Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 13 035
Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 13 035
- The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the law, justice and legal services other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY12 Democracy, Human Rights, and Access to Justice in the Western Hemisphere" 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 May 1, 2013 and posted on Apr 8, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 8, 2013 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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY12 Democracy, Human Rights, and Access to Justice in the Western Hemisphere opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: DRLA DRLAQM 13 035) is a discretionary grant program issued by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It is focused on Latin American countries that continue to struggle with weak access to justice and persistent impunity tied to past periods of gross human rights violations. The central idea behind the solicitation is that these historical abuses are not only unresolved legal and moral questions; they also leave long-term institutional damage that can erode democratic participation, weaken trust in public institutions, and discourage communities from engaging with the state in legitimate civic and political processes.
DRL is looking for proposals that do more than describe symptoms like case backlogs, low prosecution rates, or inadequate victim services. Competitive projects are expected to present a clear analysis of the root causes driving systemic injustice and impunity, then directly connect that analysis to the proposed program design. In practical terms, applicants are expected to explain why impunity persists in a given context (for example, institutional capture, corruption, weak investigative capacity, intimidation of witnesses, lack of judicial independence, barriers faced by marginalized groups, or inadequate reparations frameworks) and show how their activities are designed to address those underlying drivers rather than applying surface-level fixes. The solicitation emphasizes a holistic view of justice and impunity, meaning projects should consider how multiple parts of the justice ecosystem interact (courts, prosecutors, police, forensic capacity, victim and witness protection, transitional justice mechanisms, truth-telling processes, civil society oversight, and public trust) and how improvements in one area need to be reinforced by changes in others to produce lasting impact.
A key objective woven throughout the announcement is restoring the relationship between citizens and the state. DRL frames justice and accountability as essential to rebuilding legitimacy in societies where prior abuses and unresolved violations have damaged public confidence. Strong proposals, according to the description, should articulate how their approach can help reestablish citizen trust and support more meaningful participation in democratic processes at both individual and community levels. This makes the opportunity relevant not only to legal reform efforts, but also to programs that strengthen civic engagement, transparency, and public confidence in rule-of-law institutions, as long as the work is clearly tied to addressing impunity and access-to-justice barriers stemming from legacies of gross violations.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, the program is offered as a grant with an award floor of $100,000 and an award ceiling of $1,000,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement listed. The funding activity category is identified as Law, Justice and Legal Services (with an additional "Other" category noted, though no extra explanation is provided). The CFDA number attached to the opportunity is 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. The opportunity was posted on April 8, 2013, created on May 1, 2013, with an original closing date of April 26, 2013, later extended to a current closing date of May 8, 2013, and an archive date of June 7, 2013.
Eligibility is broad and includes a range of organizational types that could credibly implement democracy and rule-of-law programming. Eligible applicants include private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, small businesses, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. This breadth suggests DRL was open to receiving proposals from universities, NGOs, research and policy institutions, and certain private-sector implementers, provided the proposed work aligns with the program's human rights and justice objectives.
For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the listing directs them to GrantSolutions User Support by phone at (202) 401-5282 or (866) 577-0771, or by email at help@grantsolutions.gov.
FAQs: FY12 Democracy, Human Rights, and Access to Justice in the Western Hemisphere (DRLA DRLAQM 13 035)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), titled "FY12 Democracy, Human Rights, and Access to Justice in the Western Hemisphere" (Funding Opportunity Number: DRLA DRLAQM 13 035).
What region or countries does this opportunity focus on?
The opportunity focuses on Latin American countries in the Western Hemisphere that continue to face weak access to justice and persistent impunity linked to past periods of gross human rights violations.
What problem is DRL trying to address through this program?
DRL is targeting long-standing access-to-justice gaps and ongoing impunity tied to historical periods of gross human rights abuses. The opportunity emphasizes that unresolved abuses create long-term institutional harm that can undermine democratic participation, weaken trust in public institutions, and discourage communities from engaging with the state through legitimate civic and political processes.
What types of projects are likely to be considered competitive?
Competitive projects are expected to move beyond describing symptoms (such as case backlogs, low prosecution rates, or inadequate victim services). Strong proposals should include a clear analysis of root causes behind systemic injustice and impunity and directly link that analysis to the project design and activities.
What does DRL mean by addressing "root causes" of impunity?
Based on the opportunity description, applicants should explain why impunity persists in the local context and how the proposed activities directly address those underlying drivers. Examples mentioned include institutional capture, corruption, weak investigative capacity, intimidation of witnesses, lack of judicial independence, barriers faced by marginalized groups, or inadequate reparations frameworks.
Does the solicitation encourage a specific approach to justice-sector work?
Yes. The solicitation emphasizes a holistic view of justice and impunity. This means proposals should consider how different parts of the justice ecosystem interact and how progress in one area needs reinforcement by changes in other areas to produce lasting impact.
What parts of the "justice ecosystem" are referenced in the announcement?
The announcement references multiple elements that may interact in a justice and accountability system, including courts, prosecutors, police, forensic capacity, victim and witness protection, transitional justice mechanisms, truth-telling processes, civil society oversight, and public trust.
Is this opportunity only for legal reform and courtroom-focused projects?
No. While it is highly relevant to rule-of-law and justice initiatives, the opportunity description also connects justice and accountability to restoring legitimacy and rebuilding citizen trust. Programs that strengthen civic engagement, transparency, and public confidence in rule-of-law institutions may be relevant, as long as the work is clearly tied to addressing impunity and access-to-justice barriers stemming from legacies of gross human rights violations.
What is the stated overarching objective related to citizens and the state?
A key objective described in the announcement is restoring the relationship between citizens and the state. DRL frames justice and accountability as essential to rebuilding legitimacy in societies where past abuses and unresolved violations have damaged public confidence.
How should proposals connect activities to democratic participation and trust?
Strong proposals should articulate how their approach can help reestablish citizen trust and support more meaningful participation in democratic processes at both individual and community levels, in ways that are clearly connected to accountability, impunity reduction, and improved access to justice.
What is the award amount range for this grant?
The award floor is $100,000 and the award ceiling is $1,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed in the information provided.
What is the type of funding instrument?
The program is offered as a grant.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is identified as "Law, Justice and Legal Services." An additional "Other" category is also noted, but no further explanation is provided in the information given.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number attached to the opportunity is 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: private institutions of higher education; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; small businesses; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status; nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Does the eligibility list suggest what kinds of organizations DRL expected to apply?
Yes. The range of eligible applicants indicates DRL was open to proposals from universities, NGOs, research and policy institutions, and certain private-sector implementers, as long as proposed work aligns with the program's democracy, human rights, and justice objectives described in the solicitation.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on April 8, 2013, and created on May 1, 2013. The original closing date was April 26, 2013, which was later extended to May 8, 2013. The archive date is listed as June 7, 2013.
Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement?
Applicants needing assistance are directed to GrantSolutions User Support by phone at (202) 401-5282 or (866) 577-0771, or by email at help@grantsolutions.gov.
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