networks of likeminded digital activists, entrepreneurs, educators, media professionals, and influencers. It is anticipated that this cooperative agreement will support four to six distinct “on-demand” or rapid response projects, including at least one U.S.-based exchange, and provide direct support to the Digital Communication Network (DCN) to continue program activities in select regions. Virtual and in-person rapid response programming (including international exchanges, network creation/activation, and global activities, Digital Connections projects and initiatives) will support information integrity to counter emerging threats to economic, environmental, political, and social systems stemming from disinformation, malinformation, and misinformation. Digital Connections advances U.S. foreign policy goals by harnessing the power of networks, in partnership with U.S. embassies and consulates around the world and across the U.S. State Department, to leverage resources, share knowledge and expertise, and crowdsource solutions that foster societal resilience to disinformation, online hate, and harassment and promote healthy, inclusive information ecosystems. Digital Connections will act as the primary program through which ECA will engage and support the DCN, a network of communication professionals, educators, civil society leaders, content creators, designers, developers, journalists, gamers, opinion leaders, and technology specialists working across borders, to translate ideas into digital platforms, address the root causes of malign information, and shape the information landscape.

## Questions people ask

### Is SFOP0009618 still open?

No. It closed on May 30, 2023. A newer notice is open: DFOP0017180, closes January 1, 2099 (26353 days left).

### Who can apply for FY 2023 Digital Connections Program?

Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs accepted applications from nonprofits and colleges and universities. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for FY 2023 Digital Connections Program?

Closed May 30, 2023. 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 $2.6 million each.

### Who has won Professional and Cultural Exchange Programs - Citizen Exchanges grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were American Councils for International Education: Actr/Accels, Inc., International Research and Exchanges Board Inc., World Learning Inc. The program made 289 awards worth $569 million in that time.