RFP for Combatting Disinformation in Communities of Color – Sep 15

Posted by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation on August 10, 2021

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Issues RFP for Combatting Disinformation in Communities of Color

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has issued a Request for Proposals for efforts to combat disinformation in communities of color.

According to the foundation, the COVID-19 pandemic, the movement for racial justice, and the 2020 election campaign have all provided opportunity for bad actors to target persons of color with disinformation that exploits racial tensions and deep-seated socio-economic anxieties in ways that are harmful to health and corrosive to communities and our democracy. Recent studies report communities of color are asymmetrically targeted by disinformation, particularly disinformation that aims to discourage civic participation. According to a U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee report, Black Americans were targeted more than any other group in the 2016 election.

To remedy this situation, the Knight Foundation aims to fund research projects that work to disrupt the effects of targeted disinformation in communities of color. Grants of up to $175,000 will be awarded in support of a wide range of proposals including publication development, such as special journal issues or volumes; course relief to enable research; research assistance; targeted investigative reporting projects; symposia, workshops, or other convenings that advance practical, actionable insights; and data or technology acquisition.

The opportunity is open to a range of experts working in research institutions, including universities, policy centers, and journalism and civil society organizations within the United States. Submissions are especially encouraged from minority-serving organizations such as HBCUs, Hispanic- and AAPI-serving colleges and universities, news organizations, and early-career scholars.

The Knight Foundation will host informational webinars on August 10 at 3:00 p.m. ET (register here) and September 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET (register here)

The deadline for proposals is September 15. Selected applicants will be invited to submit more detailed proposals and a budget in October 2021.

For complete program guidelines, application instructions, and to register for the informational webinars, see the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation website.

Deadline: September 15, 2021

COMBATTING DISINFORMATION IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR