Buenos Aires English for Journalists and Disinformation | PAS AR200 FY 19 02

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS AR200 FY 19 02

The Buenos Aires English for Journalists and Disinformation grant opportunity is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to Argentina) funding call focused on developing a specialized English-language curriculum that combines advanced language learning with practical journalism training centered on disinformation issues. The program is structured as a discretionary grant and is designed to support the creation of instructional materials for learners who already have intermediate to advanced English proficiency. The overall aim is not simply to teach English in isolation, but to use journalism and disinformation content as the vehicle for strengthening professional English skills while also deepening participants' ability to recognize, analyze, and respond to modern information threats in the media environment.

At the core of the project is the requirement to adapt and convert UNESCO's educational resource, Journalism, "Fake News" and Disinformation: A Handbook for Journalism Education and Training, into an English-learning curriculum tailored to the Argentine context and to primarily Spanish-speaking professionals. The target audience includes Spanish-speaking journalists, editors, and academics who want to improve their English while also building a clearer, more systematic understanding of misinformation, disinformation, and related risks to public trust. The opportunity explicitly emphasizes the practical value for newsrooms and journalism educators, framing disinformation as a challenge that requires collaboration between news organizations and audiences, and encouraging approaches informed by U.S. journalism models and experience.

The statement of work highlights that the curriculum should be organized around seven units drawn from the UNESCO framework. These units cover foundational and applied themes, starting with why truth, trust, and journalism matter, and moving into the concept of "information disorder" along with the distinctions between misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information. The content then addresses the changing news industry and the role of digital technologies and social media platforms in accelerating false or misleading narratives. From there, the curriculum shifts into response strategies, including media and information literacy approaches, introductory fact-checking methods, social media verification techniques, and guidance on assessing sources and visual content. It also includes training related to online abuse and the risks journalists and their sources face when they become targets, recognizing that harassment and intimidation are part of the broader disinformation ecosystem.

In practical terms, applicants are expected to produce a cohesive set of course materials that work for English language students learning at intermediate and advanced levels, meaning the final product should balance language-learning outcomes with rigorous journalism content. The materials should help participants build vocabulary, comprehension, and professional communication skills in English while engaging with real-world newsroom scenarios such as verifying claims, evaluating evidence, and making responsible editorial decisions under pressure. A key emphasis is the expectation that the curriculum encourages proactive roles for both traditional and digital media outlets in countering disinformation, rather than treating it as a purely academic topic.

The award information included an anticipated single award with a maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $35,000, with the original competition timeline indicating a creation date of August 22, 2019 and an original closing date of September 23, 2019. The opportunity is identified by funding opportunity number PAS AR200 FY 19 02 and is categorized under the Department of State assistance listing (CFDA) 19.040. Eligibility is listed as "Others" with additional clarification expected in the full eligibility text, suggesting the competition may have been open to certain organizations or entities capable of curriculum development and training design rather than restricted to a narrow applicant class.

Additional reference materials and the underlying UNESCO source content are linked through UNESCO's initiative site at https://en.unesco.org/fightfakenews, which provides context for the handbook and the broader educational approach to addressing disinformation through journalism training and media literacy.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Argentina in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Buenos Aires English for Journalists and Disinformation" 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 22, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 23, 2019. (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 $35,000.00 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 PAS AR200 FY 19 02

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