The Offices of Public Affairs of the US Embassies in Turkey and Armenia announce the Turkish, Armenian and American Journalist Exchange Program "New Media-New Challenges:
Reporting Best Practices for a New Age" open competition.

Public and private non-profit organizations meeting

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the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct a professional development program for Turkish and Armenian journalists, with two interlocked components:
a four-week US-based program featuring a seminar and professional US internships for six pairs of journalists, each consisting of one Turkish and one Armenian participant; and two best practice 3-day reporting conferences, to be held back to back in Ankara and Yerevan, for approximately 15 Turkish and 15 Armenian journalists along with the 12 Turkish/Armenian participants on the US exchange and six representatives of the sponsoring US media outlets.

Two expert American speakers would be invited to attend and lecture.

The total possible participants for the best practice workshops is 5 0. The program ideally will be administered by an NGO with media development expertise or a university school of journalism with similar experience.

Working in cooperation with regional media in Turkey and Armenia is desired for the follow on exchange.

The goal of the program is to explore reporting tradecraft used in reporting on regional issues of mutual concern -- such as the Turkey-Armenia reconciliation process or energy issues -- while exposing and improving participants understanding of high quality journalism ethics that are vital to a free society.

The US exchange program will include a seminar week and 3-4 weeks of hands-on reporting experience at American media outlets.

Home stays will be incorporated.

The best practice seminar held consecutively in Turkey and Armenia will bring together working journalists for dialogue and tap into expertise offered by recent Humphrey, Fulbright, Murrow and other US exchange alumni now working in both countries.

In pairs, Turkish and Armenian participants in the US phase of the program will join the staff of the US grantee in organizing the conference, which will feature up to two US speakers from the American journalism world.

The US phase of the program should take place during a typically quiet period for the media in June-September or during major holiday periods.

The Armenian and Turkish exchange portions of the program should be scheduled during a mutually convenient time for about 3 days in each country 3-6 months following the US-based exchange program.------II.

Award Information:Type of Award:
Grant AgreementFiscal Year Funds:
2010Approximate Total Funding:
$250,000, pending availability of fundsApproximate Number of Awards:
OneApproximate Average Award:
$250,000Anticipated Award Date:
Pending availability of funds, proposed start date is July 2010Anticipated Project Completion Date:
April 2012----------III.) Eligibility Information:III.

1. Eligible applicants:
Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).--------III.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds:
There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition.

However, the U. S. Embassies in Turkey and Armenia encourage applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

Please note that cost sharing is one of the criteria by which proposals will be judged.When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved grant agreement.

Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs.

For accountability, you must maintain written records to support all costs which are claimed as your contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government.

Such records are subject to audit.

The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB Circular A-110, (Revised), Subpart C.23 - Cost Sharing and Matching.

In the event you do not provide the minimum amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the approved budget, State’s contribution will be reduced in like proportion.

------III.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements:
U. S. Government grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $60,000 in funding.

The U. S. Embassies in Turkey and Armenia anticipate awarding one grant, in an amount up to $250,000 to support program and administrative costs required to implement this exchange program.

Therefore, organizations with less than four years experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.

The U. S. Embassies in Turkey and Armenia encourage applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs.

-------IV.

Application and Submission Information:Note:
Please read the complete announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals.

Once the RFGP deadline has passed, Embassy staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the proposal review process has been completed.-------IV.1 Contact Information to Request an Application Package:
Please contact U. S. Embassy in Turkey’s Public Affairs Section Contact Information:
IO Deborah Guido-O'Grady; e-mail:
guidodl@state.gov; telephone:
+90-312-457-7312; fax:
+90-312-457-7366; address:
110 Ataturk Blvd., 06100 Kaviklidere, Ankara, Turkey.

Applicants may also contact AIO David Avery, at the US Embassy in Ankara at averyd@state.gov, telephone:
90-312-457-732 8.