Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO
The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan (Public Affairs Section), under the U.S. Department of State, is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement to support a public diplomacy initiative focused on fighting misinformation through video game creation. The project centers on a national workshop in Abidjan titled "Unmasking Misinformation through Gaming," designed to bring together young, current, and aspiring game developers and help them build the skills and perspective needed to create games that address information manipulation issues relevant to Cote d'Ivoire. Funding is contingent on availability.
The core purpose of the program is twofold. First, it aims to strengthen participants' practical capacity to design and build compelling interactive experiences that carry a social message, especially around recognizing and resisting misinformation. Second, it aims to deepen participants' understanding of misinformation itself, giving them more nuanced background knowledge on the kinds of misinformation challenges that could be translated effectively into gameplay, narratives, characters, and decision-making systems. In other words, the workshop is not just about coding or art production; it is also about helping creators understand the problem space well enough to represent it responsibly and persuasively through game mechanics and storytelling.
The grant expects a four-day in-person program for roughly 60 to 70 participants drawn from the gaming industry and game design student communities. The structure should include a two-day workshop led by a mix of American and local experts, focusing on how to design games with social impact themes and how to embed educational or civic messages without sacrificing engagement. This is then followed by a two-day game jam where participants form teams and rapidly prototype concepts for games that speak to pressing misinformation issues in Cote d'Ivoire. A key deliverable is a final pitching competition at the end of the event, where teams present their game concepts or prototypes.
A notable requirement is that proposals should include budget support that goes beyond the event itself by enabling selected game ideas to be developed to completion. This implies the Embassy is looking for an implementation plan that not only runs a workshop and game jam, but also creates a pathway for a small number of the strongest concepts to receive some level of post-event funding or support so they can be finished into playable, polished products rather than remaining as rough prototypes. Because the award type is a cooperative agreement, applicants should also anticipate meaningful involvement and coordination with the U.S. Mission during planning and execution, as is typical for cooperative agreements compared with more hands-off grants.
The opportunity is being competed under Funding Opportunity Number PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO, with CFDA 19.040. The estimated maximum award amount (ceiling) is USD 100,000, and the Embassy expects to make one award. Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations (such as NGOs, civil society organizations, and think tanks with relevant programming experience), individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions. The original application closing date listed for the competition is 2024-08-05.Apply for PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO
- The U.S. Mission to Cote d Ivoire in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Combatting Information Manipulation through Game Jam" 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 2024-07-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-05. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan (Public Affairs Section) under the U.S. Department of State to support a public diplomacy initiative focused on fighting misinformation through video game creation.
What is the project concept being funded?
The funded project centers on a national, in-person workshop in Abidjan titled "Unmasking Misinformation through Gaming." It is designed to bring together young, current, and aspiring game developers and help them create games that address information manipulation issues relevant to Cote d'Ivoire.
What are the main goals of the program?
The program has two core goals: (1) strengthen participants' practical capacity to design and build engaging interactive experiences with a social message, especially around recognizing and resisting misinformation; and (2) deepen participants' understanding of misinformation so they can represent it responsibly and persuasively through gameplay, narratives, characters, and decision-making systems.
Is this program only about technical game development skills like coding and art?
No. The workshop is expected to go beyond production skills by helping participants understand misinformation challenges in a nuanced way and translate those issues into effective game mechanics and storytelling.
Where will the program take place?
The initiative is centered on a national workshop held in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
How long is the in-person program expected to be?
The grant expects a four-day in-person program.
How many participants should the event include?
The program is expected to serve roughly 60 to 70 participants.
Who are the intended participants?
Participants are expected to be drawn from the gaming industry and game design student communities, including young, current, and aspiring game developers.
What is the expected structure of the four-day program?
The structure should include: (1) a two-day workshop led by a mix of American and local experts focused on designing games with social impact themes and embedding educational or civic messages without sacrificing engagement; and (2) a two-day game jam where participants form teams and rapidly prototype game concepts addressing pressing misinformation issues in Cote d'Ivoire.
What kinds of experts should lead the workshop?
The workshop is expected to be led by a mix of American and local experts.
What is a key deliverable at the end of the event?
A key deliverable is a final pitching competition at the end of the event where teams present their game concepts or prototypes.
Does the Embassy expect the project to support game development after the workshop and game jam?
Yes. A notable requirement is that proposals should include budget support that goes beyond the event itself by enabling selected game ideas to be developed to completion. The expectation is to create a pathway for a small number of the strongest concepts to receive post-event funding or support so they can become playable, polished products rather than remaining rough prototypes.
Is this award a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity is a cooperative agreement, not a more hands-off grant.
What does the cooperative agreement format imply for applicants?
Because the award type is a cooperative agreement, applicants should anticipate meaningful involvement and coordination with the U.S. Mission during planning and execution.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this competition?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 19.040.
What is the maximum award amount?
The estimated maximum award amount (ceiling) is USD 100,000.
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy expects to make one award.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations (such as NGOs, civil society organizations, and think tanks with relevant programming experience), individuals, non-profit or governmental educational institutions, and governmental institutions.
Is funding guaranteed?
No. Funding is contingent on availability.
What is the application deadline listed for this opportunity?
The original application closing date listed for the competition is 2024-08-05.
What thematic focus should the games address?
The initiative is specifically focused on fighting misinformation. Game concepts are expected to address information manipulation issues that are relevant to Cote d'Ivoire and translate those challenges into gameplay and narratives.
What is the public diplomacy purpose of using video games in this program?
Based on the opportunity description, the intent is to use video game creation as a way to build skills and perspectives among developers so they can produce engaging interactive experiences that help audiences recognize and resist misinformation.
What kinds of outputs should come out of the game jam?
Teams are expected to rapidly prototype concepts for games focused on misinformation issues in Cote d'Ivoire, and then present those concepts or prototypes in a final pitching competition.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau, 2025 Education Summer Scholarship Program
Previous opportunity: Countering Abuses by Private Military Contractors
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Request for information: Sources Sought Notice: USAID Bangladesh Digital Development Activity. Apply for RFI SSN 388 24 000099 Funding Number: RFI SSN 388 24 000099 Agency: Bangladesh USAID-Dhaka Category: Other Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| SDMF Implementation Project Apply for 24CS07 Funding Number: 24CS07 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mali Addendum to Locally Led Development APS Apply for 72068824APS00002 Funding Number: 72068824APS00002 Agency: Mali USAID -Bamako Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity for a Technical Secretariat to Support the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Apply for DFOP0016743 Funding Number: DFOP0016743 Agency: Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program Apply for DHS USCG STATE 2025 Funding Number: DHS USCG STATE 2025 Agency: United States Coast Guard Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Ethiopia Public Diplomacy Notice of Funding Opportunity: Supporting the Transition of Ethiopia’s Public Universities to Autonomous Governance Apply for PDS 005 FY2024 Funding Number: PDS 005 FY2024 Agency: U.S. Mission to Ethiopia Category: Other Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Apply for PD SEOUL FY24 05 Funding Number: PD SEOUL FY24 05 Agency: U.S. Mission to South Korea Category: Other Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Cambodia Media Development (CMD) Activity Apply for 72044224RFA00006 Funding Number: 72044224RFA00006 Agency: Cambodia USAID-Phnom Penh Category: Other Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
| Expanding PEP Databasing (E-PEP) Project Apply for DFOP0016775 Funding Number: DFOP0016775 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR ATLANTIC COOPERATION SUPPORT Apply for 7200AA24RFI00022 Funding Number: 7200AA24RFI00022 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2024-2026 English Without Borders Network Program Apply for STI400 24 CA 0007 Funding Number: STI400 24 CA 0007 Agency: U.S. Mission to Tajikistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $273,000 |
| Trilateral Women in Security Apply for PD SEOUL FY24 06 Funding Number: PD SEOUL FY24 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to South Korea Category: Other Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Namibia Media Literacy and Counter Disinformation Programs Apply for PDS WINDHOEK FY2024 05 6 Funding Number: PDS WINDHOEK FY2024 05 6 Agency: U.S. Mission to Namibia Category: Other Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| YSEALI Regional Workshop on Digital Policy and Emerging Technologies – A Catalyst for Inclusive Economic Growth Apply for YSEALI FY2024 Funding Number: YSEALI FY2024 Agency: U.S. Mission to Vietnam Category: Other Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Borno WAS Activity Apply for 72062024RFA00004 Funding Number: 72062024RFA00004 Agency: Nigeria USAID-Abuja Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Building Awareness and Understanding of People’s Republic of China Sub-National Diplomacy in Europe Apply for CPIF GR ESF 001 Funding Number: CPIF GR ESF 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Greece Category: Other Funding Amount: $488,812 |
| Copy of 2025 AWE Alumnae Regional Summit Apply for OFOP0001514 Funding Number: OFOP0001514 Agency: Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $22,400 |
| What the PRC’s Economic Slowdown Means for Key Countries Apply for DFOP0016800 Funding Number: DFOP0016800 Agency: Bureau of Global Public Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Alumni Small Grants (ASG) Apply for PDS ASHGABAT AW FY24 009 Funding Number: PDS ASHGABAT AW FY24 009 Agency: U.S. Mission to Turkmenistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| ARDF FY24_Capacity Building and Human Rights Training for Lesotho Correctional Services leadership and policymakers Apply for DOS MSU ARDF FY24 Funding Number: DOS MSU ARDF FY24 Agency: U.S. Mission to Lesotho Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.