Can OSS E/PO funding be used for Public Affairs or Public Relations?
In general, no. Public Affairs or Public Relations (PR) products and activities are important to public awareness, but they are not appropriate for funding by the OSS E/PO program. PR products may include press conferences, press releases, video clips, mission-related brochures, posters, lithographs, and toys. Some of these products can be tailored or modified for E/PO uses. For example, a poster or toy could be packaged with an educational guide or insert that takes advantage of the interest and learning opportunity stimulated by the poster image or the playful appeal of the toy. A video clip and text from a press release might be adapted for use in a teacher guide or workshop. Such tailoring or development of educational products to accompany PR products is potentially fundable with OSS E/PO funds, but it should not dominate an E/PO proposal. In particular, OSS resources for E/PO should not be used for “give-away” souvenirs like coffee mugs, lapel pins, patches, T-shirts, mouse pads,
