Opportunity Information: Apply for STI400 21 GR 0001
The FY2022-2023 English for Journalists Program is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy Dushanbe, Public Affairs Section) grant opportunity designed to strengthen Tajikistan's media environment by improving English-language capacity among journalists and related media actors. The program is structured as a one-year project with the possibility of a one-year extension, and it positions English learning as a practical tool for better reporting, stronger digital journalism skills, improved access to credible international sources, and a greater ability to identify and push back against disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda. The funding is issued as a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.900, with an award ceiling of $130,000 and an expected four awards.
The core problem the opportunity addresses is that many journalists in Tajikistan have limited English proficiency, which restricts their ability to consult high-quality international reporting, verify information across multiple credible sources, and cover global or regionally significant stories with depth and accuracy. This language barrier also limits professional development, including learning contemporary approaches to field reporting, investigative journalism, and digital-first newsroom practices. The Embassy notes that earlier Embassy-supported English for Journalists projects trained hundreds of journalists and bloggers, improving English reading and writing for journalism, strengthening investigative skills, and supporting the transition toward digital journalism. This new solicitation builds on that experience and asks applicants to propose programs that expand skills and reach.
Proposed projects are expected to deliver structured English language instruction for journalists at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, with a minimum intensity of 20 hours per month and a total of 200 instructional hours over a one-year period. The Embassy encourages creative course designs that integrate journalism-relevant content and ethics, including exposure to international standards of journalism ethics as part of the learning process. In addition to classroom instruction, proposals can incorporate English camps or thematic lessons taught in English that build media literacy, critical thinking, public speaking, and investigative reporting competencies. A strong emphasis is placed on practical application, such as reporting assignments that require participants to read, watch, or listen to English-language media, conduct interviews in English, and produce journalistic outputs using English sources and terminology.
Geographically, projects may be implemented in Dushanbe, Khujand, Kulob, Khorugh, and Bokhtar, with a stated target distribution of participants across these locations. The program description specifies a project in Dushanbe serving 90 journalists, and 30 journalists each in Khujand, Kulob, Khorugh, and Bokhtar, totaling at least 210 participants. Proposals that reach more journalists at a lower cost are explicitly encouraged, signaling that cost-effectiveness and scale are valued in the review process. The intended audience includes working media professionals (journalists, editors, managers, translators), journalism students at universities, and social media influencers who are committed to engaging on social issues in English, particularly those starting with limited or no English background.
The opportunity lists four main objectives that successful proposals should address, in whole or in part. First, participants should measurably improve English speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Second, participants should improve higher-order professional skills (critical thinking, public speaking, investigative journalism techniques, and media literacy) through activities conducted in English. Third, the program may include virtual summer English language camps aimed at building regional collaboration among professional journalists and journalism students. Fourth, the program should strengthen participants' ability to recognize, respond to, and combat disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda, using English language learning as a pathway to broader source access and verification skills.
Eligibility is limited to Tajikistan-based organizations. The Embassy invites applications from accredited schools, institutes, teacher training centers, universities, and non-profit organizations operating in Tajikistan, including both governmental and non-governmental entities, as long as they have a teaching license and are already engaged in English language teaching. Applicants are expected to have highly qualified English instructors capable of teaching at both elementary and advanced levels. Sub-awards or subcontracting are permitted, but the announcement emphasizes that only one non-profit, non-governmental organization can serve as the prime recipient, and any division of responsibilities among partners must be clearly described in the proposal. Applicants must also meet U.S. federal administrative requirements, including having a unique entity identifier (DUNS, as referenced in the notice) and an active registration on SAM.gov.
Several standard grant conditions are highlighted. Cost sharing or matching is not required, and pre-award costs are not allowed. The Public Affairs Section also reserves the right to make awards for amounts higher or lower than those described if it is in the U.S. government interest and funds are available. The opportunity explicitly prohibits certain types of activities, including partisan political projects, international conferences or individual trips abroad, charitable direct-service development activities, construction, projects supporting specific religious activities, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, medical or scientific research/surveys, art or cultural projects, commercial projects, or projects that duplicate existing efforts.
Application logistics are clearly specified. The deadline is July 15, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, and the deadline is firm (not rolling). Proposals must be submitted either by email to EnglishProgramsDushanbe@state.gov (with the funding opportunity title and number in the subject line) or through Grants.gov. All application materials must be in English, budgets must be in U.S. dollars, documents must follow formatting rules (8.5 x 11 pages, numbered pages, Word documents single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman with one-inch margins), and the full proposal package cannot exceed 12 pages. Content-wise, proposals are expected to explain the need/problem, summarize the project design, state a clear goal and measurable objectives, describe sample activities tied to objectives, and explain expected results and outcomes. The funding opportunity number is STI400 21 GR 0001, and the opportunity is issued by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Tajikistan.Apply for STI400 21 GR 0001
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Tajikistan in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2022-2023 English for Journalists 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 Jun 04, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2021. (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 $130,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY2022-2023 English for Journalists Program (U.S. Embassy Dushanbe) - FAQs
1) What is the FY2022-2023 English for Journalists Program?
It is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity (U.S. Embassy Dushanbe, Public Affairs Section) to strengthen Tajikistan's media environment by improving English-language capacity among journalists and related media actors. English learning is framed as a practical tool to support better reporting, stronger digital journalism skills, improved access to credible international sources, and a greater ability to identify and push back against disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda.
2) Who is offering this grant?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Tajikistan (U.S. Embassy Dushanbe), Public Affairs Section.
3) What is the funding mechanism and CFDA number?
The funding is issued as a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.900.
4) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is STI400 21 GR 0001.
5) How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is $130,000.
6) How many awards are expected?
The Embassy expects to make four awards.
7) How long is the project period?
The program is structured as a one-year project with the possibility of a one-year extension.
8) What problem is this program trying to solve?
The opportunity addresses limited English proficiency among many journalists in Tajikistan, which restricts access to high-quality international reporting and credible sources, reduces the ability to verify information across multiple sources, and limits coverage of global and regionally significant stories. The language barrier is also described as limiting professional development in areas like field reporting, investigative journalism, and digital-first newsroom practices.
9) What kinds of projects is the Embassy looking for?
Applicants are asked to propose programs that expand skills and reach, delivering structured English language instruction for journalists at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The Embassy encourages creative course designs that integrate journalism-relevant content and ethics, and proposals may also incorporate English camps or thematic lessons taught in English that build media literacy, critical thinking, public speaking, and investigative reporting competencies.
10) What are the required English instruction intensity and total hours?
Proposed projects are expected to provide at least 20 hours of instruction per month, totaling 200 instructional hours over a one-year period.
11) Do courses need to include journalism ethics?
The Embassy encourages integrating journalism-relevant content and ethics, including exposure to international standards of journalism ethics as part of the learning process.
12) Does the program emphasize practical application?
Yes. A strong emphasis is placed on practical application, such as reporting assignments that require participants to read, watch, or listen to English-language media, conduct interviews in English, and produce journalistic outputs using English sources and terminology.
13) Can proposals include camps or thematic English instruction?
Yes. Proposals can incorporate English camps or thematic lessons taught in English to build media literacy, critical thinking, public speaking, and investigative reporting competencies.
14) Are virtual summer English language camps allowed?
Yes. One of the listed objectives notes that the program may include virtual summer English language camps aimed at building regional collaboration among professional journalists and journalism students.
15) What are the main objectives applicants should address?
The opportunity lists four main objectives that successful proposals should address, in whole or in part: (1) measurable improvement in English speaking, writing, reading, and listening; (2) improvement in higher-order professional skills (critical thinking, public speaking, investigative journalism techniques, and media literacy) through activities conducted in English; (3) potential inclusion of virtual summer English language camps to build regional collaboration; and (4) strengthening participants' ability to recognize, respond to, and combat disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda.
16) Where can the project be implemented?
Projects may be implemented in Dushanbe, Khujand, Kulob, Khorugh, and Bokhtar.
17) Is there a target number of participants by location?
Yes. The description specifies a project in Dushanbe serving 90 journalists, and 30 journalists each in Khujand, Kulob, Khorugh, and Bokhtar, totaling at least 210 participants.
18) Are proposals expected to reach at least 210 participants?
The program description states a total of at least 210 participants based on the location distribution provided.
19) Is cost-effectiveness part of the review emphasis?
Yes. Proposals that reach more journalists at a lower cost are explicitly encouraged, which signals that cost-effectiveness and scale are valued.
20) Who are the intended participants/beneficiaries?
The intended audience includes working media professionals (journalists, editors, managers, translators), journalism students at universities, and social media influencers committed to engaging on social issues in English, particularly those starting with limited or no English background.
21) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to Tajikistan-based organizations. The Embassy invites applications from accredited schools, institutes, teacher training centers, universities, and non-profit organizations operating in Tajikistan (governmental or non-governmental), as long as they have a teaching license and are already engaged in English language teaching.
22) Do applicants need to have qualified English instructors?
Yes. Applicants are expected to have highly qualified English instructors capable of teaching at both elementary and advanced levels.
23) Are sub-awards or subcontracting allowed?
Yes. Sub-awards or subcontracting are permitted, but the division of responsibilities among partners must be clearly described in the proposal.
24) Can more than one organization be the prime recipient?
No. The announcement emphasizes that only one non-profit, non-governmental organization can serve as the prime recipient.
25) Are U.S. federal registrations required?
Yes. Applicants must meet U.S. federal administrative requirements, including having a unique entity identifier (DUNS, as referenced in the notice) and an active registration on SAM.gov.
26) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching is not required.
27) Are pre-award costs allowed?
No. Pre-award costs are not allowed.
28) Can the award amount be different from what is described?
Yes. The Public Affairs Section reserves the right to make awards for amounts higher or lower than those described if it is in the U.S. government interest and funds are available.
29) What types of activities are explicitly prohibited?
The opportunity prohibits: partisan political projects; international conferences or individual trips abroad; charitable direct-service development activities; construction; projects supporting specific religious activities; fundraising campaigns; lobbying; medical or scientific research/surveys; art or cultural projects; commercial projects; and projects that duplicate existing efforts.
30) When is the application deadline?
The deadline is July 15, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. The deadline is firm (not rolling).
31) How can applications be submitted?
Proposals must be submitted either by email to EnglishProgramsDushanbe@state.gov (with the funding opportunity title and number in the subject line) or through Grants.gov.
32) What email address should be used for submission by email?
Email submissions should be sent to EnglishProgramsDushanbe@state.gov.
33) What should be included in the email subject line?
The subject line should include the funding opportunity title and number.
34) What language must the application materials be written in?
All application materials must be in English.
35) In what currency should the budget be presented?
Budgets must be in U.S. dollars.
36) What are the formatting requirements for the proposal package?
Documents must follow the stated formatting rules: 8.5 x 11 pages, numbered pages, Word documents, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, with one-inch margins.
37) Is there a page limit for the full proposal package?
Yes. The full proposal package cannot exceed 12 pages.
38) What content is expected in the proposal narrative?
Proposals are expected to explain the need/problem, summarize the project design, state a clear goal and measurable objectives, describe sample activities tied to objectives, and explain expected results and outcomes.
39) Does the program build on prior Embassy-supported projects?
Yes. The Embassy notes that earlier Embassy-supported English for Journalists projects trained hundreds of journalists and bloggers, improving English reading and writing for journalism, strengthening investigative skills, and supporting a transition toward digital journalism. This solicitation builds on that experience.
40) What is the role of English in countering disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda in this program?
The program positions English language learning as a pathway to broader access to credible international sources and stronger verification skills, which is tied to strengthening participants' ability to recognize, respond to, and combat disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda.
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