Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007508
FY 2021 Global Media Makers (GMM) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) grant competition run through the Office of Citizen Exchanges to fund a major professional development and exchange program for international film, television, and online episodic content creators. The core purpose is to strengthen the creative and technical capacity of mid-career storytellers whose work can elevate influential voices and contribute to more resilient civil societies. In practice, the program is meant to help participants develop independent, authentic, and compelling screen content that speaks to important local issues, with examples specifically noted in the announcement such as freedom of expression, pluralism, tolerance, and the empowerment of women and youth.
The program design centers on pairing approximately 12 to 18 mid-career professionals (called Fellows) from roughly six to eight participating countries with established U.S. entertainment and media professionals (called Mentors). A key element is the hands-on, project-driven approach: Fellows are expected to arrive with in-development projects in film, television, or online episodic formats, and the program matches each Fellow's interests and needs with Mentor expertise. Mentors provide behind-the-scenes access to the U.S. industry, practical guidance on craft and production, and intensive support for creative development, while also helping Fellows build durable professional networks that can continue long after the exchange ends.
A major component is a four-to-six week U.S. residency, primarily based in Los Angeles, where Fellows work closely with Mentors and receive up-to-date training and exposure to industry practices and standards. The residency is structured to accelerate project development and strengthen participants' professional skills through direct engagement with the U.S. media ecosystem. After the U.S. portion, the program envisions follow-on engagement in which Mentors travel to a select number of Fellows' home countries, when feasible, to provide continued consultation and deepen relationships with local creative communities. The exchange is framed as mutually beneficial, with the extended collaboration intended to encourage critical thinking, dialogue, and new creative and entrepreneurial connections for both U.S. Mentors and international Fellows.
Beyond the immediate cohort, GMM also emphasizes sustained alumni support. The opportunity description notes continuing professional development for current Fellows and past alumni through options such as film festival support, micro-grants, networking activities, and ongoing technical and creative guidance. This alumni component signals that the program is not only about a single residency, but also about maintaining momentum, supporting project completion or advancement, and reinforcing an international network of creators aligned with the program's civic and social-impact themes.
Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary award funded through a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement and collaboration with the U.S. government during implementation. The funding opportunity number is SFOP0007508 and the CFDA number is 19.415. The anticipated award structure lists one expected award with an award ceiling of $1,300,000. Eligible applicants include U.S. public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status (with additional eligibility notes referenced in the full announcement). The notice was created on December 17, 2020, with an original closing date of March 16, 2021.Apply for SFOP0007508
- The Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2021 Global Media Makers" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.415.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 17, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 16, 2021. (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 $1,300,000.00 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, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: Research Grants for Preventing Violence and Violence Related Injury (R01)
Previous opportunity: DRL FY2020: Guaranteeing Constitutional Rights in Tunisia
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 SFOP0007508
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SFOP0007508) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| U.S. Embassy La Paz - PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS LAPAZ FY21 01 Funding Number: PAS LAPAZ FY21 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bolivia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| DRL Strengthening Civil Society in Sri Lanka Apply for SFOP0007511 Funding Number: SFOP0007511 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Celebrating Excellence in Journalism Apply for PAS CMR FY21 05 Funding Number: PAS CMR FY21 05 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Cameroon Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Women’s Economic Empowerment Mentorship Program Apply for PASCNB NOFO FY21 03 Funding Number: PASCNB NOFO FY21 03 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Australia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| DEMOCRACY COMMISSION SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for 001 FY2021 Funding Number: 001 FY2021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for 002 FY2021 Funding Number: 002 FY2021 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Annual Program Statement for Democracy Commission Small Grants Program 2021 Apply for SMK80021PAS001 Funding Number: SMK80021PAS001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to North Macedonia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $24,000 |
| Public Diplomacy Grants Program 2021 Apply for SMK80021PAS002 Funding Number: SMK80021PAS002 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to North Macedonia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| USAID/Mali ADDENDUM TO NPI/APS Apply for 72068821APS00002 Funding Number: 72068821APS00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Mali USAID -Bamako Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Annual Program Statement – Public Diplomacy Programs with Chile Apply for PAS STG FY21 Funding Number: PAS STG FY21 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Chile Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Apply for DHS 20 GPD 044 00 98 Funding Number: DHS 20 GPD 044 00 98 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,550 |
| DRL FY2020: Global Equality Fund Programs in East Asia Apply for SFOP0007516 Funding Number: SFOP0007516 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| DRL Promoting and Advancing International Labor Rights in Bangladesh Apply for SFOP0007518 Funding Number: SFOP0007518 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| U.S. Mission to NATO Public Affairs Annual Program Statement Apply for DOS USNATO PAA 2021 002 Funding Number: DOS USNATO PAA 2021 002 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to NATO Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| FY 2021 Global Sports Mentoring Program Apply for SFOP0007530 Funding Number: SFOP0007530 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,130,000 |
| FY 2021 International Sports Programming Initiative Apply for SFOP0007532 Funding Number: SFOP0007532 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,100,000 |
| FY 2021 Julia Taft Refugee Fund, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa Apply for AF DRC FY21 POL 01 Funding Number: AF DRC FY21 POL 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| 21.PMWRA.FKD Fellowship.NOFO Apply for SFOP0007535 Funding Number: SFOP0007535 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs - WRA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Advocacy to Preserve Cultural Heritage in Africa Apply for SFOP0007534 Funding Number: SFOP0007534 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $740,740 |
| Enhancing Labor Compliance in Key Export Sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa Apply for FOA ILAB 21 01 Funding Number: FOA ILAB 21 01 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $11,711,500 |
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 "SFOP0007508", 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.