Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation in Gaming Research and Convening | DFOP0010757

Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0010757

The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of Global Public Affairs and its Global Engagement Center (GEC), is offering a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation in Gaming Research and Convening" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0010757). The award will be made as a cooperative agreement, meaning the government anticipates being more actively involved than in a standard grant, typically through collaboration on planning, deliverables, or oversight during the project period. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040 and was created on April 9, 2024, with an original application deadline of May 22, 2024.

The core purpose of the project is to produce a clear, evidence-based picture of how foreign propaganda and disinformation are showing up in digital games and game-adjacent platforms in Eastern Europe. The GEC is specifically seeking both quantitative and qualitative research. In practical terms, that implies applicants should be prepared to measure and describe the problem from multiple angles: numerical indicators of prevalence, reach, and patterns, alongside contextual analysis that explains tactics, narratives, channels, and the ways users encounter or spread manipulative content. "Game-adjacent platforms" generally includes the wider ecosystem around games, such as livestreaming services, chat and voice platforms, community forums, and social spaces where players organize and talk, since these are often where information operations can be embedded, amplified, or normalized.

After the research phase is completed, the implementer is expected to organize a convening that brings together key stakeholders, including governments, the gaming industry, and civil society organizations. The convening is intended to share the final research report and create a structured discussion around the findings, along with other relevant research in the field. This portion of the project signals that the State Department is not only looking for a diagnostic report, but also for practical engagement that helps translate research into shared understanding, coordination, and potentially follow-on actions across sectors that do not always work closely together.

Funding is limited to one expected award, with a maximum funding amount (award ceiling) of $300,000. Because only a single award is anticipated, the solicitation is effectively seeking one organization or consortium capable of executing the full package: research design, data collection and analysis, report production, and event planning and delivery for the convening. Applicants should interpret this as a competitive process where demonstrating credible methodology, access to relevant communities or data, regional knowledge of Eastern Europe, and the ability to engage industry and policy stakeholders will likely be important.

Eligibility is open to U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and commercial entities. The solicitation explicitly excludes individuals, U.S. state and local governments, foreign public entities, and public international organizations from applying. Applicants are also instructed to confirm they can comply with the applicable federal assistance regulations, specifically the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements in 2 CFR 200, and the State Department-specific assistance regulations in 2 CFR 600. In practice, this means the selected implementer must be ready to meet federal standards on budgeting, allowable costs, procurement, financial management, reporting, and audit readiness, which can affect everything from subcontracting plans to how event costs and research expenses are documented.

In summary, this opportunity funds a focused investigation into foreign propaganda and disinformation within gaming ecosystems in Eastern Europe, followed by a multi-stakeholder convening to disseminate findings and align perspectives across government, industry, and civil society. It is a single-award, up-to-$300,000 cooperative agreement aimed at producing both rigorous research outputs and a practical forum for discussion and coordination.

• The Bureau of Global Public Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation in Gaming Research and Convening" 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 2024-04-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-22. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DFOP0010757

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