Qatari Audience Analysis | PAS QAT FY21 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS QAT FY21 001

The "Qatari Audience Analysis" grant opportunity is a U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Qatar (U.S. Embassy Doha) Public Affairs Section (PAS) funding competition to support one cooperative agreement focused on two connected deliverables: first, a comprehensive, nationwide audience analysis of Qatari citizens; and second, the design and implementation of a small set of practical, public-facing activities that respond directly to what the research finds. The Embassy is looking for a project that produces an accurate, representative picture of Qatari society and the attitudes, behaviors, and information habits that shape how different segments of the population view the United States and key regional and global issues. The overall intent is to strengthen U.S.-Qatar ties through better-informed public diplomacy, more targeted engagement, and programming that can address misunderstandings or negative perceptions revealed by the data.

Funding is expected to be up to USD 250,000 total for a project lasting one year or less, depending on progress and successful completion of goals, with the possibility of continuation funding later if funds are available and performance is strong. The instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, meaning PAS plans to be actively involved throughout the project, including collaborating on study design, approving survey questions and parameters, guiding execution, and reviewing outreach and publicity materials to ensure they align with U.S. government messaging requirements and relevant Qatari legal and cultural considerations.

The core of the project is a rigorous audience analysis study covering Qataris across the entire country, not just Doha. The Embassy emphasizes the need for a broad cross-section of society and expects the analysis to at least provide strong descriptive findings, while clearly preferring inferential work that explores correlations and, where possible, drivers of attitude and behavior change. The study should segment results by major demographic and social variables such as age, gender, location (Doha versus other areas), socioeconomic background, education, cultural immersion, religion, ethnicity, tribal affiliations, and profession. A minimum sample size of 2,500 Qatari respondents is required to support a representative depiction; larger samples are encouraged. Applicants are expected to demonstrate substantial real-world capacity in polling, statistics, and data analysis, and experience with Qatari audiences is viewed as an advantage.

In terms of subject matter, the Embassy wants a wide-ranging look at Qatari socio-demographic and geographic characteristics, socioeconomic status and professional life, educational background, and cultural exposure, alongside beliefs and behaviors related to the United States and Americans. This includes perceptions of the U.S. government and military, U.S. military actions, studying in the United States, and U.S. policies more broadly. The Embassy also wants insight into Qatari views on major regional and international topics (including ISIS, the GCC, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Syria, Yemen, Russia, Iran, and China), as well as issues touching minorities and religious and human rights. A key part of the research is identifying barriers and facilitators to desired behavior or attitude change, and mapping which communication channels are most effective for reaching different segments, including detailed patterns of traditional and digital media use by age group and demographic. The Embassy also notes interest in whether and how perceptions shifted after the Gulf conflict, suggesting a comparative or trend-aware component is valuable even if the study is cross-sectional.

After completing and obtaining Embassy approval of the research, the awardee must propose and implement about four to five concrete activities designed to address underlying factors uncovered in the analysis. The NOFO offers examples to illustrate the kind of follow-on programming envisioned: using insights about Qatari interests and lifestyles to design public events that help the Embassy engage Qataris on priorities like cultural exchange, study in the U.S., STEM, and broader U.S.-Qatar relations; and developing a media and communications strategy grounded in research on how Qataris consume news, communicate, gather in person or online, and decide which voices are credible, with the goal of improving content creation and information dissemination on the platforms that actually reach target audiences. The follow-on activities are expected to be tied to measurable objectives, with a clear baseline where appropriate and indicators that can show whether the activities influenced awareness, attitudes, or engagement.

Priority audiences highlighted by the Embassy include Qatari youth and students (including those outside Doha and in underserved communities), minority groups, parents and grandparents, women and girls, local decision-makers and established opinion leaders, media outlets and experts, teachers and academic professionals, emerging voices, and people in creative and performing arts communities. Proposals can focus on additional audiences, but they must make a clear case for why those groups are important to achieving the program goals.

Operationally, applicants are asked to submit a detailed proposal in English that explains methodology, sampling and representation, analytic approach, anticipated challenges and mitigation plans, and a practical plan for addressing negative or problematic findings through actionable steps and public-facing programs. PAS will play a hands-on role in approving key elements such as survey instruments, timelines, outreach strategy, co-funding or partnership initiatives, and key personnel, and will review recruitment and publicity materials for compliance with branding, messaging, legal, privacy, and cultural sensitivity requirements. The research portion should be completed within 12 months or less, and the follow-on activities should be carried out and finished within six months after the study is completed and approved.

Administrative details in the announcement specify that the authority is under Smith-Mundt and the funding source is FY2021 Public Diplomacy Funding (CFDA 19.040). The opportunity number is PAS QAT FY21 001, with one expected award. The original application deadline was January 15, 2021, and applications were to be submitted in English by email to khankn@state.gov and dauod-akguctk@state.gov, with required federal forms available via grants.gov.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Qatar in the education, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Qatari Audience Analysis" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 10, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 15, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for PAS QAT FY21 001

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