Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 007
Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 007
- 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 Request for Statements of Interest DRL FY15 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 Aug 5, 2015 and posted on Aug 4, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 1, 2016 There will be two deadlines for submission of SOIs September 4, 2015 and February 1, 2016.. (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: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education.
- Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions for Statements of Interest posted on DRLs website.
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity comes from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) and focuses on supporting Internet freedom programs. The core purpose is to promote fundamental freedoms, human rights, and the free flow of information online, especially in environments where access is restricted, monitored, or manipulated. DRL is looking for program ideas that combine practical technical support with broader civil society and policy work. In other words, they are not only interested in building tools, but also in the surrounding ecosystem that helps people use those tools safely and effectively, defend digital rights, and document what is happening online.
The program statement emphasizes an integrated approach across several areas: anti-censorship technology, secure communications technology, advocacy, digital safety, and research. Anti-censorship support generally points to work that helps users access blocked or filtered content, maintain connectivity during shutdowns, or avoid content manipulation. Secure communications support typically involves protecting the confidentiality and integrity of online communications, such as making it harder for authoritarian actors to intercept messages, identify dissidents, or compromise devices and accounts. Advocacy and digital safety indicate interest in strengthening the capacity of activists, journalists, NGOs, and at-risk communities to navigate threats like surveillance, phishing, malware, doxxing, and harassment, while also supporting legal, policy, and public-interest efforts that protect online rights. Research suggests DRL also values evidence and analysis, such as tracking censorship and shutdown trends, evaluating the effectiveness and risks of specific tools or tactics, and generating findings that can inform better programming and policymaking.
Rather than requesting full proposals up front, DRL invited organizations to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs). An SOI is essentially a concept outline meant to show that an organization has a credible, relevant idea that aligns with DRL's goals. Applicants would describe the problem they want to address, the approach they would take, who the work would serve, and why their concept would advance Internet freedom and human rights online. If DRL found an SOI promising, it could lead to an invitation or next step toward a more developed proposal under the program.
The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and indicates awards may be made through grants or cooperative agreements, meaning DRL could have a more collaborative role in some projects depending on the award instrument. The award funding range is substantial: the minimum award amount is listed at $500,000 and the maximum (ceiling) is $2,500,000. No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated, which means applicants would not be required to contribute their own funds as a condition of eligibility, though budgets and value-for-money would still matter in competitive review.
Timing-wise, the announcement set two submission deadlines for SOIs: September 4, 2015 and February 1, 2016, with February 1, 2016 shown as the final closing date and an archive date of March 2, 2016. The original posting date is August 4, 2015. The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, which is DRL's broader assistance framework for democracy and rights-related programming.
Eligibility is broad and includes multiple types of institutions and organizations: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. The announcement notes that applicants should consult the Proposal Submission Instructions for Statements of Interest on DRL's website for detailed eligibility and submission requirements, suggesting that specific rules, formatting, and required components were provided there rather than fully embedded in the short listing.
For practical support, the listing directs applicants who have trouble accessing the full announcement electronically to contact the Grants.gov Contact Center, which operates 24/7 except federal holidays, with phone support at 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. The main takeaway is that DRL was seeking well-formed concept ideas that strengthen Internet freedom in tangible ways, especially through combined technical, safety, advocacy, and research efforts that protect human rights and preserve open access to information online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Who is offering this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The core purpose is to support Internet freedom programs that promote fundamental freedoms, human rights, and the free flow of information online, particularly in environments where access is restricted, monitored, or manipulated.
3) What kinds of program ideas is DRL looking for?
DRL is interested in program ideas that combine practical technical support with broader civil society and policy work. The emphasis is not only on building tools, but also on strengthening the surrounding ecosystem that helps people use tools safely and effectively, defend digital rights, and document what is happening online.
4) What thematic areas does the program statement emphasize?
The announcement highlights an integrated approach across: anti-censorship technology, secure communications technology, advocacy, digital safety, and research.
5) What does "anti-censorship technology" mean in this context?
Anti-censorship support generally refers to work that helps users access blocked or filtered content, maintain connectivity during shutdowns, or avoid content manipulation.
6) What does "secure communications technology" mean in this context?
Secure communications support typically involves protecting the confidentiality and integrity of online communications. Examples described in the listing include making it harder for authoritarian actors to intercept messages, identify dissidents, or compromise devices and accounts.
7) What does DRL mean by "advocacy" and "digital safety" in this opportunity?
Advocacy and digital safety point to strengthening the capacity of activists, journalists, NGOs, and at-risk communities to navigate threats such as surveillance, phishing, malware, doxxing, and harassment, while also supporting legal, policy, and public-interest efforts that protect online rights.
8) What types of research does this opportunity suggest are relevant?
The listing indicates DRL values evidence and analysis, such as tracking censorship and shutdown trends, evaluating the effectiveness and risks of specific tools or tactics, and generating findings that can inform better programming and policymaking.
9) Is DRL requesting full proposals right away?
No. DRL invited organizations to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) rather than full proposals up front.
10) What is a Statement of Interest (SOI)?
An SOI is a concept outline intended to show that an organization has a credible and relevant idea aligned with DRL's goals. Based on the listing, an SOI would describe the problem to be addressed, the proposed approach, who the work would serve, and why the concept would advance Internet freedom and human rights online.
11) What happens after an SOI is submitted?
If DRL finds an SOI promising, it could lead to an invitation or next step toward a more developed proposal under the program.
12) What type of funding is this (discretionary vs. mandatory)?
The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding.
13) What award instruments might be used?
Awards may be made through grants or cooperative agreements. The listing notes that cooperative agreements may involve a more collaborative role for DRL, depending on the instrument used.
14) What is the award size for this opportunity?
The listed funding range is substantial: the minimum award amount is $500,000 and the maximum (ceiling) is $2,500,000.
15) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the listing. Applicants are not required to contribute their own funds as a condition of eligibility based on the provided information.
16) Even if matching is not required, does the budget still matter?
Yes. The listing indicates that budgets and value-for-money would still matter in competitive review, even though matching is not required.
17) What were the SOI submission deadlines?
The announcement set two SOI submission deadlines: September 4, 2015 and February 1, 2016. February 1, 2016 is shown as the final closing date.
18) When was the opportunity posted and when was it archived?
The original posting date is August 4, 2015. An archive date of March 2, 2016 is also shown.
19) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.345, titled International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
20) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
21) Where can applicants find detailed SOI submission requirements?
The announcement notes that applicants should consult the Proposal Submission Instructions for Statements of Interest on DRL's website for detailed eligibility and submission requirements, including specific rules, formatting, and required components.
22) What should applicants do if they cannot access the full announcement electronically?
The listing directs applicants to contact the Grants.gov Contact Center for help accessing the full announcement electronically.
23) How can the Grants.gov Contact Center be reached?
The Grants.gov Contact Center is available 24/7 except federal holidays. Phone: 1-800-518-4726. Email: support@grants.gov.
24) Who is the intended audience or beneficiaries for the supported work?
Based on the program description, the work is intended to support people and groups operating in higher-risk online environments, including activists, journalists, NGOs, and at-risk communities, especially where the Internet is restricted, monitored, or manipulated.
25) What is the overall emphasis of DRL's approach to Internet freedom in this listing?
The overall emphasis is on tangible Internet freedom impact through integrated efforts that connect technical work (like anti-censorship and secure communications) with safety, advocacy, and research that supports human rights and open access to information online.
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