Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS PAN FY26 02
The U.S. Mission to Panama (U.S. Department of State, Embassy Panama) is offering a discretionary grant competition called "Equipping Journalists to Counter Anti-American Propaganda" (Funding Opportunity Number: PDS PAN FY26 02). The goal is to fund a one-year program in Panama that strengthens local journalists' ability to push back against disinformation and influence campaigns by improving three practical skill areas: advanced English language proficiency, applied artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and digital media literacy. The underlying idea is that journalists who can confidently use English, evaluate online information more rigorously, and understand how AI can both help and harm reporting will be better positioned to access credible international sources, verify claims, and communicate accurate information to their audiences.
The opportunity is framed around current pressures in Panama's media ecosystem, where manipulated narratives, foreign influence efforts, and rapid-fire online falsehoods can erode public trust and distort public debate. The proposed program is expected to combine intensive English instruction with hands-on AI training and strong digital verification methods. English is treated as more than a language goal; it is positioned as a gateway skill that enables journalists to engage directly with reputable English-language reporting, research, and U.S. subject-matter experts, rather than relying on secondhand translations or summaries that may be incomplete or biased. Alongside this, applied AI training is meant to help participants understand modern tools they may encounter in newsrooms and online environments, including how AI-generated text, images, audio, and video can be used to mislead audiences, and how responsible AI use can support legitimate reporting tasks.
A key expected result is that participants leave the program measurably better at spotting and responding to manipulated media and AI-generated or AI-altered content. The description emphasizes practical digital media literacy outcomes such as fact-checking workflows, source evaluation, verification techniques, and critical consumption of information. In effect, the program aims to create a cohort of journalists who can more reliably identify disinformation patterns, interrogate suspicious content, confirm what is authentic, and explain findings in a way that strengthens their credibility with the public. The program is also designed to increase participants' ability to draw on global media resources and U.S.-linked expertise, which the sponsor views as supportive of higher-quality, fact-based reporting.
From a policy standpoint, the embassy explicitly ties the program to U.S. foreign policy objectives: countering anti-American propaganda, reducing the impact of digital disinformation threats, and building resilience in Panama's information space. The intended broader impact is a healthier public discourse where audiences have greater access to accurate, verified information and where trusted local messengers (journalists) are better equipped to challenge misleading narratives. The opportunity description also signals that proposals should show how the training will translate into real-world reporting improvements and stronger community trust, not just classroom learning.
Administratively, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) under the Regional Development activity category, with CFDA number 19.040. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, and individuals. The award ceiling is $120,000, and the posting lists an original closing date of 2026-09-13, with a creation date of 2026-08-28. The notice does not specify the number of expected awards in the provided text, but it clearly invites applicants to compete to design and implement the full program over a one-year period.Apply for PDS PAN FY26 02
- The U.S. Mission to Panama in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Equipping Journalists to Counter Anti-American Propaganda" 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 2026-08-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-13. (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 $120,000.00 in funding.
- 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Equipping Journalists to Counter Anti-American Propaganda."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PDS PAN FY26 02.
Who is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Mission to Panama (U.S. Department of State, Embassy Panama).
What type of funding instrument is this?
This opportunity uses a Grant as the funding instrument type.
What activity category is this grant listed under?
The opportunity is listed under the Regional Development activity category.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 19.040.
What is the main goal of the program being funded?
The goal is to fund a one-year program in Panama that strengthens local journalists' ability to push back against disinformation and influence campaigns by improving advanced English proficiency, applied AI capabilities, and digital media literacy.
Where is the program expected to take place?
The program is expected to be implemented in Panama.
How long is the funded program expected to run?
The program is expected to run for one year.
What practical skill areas should the proposed program strengthen?
The opportunity emphasizes three practical skill areas: (1) advanced English language proficiency, (2) applied artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and (3) digital media literacy.
Why is advanced English proficiency emphasized?
English is positioned as a gateway skill that enables journalists to access credible English-language reporting and research, and to engage directly with U.S. subject-matter experts, rather than relying on secondhand translations or summaries that may be incomplete or biased.
What does "applied AI capabilities" mean in the context of this grant?
Applied AI training is meant to help participants understand modern tools they may encounter in newsrooms and online environments, including how AI-generated or AI-altered text, images, audio, and video can mislead audiences, and how responsible AI use can support legitimate reporting tasks.
What kinds of digital media literacy outcomes are expected?
Expected outcomes include stronger fact-checking workflows, better source evaluation, verification techniques, and more critical consumption of information, with an emphasis on practical ability to detect and respond to manipulated media and AI-driven deception.
What key result does the sponsor expect for participants?
A key expected result is that participants leave the program measurably better at spotting and responding to manipulated media and AI-generated or AI-altered content.
What problem in Panama's media environment is this program intended to address?
The opportunity is framed around pressures such as manipulated narratives, foreign influence efforts, and rapid-fire online falsehoods that can erode public trust and distort public debate.
What approach does the opportunity suggest for the training design?
The program is expected to combine intensive English instruction with hands-on AI training and strong digital verification methods, with an emphasis on practical application rather than purely classroom learning.
How should proposals demonstrate real-world impact?
The description signals that proposals should show how training will translate into real-world reporting improvements and stronger community trust, not just classroom learning.
How is this opportunity tied to U.S. policy objectives?
The embassy explicitly ties the program to U.S. foreign policy objectives, including countering anti-American propaganda, reducing the impact of digital disinformation threats, and building resilience in Panama's information space.
What broader impact is the sponsor aiming for?
The intended broader impact is a healthier public discourse in Panama, where audiences have greater access to accurate, verified information and trusted local messengers (journalists) are better equipped to challenge misleading narratives.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $120,000.
Is the number of expected awards stated?
No. The provided notice text does not specify the number of expected awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, and individuals.
What is the closing date for applications?
The posting lists an original closing date of 2026-09-13.
What is the creation date of the opportunity posting?
The creation date listed is 2026-08-28.
What is the intended audience for the training program?
The opportunity describes strengthening "local journalists" in Panama, with a focus on building a cohort better prepared to identify, verify, and counter disinformation and influence campaigns.
What kinds of misinformation-related skills are emphasized?
The emphasis is on identifying disinformation patterns, interrogating suspicious content, confirming authenticity, and explaining findings in ways that strengthen credibility with the public.
Does the opportunity describe how English, AI, and media literacy work together?
Yes. The underlying idea is that journalists who can confidently use English, evaluate online information rigorously, and understand how AI can help or harm reporting will be better positioned to access credible international sources, verify claims, and communicate accurate information to their audiences.
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