Opportunity Information: Apply for SCAKAB 13 GR 006 SCA 12272012
Apply for SCAKAB 13 GR 006 SCA 12272012
- The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Balkh Media Information Center" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.501 Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 27, 2012 and posted on Dec 27, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 27, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $250,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligibility is open to all U.S., Afghan, and international organizations or companies with direct experience in media relations, strategic communications, and public affairs, and a proven track record of success implementing projects in Afghanistan. U.S. organizations or companies are required to partner with an Afghan organization or company.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Balkh Media Information Center grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB 13 GR 006 SCA 12272012) is a U.S. government public diplomacy grant issued by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul under the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. It was posted on December 27, 2012, with a closing date of January 27, 2013, and it anticipated making a single award. The total funding available was estimated at up to $250,000, with an award ceiling of $250,000, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
The core purpose of the grant is to establish a regional Media Information Center (MIC) located inside the governor's office in Balkh Province. The project is designed to strengthen the provincial government’s ability to communicate more proactively and effectively with both public and private media outlets. A central emphasis is on building the capacity to provide truthful, accurate, and timely information, rather than reactive or ad hoc messaging. In practical terms, the MIC is meant to function as a structured hub for media engagement and information dissemination at the provincial level.
Programmatically, the MIC is expected to cover the full set of inputs needed to get such an office running and operating sustainably in the near term. That includes staffing the center, training personnel, supporting day-to-day operations, and providing necessary equipment. The communications content focus is clearly defined: the center should help highlight governance and development progress and success stories, with the goal of broadening the narrative about Afghanistan beyond security-related issues. By elevating credible local examples of service delivery, development, and effective governance, the initiative also aims to reinforce a sense of national unity through shared, positive, fact-based messaging.
Eligibility is broad but experience-driven. The competition is open to U.S., Afghan, and international organizations or companies, as long as they have direct experience in media relations, strategic communications, and public affairs, and can demonstrate a proven record of successfully implementing projects in Afghanistan. A key condition applies to U.S. entities: any U.S. organization or company seeking to apply must partner with an Afghan organization or company, which signals that local participation and on-the-ground capability are considered essential to execution.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant (not a formula or entitlement program) categorized under public diplomacy, with the CFDA number 19.501 (Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan). The grant solicitation indicates that proposals should be submitted in response to the RFGP and that questions or access issues related to the full announcement could be directed to the designated Grants Manager at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Balkh Media Information Center (MIC) grant opportunity?
The Balkh Media Information Center (MIC) grant opportunity is a U.S. government public diplomacy grant issued by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul under the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. It is identified by Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB 13 GR 006 SCA 12272012.
Who is issuing this grant?
The grant is issued by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, under the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The core purpose is to establish a regional Media Information Center (MIC) located inside the governor's office in Balkh Province. The project is designed to strengthen the provincial government's ability to communicate proactively and effectively with public and private media outlets.
Where will the Media Information Center be located?
The MIC is intended to be located inside the governor's office in Balkh Province.
What problem is the MIC intended to address?
The MIC is meant to improve how the provincial government communicates by enabling truthful, accurate, and timely information sharing, rather than relying on reactive or ad hoc messaging.
What does "proactive" communication mean in this grant's context?
In this opportunity, proactive communication refers to having a structured hub that regularly engages with media and disseminates information in a timely and organized way, rather than responding only when issues arise.
What types of activities and inputs does the project expect to support?
The MIC is expected to cover the full set of inputs needed to get the office running and operating sustainably in the near term, including staffing the center, training personnel, supporting day-to-day operations, and providing necessary equipment.
Is staffing an expected part of the project scope?
Yes. The solicitation explicitly expects staffing to be included as part of establishing and operating the MIC.
Is training included in the project scope?
Yes. Training personnel is an expected component of the project.
Does the project include operational support?
Yes. Supporting day-to-day operations is listed as part of what the MIC should cover.
Does the project include equipment purchases or provision?
Yes. Providing necessary equipment is included as part of the project inputs to help the MIC function.
What kind of communications content is the MIC expected to focus on?
The content focus is to highlight governance and development progress and success stories, with the aim of broadening the narrative about Afghanistan beyond security-related issues.
How does the grant describe the desired approach to information sharing?
The grant emphasizes building the capacity to provide truthful, accurate, and timely information through structured media engagement and information dissemination.
What broader outcomes does this grant aim to support?
By elevating credible local examples of service delivery, development, and effective governance, the initiative aims to reinforce a sense of national unity through shared, positive, fact-based messaging.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The total funding available is estimated at up to $250,000.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is $250,000.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated making a single award.
Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
No. The solicitation states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What type of grant is this (discretionary vs. formula/entitlement)?
This is a discretionary grant, not a formula or entitlement program.
What is the program category or theme of this grant?
The grant is categorized under public diplomacy.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 19.501, listed as Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to U.S., Afghan, and international organizations or companies, provided they have direct experience in media relations, strategic communications, and public affairs, and can demonstrate a proven record of successfully implementing projects in Afghanistan.
What experience is required to be considered eligible?
Applicants must have direct experience in media relations, strategic communications, and public affairs, and a proven record of successfully implementing projects in Afghanistan.
Can international organizations apply?
Yes. The competition is open to international organizations or companies that meet the experience requirements described in the opportunity.
Are U.S. applicants required to partner with an Afghan organization?
Yes. Any U.S. organization or company seeking to apply must partner with an Afghan organization or company.
Why does the opportunity require U.S. applicants to partner locally?
The solicitation frames local partnership as a key condition for U.S. entities, signaling that local participation and on-the-ground capability are essential to execution.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on December 27, 2012.
What was the closing date for submissions?
The closing date was January 27, 2013.
How should proposals be submitted?
Proposals are to be submitted in response to the RFGP, as indicated in the solicitation.
Who can be contacted with questions or issues accessing the full announcement?
The solicitation indicates that questions or access issues related to the full announcement may be directed to the designated Grants Manager at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
What is the official identifier for this funding opportunity?
The official identifier provided is Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB 13 GR 006 SCA 12272012.
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