Liberia Media Development (LMD) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Liberia Media Development (LMD) (USAID/Liberia)

1) What is the Liberia Media Development (LMD) opportunity?

The Liberia Media Development (LMD) opportunity is a USAID/Liberia grant-funded program intended to strengthen Liberia's media sector so more people can consistently access independent, trustworthy information and feel equipped to take part in informed public discussion about major national and local issues.

2) What is the primary goal of LMD?

The stated goal is to strengthen Liberia's media sector so that the public can more consistently access independent, trustworthy information and participate in informed public discussion about major national and local issues.

3) What types of media did USAID plan to support under LMD?

USAID planned to support both commercial media outlets and Community Radio Stations (CRS). This approach reflects that Liberians rely on a mix of urban-based private media and community-level radio for news, public service information, and perspectives on governance and daily life.

4) Why are Community Radio Stations (CRS) specifically mentioned?

CRS are mentioned because community-level radio is part of how Liberians receive news, public service information, and viewpoints, particularly at the community level alongside urban-based private media.

5) What kind of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses a Cooperative Agreement mechanism.

6) What does it mean that the mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement?

As described in the opportunity summary, a Cooperative Agreement typically means USAID expected an implementing partner to run the program with substantial USAID involvement in planning, coordination, and oversight rather than operating as a hands-off pass-through grant.

7) What is the activity category listed for this funding opportunity?

The opportunity was posted as a discretionary funding opportunity under the activity category "Information and Statistics."

8) What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The CFDA listing provided is 98.001, identified as USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.

9) How many awards did USAID anticipate making?

USAID anticipated making one award.

10) What was the estimated total funding level?

The estimated total funding level was USD 10,000,000.

11) Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

Yes. The opportunity indicated a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning the selected recipient would be expected to contribute some portion of project costs through cash and/or allowable in-kind contributions, consistent with the final award terms.

12) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition was open to a broad range of applicants, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

13) What does "unrestricted eligibility" mean in practice for applicants?

Based on the summary provided, unrestricted eligibility means a broad range of applicant types could potentially apply (for example, nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms, universities, consortia, and potentially local or international entities), subject to any further eligibility details in the full announcement.

14) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number was listed as RFI LMD LIBERIA.

15) What is the official title of the opportunity?

The title was listed as Liberia Media Development (LMD).

16) When was this opportunity posted?

The posted date was January 26, 2015.

17) What is the creation date for the opportunity?

The creation date was January 26, 2015.

18) What was the closing date for applications?

The original closing date and the current closing date were both February 13, 2015.

19) When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was March 15, 2015.

20) Who can applicants contact for access issues related to the full announcement?

For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed point of contact is Joshua Schramm, Contracts/Agreement Officer (DLI), USAID/Liberia.

21) What phone number is listed for the point of contact?

The listed phone number is 0023177677000.

22) Does the summary indicate how USAID intended to work with the implementing partner?

Yes. The summary notes that, under a Cooperative Agreement, USAID expected substantial involvement in planning, coordination, and oversight while the implementing partner ran the program.

23) Is this opportunity described as discretionary?

Yes. It was posted as a discretionary funding opportunity.

24) What kind of information access and public engagement outcomes does LMD aim to support?

The program is intended to help people in Liberia consistently access independent, trustworthy information and to feel equipped to take part in informed public discussion about major national and local issues.