2026 NOFO proposal journalism alumni fund.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

U.S. Embassy Jakarta Media Small Grants Competition

[EAP/Jakarta], Department of State

Opportunity number: PAS-JAKARTA-FY26-10

Application deadline: August 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m (WIB)

Contents

A. Basic Information

B. Eligibility C. Program Description

D. Application Contents and Format

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

F. Application Review Information G. Award Notices

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

I. Other Information

U.S Department of State EAP/Jakarta

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Overview Funding Opportunity Title U.S. Embassy Jakarta Media Small Grants Competition Funding Opportunity Number PAS-JAKARTA-FY26-10 Announcement Type Initial announcement Deadline for Applications August 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m Assistance Listing Number 19.040 Length of performance period Up to 12 months Number of awards anticipated Multiple awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $20,000 (approximately) Total available funding $20,000 pending availability of funds Type of Funding FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated project start date October 2026

Funding Instrument Type: Grant, fixed amount award (FAA), or cooperative agreement.

Cooperative agreements include substantial involvement of the bureau or embassy in program implementation of the project. An FAA can also include substantial involvement. Examples of substantial involvement are included in section C below.

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 12 or less.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

2. Executive Summary

Priority Region: Indonesia (with priority consideration for projects in Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and Papua)

The U.S. Embassy Jakarta's Public Affairs Section announces an open competition for past and current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to submit applications to carry out public service projects using the skills and knowledge they gained during their exchange experiences. Projects must support capacity-building programs for Indonesians with a focus on journalism and should address one or more of the following themes: press freedom;

digital freedom; data-driven journalism; facts-based journalism/countering propaganda;

investigative journalism; or AI in journalism. Eligible applicants are Indonesian nationals who are past or current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs and who work as journalists or with the media.

Activities involving fact-checking, verification, or information integrity under this program shall focus on objectively verifiable information, evidence-based investigative methods, and technical approaches for identifying manipulated or AI-generated content. The program does not consider policy disagreement, political opinion, or criticism of governments to constitute misinformation or disinformation absent demonstrably false factual claims or coordinated information manipulation.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Individuals, or teams of individuals, who are past and current participants of U.S.

government-sponsored exchange programs who work as journalists or work directly within the field of journalism

• Applicants must be Indonesian nationals

Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required.

2. Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

C. Program Description

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives With over 270 million people and one of the world’s largest social media user bases, Indonesia’s citizens consume media content from a wide array of traditional and digital sources. Journalists and media professionals capable of reporting accurately and comprehensively on critical issues – including democratic governance, economic development, emerging technologies, and more – as well as those with an understanding of the critical role the free press plays in strengthening democratic governance and information integrity advances America’s foreign policy priorities of protecting freedom of speech, digital freedom, and strengthening regional security.

For purposes of this solicitation, activities that involve identifying false or misleading information should focus on objectively verifiable factual claims, coordinated information manipulation, or manipulated digital media (including deepfakes and coordinated inauthentic behavior). Applicant should not classify policy disagreements, political viewpoints, or criticism of governments as misinformation or disinformation solely because they differ from official positions.

The U.S. Embassy Jakarta seeks to support capacity-building programs for Indonesians with a focus on journalism, with priority consideration for projects in Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and Papua. Proposed projects should focus on one or more of the following themes:

• Press freedom

• Digital freedom

• Data-driven journalism

• Facts-based journalism / countering propaganda

• Investigative journalism (including promoting transparency and accountability in government)

• AI in journalism

Project Audience(s):

• Journalists in the priority regions of Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and Papua;

• University students who are majoring in journalism, mass communications, political governance; or similar topics;

• Community organizations focused on press freedom, digital freedom, promoting transparency and accountability, and the role of emerging technology in these areas.

Project Goal: Advance America’s foreign policy priorities of protecting freedom of speech, digital freedom, and strengthening regional security in the Indo-Pacific region by:

• Further transmit skills and knowledge delivered to past and current participants of U.S.

government-sponsored exchange focused on press freedom, digital freedom, data-driven and fact-based investigative journalism.

• Strengthen Indonesia’s national and subnational networks of Indonesian journalists, media organizations, student groups, and community organizations interested in advancing press freedom, digital freedom, data-driven and fact-based investigative journalism, and raising public awareness on these subjects.

Project Objectives: The project objectives are the specific and measurable results PDS aims to achieve through this project. They describe necessary and pre-requisite changes required to move closer to achieving the project goal.

• Objective 1 – Engage a minimum of 200 Indonesian journalists, student journalists, and community organization members across Indonesian provinces in at least one of the following areas: press freedom, digital freedom, data-driven journalism, investigative journalism, or AI in journalism through structured training or capacity-building activities.

At least 70 percent of participants will demonstrate the ability to apply at least one new skill or methodology. Content will not characterize policy disagreement as misinformation or disinformation.

• Objective 2 – Production and dissemination at least 40 pieces of public-facing content from the participants, including their articles and social media contents on press freedom, digital freedom, or fact-based journalism, reaching a combined audience of at least 5 million individuals, as tracked through media and social media monitoring, including technical methods to detect inauthentic and deepfake content.

• Objective 3 – Strengthen the U.S. Embassy’s networks with Indonesian journalists, student groups, and community organizations focused on press freedom and information integrity by engaging at least 10 organizations or groups in Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and/or Papua by the end of the project period.

Proposed projects must take place in Indonesia. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects taking place in the Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and Papua areas. Priority may be given to projects organized in these regions.

Projects that are not typically funded include:

• Paying to complete activities that began with other funds

• Citizen exchange programs with foreign countries that do not have an U.S. angle

• Projects that include international travel

• Political party activities or projects inherently political in nature

• Projects that support specific religious activities

• Social welfare projects

2. Substantial Involvement This award will be issued as a grant. No substantial involvement by the Embassy is anticipated;

however, recipients will work closely with the U.S. Embassy throughout the project period and keep the Embassy informed of any changes to the scope, duration, or budget of the project.

The Recipient shall ensure that any fact-checking, verification, or information integrity activities supported under this award rely on objectively verifiable evidence and recognized investigative methodologies, including technical approaches for identifying manipulated or AI-generated content. The Recipient shall not characterize policy disagreement or differing political viewpoints as misinformation or disinformation solely because they differ from U.S.

Government or other political positions.

D. Application Contents and Format

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Content of Application Please ensure:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

• All documents are in English

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

• All pages are numbered

• All documents are formatted to fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals)

• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs)

These mandatory forms and their instructions can be found at grants.gov

2. Summary Page (optional) Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

3. Proposal (3 pages maximum) The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

• Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

• Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or U.S. government agencies.

• Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed

• Project Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals.

These should be achievable and measurable.

• Project Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.

• Project Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.

• Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities.

Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.

• Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?

• Project Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.

• Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants.

Throughout the timeframe of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?

4. Budget Justification Narrative After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section I. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information.

5. Attachments

• 1-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the program

• Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner

• If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.

• Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required above are available at https://grants.gov/forms.

2. Department of State Contacts If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:

jakartapasgrants@state.gov.

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations

All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this

NOFO.

The 2 CFR 200 requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

https://grants.gov/forms mailto:JakartaPASgrants@state.gov

• Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and sam.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications are due no later than August 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (WIB). For the purposes of determining if an award is submitted on time, PDS will utilize the timestamp provided by Grants.gov. This deadline is firm and is not a rolling deadline. If organizations fail to meet the deadline noted above their application will be considered ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

All application materials must be submitted by email to JakartaPASGrants@state.gov

5. Funding Restrictions

i. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

ii. Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

1) Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 mailto:JakartaPASGrants@state.gov title 31, United States Code and;

2) It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

6. Other Submission Requirements Applications may be submitted electronically by email to JakartaPASGrants@state.gov.

F. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 30 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The proposal does not include any activities contrary to any standing Executive Orders. For a full list, see https://www.federalregister.gov/.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 20 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. If sub-awards are proposed, applicant demonstrates experience managing subawards.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 20 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Budget – 15 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.

Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.

mailto:JakartaPASGrants@state.gov https://www.federalregister.gov/

The Embassy may fund projects on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions or negotiations. The Embassy reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described, in the absence of worthy applications, or under such other circumstances as it may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. government. The Embassy reserves the right to enter into discussions with one or more applicants to obtain clarification, additional details, or to suggest refinements in the program description, budget, or other aspects of the application.

2. Indirect Costs If two or more applications receive equivalent scores based on the evaluation criteria outlined in this NOFO, preference will be given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, as consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). This preference will only be applied as a tie-breaking mechanism and does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria.

3. Review and Selection Process A review committee within the U.S. Embassy Jakarta Public Affairs Section will evaluate all eligible applications.

4. Risk Review

i. Risk factors

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

a. Financial stability

b. Management systems and standards

c. History of performance

d. Audit reports and findings

e. Ability to effectively implement requirements

G. Award Notices

The award will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document and will be provided to the recipient for review and counter-signature. The recipient may only start incurring project expenses beginning on the start date shown on the award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S.

government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. The U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by September 30, 2026 via MyGrants.

Payment Method:

Recipients will be required to request payments by completing form SF-270 — Request for Advance or Reimbursement and submitting the form to the Grants Officer. Recipients may not draw down funds without the affirmative authorization of the Department of State.

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following:

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:

o Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205), o Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O.

13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341), o Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and o Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

For the avoidance of doubt, the Department has sole discretion over the determination that an award no longer effectuates program goals or agency priorities, and this provision permits awards to be terminated at the Department’s convenience, including when it determines that the award no longer advances the national interest.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5

• 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT

• 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

INFORMATION

• 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

• 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE

WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

• 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Recipients must comply with all applicable Executive Orders A searchable list can be found in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/

2. Reporting

Reporting Requirements:

Recipients whose projects are approved must commit to work closely with the U.S. Embassy throughout the project period to keep the Embassy informed of any changes made to the scope of the project, duration of project, and budget.

Funded projects will require both program and financial reports on a frequency identified by the U.S. Embassy's Grants Officer or Grants Officer Representative. The disbursement of funds may be tied to the timely submission of these reports.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.25&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.170&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.175&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.182&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&node=pt2.1.183&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=81a5f41de81c46a9844617d93a9db081&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2chapterVI.tpl https://www.state.gov/federal-assistance-policies-appeals https://www.federalregister.gov/

3. Branding and Marking The Department of State, its programs, and U.S. Government funding and assistance should be easily identifiable to the Department's global audiences.

Recipients of federal assistance awards must follow the branding guidance published at Guidance for Contracts and Grants - U.S. Department of State Brand System. Branding policy exceptions are outlined in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual 10 FAM 416, Policy Exceptions.

For more information, visit: https://brand.america.gov/

I. Other Information

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $10,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $10,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a https://brand.america.gov/document/547370#/-/guidance-for-contracts-and-grants https://fam.state.gov/fam/10fam/10fam0410.html https://fam.state.gov/fam/10fam/10fam0410.html https://brand.america.gov/ copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S.

Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

I. Other Information