OpportunityTitle: Qatari Audience Analysis
CategoryExplanation: .
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: The Public Affairs Section encourages the following applicants from the United States and Qatar:&#8226; Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience&#8226; Non-profit or governmental educational institutions&#8226; Public and private educational institutions&#8226; Public international organizations and governmental institutions&#8226; Individuals will be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on their proven record of experience in relevant fields
Description: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe U.S. Embassy in Doha Public Affairs Section (PAS) is pleased to announce an open competition for one cooperative agreement through this Notice of Funding (NOFO). This is an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive audience analysis study on Qataris in Qatar. This NOFO outlines PAS&#8217;s funding priorities, strategic focus, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Pending the availability of funds, it is U.S. Embassy Doha&#8217;s intent to award one cooperative agreement for the winning proposal for an estimated total amount of $250,000 over the course of one year or less, depending upon the successful completion of goals.PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Qatar invites proposals for a comprehensive audience analysis study of Qataris in all of Qatar, inside and outside the capital. The study should encompass a good cross-section of Qatari society from different age groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, locations of residence, religions, culturally immersive backgrounds and tolerance levels, travel backgrounds, educational backgrounds, genders, ethnic backgrounds, tribal affiliations, professions, etc. Analysis at a minimum should be descriptive with additional inferential analysis based on causation/correlation of attitudes and behaviors preferred.The grant will help strengthen ties between the U.S. and Qatar through public diplomacy programming by funding an audience analysis study that will paint an accurate and representative picture of Qatari society and its attitudes and behaviors. This data will be crucial for PAS in its mandate to engage and understand Qatari audiences, to help in crafting its messaging and policies accordingly, knowing where to locate and how to reach and contact Qatari core audiences. Specifically, this data will help inform PAS of the attitudes and behaviors of Qataris on social, political, cultural, religious, familial, educational, and economic issues, among others, as well as toward the United States, Americans, the War on Terror, ISIS, the GCC, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Syria, Yemen, Russia, Iran, China, the U.S. military, its operations, the U.S. government, its policies, and study in the United States, etc. Any study should, at a minimum, break down audiences&#8217; behaviors and attitudes by age, gender, location of residence (Doha and the rest of the country), socioeconomic background, education, cultural immersion, religions, genders, ethnic backgrounds, tribal affiliations, professions, etc.Furthermore, PAS is interested in learning how and where Qataris gather their news, how they communicate with one another, where they convene, what voices they consider to be credible, and what news is of interest to them, e.g. Additional inferential analysis based on what might cause a behavior or attitude change is highly preferred.Understanding how or whether audience perceptions changed after the Gulf conflict would also be informative.Finally, a thorough understanding of why Qatari student enrollment at U.S. institutions of higher learning in the United States dropped by 26% between academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 is crucial in any study.Applicants are asked to submit a detailed proposal, outlining how they seek to accomplish these objectives, through what method, and what measures they will take as a contingency to deal with mitigating circumstances and anticipated challenges.Methodology:PAS welcomes detailed proposals, outlining their course of action for meeting objectives, and detailing the best methodology for conducting audience analysis polling and research in Qatar. Proposals should include a discussion on mitigating factors and anticipated challenges and proposed solutions. Good proposals will conceptually and empirically identify the most appropriate method of conducting audience analysis and ensure accurate representation in polling from a good cross-section of Qatari society, detailing audience target numbers, demographics, gender, location, profession, etc.Authorizing legislation, type, and year of funding:Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt. The source of funding is FY2020 Public Diplomacy Funding.Participants and Audiences: Proposals should describe both primary and secondary (if applicable) audiences for the program, including numbers anticipated to be reached. Primary audiences are those who will participate directly in the program, while secondary audiences are those who will be reached by the project&#8217;s primary audiences, because of their participation.Applicants should have considerable, practical, and relevant experience in polling, statistics, and data analysis, to be seriously considered for this project. Previous experience dealing with Qatari audiences is preferred.Any proposal should include a minimum sample size of 2,500 Qataris to ensure an accurate and representative depiction of Qataris from all walks and strata of life, inside and outside the capital. A bigger sample size is preferred. The study will analyze the following information gathered about Qataris, including but not limited to:Socio-demographic characteristics such as gender, age, language, tribal affinity, ethnic origin, national identity, and religion.Socioeconomic backgrounds and professionsEducationCultural immersionGeographic characteristics, including where the audiences live and how that might impact attitudes and behaviors.Audience thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to the United States, Americans, the U.S. government, the U.S. military, U.S. military actions, study in the U.S., and U.S. policies.Audience thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to the War on Terror, ISIS, the GCC, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Syria, Yemen, Russia, Iran, China, minority, religious, and human rights, etc.Barriers that prevent or facilitators that encourage audience members to adopt the desired behavior change.Effective communication channels or platforms for reaching the audience.Digital media and traditional media usage for each age group and demographic to tailor our messaging and reach accordingly.Audiences who are considered a priority for this program include:Qatari youth/students, especially in areas inside and outside of Doha, including traditionally under-served communitiesQatari minority groupsQatari parents and grandparentsQatari women and girlsQatari local decision-makers and established opinion leadersMedia outlets and expertsQatari teachers and academic professionalsEmerging Qatari voices; andQataris in the creative and performing arts communitiesPlease note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above are still eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals stated in Section A of this NOFO.Program Administration:In this Cooperative Agreement, PAS will be substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. PAS responsibilities for this program will include, but not be limited to:Participation in the design and direction of program activities/audience analysis study;Participation in the formulation and approval of program policies and protocols;Consultation on, input on, and approval of survey program questions, parameters, scale, scope, timelines, agendas, and administrative procedures;Guidance in execution of all programs;Review and approval of all program publicity, outreach, and recruitment materials to ensure adherence to Department, Bureau, and program branding and messaging, as well as to Qatari law, accounting for cultural sensitivities and privacy concerns;Consultation on and approval of decisions related to special circumstances or problems throughout the duration of the program;Consultation and approval of co-funding and public private partnership initiatives;Approval of key personnel, such as program director, assistant director or deputies, and other senior level managers.Consultation on and approval of volunteers and sub-contractors, if anyConsultation on and approval of outreach strategy and Qatari government notification, if appropriatePrograms must conform with U.S. Embassy requirements and guidelines outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).Award Recipient(s) Responsibilities:The award recipient is responsible for the activities outlined below. This is not an exhaustive list.Outreach, recruitment, and selection of appropriate team to help conduct this comprehensive study;Preparation of survey material;Placement, monitoring, supervision, and support of actual study;Orientation of program, professional in-service meetings, de-briefings, and events;Award administration;Fiscal management and program reporting;Informing PAS of any challenges as they become available;Compliance with U.S. Embassy guidelines;Final program evaluation; andReturn of any unused fundsThe U.S. Embassy, Doha &#8211; Public Affairs Section and the award recipient will meet regularly and will maintain regular telephone and email communications during the period of performance.Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation.Specifics are outlined in the &#8220;Program Administration Section&#8221; above and will also be included in the award letter.Program Performance Period: Proposed program should be completed in 12 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. U.S. Embassy&#8217;s level of involvement in this program is listed under Program Description.APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION All application materials must be submitted in English to both khankn@state.gov and dauod-akguctk@state.gov before September 9, 2020. For any questions, please email both of them.Mandatory Application forms are available for download in the Related Documents section, along with the Full Announcement for this Notice of Funding Opportunity.Application forms are also available at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Email Haris N Khan and Kareema Dauod-Akguc, for any questions.
GrantorContactText: Haris N Khan and Kareema Dauod-Akguc &lt;br/&gt;Grantor &lt;br/&gt;Phone: 0097444966000