Student-run Media Lab Development Program

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Student-run Media Lab Development Program. The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia invites Georgian Academic Institutions (Georgian University Journalism Programs) to submit proposals for a one- to two-year project to develop a media lab serving as training and learning facility for undergraduate and graduate journalism students, and to improve the standard of journalism instruction matching to the modern media production standards using multiple media-platforms. The means for achieving this objective may include: media lab/studio development, equipment purchase, and curricula and materials development. (Sustainability, maintenance plan) The direct beneficiaries of this program will be selected Georgian University Journalism Program, and its academics and students. Activities should lead to the achievement of project objectives in providing the students with advanced training facility/studio where they can build up their skills in using multiple media-platforms responding to the fast-changing international standards of modern media production. Program should develop selected institution’s capacity to support skills component in their curricula and integrate practical work into journalism education, thus strengthening their overall institutional capacity. PAS will award $150,000 for this one-to-two-year project.