Opportunity Information: Apply for SBR25017GR0017

The "Press Freedom and Innovation in Journalism" grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SBR25017GR0017) is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Brazil, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia. It is structured as a grant and was created on August 7, 2017, with an original application deadline of September 7, 2017. The program anticipated making one award, with a maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $90,000. The listing references CFDA number 19.040, and eligibility is broadly categorized as "Other," meaning applicants needed to consult the opportunity's additional eligibility guidance rather than relying on a standard set of predefined applicant categories.

At its core, the project is designed to strengthen understanding and practical support for press freedom and freedom of expression, using the American experience as a learning lens. A central goal is to help participants better understand how strongly these freedoms are valued in the United States, and how a free and independent press has historically contributed to, and continues to sustain, American democracy. The program also explicitly aims to address and correct misperceptions, including the idea that the U.S. Government controls American media outlets. In other words, beyond technical or professional development, the initiative has a civic education component focused on democratic norms, institutional independence, and the role of journalism in public accountability.

A major emphasis of the opportunity is innovation and sustainability in journalism. Participants are expected to learn about current trends in technology and media innovation, along with evolving approaches to financing and business models that help media organizations remain viable. This includes exposure to new tools, emerging practices, and strategies that news organizations use to adapt to changing audiences and economic pressures. The intent is practical: strengthening the long-term sustainability of media outlets by improving their capacity to innovate, diversify revenue, and modernize operations in a fast-changing information environment.

The opportunity also highlights the role of civil society in protecting and promoting both freedom of the press and freedom of expression. This element signals that the program is not limited to newsroom skills or media management alone; it also encompasses the broader ecosystem that supports press independence, such as advocacy organizations, watchdog groups, legal and policy initiatives, and public-interest coalitions that work to defend these rights. Through this, participants gain insight into how democratic societies reinforce these freedoms not only through laws and institutions, but also through active civic engagement.

Finally, the Embassy makes clear that proposals should not be designed as purely external training experiences; they must build local capacity in Brazil, with a particular focus on cutting-edge education and English teaching. Applicants are expected to incorporate meaningful local engagement and capacity-building components, suggesting a preference for projects that transfer skills, create durable local training capability, and leave behind resources or structures that continue after the grant period ends. The English-teaching focus implies that programming may include English-language instruction or professional English development tied to journalism and media innovation, helping participants access global knowledge, tools, and networks and strengthening their ability to engage internationally.

  • The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Brazil in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Press Freedom and Innovation in Journalism" 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 Aug 07, 2017.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 07, 2017. (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 $90,000.00 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).
Apply for SBR25017GR0017

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Press Freedom and Innovation in Journalism (SBR25017GR0017)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled Press Freedom and Innovation in Journalism.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SBR25017GR0017.

Which U.S. government entity offers this program?

This is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Mission to Brazil, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The opportunity is structured as a grant.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on August 7, 2017.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was September 7, 2017.

How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making one award.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum funding level (award ceiling) referenced is $90,000.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The listing references CFDA 19.040.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly categorized as "Other". This means applicants were expected to consult the opportunity's additional eligibility guidance rather than relying on a standard predefined applicant category list.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to strengthen understanding and practical support for press freedom and freedom of expression, using the American experience as a learning lens.

How does the American experience factor into the program?

The initiative is designed to help participants better understand how strongly freedom of expression and press freedom are valued in the United States, and how a free and independent press has historically contributed to, and continues to sustain, American democracy.

Does the program address misconceptions about U.S. media?

Yes. A stated aim is to address and correct misperceptions, including the idea that the U.S. Government controls American media outlets.

Is this opportunity only about journalism skills training?

No. In addition to professional development themes, the program includes a civic education component focused on democratic norms, institutional independence, and journalism's role in public accountability.

What does the opportunity mean by "innovation and sustainability in journalism"?

It emphasizes learning about trends in technology and media innovation, as well as evolving approaches to financing and business models that help media organizations remain viable and adapt to changing audiences and economic pressures.

What kinds of topics are expected under the innovation focus?

The description points to exposure to new tools, emerging practices, and strategies news organizations use to innovate, diversify revenue, and modernize operations in a fast-changing information environment.

How does civil society fit into the project design?

The opportunity highlights the role of civil society in protecting and promoting freedom of the press and freedom of expression. This includes the broader ecosystem supporting press independence, such as advocacy organizations, watchdog groups, legal and policy initiatives, and public-interest coalitions.

Is the program limited to newsroom audiences?

The description suggests it is not limited to newsroom skills or media management alone, because it explicitly includes the broader civil society ecosystem that helps defend press freedom and freedom of expression.

Do proposals need to include local engagement in Brazil?

Yes. The Embassy makes clear that proposals should not be designed as purely external training experiences; they must build local capacity in Brazil and incorporate meaningful local engagement and capacity-building components.

What does "not purely external training experiences" imply for program design?

It implies a preference for projects that transfer skills locally, create durable local training capability, and leave behind resources or structures that continue after the grant period ends, rather than relying only on outside or one-off training.

Is there an English-teaching requirement or preference?

The opportunity indicates a particular focus on cutting-edge education and English teaching. This suggests proposals may include English-language instruction or professional English development tied to journalism and media innovation.

How does English instruction connect to the program's goals?

The English-teaching focus is framed as a way to help participants access global knowledge, tools, and networks, and to strengthen their ability to engage internationally in areas related to journalism and media innovation.

Where is the sponsoring U.S. Mission based?

The opportunity is offered through the U.S. Mission to Brazil, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia.

What is the overall expected impact of the grant activities?

Based on the description, the intended impact is improved understanding and support for press freedom and freedom of expression, stronger capacity for journalism innovation and sustainability, deeper awareness of civil society's role in defending these freedoms, and lasting local capacity in Brazil supported by cutting-edge education and English teaching components.

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