The Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Qatar invites proposals for a comprehensive audience analysis study of Qataris in all of Qatar, inside and outside the capital. The study should encompass a good cross-section of Qatari society from different age groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, locations of residence, religions, culturally immersive backgrounds and tolerance levels, travel backgrounds, educational backgrounds, genders, ethnic backgrounds, tribal affiliations, professions, etc.

Analysis at a minimum should be descriptive with additional inferential analysis based on causation/correlation of attitudes and behaviors preferred. On completion of study the implementing partner will be required to propose between 4 to 5 key project activities to help address the underlying factors, identified in the audience analysis study.

Activities

Examples of such activities can include:

• Gather information about the Qatari population, its likes and dislikes, favorite pastime activities and places to visit, etc. With the help of this data, conceptualize and design a series of public events to help the U.S. Embassy engage with the Qatari population on promotion of U.S. objectives (cultural exchanges, study in the USA, STEM, and advancing U.S.-Qatar relations, e.g.) in close collaboration with the U.S. Embassy.
• The Public Affairs Section is interested in learning how Qataris engage with the media, how they communicate with one another, where they convene, and what voices they consider to be credible.

Participants and Audiences

• Proposals should describe both primary and secondary (if applicable) audiences for the program, including numbers anticipated to be reached.
• Applicants should have considerable, practical, and relevant experience in polling, statistics, data analysis, and implementation of follow-on activities to be seriously considered for this project. Previous experience dealing with Qatari audiences is preferred.
• Any proposal should include a minimum sample size of 2,500 Qataris to ensure an accurate and representative depiction of Qataris from all walks and strata of life, inside and outside the capital. A bigger sample size is preferred. The study and follow-on activities will analyze the following information gathered about Qataris, including but not limited to:
  • Socio-demographic characteristics such as gender, age, language, tribal affinity, ethnic origin, national identity, and religion.
  • Socioeconomic backgrounds and professions
  • Education
  • Cultural immersion
  • Geographic characteristics, including where the audiences live and how that might impact attitudes and behaviors.
  • Audiencen thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to the United States, Americans, the U.S. government, the U.S. military, U.S. military actions, study in the U.S., and U.S. policies.
  • Audience thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to ISIS, the GCC, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Syria, Yemen, Russia, Iran, China, minorities, religious and human rights, etc.
  • Barriers that prevent or facilitators that encourage audience members to adopt the desired behavior change.
  • Effective communication channels or platforms for reaching the audience.
  • Digital media and traditional media usage for each age group and demographic to tailor our messaging and reach accordingly.
• Audiences who are considered a priority for this program include:
  • Qatari youth/students, especially in areas inside and outside of Doha, including traditionally underserved communities
  • Qatari minority groups
  • Qatari parents and grandparents
  • Qatari women and girls
  • Qatari local decision-makers and established opinion leaders
  • Media outlets and experts
  • Qatari teachers and academic professionals
  • Emerging Qatari voices; and
  • Qataris in the creative and performing arts communities

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding:
  • Award Ceiling: $250,000
  • Award Floor: $100,000

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Affairs Section encourages the following applicants from the United States and Qatar:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations with programming experience
  • Non-profit or governmental educational institutions
  • Public and private non-profit educational institutions
  • Public international organizations and governmental institutions
  • Individuals (recipient of an award to an individual is a single person, not an organization or a group of individuals) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on their proven record of experience in relevant fields.
  • Assistance awards executed under the statutory authorities of either the Smith-Mundt Act or the Fulbright-Hays Act cannot be issued to for-profit entities. The two program statutes contain no affirmative authority for an assistance award to a for-profit entity. Since these are the only two grant-making authorities for Public Diplomacy funding, then PD-funded grants cannot be awarded to for-profit entities. This restriction applies to for-profit educational institutions, as well.
• Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required.

For more information, visit U.S. Mission to Qatar.