Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 13 099
Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 13 099
- 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 (DRL) Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement" 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 Jun 2, 2014 and posted on Jun 2, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 5, 2014 No Explanation. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) offered this Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement as a discretionary funding opportunity to support projects that strengthen internet freedom and protect fundamental rights online. The core purpose is to promote human rights, democratic values, and the free flow of information in the digital environment, especially in places where governments or other actors restrict online expression, censor content, monitor users, or target activists and journalists. DRL frames internet freedom as more than just technology; it is a combined effort that links practical tools with real-world protection strategies, public-interest advocacy, user safety training, and research that helps the field understand threats and measure impact.
Program concepts are expected to align with an integrated approach across several areas. This includes anti-censorship and secure communications technologies that help people access blocked information and communicate safely, alongside advocacy efforts that defend digital rights and challenge repressive policies. It also emphasizes digital safety, meaning practical support that helps at-risk users reduce exposure to surveillance, harassment, and cyber threats through training, operational security practices, and related support structures. Research is another priority area, typically aimed at documenting censorship and surveillance trends, evaluating what approaches work, and generating evidence that can guide policy and program decisions. Rather than funding isolated activities, DRL signals a preference for efforts that connect these elements in a coherent strategy tied to real human rights outcomes.
The funding instrument types listed are both cooperative agreements and grants, which means DRL could either provide more substantial ongoing involvement in project direction (common with cooperative agreements) or a more traditional grant structure depending on the award. The opportunity falls under CFDA 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated, which generally lowers barriers for applicants that may not have access to large pools of unrestricted funding.
In terms of award size, the opportunity lists a funding floor of $500,000 and a ceiling of $2,500,000 per award. This suggests DRL was looking for mid-to-large initiatives with the capacity to operate at meaningful scale, potentially across multiple countries or regions, or with technology and support components that require significant development and deployment resources. The announcement was posted and created on June 2, 2014, with an original and current closing date of December 5, 2014, and it was later archived on January 4, 2015, indicating it is no longer open but remains useful as a reference for the kinds of projects DRL has historically supported.
Eligibility is broad and includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), a range of higher education institutions (private and public/state-controlled), and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions from the nonprofit categories as described). This mix indicates DRL was open to proposals from civil society groups, academic centers, and technical or professional entities, including organizations capable of building and maintaining specialized technology tools, as well as those focused on research, policy, and training.
The application approach highlighted in the description is the submission of Statements of Interest (SOIs). An SOI is typically a concept-level submission that outlines the proposed program idea, objectives, target beneficiaries, intended activities, and how the concept advances DRL goals. This step often functions as a screening mechanism, allowing the agency to gauge alignment and quality before requesting fuller proposals, and it signals that applicants should focus on clear program logic and fit with DRL priorities rather than treating the initial submission like a fully developed technical application.
For administrative support, the public-facing contact route included the Grants.gov Contact Center for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically, with 24/7 availability aside from federal holidays. The primary operational point here is that the opportunity was managed through the federal grants platform and followed standard federal submission and support processes associated with Grants.gov.
Overall, this opportunity targeted well-scoped, high-impact initiatives that help people maintain access to information, communicate securely, and exercise basic rights online in restrictive environments, while also strengthening the broader ecosystem through advocacy, safety capacity-building, and research-driven insights.
FAQs: DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement (Archived)
What is this grant opportunity about?
This funding opportunity (from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, or DRL) was designed to support projects that strengthen internet freedom and protect fundamental rights online. It focuses on promoting human rights, democratic values, and the free flow of information in digital environments, particularly where governments or other actors restrict expression, censor content, monitor users, or target activists and journalists.
What kinds of problems is DRL trying to address through this program?
The program targets real-world threats to online rights, such as censorship and blocking of information, surveillance and monitoring of users, harassment or targeting of activists and journalists, and policies or practices that restrict online expression and access to information.
How does DRL define “internet freedom†in this opportunity?
DRL frames internet freedom as more than technology alone. The opportunity emphasizes an integrated effort that combines practical tools with protection strategies, public-interest advocacy, user safety training, and research that helps the field understand threats and measure impact.
What types of projects were expected to be competitive?
Projects were expected to align with an integrated approach that connects multiple elements in a coherent strategy tied to human rights outcomes. Rather than isolated activities, DRL signaled a preference for efforts that link technology, advocacy, safety, and research in ways that reinforce each other.
What program areas did DRL emphasize?
The description highlights several interconnected areas:
- Anti-censorship and secure communications technologies to help people access blocked information and communicate safely.
- Advocacy to defend digital rights and challenge repressive policies.
- Digital safety support to reduce exposure to surveillance, harassment, and cyber threats (including training and operational security practices).
- Research to document censorship and surveillance trends, evaluate what approaches work, and generate evidence to guide policy and program decisions.
Is this opportunity focused only on building technology tools?
No. While technology (such as anti-censorship and secure communications tools) is a core part of the program, DRL explicitly frames internet freedom as a combined effort that also includes advocacy, user safety training and support, and research.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
What funding instrument types were available?
The listing includes both cooperative agreements and grants. This indicates DRL could choose an award structure with more substantial ongoing involvement in project direction (often associated with cooperative agreements) or a more traditional grant structure, depending on the award.
What is the expected award size?
The opportunity listed a funding floor of $500,000 and a ceiling of $2,500,000 per award. This suggests DRL was seeking mid-to-large initiatives capable of operating at meaningful scale.
Does the opportunity require cost-sharing or matching funds?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broad and includes:
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Higher education institutions (private and public/state-controlled)
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions as described)
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions as described)
Does this opportunity appear intended for small projects?
Based on the stated award range ($500,000 to $2,500,000), the opportunity appears aimed at larger, well-scoped initiatives with the capacity to deliver significant impact, potentially across multiple countries or regions, or involving substantial technology development and deployment.
What is a Statement of Interest (SOI), and how was it used here?
The application approach highlighted is the submission of Statements of Interest (SOIs). An SOI is described as a concept-level submission that typically outlines the proposed program idea, objectives, target beneficiaries, intended activities, and how the concept advances DRL goals. In this context, it functions as a screening step so the agency can gauge alignment and quality before requesting fuller proposals.
Should an SOI be written like a full technical proposal?
The description indicates the SOI should focus on clear program logic and alignment with DRL priorities, rather than being treated as a fully developed technical application.
When was this opportunity posted, and what were the closing dates?
The announcement was posted and created on June 2, 2014. The original and current closing date listed is December 5, 2014.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was later archived on January 4, 2015, indicating it is no longer open.
Why might an archived opportunity still be useful?
Even though it is no longer open, the archived listing can still serve as a reference for the kinds of internet freedom projects DRL has historically supported, including the program themes, preferred integrated approach, and typical award size range.
How were applicants expected to access and submit the opportunity?
The opportunity was managed through the federal grants platform and followed standard federal submission and support processes associated with Grants.gov.
Where could applicants get help if they could not access the full announcement electronically?
The public-facing support route included the Grants.gov Contact Center for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically. Availability was described as 24/7, aside from federal holidays.
What outcomes was DRL ultimately trying to achieve?
The opportunity targeted high-impact initiatives that help people maintain access to information, communicate securely, and exercise basic rights online in restrictive environments, while strengthening the broader ecosystem through advocacy, safety capacity-building, and research-driven insights.
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