U.S. Mission to Indonesia Grants

U.S. Mission to Indonesia

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and spanning more than 17,000 islands, the archipelago experiences an extraordinary frequency of natural hazards including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and landslides affecting millions of people and causing billions of dollars in economic losses each year. North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Central Sulawesi represent some of the highest-risk disaster zones in the country, sitting atop active fault lines, near active volcanoes, and along coastlines vulnerable to tsunamis and storm surge. North Sumatra and West Sumatra were hit by extreme weather at the end of 2025 that caused massive landslide and took the lives of hundreds of locals. Central Sulawesi was devastated by the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 4,000 people. Despite this persistent threat environment, most journalists working in these regions lack formal training in the specialized skills required to cover disasters safely and effectively, including safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification tools, coordination with emergency officials, and public safety information delivery. When disasters strike and journalists are unprepared, inaccurate reporting can impede evacuation and undermine public trust in emergency systems. The training will be conducted through workshops, field exercises, mentorship, and simulated disaster scenarios. By strengthening the capacity of local journalists to report accurately and responsibly during crises, this initiative promotes a free, independent, and professional press and supports resilient, well-informed communities that are better equipped to withstand and recover from disasters, advancing the U.S. foreign policy goal of strengthening regional disaster response and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Project Audience(s): Primary Audience: Journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media working in disaster-prone areas across Indonesia Newsroom editors and managers responsible for disaster coverage Participants must be Indonesian citizens or residents Secondary Audience: Emergency management officials and first responders (PMI, BNPB) Civil society communicators working on disaster preparedness Indonesian media organizations and journalism associations Local government officials responsible for public information during emergencies Project Goal A well-trained Indonesian press corps that can report accurately under emergent conditions strengthens public trust, supports government accountability, and creates the reliable information environment that the United States and regional partners depend on to coordinate effective humanitarian assistance. This project will contribute to a more stable information environment and improve national and regional disaster response coordination. A successful project would equip at least 150 Indonesian journalists with proficiency in accurate, ethical, and effective disaster reporting, including coverage of earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, as measured by pre- and post-training competency assessments. Participants would develop specialized skills in safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification, and coordination with emergency officials. At least 75 trained media professionals would apply these skills to deliver critical public safety information during real disaster events. The project would generate multiplier effects by building a cohort of disaster-ready journalists capable of mentoring colleagues and elevating reporting standards across Indonesian newsrooms in the country s highest-risk regions. Project Objectives: The project objectives are the specific and measurable results PDS aims to achieve through this project. They describe necessary and pre-requisite changes required to move closer to achieving the project goal. Objective 1 Equip a minimum of 150 Indonesian journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media across at least seven provinces with proficiency in disaster reporting, including safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification tools, and coordination with emergency officials Pre- and post-training competency assessments will demonstrate skill improvement among at least 70 percent of participants. Objective 2 Ensure at least 75 trained media professionals apply newly acquired disaster reporting skills to deliver accurate, timely, and credible public safety information during at least one real disaster event within the project period, as documented through published reports, broadcast coverage, or verified field activity records. Objective 3 Build a cohort of disaster-ready journalists capable of mentoring colleagues, with at least 30 participants committing to formal or informal peer mentorship or in-newsroom training activities within six months of program completion, as measured by post-program follow-up surveys or documented mentorship agreements. 2. Substantial Involvement This award will be a cooperative agreement. In consultation with the U.S. Embassy Jakarta, the award recipient must actively engage with and manage the details of the training as well as communication with participating Indonesian journalists and other collaborators/partners. U.S. Embassy Roles and Responsibilities: Working closely with the award recipient, U.S. Embassy Jakarta will be involved in: Consultation on the development of the scheduled program Review and approval of training locations Participation in the selection of participants Review and approval of the agenda and content of activities (training modules, workshops, practical exercises, panel discussions, mentorship, etc.) Coordination with U.S. experts from ECA's U.S. Speaker Program roster Review and approval of social media, traditional media, and other publicity content Review and approval of final program materials, photos, and videos Recipient Roles and Responsibilities: The award recipient is expected to: Develop, organize, and implement an open call for journalists and media professionals working in disaster-prone areas Manage a selection process in collaboration with PAS and other stakeholders Identify and select at least 200 participants representing a range of media outlets, geographic regions, and experience levels Source, organize, and manage experts to hold workshops, participate in panel discussions, and engage in mentorship and field practices Develop, organize, and manage comprehensive training modules covering safety protocols, technical skills, disaster science, ethical reporting, digital tools, fact-checking, interviewing techniques, and coordination with emergency officials Develop, coordinate, and oversee practical exercises including simulated disaster reporting scenarios, case study analysis, and field exercises Identify, coordinate, and manage venues for all training activities, including audio, visual, and sound system support Design and distribute digital and non-digital marketing and promotional materials Develop a comprehensive social media campaign plan for all activities Develop a resource library and best practices guide for disaster coverage Plan to expand public awareness and visibility beyond the program Provide all design files, photos, and videos of the program Provide a promotion-ready, U.S. Embassy approved photo album and video series after completion Maintain regular, transparent communication via email, phone, video conference calls, and face-to-face meetings with the grants officer, grants officer representative, and program officer throughout the period of performance

U.S. Mission to Indonesia

Indonesia is ASEAN s largest economy and most populous nation, with a young, fast-growing digital population that is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence and creative-technology tools. The choices this generation makes about which technologies, standards, and platforms to build on will shape Indonesia s digital economy for decades. Demand for trusted, high-quality AI tools is outpacing access to credible, hands-on training, and U.S. technology providers remain underrepresented in the venues where Indonesian youth, creators, and MSMEs first encounter AI.This program builds demand for full-stack U.S. artificial-intelligence technologies and standards and supports the continued growth of Indonesia s creative and technology economy. The U.S. Mission to Indonesia s American Spaces network reaches these audiences directly. The Mission has focused its network on five higher-impact American Corners American Corner Malang, American Corner Makassar, American Corner Yogyakarta, American Corner Pontianak, and American Corner Ambon. These corners put U.S. programming in front of technology adopters, content creators, MSME operators, future policymakers, and youth influencers.Past American Spaces programming has shown that one-off events generate limited, short-lived engagement, while sustained, skills-based programming tied to tangible participant outputs builds durable relationships and measurable behavioral change. This opportunity builds on those lessons by funding a coherent, network-wide program rather than isolated activities, and by recruiting and professionalizing the teams that operate the corners so that gains are sustained beyond the award period. Through this NOFO, the Public Diplomacy Section seeks a partner to operationalize the American Innovation Hubs program. Success will be defined by five corners visibly transformed into modern innovation spaces; a documented shift in participant preference toward American AI tools and standards; a steady cadence of locally produced digital content; and a trained, capable cadre of corner staff able to sustain the model.Project Audience(s): The program serves several distinct audiences across the five host cities of Pontianak (West Kalimantan), Malang (East Java), Yogyakarta (Central Java), Ambon (Maluku), and Makassar (South Sulawesi): Indonesian youth and young adults aged 18 35 technology adopters, content creators, digital entrepreneurs, and startup founders; MSME owners and operators in the creative and technology sectors seeking to adopt AI tools for content creation and online marketing; American Corner staff and host-institution counterparts who operate the five corners.Project Goal: Advance U.S. innovation leadership and build sustained Indonesian demand for the American AI technology stack by transforming five American Corners into American Innovation Hubs that equip Indonesia s youth, creatives, and MSMEs with full-stack American AI and digital skills.Project Objectives: Objective 1: Reposition and equip all five American Corners as American Innovation Hubs with professional U.S. AI hardware, licensed American AI software, and a unified visual identity, with all five corners meeting applicable American Spaces Standards by the end of the program. Objective 2: Recruit, hire, and professionalize the local staff who operate the three corners in Malang, Yogyakarta, and Makassar, and build the capacity of at least 25 American Corner staff across five competency tracks creative-hub operations; strategic programming; ecosystem integration; brand stewardship; and monitoring, evaluation, and reporting with each corner producing an Annual Programming Plan and a Partner Ecosystem Map of at least 20 active local relationships. Objective 3: Train at least 1,500 youth, creative professionals, and MSMEs (approximately 300 per corner) in full-stack American AI tools and standards, resulting in a documented increase of at least 25 percent in participant preference for U.S. AI solutions, as measured by pre- and post-program surveys. Objective 4: Deliver sustained, regular AI-focused programming across all five corners that produces tangible participant outputs, including at least 35 podcast episodes (seven per corner), AI-generated music and visual content, short animated films, and live online marketing campaigns built with American AI tools, culminating in local hackathons and a national Grand Final.2. Substantial InvolvementThis award will be issued as a cooperative agreement. Because the program directly implements U.S. foreign policy priorities and operates through the Mission s American Spaces network, the U.S. Mission to Indonesia will be substantially involved in implementation. The expected roles and responsibilities of the Embassy and the recipient are summarized below.U.S. Embassy Roles and Responsibilities: Oversee and approve the overall program design, the American Innovation Hub visual identity and branding, and the physical configuration of each corner; Review and approve the position descriptions and selection of funded corner staff, the Annual Programming Plans, training curricula, and the selection of AI tools and standards featured in programming; Participate in the selection and approval of major implementing partners and the content of flagship events, hackathons, and speakers; Coordinate access to Mission resources, including the U.S. Embassy Jakarta American Spaces team, the @america programs team, the U.S. Consulate General Surabaya American Spaces team, EducationUSA, and U.S. government alumni networks; Review and clear public-facing materials and content for branding and policy compliance; Approve any significant changes to the scope, schedule, or budget of the project.Recipient Roles and Responsibilities: Implement the program across all five American Corners (Pontianak, Malang, Yogyakarta, Ambon, and Makassar); Recruit, hire, onboard, and supervise the nine local staff for the three corners in Malang, Yogyakarta, and Makassar in compliance with Indonesian labor law, and integrate all corner staff into the Capacity-Building Framework; Procure, ship, install, and maintain the U.S. AI hardware and licensed American AI software, and apply the approved American Innovation Hub visual identity at each corner; Design and deliver recurring American AI Skills Labs (approximately every two months) and sustained programming that introduces full-stack American AI tools and standards; Produce tangible participant outputs, including the podcast series, AI-generated content, short films, online marketing campaigns, and hackathons; Build and steward local partnerships and produce a Partner Ecosystem Map for each corner; Establish and implement the monitoring and evaluation plan and meet all reporting, branding, and compliance requirements; Coordinate closely with the U.S. Embassy through regular updates and consultations.

U.S. Mission to Indonesia

Project Background, Goals, and ObjectivesIn an era of global disruption and rapid technological change, secure and resilient supply chains are more critical than ever. This workshop will bring together early-stage professionals from across Southeast Asia to explore how supply chains operate, the impact of advanced technologies, and the critical minerals that power modern economies. They will leave equipped with tools to increase advocacy efforts that support national-level policy, encouraging the expansion of U.S.- ASEAN commercial opportunities and prioritizing secure supply chains that strengthen U.S. - ASEAN economic and regional security.Workshop Objectives Enhance understanding of supply chain fundamentals: Provide participants with a strong foundation in supply chain operations, including key actors, systems, and processes. Identify and analyze supply chain risks: Equip participants to recognize vulnerabilities such as cyber threats, illegal transshipment, geopolitical risks, and industrial overcapacity. Explore strategies for supply chain security and resilience: Introduce U.S. tools, frameworks, and best practices for strengthening supply chain resilience, including intellectual property protection, export controls, taxation, cybersecurity, and cross-border data flows. Introduce emerging technologies in trade and logistics: Familiarize participants with U.S.-led innovations such as digital tracking, blockchain, and artificial intelligence and their applications in improving supply chain security and efficiency. Highlight the importance of critical and rare earth minerals: Demonstrate how these minerals underpin advanced technologies and essential products, and how diversified processing and refining capabilities contribute to American and Southeast Asian prosperity and security. Foster regional collaboration and dialogue: Encourage early-stage professionals across Southeast Asia to share perspectives, develop joint strategies, and explore policy recommendations. Develop practical regional solutions: Engage participants in simulations and group activities that apply workshop concepts to real-world supply chain challenges, drawing on expertise from U.S. industry partners and case studies. Encourage participant-led innovation and action: Organize a business incubator competition that provides seed funding to innovative projects and initiatives that strengthen secure, resilient, and fair supply chains while expanding opportunities for U.S. trade, investment, and commercial partnerships across the ASEAN region.Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Surabaya, Indonesia, offer complementary, yet distinct, expertise that uniquely positions each location to host specialized workshop activities. Participants will engage in programming at both sites beginning in Vietnam and concluding in Indonesia gaining a rare, firsthand understanding of regional supply chain dynamics, economic priorities, and cross-border challenges. This immersive experience will equip participants with the broader regional perspective necessary to make informed decisions within the ASEAN context.Ho Chi Minh City: Supply Chain Challenge Simulation: A team-based exercise where participants move goods from production to delivery while responding to realistic disruptions and crises. Expert Talks: Sessions with industry and policy experts on current trends, risks, and opportunities in supply chain security, followed by Q&A discussions. Case Study Lab When Supply Chains Break : Participants analyze real-world supply chain disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and propose resilience strategies. Regional Dialogue Roundtable: Interactive discussions where participants share country perspectives, regional challenges, and opportunities for cross-border cooperation. Site Visits: Tours of ports and/or technology and manufacturing hubs in Ho Chi Minh City to examine logistics operations and technological innovation firsthand.Surabaya: Cybersecurity Skills Workshop: A hands-on session introducing U.S. tools and products for protecting critical infrastructure and logistics systems, including principles of zero-trust architecture. Business Incubator: This business incubator competition will provide seed funding to innovative projects and initiatives that strengthen secure, resilient, and fair supply chains while expanding opportunities for U.S. trade, investment, and commercial partnerships across the ASEAN region. Critical Minerals Workshop and Simulation: Participants examine the role of critical and rare earth minerals in supply chains and engage in industry-designed simulations involving sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, vehicles, computers, phones, and satellites. Field Excursion: Visits to a critical minerals smelter and processing facility to explore operational challenges and opportunities in the mining sector and their implications for supply chain security.This program complements prior programs supporting Vietnam's long-term logistics and supply chain development goals, as well as Mission Vietnam's robust commercial diplomacy on behalf of American consumer and high-tech firms in Vietnam the United States' seventh-largest trading partner and largest in ASEAN. This program will also build on the success of previous Mission Indonesia cybersecurity speaker programs and a semiconductor supply chain security program that trained key interlocuters in developing protocols to protect critical infrastructure in the mining and digital sectors, expanded U.S.-Indonesia commercial cooperation in the semiconductor sector, and increased Indonesia s capacity to contribute meaningfully to more secure semiconductor supply chains.Project Audience(s):The recipient will coordinate with U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City and U.S. Consulate General Surabaya and with the U.S. Embassies to ASEAN and in ASEAN member states to recruit and select up to 55 participants with specialized backgrounds. Participants must be registered YSEALI exchange alumni aged 22-35 who have leadership potential, a commitment to enhance U.S - ASEAN trade, and experience relevant to business, science, technology, critical minerals, logistics, or global trade. This program requires at least one year of professional work experience. Participants should demonstrate their leadership and readiness to enact commercial change in their home countries.All participants must be proficient in written and spoken English. All programs must include participants from all eleven ASEAN member countries.Participants will include YSEALI exchange alumni representing all 11 ASEAN member states from the U.S.-based YSEALI Professional and Academic Fellowship programs, YSEALI regional workshops, or YSEALI Seeds for the Future competition winners.The recipient will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including international and domestic flights, visas, travel to and from airports, accommodation, per diem, meals during the program, insurance, etc.Project Goal:Strengthen knowledge and capacity to identify, assess, and address supply chain vulnerabilities across critical industries throughout the ASEAN region.Project Objectives: Objective 1: Strengthen the advocacy capacity of up to 55 well positioned early-stage leaders across 11 ASEAN countries to support national-level policy that encourages the expansion of U.S.- ASEAN commercial opportunities prioritizing secure and diversified supply chains strengthening U.S. - ASEAN economic and regional security. Objective 2: Provide seed funding for at least one organically generated project or initiative that strengthens secure, resilient, and fair supply chains while expanding opportunities for U.S. trade, investment, and commercial partnerships in the ASEAN region. Develop a backup slate of at least three prospective projects. Objective 3: Increase cross-sector knowledge sharing, coordination, and cooperation amongst ASEAN countries and the United States to address and respond to threats in supply chain security across critical industries by establishing coordinated communication channels with U.S. commercial entities and U.S. Embassies and Consulates in the region. Create professional advocacy groups that incorporate American private sector expertise; at least 75% of participants will demonstrate the ability to implement at least one new policy revision within a year of completion of the program.Substantial InvolvementThe U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City and U.S. Consulate General Surabaya will have substantial involvement in the development, content, and schedule of the workshop. In consultation with the coordinating U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City and U.S. Consulate General Surabaya, the award recipient must actively engage all relevant U.S. Embassies regarding the recruitment and selection processes as well manage communication with the participants.Working closely with U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City and U.S. Consulate General Surabaya, the recipient of this cooperative agreement shall: develop a robust program for the workshop; schedule the workshop at mutually agreed upon locations; manage the participant application and selection process through a secure portal; develop the agenda and content for the workshop; recruit speaker(s); manage all travel logistics for participants and speakers; and generate content for social media and other publicity. The recipient will provide all design files, photos and video recorded, as well as production quality, U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City and U.S. Consulate General Surabaya approved, photo album and video series of the workshop after completion. Preference will be given to joint proposals that have a local partner in both Vietnam and Indonesia, but only one cooperative agreement will be awarded and managed out of U.S. Consulate Surabaya.Regular, transparent communication via email, phone and video conference calls and face-to-face meetings (as appropriate) with the Grants Officer, Grants Officer Representative, and Program Officer throughout the period of performance is critical to the success of this cooperative agreement.All major elements of the program and its content require advance approval by U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City and U.S. Consulate General Surabaya, including, but not limited to: Choices of dates, venue, accommodation, and menus; Final selection of participants, mentors, and speakers from the United States and ASEAN member states; Titles, format, and content of workshop sessions and other program activities; Design and content of all marketing materials, publicity, and media products.

U.S. Mission to Indonesia

1. Project Background, Goals, and ObjectivesWith over 270 million people and one of the world s largest social media user bases, Indonesia s citizens consume media content from a wide array of traditional and digital sources. Journalists and media professionals capable of reporting accurately and comprehensively on critical issues including democratic governance, economic development, emerging technologies, and more as well as those with an understanding of the critical role the free press plays in strengthening democratic governance and information integrity advances America s foreign policy priorities of protecting freedom of speech, digital freedom, and strengthening regional security.For purposes of this solicitation, activities that involve identifying false or misleading information should focus on objectively verifiable factual claims, coordinated information manipulation, or manipulated digital media (including deepfakes and coordinated inauthentic behavior). Applicant should not classify policy disagreements, political viewpoints, or criticismof governments as misinformation or disinformation solely because they differ from official positions.The U.S. Embassy Jakarta seeks to support capacity-building programs for Indonesians with a focus on journalism, with priority consideration for projects in Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and Papua. Proposed projects should focus on one or more of the following themes: Press freedom Digital freedom Data-driven journalism Facts-based journalism / countering propaganda Investigative journalism (including promoting transparency and accountability in government) AI in journalismProject Audience(s): Journalists in the priority regions of Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and Papua; University students who are majoring in journalism, mass communications, political governance; or similar topics; Community organizations focused on press freedom, digital freedom, promoting transparency and accountability, and the role of emerging technology in these areas.Project Goal: Advance America s foreign policy priorities of protecting freedom of speech, digital freedom, and strengthening regional security in the Indo-Pacific region by: Further transmit skills and knowledge delivered to past and current participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange focused on press freedom, digital freedom, data-driven and fact-based investigative journalism. Strengthen Indonesia s national and subnational networks of Indonesian journalists, media organizations, student groups, and community organizations interested in advancing press freedom, digital freedom, data-driven and fact-based investigative journalism, and raising public awareness on these subjects.Project Objectives: The project objectives are the specific and measurable results PDS aims to achieve through this project. They describe necessary and pre-requisite changes required to move closer to achieving the project goal. Objective 1 Engage a minimum of 200 Indonesian journalists, student journalists, and community organization members across Indonesian provinces in at least one of the following areas: press freedom, digital freedom, data-driven journalism, investigative journalism, or AI in journalism through structured training or capacity-building activities. At least 70 percent of participants will demonstrate the ability to apply at least one new skill or methodology. Content will not characterize policy disagreement as misinformation or disinformation. Objective 2 Production and dissemination at least 40 pieces of public-facing content from the participants, including their articles and social media contents on press freedom, digital freedom, or fact-based journalism, reaching a combined audience of at least 5 million individuals, as tracked through media and social media monitoring, including technical methods to detect inauthentic and deepfake content. Objective 3 Strengthen the U.S. Embassy s networks with Indonesian journalists, student groups, and community organizations focused on press freedom and information integrity by engaging at least 10 organizations or groups in Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and/or Papua by the end of the project period.Proposed projects must take place in Indonesia. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects taking place in the Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, and Papua areas. Priority may be given to projects organized in these regions.Projects that are not typically funded include: Paying to complete activities that began with other funds Citizen exchange programs with foreign countries that do not have an U.S. angle Projects that include international travel Political party activities or projects inherently political in nature Projects that support specific religious activities Social welfare projects2. Substantial InvolvementThis award will be issued as a grant. No substantial involvement by the Embassy is anticipated; however, recipients will work closely with the U.S. Embassy throughout the project period and keep the Embassy informed of any changes to the scope, duration, or budget of the project.The Recipient shall ensure that any fact-checking, verification, or information integrity activities supported under this award rely on objectively verifiable evidence and recognized investigative methodologies, including technical approaches for identifying manipulated or AI-generated content. The Recipient shall not characterize policy disagreement or differing political viewpoints as misinformation or disinformation solely because they differ from U.S. Government or other political positions.

U.S. Mission to Indonesia

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives With over 270 million people and one of the world s largest social media user bases, Indonesia s citizens consume media content from a wide array of traditional and digital sources. As the country continues to expand its regional leadership role, Indonesian journalists must develop their capacity to report accurately and comprehensively on critical issues, including democratic governance, foreign policy, transnational security threats, economic development, and emerging technologies. For purposes of this solicitation, activities that involve identifying false or misleading information should focus on objectively verifiable factual claims, coordinated information manipulation, or manipulated digital media (including deepfakes and coordinated inauthentic behavior). Applicant should not classify policy disagreements, political viewpoints, or criticism of governments as misinformation or disinformation solely because they differ from official positions. This program addresses Indonesia s growing demand for professional capacity building in journalism across multiple strategic domains. By equipping journalists with advanced skills in media literacy, fact-checking, data journalism, policy analysis, and critical thinking on issues that shape Indonesia s future and role in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States strengthens the capacity of journalists to deliver accurate and in-depth coverage on domestic, regional, and international issues. The program amplifies credible local voices, expands audience access to independent sources of information, and empowers the public to better navigate Indonesia s increasingly complex information environment. Primary Audience: Journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media working across Indonesia Newsroom editors and managers News content creators Participants must be Indonesian citizens or residents Secondary Audience: University students majoring in mass communication University students who are part of campus media Indonesian media organizations and journalism associations Project Goal Strengthen the capacity of Indonesian journalists to deliver accurate, in-depth, and credible coverage of democratic governance, security issues, economic affairs, and emerging technologies that empowers an informed citizenry. The program demonstrates the U.S. commitment to strengthening democratic governance, freedom of expression, digital freedom, and information integrity in Indonesia. Investing in Indonesian journalists directly advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by expanding access to accurate information, exposing falsehoods, and strengthening information integrity in the Indonesian media environment. A successful program would equip Indonesian journalists with advanced skills in media literacy, fact-checking, digital verification, data journalism, and critical information evaluation. Participants would deepen their understanding of democratic systems, U.S. foreign policy, transnational security issues such as IUU fishing and maritime security, and Indo-Pacific geopolitics, enabling more informed and analytical reporting on issues central to Indonesia s national interests, the U.S.-Indonesia bilateral relationship, and security and economic issues for the Indo-Pacific region. The program would generate multiplier effects by empowering participants to train colleagues and promote best practices within their own newsrooms and communities. Project Objectives: The project objectives are the specific and measurable results PDS aims to achieve through this project. They describe necessary and pre-requisite changes required to move closer to achieving the project goal. Objective 1 Equip a minimum of 500 Indonesian journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media across Indonesia with advanced skills in media literacy, fact-checking, digital verification, data journalism, and critical information evaluation through the U.S.-Indonesia Journalism Excellence Academy and regional capacity-building workshops, as measured by pre- and post-training competency assessments demonstrating skill improvement among at least 70 percent of participants. Objective 2 Increase participants knowledge of democratic systems, U.S. foreign policy, transnational security issues, and Indo-Pacific geopolitics, enabling more informed and analytical reporting. Objective 3 Deliver at least eight regional capacity-building workshops in Jakarta, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and/or other areas with active local media environments, reaching approximately 40 journalists per workshop (approximately 320 additional journalists), with at least 70 percent of workshop participants reporting increased confidence in applying at least one new skill or tool within their newsroom within three months of training completion. Objective 4 Build a cohort of journalism leaders capable of training colleagues and promoting best practices, with at least 50 percent of the Academy participants committing to in-newsroom training, mentorship, or follow-up projects within six months of program completion, as documented through post-program follow-up surveys or verified activity reports submitted to the Embassy. 2. Substantial Involvement This award will be a cooperative agreement. In consultation with U.S. Embassy Jakarta, the award recipient must actively engage with and manage the details of the training as well as communication with participating Indonesian journalists and other collaborators/partners. U.S. Embassy Roles and Responsibilities: Working closely with the award recipient, U.S. Embassy Jakarta will be involved in: Consultation on the development of the scheduled program and conference Review and approval of training locations Participation in the selection of participants Review and approval of the agenda and content of activities (training modules, workshops, practical exercises, panel discussions, mentorship, etc.) Coordination with U.S. experts from ECA s U.S. Speaker Program roster Review and approval of social media, traditional media, and other publicity content Review and approval of final program materials, photos, and videos Methodology Standards: The Embassy will ensure that all fact-checking and counter-narrative activities adhere to a verifiability standard focusing on demonstrably false factual claims and technically inauthentic content. PAS will review and approve the recipient s fact-checking methodology prior to program launch to ensure it does not conflate policy disagreement with misinformation or disinformation. Recipient Roles and Responsibilities: Plan and execute the U.S.-Indonesia Journalism Excellence Academy program and Media Dialogue including venue coordination, expert sourcing, agenda development, and logistical support Plan and execute regional workshops, including participant recruitment, trainer coordination, and practical training session management Develop and manage training content, including modules, exercises, and resource materials on media literacy and factchecking Lead outreach and communications, including marketing materials, promotional campaigns, and social media strategy Information Verification Standards: The Recipient shall ensure that any fact-checking, verification, or information integrity activities supported under this award rely on objectively verifiable evidence and recognized investigative methodologies, including technical approaches for identifying manipulated or AI-generated content. The Recipient shall not characterize policy disagreement or differing political viewpoints as misinformation or disinformation solely because they differ from U.S. Government or other political positions.