The U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan seeks project proposals from both government and independent TV stations and production companies from Tajikistan for the 2011 TV Cooperative program (TV Coop). The Program sends TV stations and TV production studios’ crews to the United States for a two-week period to film original documentaries and news features on jointly planned topics.

For 2011 the priority themes of the documentaries include:

• American women in extraordinary roles – business, sports, politics and more;

• Local self government and policing: Neighborhood watches and community associations;

• Media outlets and media personalities: competing opinions in national journalism;

• Political Activism: Peaceful expression and demonstration of opposing viewpoints.

The typical cooperative project results in at least one, and frequently a series, of prime time TV documentary-type products, plus multiple short unplanned feature stories about American life captured during the two-week trip. The team shoots and edits their own material and broadcasts the final programs during prime time. A producer from the Office of Broadcast Affairs is assigned to the project to work full time from inception to completion. The visiting crew will receive funding from the State Department to cover expenses related to the production, which includes international and domestic airfare, hotel and food allowances, and miscellaneous production expenses.

The visiting TV team should not exceed three persons, one of whom must speak English fluently. The team is expected to provide its own equipment, to include a betacam SP, DVC PRO camera or similar professional camera system, tripod, lighting and audio gear and videotapes. The broadcaster must commit to airing the programs during prime-time. Following the telecast, producer must provide PA/OBS/BS a broadcast quality videotape containing the completed programs.

Project proposals must include the following items:

1. Project Summary: From one-half to one paragraph;

2. Project Justification: One paragraph justification explaining why this project should be implemented;

3. Project Description: From one to two paragraph description of the scheduled project activities, i.e., what sites the crew will visit, whom they will meet, what topics will be discussed, etc;

4. Project Result: One paragraph description of what product will be produced at the end of the project, including where and how it will be aired;

5. Project Staff: Brief background of the project staff, including names and experience;

6. Project Budget: A brief description of the grantee’s/post contribution to the project.

Eligibility:

Both television broadcast stations and production studios are eligible to apply. Production studios without broadcast frequencies must include a paragraph on how the final products will be aired.

Project proposals must be submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Tajik, Russian or English languages no later than Friday, March 18, 2011. Proposals should be submitted to:

Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy

109 A Ismoili Somoni Avenue

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Email: usembassydushanbe@state.gov

Phone numbers: 229 23 58; 229 20 00.

US Embassy in Dushanbe