Educating the Public on Air Quality | ND NOFO 19 114

Opportunity Information: Apply for ND NOFO 19 114

The grant opportunity titled "Educating the Public on Air Quality" (Funding Opportunity Number: ND NOFO 19 114) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to India. It focuses on supporting a single, high-impact public education effort aimed at improving public understanding of air pollution and practical responses to it across the Delhi-NCR region. The geographic scope is clearly defined: Delhi and the adjoining cities of Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad, with an emphasis on reaching people across social and economic divides rather than only engaging already-informed audiences.

At its core, the program is designed to fund the creation and delivery of a two-year, comprehensive, innovative, and multi-pronged public education campaign. The campaign is expected to be primarily delivered in regional languages, reflecting an intent to broaden access to accurate information and ensure that messaging resonates with local communities. The goal is not only to raise awareness but to "demystify" air pollution, meaning the project should explain what air pollution is, where it comes from, why it matters, and how it affects daily life in ways that the general public can readily understand.

A central expectation is that the successful applicant will be capable of bridging technical knowledge and public communication. The announcement stresses that the implementer should understand the science behind air quality while also being able to translate that science into clear, lay-friendly language. In practice, that implies explaining concepts like sources of pollution, exposure, health impacts, and risk reduction without relying on jargon, and doing so in ways that are credible, consistent, and actionable for ordinary households. The campaign should present both the challenges and the solutions, with particular attention to what an average citizen can do to protect their own health and their family's health while also contributing to broader community benefits.

The grant also places strong emphasis on outcomes and accountability. Applicants are expected to propose realistic and measurable outcomes for the two-year project period, suggesting that the campaign should include defined targets and methods for tracking progress, such as shifts in public understanding, increased adoption of protective behaviors, improved engagement with air-quality information, or stronger community participation in solutions. At the same time, the notice signals that air-quality improvement is a long-term effort; while the funded campaign lasts two years, the plan should be designed to anticipate and influence a process that will take many years, implying the need for sustainable messaging, durable partnerships, and strategies that can outlast the grant period.

In terms of funding and competitiveness, the opportunity anticipated one award with a maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $200,000. The original application closing date was July 31, 2019, and the opportunity was created on June 27, 2019. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category). Because this is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, it typically indicates a closer working relationship with the funding agency during implementation, often including coordination, guidance, or collaboration on key elements of the project.

Overall, this opportunity is aimed at backing a well-designed, culturally and linguistically accessible communications initiative that can cut through confusion and misinformation on air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The strongest proposals would likely combine scientific accuracy, clear public-facing storytelling, targeted outreach in local languages, multiple communication channels, and a practical evaluation approach that shows how the campaign will produce measurable public benefit within two years while laying groundwork for longer-term change. For full details and any specific required components, the announcement directs applicants to consult the complete notice in the related documents section.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Educating the Public on Air Quality" 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 Jun 27, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 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 $200,000.00 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, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for ND NOFO 19 114

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