International Broadcasting Independent Grantee Organizations
Active
- Assistance listing
- 90.500
- Agency
-
US Agency for Global Media
- Grant awards
- 41 $3,931,390,752 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance type
-
- Project Grant
- Eligible applicants
-
- Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals)
- Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals)
- Quasi-public nonprofit institution/organization
- Beneficiaries
-
- Private nonprofit institution/organization
- Public nonprofit institution/organization
- Treasury accounts
-
- 95-0204-0-1-154
- 95-0206-0-1-154
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The US Agency for Global Media provides Project Grants (CFDA 90.500) for planning and operating expenses related to international broadcasting across Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, with the most recent awards made on October 1, 2025.
This program funds the operational and planning costs of three congressionally designated nonprofit organizations—Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks—that deliver objective, balanced news and information programming to overseas audiences. The grantees operate broadcast services across three primary geographic regions and must spend awarded funds within the fiscal year in which they are received unless the Board of Governors approves carryover authority. Funding supports the full operations of these organizations, including personnel, infrastructure, content production, and distribution across multiple media formats.
The portfolio comprises 41 Project Grants totaling $3.93 billion in combined federal dollars obligated since 2016. Award activity has remained steady, averaging 4 to 6 grants per year over the past five years. The US Agency for Global Media is the sole funder. Recent awards range from $10 million to $165.2 million; the three most recent fiscal year awards, all dated October 1, 2025, committed $53.5 million for Asia, $69 million for the Middle East, and $165.2 million for Eastern Europe operations through September 30, 2026.
Eligibility is strictly limited to the three designated nonprofit grantee organizations; State or local governments and members of the general public are not eligible. Grantees must submit annual financial plans, undergo annual independent audits, and maintain detailed business records and procurement documentation for three years. Grant agreements are signed at the beginning of each fiscal year coinciding with Congressional appropriation of annual funding. Amendments to annual grant agreements occur throughout each fiscal year as resource needs are identified.
No recent grant opportunities are open to new applicants. The program operates exclusively through direct awards to the three designated recipients under the annual appropriations and authorization process.
Objective and description
- Objective
To promote freedom and democracy and enhance understanding through multimedia communication of accurate, objective, and balanced news, information, and other programming about America and the world to audiences overseas.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Grants are currently only available to three existing nonprofit organizations, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks as identified in authorizing or appropriations language. Grants are not available to State or local governments or the general public.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Direct beneficiaries of these grants are three nonprofit entities based and incorporated in the United States. The grants allow these three United States-based entities to provide an objective and balanced alternative source of news, opinion, and information related to the U.S. and U.S. policy to overseas populations. Secondary beneficiaries of these grants are overseas listeners who benefit from an alternative news source that provides objective information.
- Uses of assistance
Funding supports the operations of the grantee organizations. The annual appropriation process provides funds and restrictions on fund usage would be identified in the appropriation and authorization law, and in yearly grant agreements each grantee signs.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The grantees receive yearly grants and must spend the money in the year awarded unless given permission by the Board of Governors to carry money into the following fiscal year.
How to apply
- Application procedure
The grantees submit resource requirements to the BBG for inclusion in the development of the BBG budget estimates. The BBG consolidates this data into the BBG budget submission to OMB and Congress. Upon Congressional approval of the current year appropriation, the grantees submit an annual financial plan described in Reports section.
- Award procedure
At the beginning of the fiscal year, the BBG and the grantee sign an annual grant agreement which thereby grants funds for the planning and operating expenses related to international broadcasting for each grantee. BBG and the grantees also sign grant amendments prepared throughout the fiscal year.
- Renewals
The three organizations currently receiving grants may continue to receive funding through the annual appropriation process for each fiscal year.
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 41 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RFE / RL Inc. | $1,629,033,880 | 41% |
| 2 | Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. | $1,317,124,512 | 34% |
| 3 | Radio Free Asia | $672,992,976 | 17% |
| 4 | Open Technology Fund | $310,239,384 | 8% |
| 5 | Frontline Media Fund | $2,000,000 | <1% |
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $338,853,003 |
| FY2025 | $304,000,353 |
| FY2024 | $371,428,156 |
| FY2023 | $381,314,648 |
| FY2022 | $617,694,388 |
| FY2021 | $464,860,185 |
| FY2020 | $292,610,772 |
| FY2019 | $481,169,346 |
| FY2018 | $305,317,532 |
| FY2017 | $374,142,397 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 90.500?
Assistance Listing 90.500 is International Broadcasting Independent Grantee Organizations, a federal grant program run by US Agency for Global Media.
What is the CFDA number for International Broadcasting Independent Grantee Organizations?
Its CFDA number is 90.500: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 90.500 awarded?
41 grant awards under 90.500 have obligated $3,931,390,752 in federal funds to 5 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 90.500?
The recipients obligated the most under International Broadcasting Independent Grantee Organizations are RFE / RL Inc. ($1,629,033,880), Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. ($1,317,124,512) and Radio Free Asia ($672,992,976).
How much did 90.500 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 90.500 obligated $304,000,353 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
On GovTribe
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