Opportunity Information: Apply for H NOFO 21 101
The Countering Disinformation for Telugu TV Reporters grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number H NOFO 21 101) is a discretionary U.S. Department of State program administered by the U.S. Mission to India that focuses on strengthening local media resilience against misinformation and disinformation in the Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Structured as a grant in the broad activity areas of community development and education (CFDA 19.040), the project is designed to improve the day-to-day reporting practices of Telugu-language television journalists by building a practical, skills-based network centered on verification and responsible newsgathering.
At its core, the program’s purpose is capacity building: developing a cohort of 30 Telugu-speaking TV reporters who can reliably consult multiple sources, use credible fact-checking tools and resources, and recognize, investigate, and counter false or misleading narratives. The project is expected to run for a full year and to be delivered through a series of workshops and related activities rather than a one-time event, emphasizing sustained learning, repeated practice, and peer-to-peer reinforcement. The intended outcome is not only stronger individual competencies, but also an ongoing professional network of trained journalists who can model and spread better verification habits within their newsrooms and professional circles, thereby reducing the overall impact of mis- and disinformation in the target region.
The funding parameters indicate a relatively focused, single-award initiative. The award ceiling is $50,000, with one award expected, meaning the grant is intended to support one lead implementer to design and execute the full program. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in that specific category). This eligibility set suggests the Department of State anticipated proposals from universities, academic-affiliated training centers, and established nonprofit organizations capable of delivering structured training, convening journalists, and managing a year-long set of activities with measurable outputs.
In terms of timing, the opportunity was created on March 5, 2021, with an original closing date of May 4, 2021, providing roughly a two-month application window. Overall, the grant can be understood as a targeted media development and public information integrity effort: a modestly funded but intensive training-and-network-building program aimed at improving verification standards among Telugu TV reporters, with the broader goal of limiting the spread and influence of misleading content across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.Apply for H NOFO 21 101
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the community development, education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering Disinformation for Telugu TV Reporters" 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 Mar 05, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 04, 2021. (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 $50,000.00 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, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The grant opportunity is titled Countering Disinformation for Telugu TV Reporters.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is H NOFO 21 101.
Which U.S. government agency is offering and administering this grant?
This is a discretionary program of the U.S. Department of State, administered by the U.S. Mission to India.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is focused on strengthening local media resilience against misinformation and disinformation by improving the day-to-day reporting practices of Telugu-language television journalists through practical, skills-based training and network building.
Which locations does the program focus on?
The program targets the Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Who is the program intended to benefit?
The project is designed to build the capacity of Telugu-speaking TV reporters, specifically creating a cohort of 30 reporters.
How many journalists are expected to be trained?
The program is expected to develop a cohort of 30 Telugu-speaking television reporters.
What skills and competencies is the program aiming to build?
Based on the opportunity description, the program aims to strengthen reporters' ability to:
- Reliably consult multiple sources
- Use credible fact-checking tools and resources
- Recognize, investigate, and counter false or misleading narratives
- Practice more responsible newsgathering and verification in daily reporting
Is this a one-time training event or a longer program?
It is intended to be a year-long project delivered through a series of workshops and related activities, not a one-time event. The design emphasizes sustained learning, repeated practice, and peer-to-peer reinforcement.
How long is the expected project period?
The opportunity indicates the project is expected to run for a full year.
What types of activities are expected under this grant?
The program is expected to be delivered through workshops and related activities that support ongoing skills practice and the development of a practical professional network centered on verification and responsible reporting.
What is the intended outcome beyond individual training?
In addition to improving individual reporter competencies, the program aims to create an ongoing professional network of trained journalists who can model and spread better verification habits within their newsrooms and professional circles, helping reduce the overall impact of mis- and disinformation in the target region.
What is the total funding amount available for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is $50,000.
How many awards does the funder expect to make?
The opportunity is described as a focused, single-award initiative with one award expected.
What type of funding instrument is this?
This opportunity is structured as a grant.
What broad activity areas does this grant fall under?
The opportunity lists broad activity areas of community development and education.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 19.040.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions within that specific category)
What kinds of organizations does the eligibility list suggest are expected applicants?
The eligibility set suggests the funder anticipated proposals from organizations such as universities, academic-affiliated training centers, and established nonprofit organizations capable of delivering structured training, convening journalists, and managing a year-long set of activities with measurable outputs.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on March 5, 2021.
What was the application deadline?
The original closing date was May 4, 2021.
How long was the application window?
Based on the dates provided (March 5, 2021 to May 4, 2021), the application window was roughly two months.
What is the overall goal of the initiative in the region?
The overall goal is to improve verification standards among Telugu TV reporters and, in doing so, help limit the spread and influence of misleading content across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
What is the program approach to countering disinformation?
The approach is capacity building through practical skills training and the creation of a professional network focused on verification, credible sourcing, and responsible newsgathering practices.
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