Media exchanges—DOS

DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant Proposals: Ukrainian Media Partnership Program

SUMMARY: The Europe/Eurasia Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the Ukrainian Media Partnership Program. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may submit proposals to conduct this program. Grants are subject to availability of funds. Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the program cited above is provided through the Fulbright-Hays Act and the FREEDOM Support Act.

 Programs and projects must comply with Bureau requirements and guidelines outlined in the Solicitation Package: the Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) and the Proposal Submission Guidelines (PSI).

 Announcement Title and Number

All communications with the Bureau concerning this Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) should refer to the announcement title ``The Ukrainian Media Partnership Program'' and reference number ECA/PE/C/EUR-01-77.

 Program Information

 Overview

 The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (the Bureau) invites applicants to submit proposals for a project to create and foster long-term relationships between selected American media outlets and Ukrainian media outlets of similar size and between the individual professionals that work at both outlets. Within the framework of these partnerships, Ukrainian professionals in print and broadcast media will have the opportunity to interact with US counterparts and to take part in practical training experiences organized by their US partner. This project seeks to promote the development of free and independent Ukrainian media outlets on the assumption that independent media is critical for the further democratic development of Ukraine.

 The Bureau would like to see five partnerships developed under this program. Each Ukrainian media outlet should be matched with an appropriate U.S. media outlet for partnership activities. Proposals should demonstrate geographic diversity by including media outlets from throughout Ukraine. While partnerships should primarily include media outlets in regional capitals or larger regional cities, a Kiev media outlet may be included in one of the proposed partnerships. Applicants should propose at least three partnerships in their submission, but are encouraged to propose all five. When only three or four partnerships are proposed by the applicant, the Public Affairs Section in at the American Embassy in Kiev (PAS) will identify the remaining Ukrainian media outlets who will then be partnered with American media outlets already selected by the applicant. Applicants should explain how proposed matches support the program's objectives and why they expect that the partnerships they are proposing will be sustained beyond the life of the grant. The grantee should work closely with the Bureau and PAS throughout the grant period; specific partnerships will be approved by the Bureau and PAS.

 Applicants should explain how partnerships will be structured and what activities they will include. The Bureau would like to see each partnership include a combination of trips to the U.S. for Ukrainian participants, trips to Ukraine for American participants, and on-going activities and electronic interactions throughout the grant period. Exchanges in both directions, while meeting the program's objectives, should be tailored to meet the specific needs of the Ukrainian partners. U.S.-based visits for Ukrainian participants should expose Ukrainian media professionals to the American media industry, including business practices, work style, and culture. These visits should also demonstrate the important role journalism plays in an open and democratic society by providing accurate and unbiased news to the public.

 U.S. visits for Ukrainian participants should consist primarily of substantive internships and/or job shadowing experiences at U.S. partner media outlets. In addition, visits may include consultations; workshops and/or intensive training on specific topics; and other appropriate activities. The program should emphasize hands-on experience that will build professional expertise and strengthen links between the two partners. The program may include such topics as use of the Internet as a news tool, web design for media outlets, business practices, management, journalistic ethics, the relationship of journalists and editors, and licensing and other legal issues as they pertain to media. The proposal should identify the individuals who will be responsible for the partnership at each U.S. media outlet, and should, wherever possible, identify personnel that will participate from both the U.S. and Ukrainian sides. Roundtable discussions should not be a component of the training activities, but grantees are encouraged, time allowing, to arrange activities that will enable Ukrainian participants to speak to community/business and other groups that are interested in contemporary Ukraine and the Ukrainian media.

 For the visits to Ukraine, activities should focus on complementing those activities conducted in the U.S. and increasing the professional capacity of the Ukrainian participants and their colleagues who may not travel to the U.S. This aspect of the program should also strengthen the sustainable relationship between the two outlets.

The Bureau encourages applicants to submit proposals for programs that provide for a minimum of two visits to both the U.S. and Ukraine within each institutional partnership. Applicants are encouraged to propose visits with two or more participants in each direction.

A detailed program timeline for the entire grant period that outlines how components will unfold and complement each other must be included in the proposal.

Applicants should explain the rationale for proposed partnerships as well as for individual participants with particular emphasis on explaining how proposed partnerships will contribute to the sustainability of both the Ukrainian media outlet, and to the partnership. The names of proposed Ukrainian participants must be reviewed and approved in advance of U.S. travel by PAS. The Bureau anticipates that the majority of Ukrainian participants will not have a working-level competency in English language. Applicants should describe the provisions that will be made for these non-English speaking participants.

 To read the complete call, go to

 http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfgps/jul26rfgp.htm