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FAQs: USAID/Pakistan - Pakistan Childrens Television (PCTV) Funding Opportunity

1) What is the Pakistan Childrens Television (PCTV) funding opportunity?

PCTV is a USAID/Pakistan discretionary funding opportunity to support a large-scale education media initiative. The program is intended to fund the development and production of educational television and related multimedia content for children across Pakistan.

2) What is the main purpose of the PCTV program?

The main purpose is to create well-designed childrens educational media that can deliver measurable learning and social benefits. The initiative aims to extend basic education and life-skills learning beyond the classroom through a TV series supported by multimedia and outreach materials.

3) Who is the intended audience for the educational media?

The intended audience is children across Pakistan, including both in-school and out-of-school children.

4) What types of content would this program fund?

The opportunity focuses on producing a series of educational TV programs, plus related multimedia content and outreach materials that support and extend learning beyond the classroom.

5) What outcomes does USAID emphasize for PCTV?

USAID highlights two overarching outcomes: (1) strengthening childrens language development and cognitive skills, including problem solving and critical thinking; and (2) encouraging more inclusive and respectful attitudes among young viewers toward diverse and marginalized groups, explicitly including girls.

6) What learning areas are specifically mentioned in the opportunity?

The opportunity specifically mentions school readiness, early literacy, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and more positive social attitudes.

7) Why does USAID see childrens educational media as important in Pakistan?

USAID notes that childrens educational media can be especially beneficial for children who lack consistent access to quality schools, trained teachers, or learning materials.

8) What approach does USAID expect applicants to take when designing the programming?

Applicants are expected to develop engaging and creative programming that fits Pakistans educational context while also drawing on proven approaches and best practices from successful childrens media initiatives around the world.

9) Is sustainability part of the program design?

Yes. A key priority is sustainability and local capacity building. PCTV is meant not only to produce content, but also to strengthen in-country ability to develop and produce high-quality educational television programming over the long term.

10) Does the opportunity emphasize partnerships?

Yes. USAID signals that partnerships matter and that proposals are expected to leverage Pakistans active and competitive media market. The opportunity encourages public-private collaboration to help educational childrens media be developed, distributed, and sustained.

11) How important is the involvement of Pakistani institutions?

The opportunity strongly encourages meaningful involvement of Pakistani institutions throughout all phases of the program, including design, production, and dissemination.

12) How many awards does USAID plan to make under this opportunity?

USAID planned to make one award.

13) What type of award instrument is planned?

The planned instrument is a Cooperative Agreement. This indicates USAID would likely have substantial involvement during implementation compared to a standard grant.

14) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under the Education activity category.

15) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as full and open (unrestricted).

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

18) What is the anticipated funding range?

The anticipated award floor is $16 million and the ceiling is $20 million over a four-year period. The estimated total funding shown is $20 million.

19) What is the anticipated period of performance?

The opportunity describes a four-year period.

20) When was the opportunity posted?

The posting date listed is December 4, 2009.

21) What is the closing date for submissions?

The closing date reflected in the listing is January 22, 2010. The description also notes earlier language indicating the close date would be finalized upon issuance of the RFA.

22) Which USAID office is associated with this funding opportunity?

The awarding office is USAID in Islamabad.

23) Who is the point of contact listed for access issues?

The point of contact listed for access issues is Agreement Officer Jonathan Chappell (jchappell@usaid.gov).

24) What does "discretionary funding opportunity" mean in this context?

Based on the listing, it indicates USAID/Pakistan issued a funding opportunity under its discretionary assistance mechanisms for this education media initiative. The instrument identified for the planned award is a Cooperative Agreement.

25) What is the basic program concept behind PCTV?

The core concept is that well-designed childrens educational media can provide measurable educational gains and support positive social development, particularly for children with limited access to quality educational resources.