Opportunity Information: Apply for DOSRUS21GR005
The "Media and Information in Russia" grant opportunity (DOSRUS21GR005) is a discretionary program run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Russia, specifically the U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section (PAS). Its overall goal is to strengthen U.S.-Russia engagement around traditional and citizen journalism, press freedom, access to trustworthy information, and media literacy. The program invites proposals for practical projects that help Russian audiences better understand the role of a free press, improve journalistic standards and ethics, and build the public's ability to recognize reliable reporting versus misinformation and disinformation. A strong proposal is expected to include a meaningful connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions, with an emphasis on cooperation that can continue after the grant-supported activities end.
Funding is available in amounts up to $200,000 per award, but applicants are clearly encouraged to request only what matches their actual capacity and what is needed to achieve their project goals. The announcement notes that smaller awards may move faster through approval. The total funding available is dependent on funds availability, and the program anticipated making up to about 50 awards. Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2021, with submissions reviewed monthly and funds distributed as needed on a first-come, first-served basis. While some awards could be made quickly, the notice also warns that in some cases funding might not be available until as late as September 2021, so applicants needed to plan timelines realistically and follow the application instructions and budget template provided by PAS.
The grant priorities are organized around two main theme areas: journalism and information. Under the journalism theme, PAS is looking for projects that promote stronger investigative journalism and help audiences understand how investigative reporting can surface issues of public concern and expose illegal, irregular, or abusive actions. Projects can also focus on the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democratic society, meaning proposals might address professional standards, ethics, legal frameworks, newsroom practices, or public understanding of why independent media matters. Under the information theme, PAS prioritizes projects that expand access to reliable information for Russians, with special attention to young people and communities that are traditionally underrepresented or considered at risk. Another highlighted direction is the creation of practical toolkits or training resources that help people detect misinformation and disinformation, which could include curricula, workshops, digital resources, verification methods, or scalable public-education materials.
Because the opportunity was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAS Moscow included a strict operational requirement: the program could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction at that time. Any proposal that still included an in-person component had to also present a credible virtual backup plan explaining how activities would proceed online if in-person implementation remained impossible. Proposals without a clear virtual contingency risked being set aside by the grants committee, so applicants needed to design for remote delivery from the start or provide a well-developed alternative format.
The opportunity also sets clear limits on what it will not support. Projects cannot be designed to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, such as one business or one university, which signals a preference for broader public benefit and wider participation rather than institution-building for a single organization. The program is not intended to generate income; if any revenue is incidentally produced through project activities, it must be reinvested into extending or expanding the project, such as lengthening programming or supporting additional participants. Finally, proposals should not primarily focus on academic or scientific research, meaning the emphasis should be on applied programming, training, engagement, or public-facing resources rather than research studies as the main deliverable.
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. and Russian nonprofits, NGOs and civil society organizations, institutions of higher education, and a range of community-oriented entities such as museums, parks, reserves, and community organizations. The source listing also references eligibility categories such as public and state-controlled higher education institutions, private higher education institutions, independent school districts, small businesses, and individuals, but the narrative guidance stresses that corporate applicants and individuals would only be funded in limited circumstances and should contact PAS with questions before applying. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward organizations that can deliver concrete journalism and media-literacy programming with credible U.S. partner involvement, clear public benefit, and a plan that works in a virtual or hybrid environment under pandemic constraints.Apply for DOSRUS21GR005
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Russia in the information and statistics, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Media and Information in Russia" 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 Dec 01, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 01, 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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: Media and Information in Russia (DOSRUS21GR005)
What is the "Media and Information in Russia" grant (DOSRUS21GR005)?
It is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Russia, specifically the U.S. Embassy Moscow Public Affairs Section (PAS). The program supports practical projects related to journalism, press freedom, access to trustworthy information, and media literacy for Russian audiences.
What is the overall goal of the program?
The goal is to strengthen U.S.-Russia engagement around traditional and citizen journalism, press freedom, access to reliable information, and media literacy. Projects are expected to help Russian audiences better understand the role of a free press, improve journalistic standards and ethics, and build the ability to identify reliable reporting versus misinformation and disinformation.
What types of projects is PAS looking for?
PAS is seeking practical, applied projects (not primarily research) that train, engage, and educate audiences. Examples described in the opportunity include programs that improve journalistic standards and ethics, explain the rights and responsibilities of a free press, expand access to reliable information, and develop resources that help people detect misinformation and disinformation.
What are the main priority themes for proposals?
The priorities are organized into two theme areas: (1) Journalism and (2) Information.
What does the Journalism theme prioritize?
Under Journalism, PAS prioritizes projects that promote stronger investigative journalism and help audiences understand how investigative reporting can reveal issues of public concern and expose illegal, irregular, or abusive actions. It also includes work on the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democratic society, which may cover standards, ethics, legal frameworks, newsroom practices, and public understanding of why independent media matters.
What does the Information theme prioritize?
Under Information, PAS prioritizes projects that expand access to reliable information for Russians, with particular attention to young people and underrepresented or at-risk communities. The opportunity also highlights practical toolkits and training resources that teach people how to detect misinformation and disinformation, such as curricula, workshops, digital resources, verification methods, and scalable public-education materials.
Is a U.S. connection required in the proposal?
A strong proposal is expected to include a meaningful connection to American experts, organizations, or institutions. The emphasis is on cooperation that can continue after the grant-supported activities end.
How much funding can an applicant request?
Funding is available in amounts up to $200,000 per award. Applicants are encouraged to request only what matches their capacity and what is needed to achieve project goals.
Do smaller funding requests have any advantage?
Yes. The announcement notes that smaller awards may move faster through approval.
How many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated making up to about 50 awards, depending on funds availability.
Is the total funding guaranteed?
No. The total funding available is dependent on funds availability.
When were applications due?
Applications were accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2021.
How were applications reviewed and selected?
Submissions were reviewed monthly, and funds were distributed as needed on a first-come, first-served basis.
How quickly could an award be made?
Some awards could be made quickly, but the opportunity also warned that in some cases funding might not be available until as late as September 2021. Applicants were advised to plan timelines realistically.
Were there special COVID-19 restrictions on project activities?
Yes. Because the opportunity was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, PAS Moscow stated it could not fund projects involving travel or in-person interaction at that time.
Can a proposal include in-person activities at all?
If a proposal included an in-person component, it also had to include a credible virtual backup plan explaining how activities would proceed online if in-person implementation remained impossible. Proposals without a clear virtual contingency risked being set aside by the grants committee.
Does the program prefer fully virtual project designs?
The guidance indicates applicants should design for remote delivery from the start or provide a well-developed alternative format, given the restriction on travel and in-person interaction.
What kinds of applicants are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. It includes U.S. and Russian nonprofits, NGOs and civil society organizations, institutions of higher education, and community-oriented entities such as museums, parks, reserves, and community organizations.
Are businesses and individuals eligible to apply?
The listing references categories such as small businesses and individuals. However, the narrative guidance stresses that corporate applicants and individuals would only be funded in limited circumstances and should contact PAS with questions before applying.
Are there project types the grant will not support?
Yes. The opportunity specifies several limitations, including that projects cannot be designed to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity, cannot be intended to generate income, and should not primarily focus on academic or scientific research.
Can the project primarily benefit one organization, such as a single university or business?
No. Projects cannot be designed to solely benefit a single Russian or American entity (for example, one business or one university). The program signals a preference for broader public benefit and wider participation.
Can grant-funded activities generate revenue?
The program is not intended to generate income. If any revenue is incidentally produced through project activities, it must be reinvested into extending or expanding the project (for example, lengthening programming or supporting additional participants).
Are academic or scientific research projects eligible?
Proposals should not primarily focus on academic or scientific research. The emphasis is on applied programming such as training, engagement, and public-facing resources rather than research studies as the main deliverable.
What application materials or formats were applicants expected to follow?
Applicants were instructed to follow PAS application instructions and use the budget template provided by PAS.
What makes a proposal competitive based on the announcement?
Based on the opportunity description, competitive proposals align with the journalism and/or information themes, deliver practical programming with clear public benefit, include meaningful U.S. partner involvement that can continue beyond the grant period, request a budget consistent with capacity and project needs, and comply with pandemic-era operating constraints by avoiding travel/in-person elements or providing a credible virtual backup plan.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Information and Statistics, Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification), Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: U.S. Embassy Amman Public Affairs Section Alumni Annual Program Statement
Previous opportunity: U.S. Embassy Lebanon PAS Small Grants NOFO
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DOSRUS21GR005
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DOSRUS21GR005", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.