Opportunity Information: Apply for AF DRC 01
The grant opportunity "Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation through Information Literacy and Fact Checking" is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy Kinshasa/Africa Bureau) funding call aimed at strengthening the ability of journalists in the Democratic Republic of Congo to recognize, verify, and counter false or misleading information. The program is designed to support both state-run and private media, with an emphasis on building practical skills that journalists can use in day-to-day reporting and in their interactions with audiences. While the main geographic focus is the DRC, the opportunity is also open to participation from the Republic of Congo, reflecting the cross-border nature of information flows and misinformation networks.
At its core, the project is tied to the U.S. Mission Kinshasa goal of promoting a more stable and democratic environment in the DRC by improving governance, supporting human rights, and encouraging credible elections at local, provincial, and national levels. The grant frames misinformation and disinformation as threats to informed public decision-making, especially in contexts where elections, public health, security crises, and economic pressures can be exploited through rumors and coordinated influence campaigns. The central idea is that if journalists are better trained to identify and debunk false narratives, the public will be better positioned to make informed choices, which in turn supports democratic resilience.
The selected implementer is expected to design and deliver a comprehensive training series for tech-savvy journalists drawn from across all provinces of the DRC, covering both public and private media outlets. The program allows for up to 20 trainings total, with each training hosting roughly 15 to 20 participants. A clear participation requirement is built in: at least 50 female media practitioners should be included, signaling that gender inclusion is not optional but a measurable expectation. The training content is expected to focus on techniques for detecting misinformation and disinformation, methods for verifying sources and content, and hands-on fact-checking approaches that journalists can apply quickly under real newsroom conditions.
Implementation is meant to be collaborative, with the partner working closely with the U.S. Embassy and adapting the training roll-out based on Embassy feedback. Although the primary training cohort is described as 50 to 70 journalists, the grant anticipates a broader ripple effect as these journalists bring skills back to their newsrooms and professional networks, ultimately reaching hundreds of media actors nationwide. The thematic areas where improved information verification is expected to matter most are specifically named: health, democracy, economics, security, and climate change. These are areas where inaccurate information can have immediate real-world consequences, from undermining trust in institutions to intensifying social tensions or distorting public understanding of risks.
The opportunity also emphasizes outreach beyond the training room, especially toward younger citizens who both consume and produce information through a mix of traditional media and social media platforms. For that reason, proposed programs are encouraged to combine in-person and/or virtual workshops with complementary communication tools such as video messaging, targeted social media strategies, and radio programming. The intent is not only to train journalists but to improve the broader information environment by meeting audiences where they are, using channels that can counter viral falsehoods and promote basic information literacy skills.
From an administrative standpoint, the award is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects to have an active role in guiding or coordinating aspects of the project rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The opportunity number is AF DRC 01 under CFDA 19.040, with one expected award and a funding ceiling of $50,000. The eligible applicant category is listed broadly (with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice), but the description indicates the program is intended for not-for-profit implementers capable of running national-level media training and public engagement efforts.Apply for AF DRC 01
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled " Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation through Information Literacy and Fact Checking" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 02, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 28, 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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the grant opportunity called?
The opportunity is titled "Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation through Information Literacy and Fact Checking."
Who is offering this funding opportunity?
The funding call is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa/Africa Bureau.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is intended to strengthen journalists' ability to recognize, verify, and counter false or misleading information by building practical information literacy and fact-checking skills that can be used in day-to-day reporting and audience engagement.
How does this program connect to broader goals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?
The project is tied to the U.S. Mission Kinshasa goal of supporting a more stable and democratic environment in the DRC by improving governance, supporting human rights, and encouraging credible elections at local, provincial, and national levels.
Why does the grant focus on misinformation and disinformation?
The grant frames misinformation and disinformation as threats to informed public decision-making, especially during elections and in situations involving public health, security crises, and economic pressures, where rumors and coordinated influence campaigns can exploit uncertainty and tensions.
Where will the project be implemented?
The main geographic focus is the Democratic Republic of Congo, with journalists drawn from across all provinces.
Is participation limited to the DRC only?
No. The opportunity is also open to participation from the Republic of Congo, reflecting the cross-border nature of information flows and misinformation networks.
Who is the program designed to support within the media sector?
The program is designed to support both state-run and private media, with an emphasis on strengthening practical newsroom-ready skills.
What is expected of the selected implementer?
The selected implementer is expected to design and deliver a comprehensive training series for tech-savvy journalists, working collaboratively with the U.S. Embassy and adapting the rollout based on Embassy feedback.
How many trainings can be conducted under this opportunity?
The program allows for up to 20 trainings total.
How many participants are expected per training?
Each training is expected to host roughly 15 to 20 participants.
How many journalists are expected to be trained overall?
The primary training cohort is described as approximately 50 to 70 journalists, with the expectation of broader reach as trained participants share skills within their newsrooms and networks.
Is there a gender inclusion requirement?
Yes. At least 50 female media practitioners are expected to be included, making gender inclusion a measurable program expectation.
What topics should the training content cover?
The training is expected to cover techniques for detecting misinformation and disinformation, methods for verifying sources and content, and hands-on fact-checking approaches that can be applied quickly under real newsroom conditions.
What thematic areas are specifically highlighted for improved verification?
The opportunity specifically names health, democracy, economics, security, and climate change as thematic areas where stronger verification and fact-checking are expected to matter most.
What kinds of activities are encouraged beyond in-person training?
Proposed programs are encouraged to combine in-person and/or virtual workshops with complementary communication tools such as video messaging, targeted social media strategies, and radio programming.
Why does the opportunity emphasize outreach to younger audiences?
The opportunity emphasizes younger citizens because they both consume and produce information through a mix of traditional media and social media platforms, and the program aims to improve the broader information environment by meeting audiences where they are.
What is meant by a "ripple effect" in this grant?
The grant anticipates that training 50 to 70 journalists will lead to broader impact as participants bring skills back to their newsrooms and professional networks, ultimately reaching hundreds of media actors nationwide.
What type of award is being offered?
The award is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What does "discretionary cooperative agreement" mean in this context?
It means the U.S. government expects to have an active role in guiding or coordinating aspects of the project rather than only providing funds and stepping back.
What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing?
The opportunity number is AF DRC 01, and it is listed under CFDA 19.040.
How many awards are expected to be made?
One award is expected.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The funding ceiling is $50,000.
Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
The eligible applicant category is described broadly, and the description indicates the program is intended for not-for-profit implementers capable of running national-level media training and public engagement efforts (with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice).
Does the grant require coordination with the U.S. Embassy?
Yes. Implementation is meant to be collaborative, with the partner working closely with the U.S. Embassy and adapting the training rollout based on Embassy feedback.
Are virtual activities allowed?
Yes. The opportunity encourages in-person and/or virtual workshops, paired with additional communication tools.
What kinds of media channels are mentioned for public engagement?
The opportunity mentions video messaging, targeted social media strategies, and radio programming as complementary tools to extend impact beyond the training room.
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