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Media Educational Program (MEP) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Media Educational Program (MEP)?

The Media Educational Program (MEP) is a competitive U.S. government grant opportunity run by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, under the U.S. Mission to Georgia. It is designed as a one-year professional development program to strengthen the skills of Georgian journalists working in multi-platform newspapers and news agencies.

2) Who is running this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is run by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, under the U.S. Mission to Georgia.

3) What is the main purpose of the project?

The purpose is to strengthen the skills of Georgian journalists through a structured professional development program, with a major emphasis on exposing participants to U.S. newsroom practices, production environments, and professional standards.

4) What are the core activities expected under the program?

The core activity described is a robust professional study tour in the United States. The tour is built around hands-on training at U.S. training centers and studios and is supplemented by site visits to relevant U.S. media outlets.

5) How long is the program expected to run?

The project is designed as a one-year professional development program.

6) Where do the training and site visits take place?

The core study tour and hands-on components are expected to take place in the United States, including U.S. training centers, studios, and relevant media outlets.

7) What type of funding instrument is being used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. That means the U.S. government typically expects substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing major elements of the project compared with a standard grant.

8) What is the total funding amount for this opportunity?

The total estimated amount is $250,000.

9) How many awards does PAS expect to make?

The announcement indicates a single award is expected (expected awards: 1).

10) What are the award ceiling and floor?

Both the award ceiling and the award floor are listed as $250,000, indicating the program anticipates funding one project at that level.

11) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, and applicants are not required to contribute their own funds as a condition of the award.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S. nonprofit, non-governmental organizations, specifically nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. Institutions of higher education are not eligible under this announcement.

13) Can a non-U.S. organization apply directly for funding?

No. Direct funding to non-U.S. entities is not available under this announcement.

14) If non-U.S. entities cannot be funded directly, are Georgian partnerships still relevant?

Yes. Applicants are expected to have the capability and connections to work effectively with Georgian partners and media organizations. Established relationships with indigenous media organizations in Georgia are noted as favorably considered.

15) Are first-time U.S. government international program implementers allowed to apply?

Yes. Organizations without prior experience receiving U.S. government international program funding are encouraged to apply.

16) What expertise or past performance is expected from applicants?

Applicants must demonstrate real expertise, including experience developing and implementing journalism training and a proven ability to design and execute study tours for journalists at U.S. training studios and media outlets. Established relationships with indigenous media organizations in Georgia are favorably considered.

17) Who are the intended participants/beneficiaries of the program?

The program is focused on Georgian journalists who work in multi-platform newspapers and news agencies.

18) When was the funding opportunity posted?

The funding opportunity was posted on June 19, 2015.

19) What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was July 30, 2015.

20) What time zone and time applied to the submission deadline?

Applications had to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.

21) Are late applications accepted?

No. Late submissions were deemed ineligible.

22) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically.

23) How should applicants confirm their submission was received?

Applicants were instructed to seek confirmation of receipt within two work days. If confirmation was not received, they were instructed to follow up directly.

24) Who is the point of contact for submissions and questions?

The designated point of contact is Sofia Gegechkori, Grants Program Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi.

25) What email address is provided for the point of contact?

The email listed for the point of contact is GegechkoriS@state.gov.

26) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DOSGEO 15 GR 003 GEO 070815.

27) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under CFDA 19.900 (AEECA/ESF PD Programs).

28) What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is labeled as Education.

29) What is the opportunity category listed as?

The opportunity category is listed as Mandatory.

30) In plain terms, what kind of organization is PAS looking for?

The announcement is narrowly targeted and seeks one qualified U.S. nonprofit partner that can run a year-long capacity-building initiative for Georgian journalists, centered on a well-structured U.S.-based study tour with meaningful hands-on training access and professional site visits, supported by credible partnerships in Georgia to ensure participant selection and program relevance.