Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2024 0002
The Countering AI-Generated Disinformation opportunity is a U.S. Department of State grant competition run through the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, under the U.S. Mission to Iraq. It is designed to strengthen the ability of local communicators in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) and Kirkuk governorate to identify, explain, and responsibly respond to AI-driven disinformation. The underlying problem the program targets is the rapid spread of synthetic or manipulated content online, including coordinated bot activity and deepfakes, which can blur the line between real and fabricated events and undermine public trust, accurate reporting, and democratic discourse.
Geographically, the program prioritizes the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and it explicitly favors proposals that reach audiences beyond the three main urban centers of Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimani. In practical terms, applicants that demonstrate meaningful inclusion of participants or outreach from smaller towns and less-served communities in the region are positioned more competitively than proposals concentrated only in the major cities.
The core activity is capacity-building through two separate trainings aimed at two distinct groups. The first training targets 15 prominent social media influencers (with a minimum follower threshold to be determined), recognizing that influencers can quickly shape perceptions and spread corrective information to large audiences. The second training targets 100 journalism students or early-career journalists with fewer than five years of experience, reflecting the need to build long-term professional resilience in local media and to equip emerging reporters with the skills to cover AI-enabled manipulation as a beat, not just a one-off topic.
Content-wise, the program is meant to be practical and audience-facing, not abstract or alarmist. Participants are expected to learn how AI is used to create and distribute disinformation, how to detect and verify suspicious content, and how to communicate about these risks in clear, accessible language. A notable emphasis is that trainees should be able to explain the issue without relying on scare tactics. The goal is to help participants inform and empower their audiences with concrete understanding and verification habits, rather than leaving people feeling overwhelmed or cynical about what can be trusted.
The grant includes clear output expectations tied to real-world publication and dissemination. Influencers are expected to produce at least two pieces of original content for their audiences specifically addressing disinformation. Journalists and journalism students are expected to write and publish at least two stories on disinformation. These deliverables signal that the program is not only about training attendance, but also about translating new skills into visible public education and news coverage that can improve community resilience to manipulation.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DOS BAGHDAD PD 2024 0002; CFDA 19.021) with an anticipated single award. The award ceiling is $80,000, and the original closing date listed is 2024-07-01. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they meet the program requirements and can credibly implement trainings and support participants in producing the required public outputs.Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2024 0002
- The U.S. Mission to Iraq in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering AI-Generated Disinformation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.021.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-01. (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 $80,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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.
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Countering AI-Generated Disinformation Grant - FAQs
What is the "Countering AI-Generated Disinformation" grant opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State grant competition run through the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, under the U.S. Mission to Iraq. The program supports practical capacity-building to help local communicators better identify, explain, and responsibly respond to AI-driven disinformation.
What problem is this program trying to address?
The program targets the rapid spread of synthetic or manipulated content online. This includes coordinated bot activity and deepfakes that can blur the line between real and fabricated events, undermining public trust, accurate reporting, and democratic discourse.
Who is the grant competition run by?
The competition is a U.S. Department of State opportunity administered through the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil as part of the U.S. Mission to Iraq.
What geographic areas does the program prioritize?
The program prioritizes the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) and also includes Kirkuk governorate.
Are proposals focused only on Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimani competitive?
Proposals concentrated only in the three main urban centers (Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimani) are not favored. The opportunity explicitly favors proposals that reach audiences beyond these major cities.
What does "reaching beyond major cities" mean in practice?
Applications are positioned more competitively when they demonstrate meaningful inclusion of participants or outreach from smaller towns and less-served communities, rather than limiting activities to the main urban centers.
What are the main activities funded by this grant?
The core activity is capacity-building through two separate trainings aimed at two distinct groups: one training for social media influencers and one training for journalism students or early-career journalists.
How many influencers are expected to be trained?
The program calls for training 15 prominent social media influencers.
Is there a minimum follower requirement for influencers?
Yes. Influencers are described as having a minimum follower threshold, but the specific threshold is to be determined.
How many journalism participants are expected to be trained?
The program calls for training 100 journalism students or early-career journalists.
Who qualifies for the journalism training group?
The journalism training is designed for journalism students or early-career journalists with fewer than five years of experience.
Why does the program target influencers and early-career journalists?
The design reflects two needs: influencers can shape perceptions quickly and spread corrective information to large audiences, while emerging journalists can build long-term professional resilience and cover AI-enabled manipulation as an ongoing beat rather than a one-time topic.
What topics should the trainings cover?
The trainings are expected to be practical and audience-facing. Participants should learn how AI is used to create and distribute disinformation, how to detect and verify suspicious content, and how to communicate about these risks in clear, accessible language.
Is the program focused on theory, or practical skills?
The opportunity emphasizes practical, real-world skills. It is intended to help participants detect, verify, and explain AI-driven disinformation in ways their audiences can use.
Does the program encourage alarmist messaging about disinformation?
No. A stated emphasis is that trainees should be able to explain the issue without relying on scare tactics. The goal is to inform and empower audiences with concrete understanding and verification habits.
What outputs are expected from influencer participants after training?
Influencers are expected to produce at least two pieces of original content for their audiences specifically addressing disinformation.
What outputs are expected from journalism students and early-career journalists after training?
Journalists and journalism students are expected to write and publish at least two stories on disinformation.
Is this grant only about training attendance?
No. The program includes clear output expectations tied to real-world publication and dissemination, meaning participants are expected to translate training into public-facing content and reporting.
How many awards are anticipated under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipates a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $80,000.
What type of funding opportunity is this?
This is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DOS BAGHDAD PD 2024 0002.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.021.
What is the closing date listed for the opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2024-07-01.
Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), as long as they meet the program requirements and can credibly implement the trainings and support participants in producing the required public outputs.
Are nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, provided they can meet the program requirements.
What capabilities should an applicant be able to demonstrate?
Applicants should be able to credibly implement the two trainings and support participants in producing the required public outputs (influencers producing original content and journalism participants publishing stories).
Does the opportunity specify how the program should talk to the public about AI disinformation?
Yes. The program emphasizes communication that is clear and accessible, focusing on practical verification habits and understanding rather than fear-based messaging.
What kinds of AI-driven disinformation are referenced in the opportunity description?
The description references synthetic or manipulated content online, including coordinated bot activity and deepfakes.
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