Opportunity Information: Apply for MRFP15 05
Apply for MRFP15 05
- The U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "App Making Challenge" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 2, 2015 and posted on May 2, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 1, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $30,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The App Making Challenge was a discretionary public diplomacy and education grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number MRFP15 05) run by the U.S. Mission to India through the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai. It was designed around the rapid growth of smartphone use in India, with the premise that mobile apps were becoming a primary way to reach and engage key audiences such as urban youth, media, business leaders, and government officials. The program specifically targeted western India, focusing on applicants and app concepts relevant to Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, leveraging Mumbai's status as one of the most connected cities in the country.
At its core, the opportunity functioned as a competitive app proposal challenge. Rather than funding a finished product up front, the Consulate aimed to solicit strong app concepts and prototypes in designated issue areas (with the full list and requirements referenced in the complete announcement). Proposals were expected to be judged on both the substance of the idea and the quality of the design concept, reflecting an intent to support apps that were not only technically feasible but also useful and compelling for real users. The broader public diplomacy logic was that well-designed, mission-aligned apps could help communities by improving access to information, enabling civic or social engagement, and creating new ways for people to connect around issues that matter locally.
The award structure was straightforward: the challenge anticipated a single award, with an expected total funding amount of about USD 30,000. The award floor was USD 20,000 and the ceiling was USD 30,000, meaning proposals needed to fit within that band. The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates a more hands-on relationship with the funding agency during implementation compared with a standard grant. Cost sharing or matching was not required, lowering the barrier for eligible organizations that might not be able to provide additional funds.
A key deliverable was that winning app ideas would receive funding to be fully developed, released for free public download, and supported for one year. That last requirement is important because it signals the Consulate was looking beyond the launch moment and wanted ongoing maintenance, updates, and basic operational support so the app would remain functional and relevant over time. In other words, the competition was not just about building something once; it was about ensuring that the finished app could actually be used by the public without paywalls and without quickly becoming obsolete.
Eligibility was limited to organizations rather than individuals, specifically: private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and U.S.-recognized nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The posting date was May 2, 2015, and the application deadline (original and current) was July 1, 2015, with an archive date of July 31, 2015. Administrative contact for access issues was the Grant Applications Manager at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, and additional details were available through the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai link referenced in the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the App Making Challenge?
The App Making Challenge was a discretionary public diplomacy and education grant opportunity run by the U.S. Mission to India through the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai. It was structured as a competitive app proposal challenge focused on identifying strong mobile app concepts and prototypes tied to specific issue areas referenced in the full announcement.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number was MRFP15 05.
Who administered this grant opportunity?
The opportunity was run by the U.S. Mission to India through the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai.
What was the main purpose of the challenge?
The challenge aimed to leverage the rapid growth of smartphone use in India by supporting mission-aligned mobile apps as a way to reach and engage key audiences. The underlying public diplomacy intent was to support apps that could help communities by improving access to information, enabling civic or social engagement, and creating new ways for people to connect around locally relevant issues.
Which audiences was the program designed to reach?
The program described smartphone apps as a primary way to reach and engage audiences such as urban youth, media, business leaders, and government officials.
What geographic area did the program target?
The program specifically targeted western India. It focused on applicants and app concepts relevant to Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, leveraging Mumbai's position as a highly connected city.
Was the funding intended for finished apps or for proposals and prototypes?
The opportunity was framed as a proposal challenge. The Consulate did not intend to fund a finished product up front; instead, it aimed to solicit strong app concepts and prototypes in designated issue areas referenced in the complete announcement.
How were proposals expected to be judged?
Proposals were expected to be judged on both the substance of the idea and the quality of the design concept. The description emphasizes supporting apps that are technically feasible, useful, and compelling for real users.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The challenge anticipated a single award.
What was the expected total funding amount?
The expected total funding amount was about USD 30,000.
What were the minimum and maximum award amounts?
The award floor was USD 20,000 and the award ceiling was USD 30,000, meaning proposals needed to fit within that funding band.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement, which typically implies a more hands-on relationship with the funding agency during implementation compared with a standard grant.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching was not required.
What did the winning project need to deliver?
A key deliverable was that the winning app idea would receive funding to be fully developed, released for free public download, and supported for one year.
Does "supported for one year" imply ongoing responsibilities after launch?
Yes. The description indicates the Consulate was looking beyond launch and wanted ongoing maintenance, updates, and basic operational support so the app would remain functional and relevant for at least one year.
Did the app need to be free to users?
Yes. The winning app was expected to be released for free public download.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to organizations (not individuals). Eligible organization types included private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and U.S.-recognized nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Could an individual apply directly?
No. The eligibility description limits applicants to specific types of organizations rather than individuals.
What was the posting date for the opportunity?
The posting date was May 2, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline (original and current) was July 1, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was July 31, 2015.
Where could applicants find additional details about requirements and issue areas?
The description notes that designated issue areas and full requirements were referenced in the complete announcement, and that additional details were available via the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai link referenced in the notice.
Who was the administrative contact for application access issues?
The administrative contact for access issues was the Grant Applications Manager at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai.
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