Opportunity Information: Apply for RPPR 09 AW 001 NEA 101008
Apply for RPPR 09 AW 001 NEA 101008
- The Public 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 "Creative and Sustainable TV Series for Broadcast on pan Arab satellite channels" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 10, 2008 and posted on Oct 10, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 10, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligibility is open to for profit and not for profit organizations and for non U.S. entities. Eligibility is not open to college students or single individuals. Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in the production of prime time multi episode television documentary, reality and/or entertainment serial dramas for network/satellite television, as applicable to individual funding opportunities herein. Applicants must have documented national/international broadcast placement success of series television programming at the network or broadcast satellite level. Applicants must have proven successful prior or existing production and broadcast agreements for television programming with major pan Arab free to air satellite channels for Saudi Arabia and the 23 Arabic speaking countries and territories of the MENA region and satellites channels that reach residual Arabic speaking markets in Europe and Asia. Applicants for the design and production of serial television dramas must have demonstrated success employing the Sabido entertainment education strategy. Applicants may submit proposals for more than one category.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State, through its Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, offered a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RPPR 09 AW 001 NEA 101008) to support the creation of creative, sustainable multi-episode television series intended for broadcast on major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels. The target broadcast footprint specifically includes Saudi Arabia and the 23 Arabic-speaking countries and territories across the MENA region, plus satellite outlets that also reach Arabic-speaking audiences in Europe and Asia. The core purpose is to use widely watched entertainment and factual programming formats to engage Arab audiences at scale, present a nuanced picture of the United States and Americans, and encourage themes linked to more open, socially constructive norms.
The announcement highlights three illustrative (not exhaustive) program models that applicants could propose. One model is a reality series formatted as twelve episodes of roughly 30 to 60 minutes, built around the idea of America as experienced through the eyes of young Arabs. This format is designed to appeal to viewers age 25 and under, a demographic described as representing about 60 percent of the region. The concept centers on following cast members as their interests lead them into real interactions in the United States with American peers who share similar passions, with the broader aim of showing U.S. diversity, vibrancy, and values through personal encounters rather than abstract messaging.
A second model focuses on strengthening socially responsible serial television dramas that already perform well on pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels. Under this approach, the Department envisioned working in consultation with the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to identify established indigenous producers, writers, and directors who have proven track records and top audience ratings. These creators would be encouraged to incorporate story arcs involving America and Americans, particularly emphasizing personal relationships between Americans and Saudis in the United States. The idea is to leverage existing popular drama franchises and talent, using credible local storytelling to reach mass audiences while integrating cross-cultural themes.
The third model invites proposals to develop an original serial television drama in partnership with a major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channel. The stated goal is to produce a drama that networks would find commercially attractive and that viewers would find compelling, while also embedding values framed as necessary for a more open society. The solicitation explicitly references themes such as pluralism, equal opportunity, and the role and status of women, and it sets a clear expectation that the drama should advance a positive vision in which violence is not an acceptable means to achieve political, religious, or social objectives. In that same vein, the series is expected to support constructive alternatives to violent extremism, and it must be built to fit popular regional genres in a "must watch" form rather than feeling like a didactic public service program. For drama proposals, applicants were also expected to demonstrate success using the Sabido entertainment-education strategy, a methodology for weaving pro-social messages into serialized storytelling.
In funding terms, the Department anticipated making up to three awards, with an estimated total program funding level of $3.5 million and an award ceiling of $1.5 million per award. The funding instrument is listed as a cooperative agreement/grant, and the opportunity requires cost sharing or matching, meaning awardees would need to contribute non-federal resources alongside the federal funds.
Eligibility is intentionally limited to organizations with demonstrated, professional broadcast credentials. Both for-profit and nonprofit organizations could apply, and non-U.S. entities were eligible as well. However, the opportunity was not open to college students or individual applicants acting alone. Applicants needed to show expertise in producing prime-time, multi-episode television content in relevant genres (documentary, reality, and/or entertainment serial drama, depending on the proposal). They also needed documented success placing programming at the national or international network/satellite broadcast level and, importantly, evidence of successful prior or existing production and broadcast agreements specifically with major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels serving Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region, including channels with spillover reach into Arabic-speaking markets in Europe and Asia. Applicants were permitted to submit proposals for more than one of the program categories described.
The opportunity timeline reflects a posting and creation date of October 10, 2008, with an original and current closing date of November 10, 2008, and an archive date of December 10, 2008. The listed point of contact for access issues was Franklin Gregory, Senior Advisor (PA/SCP), with phone and email provided in the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, identified as Funding Opportunity Number RPPR 09 AW 001 NEA 101008. It is designed to support the creation of creative, sustainable, multi-episode television series for broadcast on major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The purpose is to use widely watched entertainment and factual programming formats to engage Arab audiences at scale, present a nuanced picture of the United States and Americans, and encourage themes associated with more open, socially constructive norms.
What kind of TV content is the Department looking to fund?
The opportunity focuses on multi-episode television series intended for major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite broadcast. The notice references formats such as reality series, documentary/reality-style factual programming, and serial television drama (including strengthening existing dramas and developing original dramas).
Where is the programming expected to be broadcast?
The target broadcast footprint includes Saudi Arabia and the 23 Arabic-speaking countries and territories across the MENA region, plus satellite outlets that also reach Arabic-speaking audiences in Europe and Asia.
Does the announcement specify exact channels?
The announcement describes the requirement as placement on major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels, including those serving Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region, and channels with spillover reach into Arabic-speaking markets in Europe and Asia. It does not list specific channel names in the provided information.
How many awards did the Department anticipate making?
The Department anticipated making up to three awards.
How much funding is available in total?
The estimated total program funding level is $3.5 million.
What is the maximum amount per award?
The award ceiling is $1.5 million per award.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The funding instrument is listed as a cooperative agreement/grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing or matching, meaning awardees must contribute non-federal resources in addition to federal funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations with demonstrated, professional broadcast credentials. Both for-profit and nonprofit organizations are eligible, and non-U.S. entities may apply as well.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. The opportunity is not open to college students or individual applicants acting alone.
What qualifications must applicants demonstrate?
Applicants must show expertise in producing prime-time, multi-episode television content in relevant genres (documentary, reality, and/or entertainment serial drama, depending on the proposal). They must also show documented success placing programming at the national or international network/satellite broadcast level.
Are applicants required to already have relationships with pan-Arab satellite channels?
Yes. Applicants must provide evidence of successful prior or existing production and broadcast agreements specifically with major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels serving Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region, including channels that reach Arabic-speaking audiences in Europe and Asia.
Can an applicant submit more than one proposal?
Yes. Applicants are permitted to submit proposals for more than one of the program categories described in the announcement.
What program models does the announcement describe?
The announcement provides three illustrative (not exhaustive) program models: (1) a reality series following young Arabs experiencing America, (2) strengthening existing socially responsible serial TV dramas on pan-Arab channels by integrating America/Americans into story arcs, and (3) developing an original serial TV drama in partnership with a major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channel.
Are the listed program models mandatory?
No. The announcement describes them as illustrative and not exhaustive, meaning applicants could propose other approaches consistent with the opportunity goals, based on the provided information.
What are the key details of the reality series model?
The reality model is described as twelve episodes of roughly 30 to 60 minutes, built around America as experienced through the eyes of young Arabs. It is designed to appeal to viewers age 25 and under, and it follows cast members as they engage in real interactions in the United States with American peers who share similar interests.
What audience is the opportunity trying to reach?
The opportunity aims to reach Arab audiences at scale through widely watched programming on major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels. One illustrative model specifically targets viewers age 25 and under, described as about 60 percent of the region.
What are the key details of the "strengthening existing dramas" model?
This model focuses on strengthening socially responsible serial dramas that already perform well on pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channels. The Department envisioned consultation with the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to identify established indigenous producers, writers, and directors with proven track records and top audience ratings, and to encourage incorporation of story arcs involving America and Americans, particularly personal relationships between Americans and Saudis in the United States.
Is the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences mentioned as a partner?
Yes. The announcement states that, under one model, the Department envisioned working in consultation with the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to identify established indigenous producers, writers, and directors.
What are the key details of the original drama model?
The original drama model invites proposals to develop a new serial television drama in partnership with a major pan-Arab free-to-air satellite channel. The drama is expected to be commercially attractive to networks and compelling to viewers while embedding values framed as necessary for a more open society.
What themes are specifically referenced for drama proposals?
The solicitation explicitly references themes such as pluralism, equal opportunity, and the role and status of women. It also sets an expectation that the drama should advance a positive vision in which violence is not an acceptable means to achieve political, religious, or social objectives and should support constructive alternatives to violent extremism.
Does the opportunity require the programming to avoid a public-service or didactic tone?
Yes. For drama proposals, the notice emphasizes that the series should fit popular regional genres in a "must watch" form rather than feeling like a didactic public service program.
Is a specific storytelling methodology required for drama proposals?
For drama proposals, applicants were expected to demonstrate success using the Sabido entertainment-education strategy, described as a methodology for weaving pro-social messages into serialized storytelling.
What is the posting date and closing date for this opportunity?
The posting and creation date is October 10, 2008. The original and current closing date is November 10, 2008.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date is December 10, 2008.
Who is the listed point of contact in the notice?
The notice lists Franklin Gregory, Senior Advisor (PA/SCP), as the point of contact for access issues, with phone and email provided in the original announcement.
Does the provided information include the point of contact phone number and email address?
The provided summary indicates that phone and email were included in the notice, but the actual phone number and email address are not included in the information provided here.
Does the opportunity specify episode length and count for all formats?
Only the reality series model is described with specific illustrative production parameters (twelve episodes, roughly 30 to 60 minutes each). The other models are described at a concept level in the provided information.
Is this opportunity limited to U.S. organizations?
No. Non-U.S. entities are eligible, provided they meet the professional broadcast credential and placement/agreement requirements described.
What does "pan-Arab free-to-air satellite" imply in this opportunity?
Based on the provided information, it indicates major satellite television channels that broadcast widely across Arabic-speaking markets and are free-to-air, with a footprint that includes Saudi Arabia, the broader MENA region, and spillover reach to Arabic-speaking audiences in Europe and Asia.
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