Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS NBO PDS FY24 005
The U.S. Embassy Nairobi, through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State, is offering a discretionary grant funding opportunity (structured as a cooperative agreement) to strengthen investigative journalism in East Africa by positioning Nairobi as a regional hub for public interest reporting. The core aim is to improve the quality, reach, and resilience of investigative journalism by training a mix of professional journalists, citizen journalists, civil society actors, and other relevant participants. A major theme of the program is helping participants navigate today s digital information environment, specifically by teaching methods to detect inauthentic behavior online and by addressing how artificial intelligence is being used in online publishing, both in legitimate newsroom workflows and in ways that can enable manipulation or misinformation.
The program is expected to be comprehensive rather than a one off training. Applicants are asked to build and deliver an investigative journalism curriculum and produce the supporting learning materials that go with it. The opportunity also calls for virtual exchanges, practical training, and mentoring components, suggesting a structure that combines instruction with hands on guidance as participants apply skills in real scenarios. In addition, the program must include a structured fellowship element that hosts and supports selected participants as they conduct actual investigative projects, implying dedicated time, supervision, and resources to help fellows complete publishable or otherwise impactful investigative work.
A distinctive requirement is that the work should culminate in the creation of an independent Center for Investigative Reporting in Kenya, along with a realistic institutional sustainability strategy. In practice, that means the project is not only about skills transfer, but also about building a durable local institution that can continue training, mentoring, and supporting investigative reporting after U.S. government funding ends. The sustainability strategy is expected to address how the center will operate long term, including governance and independence, operational capacity, and a plan to maintain programming and financial viability over time.
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Mission to Kenya under CFDA 19.989, with funding authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act. The funding opportunity number is DOS-NBO-PDS-FY24-005, and the original application deadline is July 15, 2024. The maximum award amount listed is USD 986,500, and up to three awards are anticipated, meaning the embassy may fund multiple implementers or multiple complementary projects under this same umbrella.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations: U.S. based nonprofit organizations that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code (including think tanks and civil society groups), foreign based nonprofit organizations and NGOs, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Applications can be submitted through Grants.gov and or by email to NairobiGrants@state.gov, using the announcement title Bolstering East Africa s Investigative Journalism Ecosystem and referencing DOS-NBO-PDS-FY24-005.Apply for DOS NBO PDS FY24 005
- The U.S. Mission to Kenya in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bolstering East Africa’s Investigative Journalism Ecosystem" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-15. (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 $986,500.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant funding opportunity from the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, administered through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement focused on strengthening investigative journalism in East Africa and positioning Nairobi as a regional hub for public interest reporting.
What is the main goal of the program?
The core goal is to improve the quality, reach, and resilience of investigative journalism in East Africa by building skills and support systems for public interest reporting, with Nairobi serving as a regional hub.
Who is the program intended to train or support?
The program is intended to train a mix of participants, including professional journalists, citizen journalists, civil society actors, and other relevant participants.
What major topics or themes must the program address?
A major theme is helping participants navigate today’s digital information environment. This includes teaching methods to detect inauthentic behavior online and addressing how artificial intelligence is being used in online publishing, both for legitimate newsroom workflows and in ways that can enable manipulation or misinformation.
Is this meant to be a single workshop or a longer program?
The opportunity is expected to be comprehensive rather than a one-off training. Applicants are asked to design and deliver an investigative journalism curriculum and produce supporting learning materials.
What deliverables are expected from applicants?
Based on the description, applicants are expected to build and deliver an investigative journalism curriculum and create the learning materials that support that curriculum. The program should also include virtual exchanges, practical training, mentoring, and a structured fellowship component tied to real investigative projects.
What is meant by “virtual exchanges” in this opportunity?
The opportunity calls for virtual exchanges as part of the overall program design. This suggests online engagement activities that complement training, mentoring, and hands-on support (specific formats are not detailed in the description provided).
What is the expected role of practical training and mentoring?
The opportunity indicates a structure that combines instruction with hands-on guidance. Practical training and mentoring are expected to help participants apply skills in real scenarios while they work on investigative reporting activities.
What is the fellowship requirement?
The program must include a structured fellowship element that hosts and supports selected participants while they conduct actual investigative projects. This implies dedicated time, supervision, and resources to help fellows produce publishable or otherwise impactful investigative work.
Does the program have to create a new institution?
Yes. A distinctive requirement is that the work should culminate in the creation of an independent Center for Investigative Reporting in Kenya, along with a realistic institutional sustainability strategy.
What does “institutional sustainability strategy” mean in this context?
The sustainability strategy is expected to explain how the center will operate long term after U.S. government funding ends. The description indicates the strategy should address governance and independence, operational capacity, and a plan to maintain programming and financial viability over time.
Is the Center expected to operate after the grant ends?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes building a durable local institution that can continue training, mentoring, and supporting investigative reporting after U.S. government funding ends.
Who is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Mission to Kenya (U.S. Embassy Nairobi) through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.989.
What is the funding authority for this opportunity?
Funding is authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DOS-NBO-PDS-FY24-005.
What is the announcement title applicants should use?
The announcement title is “Bolstering East Africa’s Investigative Journalism Ecosystem.”
What is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is July 15, 2024.
How much funding is available per award?
The maximum award amount listed is USD 986,500.
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
Up to three awards are anticipated, meaning multiple implementers or complementary projects may be funded under the same umbrella.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code (including think tanks and civil society groups), foreign-based nonprofit organizations and NGOs, public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Foreign-based nonprofit organizations and NGOs are listed among eligible applicants.
Are educational institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Public and private educational institutions are included in the list of eligible applicants.
Are governmental institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Governmental institutions are listed among eligible applicants.
How can applications be submitted?
Applications can be submitted through Grants.gov and/or by email.
What email address should be used for submissions?
Email submissions should be sent to NairobiGrants@state.gov.
What should applicants reference in their submission?
Applicants should use the announcement title “Bolstering East Africa’s Investigative Journalism Ecosystem” and reference the funding opportunity number DOS-NBO-PDS-FY24-005.
What region is the program focused on?
The program is focused on East Africa, with Nairobi positioned as a regional hub for the initiative.
What kind of reporting is emphasized?
The opportunity emphasizes public interest reporting and investigative journalism, including support for participants to conduct real investigative projects through a fellowship structure.
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