Opportunity Information: Apply for CRFP13 03
Apply for CRFP13 03
- The U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Consulate General, Chennai Training Program for Journalism Standards and Ethics" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 21, 2013 and posted on Jul 24, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 28, 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 $100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai offered a discretionary grant (via a cooperative agreement) to run a year-long training program in South India aimed at strengthening journalism standards and ethics. The program is designed to address practical challenges facing the news industry, with a strong emphasis on journalism ethics, professional standards, citizen journalism, and advocacy through reporting. A major thread running through the opportunity is relationship-building: the grant is meant to create durable connections between American and Indian journalists and journalism schools, especially across Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, by pairing U.S. expertise with local institutions and newsrooms.
The program is structured as a three-tier model that targets different parts of the journalism ecosystem. The first tier focuses on editorial leadership and newsroom practice by bringing U.S. newspaper editors to work directly with Indian editors on best practices and shared challenges. The design intentionally matches comparable outlets: smaller U.S. local papers would engage with vernacular and smaller-city Indian papers, while larger U.S. papers would engage with larger English-language dailies. Beyond ethics and standards, this tier also includes career development topics for mid-career journalists. A specific topic highlighted for editors from smaller U.S. papers is how local newspapers cover international affairs and foreign policy, and how local journalism helps the public connect local, national, and international issues.
The second tier targets the business side of journalism, particularly advertising and the relationship between revenue and editorial independence. U.S. experts from leading news outlets would train advertising managers and related leadership on maintaining objectivity while sustaining profitability. Sessions are expected to address how news organizations can preserve credibility in an environment where new media and citizen journalism are gaining influence, and how managers can identify and reduce self-censorship that may occur to satisfy or avoid upsetting advertisers. This tier is meant to improve both ethical standards within advertising departments and cooperation between advertising and editorial staff.
The third tier shifts to the academic pipeline by pairing U.S. journalism programs and experts with Indian graduate and postgraduate communications and journalism programs to strengthen curriculum development. While the immediate deliverable is improved curriculum, the broader intention is to establish longer-term institutional linkages between U.S. and Indian degree programs. Examples mentioned include executive education models and online coursework that could support working and mid-career journalists beyond the life of the grant.
A key capstone deliverable is a jointly developed white paper produced near the end of the year. U.S. and Indian journalists and journalism professors would collaborate on practical recommendations aimed at improving Indias ranking on the World Press Freedom Index. The expectation is that recommendations would be publishable through local journalism schools in each of the three participating states. Any publications coming out of the project require advance approval from the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.
From an implementation standpoint, the awardee is expected to coordinate closely with Indian journalism school sub-awardees in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and to manage participant recruitment and logistics across the three-state footprint. Proposals were expected to include 12 to 15 U.S. expert speakers overall, and explicitly referenced roles such as U.S. editors, an advertising manager, and journalism professors working with Indian counterparts. The U.S. Consulate in Chennai must approve the final list of invited U.S. expert speakers as well as the final list of invited Indian participants (including editors, advertising managers from vernacular and English-language papers, and journalism professors). The awardee is also encouraged to secure additional funding to support the program, subject to Consulate and Embassy approval.
The grant required applicants to budget comprehensively for planning and execution, including agenda and calendar development, speaker recruitment, and end-to-end event logistics. Allowable or expected cost categories included economy roundtrip airfare, lodging, and per diem for expert speakers and relevant administrative staff for travel to one city and a major journalism program in each of the three states; local transportation; venue rental and related utilities (including backup generator if needed); printed training materials; audiovisual needs; lunch and coffee/tea breaks during training sessions; and travel agency expenses. Proposals also needed to cover administrative and logistical costs for a small concluding event where recommendations on press freedom ranking improvements would be discussed and finalized.
Administratively, the opportunity was offered by the U.S. Mission to India under CFDA 19.040 (Public Diplomacy Programs). It anticipated one award with an estimated total funding amount of $100,000, with an award range from $50,000 (floor) to $100,000 (ceiling). There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). Proposals were reviewed by a panel of Consulate and Embassy staff, and selected applicants were expected to complete additional registration and forms within 30 days of notification before funds could be issued. The opportunity was posted July 24, 2013, originally closed August 21, 2013, and had a current closing date of August 28, 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary U.S. government grant offered via a cooperative agreement by the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai to run a year-long training program in South India focused on strengthening journalism standards and ethics.
Who is offering and administering the award?
The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Mission to India, with the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi playing approval and oversight roles (including review, speaker approvals, participant approvals, and publication approvals).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is intended to address practical challenges facing the news industry while strengthening journalism ethics and professional standards, including citizen journalism and advocacy through reporting. A central theme is building durable relationships between American and Indian journalists and journalism schools.
What geographic area does the program cover?
The program targets South India, with explicit emphasis on Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The awardee is expected to work across this three-state footprint.
How long is the program expected to run?
The training program is designed to be year-long.
What does "cooperative agreement" imply in this context?
Based on the requirements described, the award includes substantial coordination and approvals by the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, including approvals of invited U.S. expert speakers, invited Indian participants, and any publications produced under the project.
What are the core training topics covered by this program?
The opportunity emphasizes journalism ethics, professional standards, citizen journalism, and advocacy through reporting. It also addresses newsroom practice, business-side ethical challenges (especially advertising and editorial independence), and journalism curriculum development.
How is the program structured?
The program uses a three-tier model that targets (1) editorial leadership and newsroom practice, (2) the business and advertising side of journalism, and (3) the academic pipeline through journalism and communications programs.
What is included in Tier 1 (editorial leadership and newsroom practice)?
Tier 1 brings U.S. newspaper editors to work directly with Indian editors on best practices and shared challenges. It includes strong focus on ethics and standards, and it also covers career development topics for mid-career journalists.
How are U.S. and Indian news outlets intended to be matched in Tier 1?
The design calls for matching comparable outlets: smaller U.S. local papers would engage with vernacular and smaller-city Indian papers, while larger U.S. papers would engage with larger English-language dailies.
Is coverage of international affairs part of the training?
Yes. A specific topic highlighted for editors from smaller U.S. papers is how local newspapers cover international affairs and foreign policy, and how local journalism can help the public connect local, national, and international issues.
What is included in Tier 2 (business/advertising and ethics)?
Tier 2 focuses on the business side of journalism, particularly advertising and the relationship between revenue and editorial independence. U.S. experts from leading news outlets would train advertising managers and related leadership on maintaining objectivity while sustaining profitability.
What ethical challenges is Tier 2 expected to address?
Sessions are expected to address maintaining credibility as new media and citizen journalism gain influence, and identifying and reducing self-censorship that may occur to satisfy or avoid upsetting advertisers. The tier also aims to improve ethical standards within advertising departments and strengthen cooperation between advertising and editorial staff.
What is included in Tier 3 (academic pipeline and curriculum development)?
Tier 3 pairs U.S. journalism programs and experts with Indian graduate and postgraduate communications and journalism programs to strengthen curriculum development, with the broader intention of establishing longer-term institutional linkages between U.S. and Indian degree programs.
Are there examples of longer-term academic models mentioned?
Yes. Examples mentioned include executive education models and online coursework that could support working and mid-career journalists beyond the life of the grant.
What is the capstone deliverable for the program?
A key capstone deliverable is a jointly developed white paper produced near the end of the year, created collaboratively by U.S. and Indian journalists and journalism professors.
What is the white paper expected to focus on?
The white paper is intended to provide practical recommendations aimed at improving India's ranking on the World Press Freedom Index.
Where are the white paper recommendations expected to be published?
The opportunity indicates that recommendations should be publishable through local journalism schools in each of the three participating states (Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu).
Do publications produced by the project require approval?
Yes. Any publications coming out of the project require advance approval from the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.
What are the awardee's main implementation responsibilities?
The awardee is expected to coordinate closely with Indian journalism school sub-awardees in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, manage participant recruitment, and handle logistics across the three-state program footprint.
How many U.S. expert speakers were proposals expected to include?
Proposals were expected to include 12 to 15 U.S. expert speakers overall.
What kinds of U.S. expert roles were explicitly referenced?
The opportunity explicitly referenced roles such as U.S. editors, an advertising manager, and journalism professors working with Indian counterparts.
Who approves the U.S. expert speakers?
The U.S. Consulate in Chennai must approve the final list of invited U.S. expert speakers.
Who approves the Indian participants?
The U.S. Consulate in Chennai must also approve the final list of invited Indian participants, including editors, advertising managers from vernacular and English-language papers, and journalism professors.
Is additional (non-grant) funding allowed or encouraged?
Yes. The awardee is encouraged to secure additional funding to support the program, subject to Consulate and Embassy approval.
What is the CFDA number and program category for this opportunity?
The opportunity was offered under CFDA 19.040, Public Diplomacy Programs.
How much funding was anticipated, and what was the award range?
The opportunity anticipated one award with an estimated total funding amount of $100,000. The stated award range was $50,000 (floor) to $100,000 (ceiling).
How many awards were expected to be made?
One award was anticipated.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
How were proposals reviewed?
Proposals were reviewed by a panel of Consulate and Embassy staff.
What post-selection steps were required before funds could be issued?
Selected applicants were expected to complete additional registration and forms within 30 days of notification before funds could be issued.
What budgeting and planning elements were applicants expected to include?
Applicants were required to budget comprehensively for planning and execution, including agenda and calendar development, speaker recruitment, and end-to-end event logistics across the three-state program.
What cost categories were allowable or expected in the budget?
Allowable or expected cost categories included economy roundtrip airfare, lodging, and per diem for expert speakers and relevant administrative staff; local transportation; venue rental and related utilities (including a backup generator if needed); printed training materials; audiovisual needs; lunch and coffee/tea breaks during sessions; travel agency expenses; and administrative/logistical costs for a small concluding event to discuss and finalize recommendations.
Where were expert speakers expected to travel?
Budget expectations referenced travel to one city and a major journalism program in each of the three states (Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu).
Were there specific requirements for a concluding event?
Yes. Proposals needed to cover administrative and logistical costs for a small concluding event where recommendations on improving press freedom ranking would be discussed and finalized.
What were the key dates for this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on July 24, 2013. It originally closed on August 21, 2013, and the current closing date was August 28, 2013.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: U.S. Mission to India
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Notice of Intent to Award Guernsey Safety of Dams Corrective Actions
Previous opportunity: California Landscape Conservation Cooperative
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for CRFP13 03
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (CRFP13 03) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| University Partnership Program for Rural Universities in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2013 06 Funding Number: DOS BAGHDAD PD 2013 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to Iraq Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| MRCA SAMO Provide educational services to groups Apply for P13AS00158 Funding Number: P13AS00158 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $70,720 |
| Transformational Leadership Apply for 167 A 13 XXXXX Funding Number: 167 A 13 XXXXX Agency: Kosovo USAID Pristina Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Brookwood Sago Grant Apply for BS13 3BS Funding Number: BS13 3BS Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Notice of Award Preservation Technology Training Apply for WASO NPS P13AC01002 Funding Number: WASO NPS P13AC01002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| Kabul University Faculty of Engineering Supporting the Teaching of Engineering Principles in English Apply for SCAKAB 13 CA 037 SCA 07312013 Funding Number: SCAKAB 13 CA 037 SCA 07312013 Agency: U.S. Mission to Afghanistan Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Monitoring of Bird Communities Notice of Intent to Award Apply for WASO NPS P13AC00996 Funding Number: WASO NPS P13AC00996 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $116,000 |
| Saudi Young Leaders Exchange Program Apply for SA SYLEP 800 13 GR 51 Funding Number: SA SYLEP 800 13 GR 51 Agency: U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Public Land Pollinator Education and Outreach Apply for L13AS00171 Funding Number: L13AS00171 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Teacher on the Public Lands (TPL) Program Apply for L13AS00175 Funding Number: L13AS00175 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award University of Miami IBBEAM Apply for P13AS00188 Funding Number: P13AS00188 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Establishment of a Center of Journalism Excellence Apply for SCAPPD 13 CA 131 SCA 08072013 Funding Number: SCAPPD 13 CA 131 SCA 08072013 Agency: U.S. Mission to Pakistan Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Providence Parks Urban Presence Partnership Project Apply for F13AS00303 Funding Number: F13AS00303 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Creating Urban Oases for Wildlife Apply for F13AS00305 Funding Number: F13AS00305 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Boston African American National Historic Site Program Apply for NPS 13 NERO 0109 Funding Number: NPS 13 NERO 0109 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $26,500 |
| Professional Development Training for English Language Educators in Kirkuk Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2013 09 Funding Number: DOS BAGHDAD PD 2013 09 Agency: U.S. Mission to Iraq Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Sagebush Birds Notice of Intent Apply for NPS WASO P13AC01172 Funding Number: NPS WASO P13AC01172 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $95,000 |
| CSU Water Quality Data Reclamation Apply for NPS WASO P13AC01222 Funding Number: NPS WASO P13AC01222 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $98,000 |
| Analytical and statistical support Apply for NPS WASO P13AC01225 Funding Number: NPS WASO P13AC01225 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $14,000 |
| VetSuccess AmeriCorps 2013 Current AmeriCorps grantees only Apply for CNCS GRANTS 08202013 Funding Number: CNCS GRANTS 08202013 Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "CRFP13 03", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.