Understanding China's Information Campaigns and Public Diplomacy in the Asian and Pacific Regions | SFOP0002260

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0002260

The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, announced a discretionary grant competition titled "Understanding China's Information Campaigns and Public Diplomacy in the Asian and Pacific Regions" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0002260). The purpose of the opportunity is to support a single U.S.-based nonprofit organization in producing research that clarifies the scope, methods, and resource commitments behind China's public diplomacy and information-related activities across Asia and the Pacific. In practical terms, the Department is looking for a project that does more than gather information; it should systematically conduct research, compile and organize findings, analyze what the data means, submit the resulting research outputs to the government, and then share results publicly in at least two separate public forums.

The work envisioned under this grant centers on understanding how China engages audiences and governments in the region through public diplomacy and related information efforts, with a specific emphasis on mapping scale and investment. That includes identifying what kinds of activities are being conducted, where they are concentrated geographically, how they are resourced, and what patterns can be observed across different countries and subregions. The Department is explicitly asking for research that can be presented publicly, meaning the project should be structured to produce findings suitable for open discussion and dissemination rather than only internal reporting.

The award is structured as a grant, with an award ceiling of up to $650,000, contingent on the availability of funds. The Department anticipated making one award under this announcement, so the competition was effectively for a single funded project rather than multiple smaller grants. The funding activity category is listed as Information and Statistics (CFDA 19.040), which aligns with the emphasis on research, data compilation, analysis, and public presentation of findings.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. nonprofit/non-governmental organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. In other words, applicants needed to be qualifying nonprofits that are not universities or colleges. The opportunity was posted on July 14, 2017, with an original closing date of August 18, 2017, indicating a relatively short application window typical of some federal research and policy-focused competitions.

Overall, this NOFO aimed to fund a rigorous, research-driven project that produces actionable understanding of China's public diplomacy footprint in Asia and the Pacific, backed by clear evidence on scale and resourcing, and communicated in a way that supports public awareness through multiple public presentations.

• The Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Understanding China's Information Campaigns and Public Diplomacy in the Asian and Pacific Regions" 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 Jul 14, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 18, 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 $650,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for SFOP0002260

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