Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 11 RSOI 01 INTERNET 101230
Apply for DRL 11 RSOI 01 INTERNET 101230
- The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Joint Request for Statements of Interest Internet Freedom Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345 International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 4, 2011 and posted on Dec 30, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 7, 2011 PLEASE NOTE DRL and NEA strongly urge applicants to immediately obtain a username and password. It may take up to a week to register with grants.gov. Please see the section entitled, DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS below for specific instructions.. (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 $8,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Organizations submitting SOIs must meet the following criteria Be a U.S. non profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Applicants in the process of registration must submit proof that they are seeking non profit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of SOI submission. Should the applicant be selected for a grant award, funding will be contingent upon 501(c)(3) status or Be a U.S. university or research institution meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3) and Have demonstrated experience administering successful projects, preferably targeting the requested country and/or region, or similarly challenging program environment. DRL and NEA reserve the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis and Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with organization(s) in the target country and/or region. Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined SOI. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) issued a joint Request for Statements of Interest (SOI) for Internet Freedom Programs under the U.S. Department of State. The core purpose of this opportunity is to identify organizations with strong program ideas and the operational capacity to run projects that advance freedom of expression and protect the free flow of information online, including through related connection and communications technologies. The solicitation sits under the broader foreign assistance objective of "Governing Justly and Democratically," and it is tied to CFDA 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
This is not a standard, full grant Request for Proposals at the outset. Instead, DRL and NEA are using a two-step approach. Organizations are first asked to submit a statement of interest that lays out a program concept and demonstrates the applicant's qualifications, relevant experience, and ability to manage a federal award. After reviewing SOIs, the agencies plan to invite a select group of applicants to submit full proposals at a later stage. In practical terms, the SOI functions as an initial screening step to surface the strongest ideas and most capable implementers before requiring the time and detail of a full proposal package.
The award instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized as an earmark. While the funding activity category is listed as "Other," the explanation makes clear that the funding is intended for projects supporting Internet freedom, particularly those that help people communicate, access information, and express themselves in difficult or restrictive environments. The notice emphasizes both concept quality and implementation capacity, which suggests applicants should be ready to explain not only what they want to do, but also how they will deliver results in challenging political and technical contexts.
Funding levels are substantial. Individual awards are expected to range from a floor of $500,000 to a ceiling of $8,000,000. The announcement indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of eligibility, though leveraging partnerships or complementary resources may still strengthen a submission depending on how the program is framed.
Eligibility is limited primarily to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) entities, excluding institutions of higher education unless they qualify under the stated provisions, and U.S. universities or research institutions that meet the relevant 501(c)(3) requirements. Applicants that are not yet fully registered as 501(c)(3) at the time of SOI submission may apply if they can provide proof they are seeking nonprofit status from the IRS, but any eventual award would be contingent on having 501(c)(3) status in place. Beyond legal eligibility, DRL and NEA expect applicants to show demonstrated experience administering successful projects, ideally in the country or region being targeted or in similarly difficult operating environments. The agencies also reserve the right to seek additional background from organizations without a track record of managing federal grants, and they note that inexperienced applicants could be considered for limited pilot funding rather than a large-scale award.
Partnership capacity is another clear priority. Applicants must either already have active partnerships with organizations in the target country or region or be able to credibly develop them. The announcement allows for consortia submissions, which can be useful for combining technical expertise, regional presence, and program management strengths. If a consortium applies, it must designate one organization as the lead applicant responsible for submission and, typically, overall grant management.
In terms of logistics and timing, the opportunity was posted on December 30, 2010, with a closing date of February 7, 2011, and an archive date of March 9, 2011. The notice highlights a common federal grants.gov issue: registration can take time, and applicants were strongly urged to obtain a grants.gov username and password immediately because registration could take up to a week. The full announcement and DRL proposal submission instructions were also made available through DRL's website, and applicants who had difficulty accessing the materials electronically were directed to contact the DRL Programs office.
Overall, this opportunity is best read as a targeted call for credible organizations to propose Internet freedom concepts and demonstrate readiness to operate at scale. A strong SOI would likely highlight a clear theory of change tied to online freedom of expression and information access, a realistic plan for implementation in restrictive settings, meaningful local or regional partnerships, and proof that the organization can handle the compliance and performance requirements that come with federal grant funding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a joint Request for Statements of Interest (SOI) issued by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) for Internet Freedom Programs. It is tied to CFDA 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) under the broader foreign assistance objective of "Governing Justly and Democratically."
2) Is this a full grant application (RFP) right now?
No. This is not a standard full Request for Proposals at the outset. The agencies are using a two-step process: first, organizations submit an SOI; then, after reviewing SOIs, DRL/NEA plan to invite a select group of applicants to submit full proposals later.
3) What is the purpose of the SOI stage?
The SOI serves as an initial screening step to identify organizations that (a) have strong program ideas aligned with Internet freedom goals and (b) have the operational capacity and qualifications to manage and implement a federal award. The SOI should present a program concept and demonstrate relevant experience and management capability.
4) What kinds of projects does this opportunity support?
Funding is intended for projects that advance freedom of expression and protect the free flow of information online, including through related connection and communications technologies. The notice highlights helping people communicate, access information, and express themselves in difficult or restrictive environments.
5) What is the award instrument type?
The award instrument type is a grant.
6) How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized as an earmark. The funding activity category is listed as "Other," with the description clarifying the focus on Internet freedom programming.
7) How much funding is available per award?
Individual awards are expected to range from $500,000 (floor) to $8,000,000 (ceiling).
8) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of eligibility.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited primarily to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) entities. The notice also references U.S. universities or research institutions that meet the relevant 501(c)(3) requirements (with institutions of higher education otherwise excluded unless they qualify under the stated provisions).
10) Can an organization apply if it does not yet have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes, organizations that are not yet fully registered as 501(c)(3) at the time of SOI submission may apply if they can provide proof they are seeking nonprofit status from the IRS. Any eventual award would be contingent on having 501(c)(3) status in place.
11) What experience do applicants need to demonstrate?
Beyond legal eligibility, applicants are expected to show demonstrated experience administering successful projects, ideally in the country or region being targeted or in similarly difficult operating environments. The notice also emphasizes the ability to manage a federal award.
12) What if an applicant has limited or no experience managing federal grants?
DRL and NEA reserve the right to seek additional background from organizations without a track record of managing federal grants. The notice also indicates that inexperienced applicants could be considered for limited pilot funding rather than a large-scale award.
13) Are partnerships required?
Yes. Applicants must either already have active partnerships with organizations in the target country or region, or be able to credibly develop them. Partnership capacity is described as a clear priority.
14) Are consortium applications allowed?
Yes. The announcement allows consortia submissions, which can help combine technical expertise, regional presence, and program management strengths.
15) If applying as a consortium, who submits the SOI?
A consortium must designate one organization as the lead applicant responsible for the submission and typically overall grant management.
16) What should a strong SOI emphasize?
Based on the notice, a strong SOI would likely include: a clear program concept tied to online freedom of expression and information access; evidence of implementation readiness in restrictive settings; meaningful local or regional partnerships; and proof of capacity to meet federal compliance and performance expectations associated with managing a grant.
17) When was the opportunity posted, and what were the deadlines?
The opportunity was posted on December 30, 2010. The closing date was February 7, 2011. The archive date was March 9, 2011.
18) What logistical issue did the notice highlight about Grants.gov?
The notice warns that Grants.gov registration can take time and strongly urges applicants to obtain a Grants.gov username and password immediately, noting registration could take up to a week.
19) Where could applicants find the full announcement and submission instructions?
The full announcement and DRL proposal submission instructions were made available through DRL's website.
20) What if an applicant could not access the materials electronically?
Applicants who had difficulty accessing the materials electronically were directed to contact the DRL Programs office.
21) What happens after an SOI is submitted?
After reviewing SOIs, DRL and NEA plan to invite a select group of applicants to submit full proposals at a later stage. The SOI is used to narrow the field before requesting full proposal packages.
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