Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS PODGORICA FY20 0006
The 2020 Media Professionalization Assistance Program is a grant opportunity from the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro (Public Affairs Section) designed to strengthen media freedom and raise journalistic professional standards in Montenegro. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (PAS PODGORICA FY20 0006; CFDA 19.900), the Embassy planned to fund projects that improve the quality, independence, and fact-based nature of local journalism, while also helping the public become more resilient to disinformation. Awards were discretionary and dependent on available funds, with an anticipated program start in Summer/Fall 2020 and a maximum performance period of 12 months.
Funding was expected to support up to around 10 awards, with individual grant amounts ranging from USD 30,000 to USD 70,000 (the award ceiling). The program was open to media organizations and civil society/non-governmental organizations that are registered in Montenegro and can demonstrate strong professional standards, credibility, and a track record of successful implementation. Proposals were assessed on how clearly they defined goals, how well they served identified beneficiaries, and the likelihood of achieving meaningful positive impact.
The Embassy identified four main activity areas it wanted to support. First were projects that directly raise professional journalism standards, including support for independent reporting and initiatives that benefit both working journalists and students preparing for media careers. Second were media literacy and critical thinking efforts meant to help citizens of all ages recognize, analyze, and reject disinformation. Third were investigative journalism projects that advance reforms tied to Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic integration, with suggested focus areas including rule of law, stronger democratic institutions, human and minority rights, sustainable development, and entrepreneurship (among others). Fourth were projects supporting accurate COVID-19 reporting, particularly efforts to debunk pandemic-related disinformation and conspiracy theories.
Applications were due by June 10, 2020, and had to be submitted electronically to PodgoricaGrants@State.gov. A key compliance point was that applicants were required to use the official application form; submissions that did not use the form or did not meet the minimum standards in the guidelines would not be considered. Proposals had to be written in English, and the budget had to be presented in U.S. dollars, inclusive of local taxes, with bank charges included as a budget line item. Only expenses incurred within Montenegro were allowed, and costs incurred before the grant start date were explicitly non-reimbursable. Each organization was limited to submitting a single proposal under this NOFO.
Eligibility also depended on federal compliance checks related to debarment and suspension. Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) within SAM (System for Award Management) was ineligible, and ineligible entities could not participate in activities funded under an award. Selected organizations were required to obtain a DUNS number, an NCAGE code, and an active SAM.gov registration (renewed annually). The NOFO provided instructions and links for obtaining these registrations, noting that they are free of charge.
The opportunity also spelled out what it would not fund. Ineligible items included partisan political activity, conferences and individual international travel, charitable or humanitarian aid, fundraising campaigns, commercial projects, scientific research, proposals submitted by individuals not tied to a sustainable organization, duplicative projects, vague or miscellaneous costs, and entertainment or alcohol. In other words, the program was narrowly focused on professional media development and public resilience to disinformation, not general civic events, travel, or unrelated organizational support.
Proposals were to be reviewed by a merit panel convened by the Embassy, with the Embassy reserving the right to consult other donor institutions supporting similar media objectives. The evaluation criteria emphasized practical implementation strength and clarity: demonstrated expertise and staffing, a strong understanding of the underlying issue, clearly defined beneficiaries, a focused and manageable scope, innovative but concrete activities supported by a realistic work plan, and a detailed and reasonable budget. Applicants also needed to explain how they would measure results using both quantitative and qualitative methods, and how outcomes would remain sustainable after the grant ended. The NOFO warned that incomplete, overly long, or unclear applications would not be considered.
To be complete, the submission package needed several mandatory components: the project proposal using the required application form and aligned with the application guidelines; a detailed line-item budget in USD plus a budget narrative; completed and signed federal forms SF-424 and SF-424A; a one-page CV or resume for key personnel; and the organization’s registration papers. Overall, this grant was structured to support well-planned, measurable, and locally implemented projects that strengthen independent journalism, investigative reporting, and media literacy in Montenegro, including specific work addressing COVID-19 misinformation.Apply for PAS PODGORICA FY20 0006
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Montenegro in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2020 Media Professionalization Assistance Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 13, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 10, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $70,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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