Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 15 020
Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 15 020
- 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 "Countering Closing Civic Space in Kenya and Uganda" 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 Dec 3, 2014 and posted on Dec 2, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 23, 2015 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $841,500.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $841,500.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 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 Countering Closing Civic Space in Kenya and Uganda opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DRLA DRLAQM 15 020) is a U.S. Department of State program run through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It is a discretionary grant competition focused on democracy and human rights programming, specifically aimed at supporting local civil society efforts to protect and expand civic space at a time when governments and other powerful actors are increasing restrictions on civic organizing and public participation. The central idea is to back practical, locally grounded initiatives that help civil society groups in Kenya and Uganda continue operating effectively, safely, and legally while also pushing back against shrinking space for association, assembly, and expression.
The program is structured around a single regional project that covers both Kenya and Uganda, rather than two separate country programs. Applicants are expected to build a clear regional perspective into the design, reflecting the reality that many civic space challenges and restrictive trends in East Africa are interconnected and often spread across borders through similar laws, regulatory practices, and political dynamics. A strong proposal under this opportunity would typically show how activities in each country reinforce one another, how lessons learned in one context can be adapted to the other, and how regional collaboration can improve resilience and collective advocacy among civil society actors facing similar constraints.
Funding for the award is substantial but targeted, with an estimated total funding amount of USD 841,500. DRL anticipated making one award, with an award floor of USD 700,000 and an award ceiling of USD 841,500, indicating they were looking for a single, fairly comprehensive project at scale rather than multiple small grants. Cost sharing or matching is not required, which lowers the barrier for many nonprofit organizations and institutions that might otherwise struggle to bring additional funds to the table.
Eligibility is open to a range of organizational types that commonly implement international democracy and human rights programs, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The funding is listed under CFDA number 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, which aligns with DRL's broader mandate to support human rights defenders, strengthen democratic governance, and protect fundamental freedoms.
In terms of timing, the opportunity was posted on December 2, 2014, and closed on January 23, 2015, with an archive date of February 22, 2015. While the listing does not include the full technical requirements or proposal narrative instructions in the text provided, it indicates that full details were available through the official announcement link and through Grants.gov. Applicants needing help accessing the announcement were directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center (support@grants.gov, 1-800-518-4726), reflecting that submissions and related technical support were handled through the federal grants portal.
Overall, this grant opportunity was designed to fund one regionally integrated initiative that strengthens the ability of civil society in Kenya and Uganda to operate in a more hostile or restrictive environment, while also encouraging cross-border learning and coordination to counter the broader trend of closing civic space in East Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Countering Closing Civic Space in Kenya and Uganda.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DRLA DRLAQM 15 020.
Which U.S. government office is running this program?
This is a U.S. Department of State program run through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
What type of funding opportunity is this?
It is a discretionary grant competition.
What is the main goal of the program?
The program is focused on democracy and human rights programming and is intended to support local civil society efforts to protect and expand civic space in Kenya and Uganda at a time when restrictions on civic organizing and public participation are increasing.
What does "closing civic space" refer to in this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, it refers to governments and other powerful actors increasing restrictions that limit civil society organizing and public participation, including restrictions affecting freedom of association, assembly, and expression.
Which countries does the project cover?
The project is regional and covers both Kenya and Uganda.
Is this a single regional award or separate awards for each country?
This opportunity is structured around a single regional project covering Kenya and Uganda, rather than two separate country programs.
What kind of project design is DRL expecting?
Applicants are expected to build a clear regional perspective into the design. Proposals are expected to show how activities in Kenya and Uganda reinforce one another, how lessons learned in one country can be adapted to the other, and how regional collaboration can improve civil society resilience and collective advocacy.
Why does the opportunity emphasize a regional approach?
The description notes that many civic space challenges and restrictive trends in East Africa are interconnected and can spread across borders through similar laws, regulatory practices, and political dynamics. A regional approach is meant to reflect that reality.
How much total funding is available under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding amount is USD 841,500.
How many awards did DRL expect to make?
DRL anticipated making one award.
What is the minimum (floor) award amount?
The award floor is USD 700,000.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is USD 841,500.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to the following types of organizations:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofit organizations without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The funding is listed under CFDA 19.345, titled International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on December 2, 2014.
What was the application closing date?
The opportunity closed on January 23, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date is February 22, 2015.
Where were full application details and instructions provided?
The text indicates that full details were available through the official announcement link and through Grants.gov.
How were submissions and technical support handled?
Submissions and related technical support were handled through the federal grants portal, Grants.gov.
Who should applicants contact for help accessing the announcement on Grants.gov?
Applicants needing help were directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726.
What kinds of activities does the opportunity emphasize (at a high level)?
It emphasizes practical, locally grounded initiatives that help civil society organizations in Kenya and Uganda continue operating effectively, safely, and legally, while also pushing back against shrinking civic space affecting association, assembly, and expression.
Does the opportunity describe the full technical requirements or proposal narrative instructions?
No. The provided text states that the listing does not include the full technical requirements or narrative instructions, and that those details were available through the official announcement link and Grants.gov.
Is this opportunity intended for many small projects or one larger project?
It was designed for one fairly comprehensive project at scale, as indicated by the expectation of one award and the relatively high award floor and ceiling.
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