American Corners Malaysia Disinformation Exhibit | SMY300 FY2022 ACDISINFORMATION

Opportunity Information: Apply for SMY300 FY2022 ACDISINFORMATION

The U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur Public Affairs Section (under the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malaysia) is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement to create an interactive, youth-focused traveling exhibit about disinformation. The project centers on media literacy and the rise of deepfake technologies, with an emphasis on helping audiences understand how false or misleading content is created, why it spreads quickly online, and what practical steps people can take to check whether the information they are seeing is real. The exhibit is expected to be hands-on and engaging, and it must be paired with a broader programming plan and a companion online experience so the learning extends beyond the physical display.

The exhibit should directly support the embassy's public messaging on misinformation and disinformation, including showing the capabilities of image and video manipulation and explaining how disinformation goes viral on social media platforms and messaging apps. A key goal is equipping visitors, especially young people, with tools and habits for verification, such as evaluating sources, recognizing manipulation techniques, and thinking critically before sharing content. In addition to explaining the problem, the exhibit should also highlight relevant initiatives and policies from U.S.-based organizations or institutions that aim to strengthen media literacy and counter disinformation, connecting the topic to real-world efforts and solutions.

This campaign will operate under American Corners branding and is intended for middle school, high school, and university students, while still being accessible to the general public. The traveling component is a core requirement: the exhibit must be hosted in at least six locations across Malaysia. At a minimum, it needs to visit the five American Corners located in Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, and Sarawak, plus at least one additional third-party venue in Sabah, ensuring geographic reach and broader public access.

Funding is capped at USD 140,000, with the embassy expecting to make one award. The opportunity number is SMY300 FY2022 ACDISINFORMATION, and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government is likely to remain involved during implementation rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal engagement. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled higher education institutions, nonprofits with or without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions in those categories), and other eligible entities as described in the full eligibility guidance. The opportunity was posted on June 22, 2022, with an original closing date of August 22, 2022, under CFDA 19.040, and it aligns with activity areas such as community development, education, and science and technology-focused research and development.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malaysia in the community development, education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "American Corners Malaysia Disinformation Exhibit" 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 Jun 22, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 22, 2022. (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 $140,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for SMY300 FY2022 ACDISINFORMATION

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