Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 11 FFFUND RFP 120511
Apply for DRL 11 FFFUND RFP 120511
- 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 "Fundamental Freedoms Fund" 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 1, 2011 and posted on May 12, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 10, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Lead Organizations submitting proposals must meet the following criteria Be a U.S. non profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3) or a comparable organization headquartered internationally. Have demonstrated experience administering successful and preferably similar projects. DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis. Be a registered user of www.grants.gov. Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with in country entities and relevant stakeholders including industry and non government organizations. Organizations must form a Consortium and submit a joint proposal. However, one organization must be designated as the Primary Applicant/Lead Organization. An OMB policy directive published in the Federal Register on Friday, June 27, 2003, requires that all organizations applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements must provide a Dun and Bradstreet (DB) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for all Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. Please reference http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/062703grantidentifier.pdf for the complete OMB policy directive.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Fundamental Freedoms Fund is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity run by the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) to support programs that strengthen core civil and political rights in countries where those rights are routinely and systematically violated. The fund is focused on advancing the fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, expression, and religion. In practice, this means supporting work that helps people organize, speak, publish, worship, and participate in civic and political life without intimidation, censorship, or discrimination, especially in restrictive environments where space for civil society and independent voices is under heavy pressure.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates a closer working relationship with the U.S. government than a standard grant, including ongoing coordination and oversight during implementation. DRL expected to make one award for a total of $3,000,000, with the award floor and ceiling both set at $3,000,000, meaning the single selected applicant would receive the full amount. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. While the fund supports multi-year work and larger program scopes, the grantee is also expected to be able to move quickly, sometimes launching activities within weeks, which signals that DRL is looking for an organization (or consortium) with strong operational capacity, established systems, and reliable in-country networks.
Programmatically, the fund is intentionally broad and designed to cover a full spectrum of assistance that promotes fundamental freedoms. Examples of eligible activities include technical assistance and capacity building for civil society activists and organizations, support for independent media actors and local journalists, and assistance to new or opposition political parties as they develop public advocacy and civic education campaigns. The opportunity also highlights work to document human rights abuses and to improve access to justice and legal aid. More specific illustrative activities include training and mentoring local and citizen journalists; campaigns that increase public awareness and understanding of religious freedom, tolerance, and pluralism; efforts to engage women in political party activities; coalition building among youth groups; strengthening independent worker organizations; and expanding access to justice or civic participation for at-risk or marginalized populations, including women, people with disabilities, and indigenous communities. The underlying theme is practical support that helps local actors operate more safely and effectively while building longer-term resilience in civic institutions and networks.
Geographically, the fund is meant to be global in reach but explicitly excludes the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, because DRL planned to run a separate program for that area. Applicants are expected to propose activities spanning eligible regions as appropriate to the fund's objectives, with the understanding that the grantee should have existing partnerships, or the clear capacity to develop active partnerships, with in-country entities and relevant stakeholders such as non-government organizations and industry actors.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), or comparable organizations headquartered internationally. Applicants must show demonstrated experience managing successful projects, preferably similar in nature, and DRL noted it may request extra background information from organizations without prior federal assistance experience, with the possibility of limited pilot funding in such cases. A key structural requirement is that organizations must apply as a consortium submitting a joint proposal, while naming one organization as the primary applicant or lead. Administrative requirements include being registered on Grants.gov and having a DUNS number, consistent with federal grant application rules.
For reference, this opportunity was posted May 12, 2011, with an original and final closing date of June 10, 2011, and it was later archived July 10, 2011. The CFDA listing associated with it is 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor). The funding opportunity number is DRL 11 FFFUND RFP 120511, and the listed program contact was Emily Stanfield, Special Assistant, at 202-663-2886.
Fundamental Freedoms Fund (DRL) - FAQs
What is the Fundamental Freedoms Fund?
The Fundamental Freedoms Fund is a discretionary U.S. government funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It supports programs that strengthen core civil and political rights in countries where those rights are routinely and systematically violated.
What fundamental freedoms does the fund focus on?
The fund is focused on advancing the fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, expression, and religion. In practical terms, it supports work that helps people organize, speak, publish, worship, and participate in civic and political life without intimidation, censorship, or discrimination, particularly in restrictive environments.
What type of award is this?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically involves a closer working relationship with the U.S. government than a standard grant, including ongoing coordination and oversight during program implementation.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
DRL expected to make one award totaling $3,000,000. The award floor and ceiling are both $3,000,000, meaning the single selected applicant would receive the full amount.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
DRL expected to make one award under this funding opportunity.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What kinds of activities are eligible for support?
The fund is intentionally broad and designed to support a full spectrum of assistance that promotes fundamental freedoms. Examples and illustrative activities mentioned include:
- Technical assistance and capacity building for civil society activists and organizations
- Support for independent media actors and local journalists
- Assistance to new or opposition political parties developing public advocacy and civic education campaigns
- Documentation of human rights abuses
- Efforts to improve access to justice and legal aid
- Training and mentoring for local and citizen journalists
- Campaigns to increase public awareness and understanding of religious freedom, tolerance, and pluralism
- Efforts to engage women in political party activities
- Coalition building among youth groups
- Strengthening independent worker organizations
- Expanding access to justice or civic participation for at-risk or marginalized populations, including women, people with disabilities, and indigenous communities
What is the overall program theme or intent?
The underlying theme is practical support that helps local actors operate more safely and effectively while building longer-term resilience in civic institutions and networks, especially where civil society space and independent voices are under heavy pressure.
Does the opportunity require the grantee to start quickly?
Yes. The description notes that while the fund supports multi-year work and larger program scopes, the grantee is expected to be able to move quickly, sometimes launching activities within weeks. This indicates DRL is looking for strong operational capacity, established systems, and reliable in-country networks.
Is the fund limited to a particular region?
The fund is meant to be global in reach, but it explicitly excludes the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, because DRL planned to run a separate program for that area.
Can applicants propose activities across multiple countries or regions?
Applicants are expected to propose activities spanning eligible regions as appropriate to the fund's objectives, with the understanding that the grantee should have existing partnerships or the capacity to develop active partnerships with in-country entities and relevant stakeholders.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to:
- Nonprofit organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), or
- Comparable organizations headquartered internationally
Are universities or institutions of higher education eligible?
No. The opportunity explicitly excludes institutions of higher education from eligibility under the 501(c)(3) category.
Is prior experience required?
Applicants must show demonstrated experience managing successful projects, preferably similar in nature. DRL also noted it may request extra background information from organizations without prior federal assistance experience, and in such cases there is a possibility of limited pilot funding.
Is a consortium required to apply?
Yes. A key structural requirement is that organizations must apply as a consortium submitting a joint proposal, and the consortium must name one organization as the primary applicant or lead.
What registrations or identifiers are required to apply?
The administrative requirements include being registered on Grants.gov and having a DUNS number, consistent with federal grant application rules.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA listing associated with this opportunity is 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DRL 11 FFFUND RFP 120511.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on May 12, 2011. The original and final closing date was June 10, 2011.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. It was later archived on July 10, 2011.
Who was the listed program contact?
The listed program contact was Emily Stanfield, Special Assistant, reachable at 202-663-2886.
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