Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 17 006

  • The Department of State, 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 "DRL Global Religious 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.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 26, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 28, 2016 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 $700,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:

The DRL Global Religious Freedom Programs opportunity is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It invites organizations to submit project proposals that aim to promote and protect religious freedom around the world. The program is framed as a global human rights and democracy effort, with funding explicitly noted as pending availability, meaning awards depend on final budget decisions and allocated funds even if applications are strong.

This funding opportunity was posted under the title "DRL Global Religious Freedom Programs" with the opportunity number DRLA DRLAQM 17 006 and is associated with CFDA number 19.345. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed as "Other," which typically signals that the work spans multiple programmatic areas (for example, human rights, civil society support, policy advocacy, and capacity building) rather than fitting neatly into a single standard category.

The competition is open to a broad range of eligible applicants. Eligible entities include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). The eligibility list also includes an "Others" category, indicating that additional types of organizations may qualify depending on the agency's further eligibility guidance in the full announcement. In practice, opportunities like this often attract human rights NGOs, faith-based and interfaith organizations, academic centers, policy institutes, and other civil society groups with a demonstrated ability to implement international programming.

In terms of scale, the award ceiling is listed at $700,000, and the agency anticipated making around 8 awards. That suggests a competitive process with projects that are substantial enough to support multi-country or multi-component initiatives, but still within the typical size range for DRL grants that emphasize targeted impact, measurable outcomes, and strong monitoring and evaluation approaches. Because this is a competitive DRL grant, proposals are generally expected to show a clear theory of change, credible partners and implementers, and an evidence-based understanding of the religious freedom challenges being addressed.

Key timeline details from the posting include a creation date of August 26, 2016, with an original closing date of October 28, 2016. While those dates reflect the specific competition cycle referenced in the notice, the content signals DRL's broader policy interest in supporting international projects that counter restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and strengthen protections for individuals and communities facing discrimination or persecution tied to religious identity or practice.

Overall, this opportunity is designed to fund practical, rights-focused initiatives that advance religious freedom globally under the State Department's democracy and human rights mandate, offering grant funding up to $700,000 per award across an expected portfolio of approximately eight projects, subject to the availability of funds.

FAQs: DRL Global Religious Freedom Programs (U.S. Department of State - DRL)

1) What is the DRL Global Religious Freedom Programs opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It invites organizations to submit project proposals designed to promote and protect religious freedom around the world as part of a broader global human rights and democracy effort.

2) Which U.S. government office is running this competition?

The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).

3) What is the official opportunity title and number?

The posting title is "DRL Global Religious Freedom Programs." The opportunity number is DRLA DRLAQM 17 006.

4) What is the CFDA number associated with this grant?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.345.

5) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

6) What does the activity category "Other" mean in this context?

The activity category is listed as "Other," which typically indicates the work may span multiple programmatic areas rather than fitting into a single standard category. For example, projects may combine human rights programming, civil society support, policy advocacy, and capacity building within one proposal.

7) What kinds of projects is DRL seeking to fund under this opportunity?

Based on the posting description, DRL is seeking practical initiatives that promote and protect global religious freedom, counter restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, and strengthen protections for individuals and communities experiencing discrimination or persecution tied to religious identity or practice.

8) Is this opportunity focused on the United States or international work?

The program is described as global and is intended to support international projects that advance religious freedom around the world.

9) Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility list includes:

  • Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
  • Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education)
  • "Others" (indicating additional types of organizations may qualify depending on further eligibility guidance in the full announcement)

10) Does an organization need to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to apply?

No. The posting explicitly includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (provided they are not institutions of higher education).

11) Can colleges and universities apply?

Yes. Both public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

12) What does the "Others" eligibility category imply?

"Others" suggests that additional applicant types may be eligible, depending on the agency's detailed eligibility guidance in the full announcement. The posting indicates that eligibility is broad and may extend beyond the specifically named categories.

13) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $700,000.

14) How many awards does DRL expect to make?

The agency anticipated making approximately 8 awards.

15) What does "funding pending availability" mean?

It means awards depend on final budget decisions and allocated funds. Even strong applications may not be funded if funds are not ultimately available.

16) How competitive is this opportunity likely to be?

The posting indicates an anticipated portfolio of around 8 awards with awards up to $700,000, which suggests a competitive process. The description also points to expectations around targeted impact and measurable outcomes.

17) What does DRL generally expect from proposals in a competitive grant like this?

Based on the description provided, proposals are generally expected to demonstrate:

  • A clear theory of change
  • Credible partners and implementers
  • An evidence-based understanding of the religious freedom challenges being addressed
  • Targeted impact and measurable outcomes
  • A strong monitoring and evaluation approach

18) What are the key dates listed in the posting?

The creation date is August 26, 2016, and the original closing date is October 28, 2016.

19) Are the listed dates tied to a specific cycle?

Yes. The dates reflect the specific competition cycle referenced in the notice.

20) What is the overall purpose of this program?

The purpose is to support rights-focused initiatives that advance religious freedom globally under the State Department's democracy and human rights mandate, with awards up to $700,000 across an expected set of about eight projects, subject to the availability of funds.

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