Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 09 ELECTIONS 081309
Apply for DRL 09 ELECTIONS 081309
- 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 "Elections, Political Participation, and Consensus Building in AF, NEA, and SA" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 13, 2009 and posted on Aug 13, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 14, 2009. (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 $800,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This opportunity is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Request for Proposals focused on strengthening elections, political participation, and consensus building across selected countries in Africa, the Near East, and South Asia. DRL is looking for projects that help citizens engage more effectively in political processes, improve the integrity and transparency of elections, strengthen civil society capacity, and expand inclusive participation (including youth and women, depending on the country). The solicitation was posted August 13, 2009, with a submission deadline of September 14, 2009, and it anticipates making around 10 awards. Individual awards must fall between an award floor of $300,000 and a ceiling of $800,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and non-U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) as well as public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education. DRL emphasizes that applicants should register on Grants.gov as early as possible because registration can take up to a week. Proposals must follow DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) using the revised PSI dated June 2008. An organization is limited to submitting no more than three proposals total under this announcement. DRL also flags that proposals that bundle multiple target countries or combine themes may be ruled technically ineligible, and budgets that request less than $300,000 or more than $800,000 will be considered technically ineligible.
The program objectives are country-specific. In the Central African Republic (about $750,000 available), DRL wants projects that build the capacity of local human rights NGOs and use radio as the primary platform for civic dialogue, since radio is described as the most effective medium there. The concept centers on interactive, informative programming that connects citizens, civil society, and elected representatives, addressing human rights concerns like impunity and entrenched corruption alongside democracy and civic participation ahead of the 2010 presidential and legislative elections. The effort is expected to reach beyond the capital into other urban areas and rural communities, and it should directly involve and strengthen NGOs working on issues such as arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, judicial independence, women and children's rights, press freedom, and electoral integrity. The programming is meant to increase public understanding of rights and encourage meaningful political engagement, while also incorporating participation from elected officials and other government representatives.
In Cote d'Ivoire (about $750,000 available), DRL is seeking election monitoring proposals that cover both the pre-election preparation period and the conduct of the elections themselves. A key component is training local election observers, indicating a preference for building domestic monitoring capacity rather than relying only on outside observers.
In Togo (about $800,000 available), the emphasis is on strengthening civil society organizations so they can participate credibly and constructively in the 2010 presidential election process in coordination with the Electoral Commission. DRL highlights specific activity areas: voter registration, election observation, and/or adjudication of post-election disputes. Proposals that include a specific youth component are encouraged. A notable requirement for Togo is operational readiness: applicants must already be operating in the region and must be able to begin activities immediately once funding is awarded.
In Uganda (about $550,000 available), DRL is looking for voter civic education initiatives leading up to and during the 2011 elections. The focus is on informing voters and supporting informed participation, which can include educating citizens about voting procedures, their rights and responsibilities, and how to engage peacefully and effectively in the electoral process.
For the Near East, Lebanon (about $700,000 available) is geared toward election-related media and public awareness. DRL wants to support media organizations in improving coverage and monitoring of the 2010 municipal elections and the broader electoral process, while also funding public awareness campaigns about citizen rights and responsibilities during elections. Another explicit priority is youth empowerment and youth participation in elections. DRL welcomes proposals that work outside Beirut/the capital, include youth media groups, and incorporate training and/or small-grants components, suggesting an interest in building local media capacity and enabling smaller actors to participate.
In Tunisia (about $400,000 available), the priority is women's political participation and empowerment. DRL seeks programs that help women enter political dialogue and engage in political processes, with an emphasis on education and "innovative methods" of engagement. The core outcome is increased capacity and confidence for women to participate in public life and political discussion.
In South Asia, Afghanistan (about $600,000 available) focuses on civic education delivered by local civil society groups in preparation for the 2010 parliamentary and district elections. Applicants are encouraged to partner with established Afghan civil society networks such as the Afghan Women's Network and the Afghan Civil Society Forum, pointing to a preference for local partnerships and community-rooted implementation.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number (DRL 09 ELECTIONS 081309), the grant instrument type (Grant), and the activity category described as elections, political competition, and consensus building across the target regions. Questions or issues accessing the announcement were directed to a DRL program officer, Megan Oates, with contact information provided in the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Request for Proposals (RFP) to support projects that strengthen elections, political participation, and consensus building in selected countries in Africa, the Near East, and South Asia.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DRL 09 ELECTIONS 081309.
What type of award will be made?
The instrument type is a Grant.
When was the solicitation posted and when is it due?
The solicitation was posted on August 13, 2009. The submission deadline is September 14, 2009.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
DRL anticipates making around 10 awards under this announcement.
How much funding can a project request?
Individual award amounts must be between $300,000 (award floor) and $800,000 (award ceiling).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What happens if a budget is below $300,000 or above $800,000?
Budgets that request less than $300,000 or more than $800,000 will be considered technically ineligible.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- U.S.-based and non-U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Public, private, and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits eligible if they are institutions of higher education?
The eligibility language distinguishes between 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education) and institutions of higher education (which may be public, private, or state-controlled). Applicants should align their application under the appropriate eligible category stated in the announcement.
Is there a limit on the number of proposals an organization can submit?
Yes. An organization is limited to submitting no more than three proposals total under this announcement.
Can one proposal cover multiple countries?
DRL flags that proposals bundling multiple target countries may be ruled technically ineligible.
Can one proposal combine multiple themes or focus areas?
DRL flags that proposals combining themes may be ruled technically ineligible.
What are the core program goals across all regions?
Across the target countries, DRL is looking for projects that help citizens engage more effectively in political processes, improve the integrity and transparency of elections, strengthen civil society capacity, and expand inclusive participation (including youth and women, depending on the country).
Are the program objectives the same in every country?
No. The program objectives are described as country-specific, and each named country has distinct priorities in the announcement.
Which countries are included in this announcement?
The notice provides country-specific objectives for: Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Uganda, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Afghanistan.
What is the focus in the Central African Republic (CAR)?
In CAR (about $750,000 available), DRL seeks projects that build the capacity of local human rights NGOs and use radio as the primary platform for civic dialogue. The concept centers on interactive and informative programming that connects citizens, civil society, and elected representatives, addressing human rights concerns (including impunity and entrenched corruption) alongside democracy and civic participation ahead of the 2010 presidential and legislative elections.
Why is radio emphasized for CAR projects?
The announcement describes radio as the most effective medium in the Central African Republic and calls for radio to be the primary platform for civic dialogue activities.
What kinds of human rights issues should CAR projects directly involve NGOs on?
The notice expects direct involvement and strengthening of NGOs working on issues such as arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, judicial independence, women and children's rights, press freedom, and electoral integrity.
Should CAR activities extend beyond the capital?
Yes. The effort is expected to reach beyond the capital into other urban areas and rural communities.
Does DRL expect participation from government or elected officials in CAR programming?
Yes. The radio programming is intended to incorporate participation from elected officials and other government representatives.
What is the focus in Cote d'Ivoire?
In Cote d'Ivoire (about $750,000 available), DRL seeks election monitoring proposals that cover both the pre-election preparation period and the conduct of the elections themselves, with a key component of training local election observers.
Is there an emphasis on domestic monitoring capacity in Cote d'Ivoire?
Yes. The announcement highlights training local election observers, indicating a preference for building domestic monitoring capacity rather than relying only on outside observers.
What is the focus in Togo?
In Togo (about $800,000 available), DRL emphasizes strengthening civil society organizations so they can participate credibly and constructively in the 2010 presidential election process in coordination with the Electoral Commission. Highlighted activity areas include voter registration, election observation, and/or adjudication of post-election disputes.
Are youth-focused activities encouraged in Togo?
Yes. Proposals that include a specific youth component are encouraged for Togo.
Is there an operational readiness requirement for Togo proposals?
Yes. Applicants for Togo must already be operating in the region and must be able to begin activities immediately once funding is awarded.
What is the focus in Uganda?
In Uganda (about $550,000 available), DRL seeks voter civic education initiatives leading up to and during the 2011 elections, focused on informing voters and supporting informed participation. This can include education on voting procedures, rights and responsibilities, and peaceful, effective engagement in the electoral process.
What is the focus in Lebanon?
In Lebanon (about $700,000 available), DRL focuses on election-related media and public awareness. DRL seeks to support media organizations in improving coverage and monitoring of the 2010 municipal elections and the broader electoral process, and to fund public awareness campaigns on citizen rights and responsibilities during elections. Youth empowerment and youth participation in elections are explicit priorities.
Are projects outside Beirut encouraged in Lebanon?
Yes. DRL welcomes proposals that work outside Beirut/the capital.
Are youth media groups and small grants components relevant in Lebanon?
Yes. DRL welcomes proposals that include youth media groups and incorporate training and/or small-grants components.
What is the focus in Tunisia?
In Tunisia (about $400,000 available), DRL prioritizes women's political participation and empowerment. DRL seeks programs that help women enter political dialogue and engage in political processes, emphasizing education and innovative methods of engagement, with the intended outcome of increased capacity and confidence for women to participate in public life and political discussion.
What is the focus in Afghanistan?
In Afghanistan (about $600,000 available), DRL focuses on civic education delivered by local civil society groups in preparation for the 2010 parliamentary and district elections. Applicants are encouraged to partner with established Afghan civil society networks such as the Afghan Women's Network and the Afghan Civil Society Forum.
Does DRL express a preference for local partnerships in Afghanistan?
Yes. The announcement encourages partnerships with established Afghan civil society networks, indicating a preference for local partnerships and community-rooted implementation.
Where should applicants submit proposals?
Applicants are directed to register and apply through Grants.gov. DRL emphasizes registering as early as possible because the process can take up to a week.
Which proposal instructions must applicants follow?
Proposals must follow DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) using the revised PSI dated June 2008.
What is the main topic area/category of this solicitation?
The activity category is described as elections, political competition, and consensus building across the target regions (Africa, the Near East, and South Asia).
Who can be contacted with questions or access issues?
The notice directs questions or issues accessing the announcement to a DRL program officer, Megan Oates, whose contact information is provided in the announcement.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: North Korea Programs
Previous opportunity: Image guided Drug Delivery in Cancer (R01)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DRL 09 ELECTIONS 081309
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DRL 09 ELECTIONS 081309) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| North Korea Programs Apply for DRL 09 DPRK 081309 Funding Number: DRL 09 DPRK 081309 Agency: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Promoting Democratic Institutions and Practices (PRODIP) Apply for USAID BANGLADESH 388 09 005 RFA Funding Number: USAID BANGLADESH 388 09 005 RFA Agency: Bangladesh USAID Dhaka Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $23,500,000 |
| Archaeological Research in the Northern Colorado River Basin Apply for BLM CO NOI 09 1371 Funding Number: BLM CO NOI 09 1371 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR A1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR A1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR B1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR B1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR C1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR C1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR D1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR D1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR D2 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR D2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR E1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR E1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR E2 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR E2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR F1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR F1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR F2 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR F2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR F3 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR F3 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR G1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR G1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR H1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR H1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR I1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR I1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR I2 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR I2 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR I3 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR I3 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| Fall 2009 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Apply for EPA F2009 STAR J1 Funding Number: EPA F2009 STAR J1 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $37,000 |
| BLM CA NEEDLES HORSETHIEF SPRINGS Apply for BLM CA NOI 09 5003 Funding Number: BLM CA NOI 09 5003 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $34,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DRL 09 ELECTIONS 081309", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.