RFPs: Better Understanding of American Policy for Established Opinion Leaders (India)

The program envisages taking journalists from print, digital, and broadcast outlets to see U.S. government programs in action, meet the beneficiaries of the programs, and talk on-the-record with the Mission India principals about the policy or goal behind the projects.

This will showcase to these influential media persons the long history of close cooperation between India and the United States in various fields, from culture to health like COVID response and vaccine production.

Program Objectives

• To show that the United States is a reliable and longstanding partner by increasing awareness of the close cooperation between the two countries through positive press coverage of USG programs being implemented in India, as well as various high-level USG official visits.
  • Each month, the grantee will organize a press event around a key milestone of a mission project/Ambassador event/USG visit or a specific program.
  • The grantee will organize a minimum of twelve events, including four larger events (i.e. – a panel discussion) every quarter in the twelve-month cycle.
  • The grantee will liaise with influential journalists to ensure top media persons are invited at the press events and roundtables.
  • Post event surveys will show impact of organizing these press events.

Project Goals

• The United States and India are better together, and so the goal is to foster increased understanding of U.S. government policy on the part of Established Opinion Leaders in India, to increase their sentiment of the United States as a reliable partner and encourage future cooperation.
• The invited journalists following each engagement will write at least one article for their outlet highlighting one of the USG programs or events they observed, its impact on the U.S. – India partnership and benefits to the people of both countries.  This will go a long way in advancing the narrative of U.S.’s reliability as a partner to India.
• The successful applicant will be responsible for developing, staffing, and executing 12 press roundtables/conferences or interactions connected to, but not limited to, a U.S. government project/USG official visit or a cultural event.

Funding Information and Duration

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $48,000 to a maximum of $80,000.
• Total available funding: $80,000.
• Length of performance period: 8 to 12 months.

Project Audience(s)

• Mid to senior level journalists from each region who cover foreign affairs, politics, economics, consular issues, governance, health, and urban affairs will be the target audience for each of the 12 events.  These journalists, with about 30 to 40% being women, in turn will reach millions of Indian viewers and readers across the country who have an interest in foreign affairs.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not for profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non- governmental organizations.
  • Public and private educational institutions with nationwide reach.
  • Public international organizations and governmental Institutions.
• Other Eligibility Requirements
  • To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.
  • Applicants should be familiar with India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

For more information, visit Grants.gov.