I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia is pleased to announce an open competition for a Media Educational Program. U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations may submit proposals to manage a year-long project to support the professional development of Georgian TV political talk-show crews through robust professional study tour at U.S. training centers/studios, with site visits to U.S. national broadcast networks. PAS will award $250,000 for a year-long project. II. BACKGROUND: Journalists and independent media play a critical role in ensuring the free flow of information necessary to develop and maintain democratic systems. The Media Educational Program is designed as a training opportunity to enable Georgian media practitioners to play an important role in setting the standards and providing the skills necessary to develop and maintain free media. The Media Educational Program will provide funding for one year to enable a U.S. institution to organize professional intensive study tour for Georgian TV political/news talk-show producing teams at U.S. training studios, with site visits to U.S. national broadcast networks. This program will develop the journalistsÂ’ professional skills and teach them about modern standards of media programsÂ’ operational and business practices. The applicant should work closely with PAS throughout the grant period to identify Georgian participants. Overall grant-making authority for this project is contained in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. PAS has budgeted one cooperative agreement of up to $250,000 USD in FY 2013 Economic Support Funds to defray the costs of three to four-week intensive study tour for up to 20 participants. Applicants should include provisions that will be made for non-English speaking participants. The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia seeks to fund a creative U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organization with prior experience in similar projects. In-kind financial contributions will be favorably considered.