Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAISB 18 AW 004 01242018
The U.S. Department of State, through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Mission to Pakistan, announced a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Media Training and Professional Journalism Development in Pakistan" (Funding Opportunity Number: SCAISB 18 AW 004 01242018). The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects to have an active role in shaping or overseeing aspects of the project during implementation rather than simply providing funds with minimal involvement. The opportunity was posted on January 24, 2018, with an original application deadline of March 26, 2018, and it is listed under CFDA 19.501.
The core purpose of the grant is to fund proposals that deliver practical training to Pakistani media professionals through one of two distinct program tracks described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Both tracks are tied to U.S. Embassy objectives in Pakistan: strengthening professional journalism and supporting a freer, more resilient press environment while also countering extremist narratives. The NOFO specifically highlights extremist narratives related to two themes: regional integration and gender equality. In other words, the funding is meant to help journalists and media practitioners develop the skills, tools, and professional standards needed to report accurately and responsibly on sensitive topics that are often exploited for polarization, misinformation, or extremist messaging.
The first program track is also designed to connect media professionalism with economic outcomes. Beyond general journalism development, it aims to support improvements in the trade and investment climate, with the idea that better-informed public discourse and higher-quality reporting can contribute to a more stable environment for business activity. This track emphasizes the role of media in shaping understanding of economic policy, commercial opportunities, and cross-border or regional economic integration, ultimately supporting job creation and sustained economic growth. The underlying logic is that credible reporting, better economic literacy among journalists, and more balanced narratives around commerce and regional cooperation can reduce space for destabilizing propaganda while encouraging confidence among investors and the public.
The second program track focuses on women in media and is framed as both professional development and personal empowerment. It is intended to strengthen the capacity, safety, leadership, and career advancement of Pakistani women working in journalism and media-related fields. PAS links this directly to broader development goals: empowering women supports economic growth and social development, and it can also help counter violent extremism by elevating inclusive narratives and expanding representation in public discourse. This track recognizes that women journalists often face added professional barriers and targeted harassment, and that tailored training and support can have ripple effects across newsroom culture and the stories that reach audiences.
Financially, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $600,000 and anticipates making around three awards. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with additional requirements referenced in Section C of the NOFO, which suggests applicants needed to consult the full announcement for precise eligibility rules and any documentation standards. Overall, the grant opportunity is best understood as a capacity-building initiative: it funds training programs that enhance journalistic skills and ethics, reinforce independent media values, and build narratives that are more resistant to extremist framing, with one pathway emphasizing economic and regional integration reporting and the other emphasizing the advancement and empowerment of women in Pakistan's media sector.Apply for SCAISB 18 AW 004 01242018
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Pakistan in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Media Training and Professional Journalism Development in Pakistan" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.501.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 24, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 26, 2018. (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 $600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Media Training and Professional Journalism Development in Pakistan."
Who is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Mission to Pakistan.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SCAISB 18 AW 004 01242018.
What type of award is this?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means the U.S. government expects to have an active role in shaping and/or overseeing aspects of the project during implementation, rather than only providing funds with minimal involvement.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on January 24, 2018.
What was the application deadline?
The original application deadline was March 26, 2018.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.501.
What is the overall purpose of the grant?
The core purpose is to fund proposals that deliver practical training to Pakistani media professionals through one of two program tracks described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
How many program tracks are available under this NOFO?
There are two distinct program tracks.
What are the two program tracks focused on?
One track links journalism professionalism with economic outcomes (including trade, investment, and regional integration). The second track focuses on women in media, emphasizing capacity, safety, leadership, and career advancement.
How are the program tracks connected to U.S. Embassy objectives in Pakistan?
Both tracks support U.S. Embassy objectives of strengthening professional journalism and supporting a freer, more resilient press environment, while also countering extremist narratives.
What kinds of narratives does the NOFO specifically mention countering?
The NOFO highlights extremist narratives related to two themes: regional integration and gender equality.
What does the grant aim to improve in terms of journalism practice?
It aims to build skills, tools, and professional standards so media professionals can report accurately and responsibly on sensitive topics that are often targeted by polarization, misinformation, or extremist messaging.
What is the goal of the first program track (economic and regional integration angle)?
The first track supports journalism development while also aiming to improve the trade and investment climate by strengthening public discourse and increasing the quality of reporting on economic policy, commercial opportunities, and regional economic integration.
How does the first track connect media training to economic outcomes?
The underlying idea is that credible reporting and stronger economic literacy among journalists can encourage a more stable environment for business activity, reduce space for destabilizing propaganda, and increase confidence among investors and the public.
What topics are emphasized within the first track?
The first track emphasizes reporting related to trade, investment, economic policy, commercial opportunities, cross-border or regional economic integration, job creation, and sustained economic growth.
What is the goal of the second program track (women in media)?
The second track is intended to strengthen the capacity, safety, leadership, and career advancement of Pakistani women working in journalism and media-related fields, framed as both professional development and personal empowerment.
Why does the NOFO link women in media to broader development goals?
PAS links women’s empowerment to economic growth and social development, and also to countering violent extremism by elevating inclusive narratives and expanding representation in public discourse.
Does the NOFO recognize specific challenges faced by women journalists?
Yes. It notes that women journalists often face additional professional barriers and targeted harassment, and that tailored training and support can have broader effects across newsroom culture and the stories that reach audiences.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $600,000.
How many awards does the funder expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates making around three awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional requirements referenced in Section C of the NOFO.
Where can applicants find the detailed eligibility requirements?
The detailed eligibility rules and any documentation standards are referenced as being in Section C of the NOFO, meaning applicants would need to consult the full announcement for specifics.
Is this opportunity primarily a training and capacity-building initiative?
Yes. It is best understood as a capacity-building initiative that funds training programs to enhance journalistic skills and ethics, reinforce independent media values, and build narratives more resistant to extremist framing.
What kinds of outcomes is PAS aiming for across both tracks?
Across both tracks, PAS is aiming for stronger professional journalism, a freer and more resilient press environment, and improved resistance to extremist narratives, with one pathway centered on economic/regional integration reporting and the other on advancing women in the media sector.
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