Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 09 HRDEFENDERS 102209
Apply for DRL 09 HRDEFENDERS 102209
- 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 "Global Human Rights Defenders Fund" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 22, 2009 and posted on Oct 22, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 24, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled 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 Global Human Rights Defenders Emergency Fund is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), designed to provide rapid, short-term financial assistance to human rights defenders facing urgent threats or reprisals. The program is rooted in the recognition that activists, journalists, labor organizers, and other advocates often put their own safety, livelihoods, and families at risk when they promote universally recognized human rights. DRL is looking for proposals that can move quickly and reliably, with clear systems for receiving requests, vetting them, approving them, and getting help to people on the ground when repression intensifies or basic rights are restricted.
At its core, DRL is seeking practical, immediate approaches for disbursing small emergency grants globally or regionally. Proposals are expected to show how the applicant will reach a wide range of defenders, including those supporting marginalized communities. The announcement explicitly encourages strategies that include, among others, LGBT rights advocates, labor rights activists, and religious freedom activists, along with defenders working on democracy, good governance, womens rights, fair labor practices, independent media, and journalism. The intent is not long-term programming but fast support that can stabilize a defender or their family during a crisis and help them navigate immediate legal, medical, or security-related needs.
Funding is meant to cover specific emergency costs tied to harassment, detention, abuse, or government pressure. Examples listed include legal representation, medical bills resulting from abuse, trial monitoring, transportation for prison visitation, appeals, replacing equipment that was damaged or confiscated by authorities, and basic living expenses when a primary provider is detained, imprisoned, or evicted. The program also allows for other urgent needs consistent with the emergency purpose. A key restriction is that assistance cannot be set aside as generic contingency funds; instead, it must be awarded in response to actual, case-based emergency requests. DRL also requires that at least 60 percent of the requested budget be dedicated directly to emergency assistance for human rights defenders, signaling that the bulk of resources should flow out quickly to beneficiaries rather than being absorbed by administration or longer-term activities.
Operationally, the selected U.S.-based grantee or grantees would serve as the central manager of the fund while coordinating closely with DRL. DRL staff would act as the focal point for receiving and approving requests through the grantee, and they would coordinate vetting with relevant U.S. government officials. The grantee would then distribute approved support through local partners and or networks, which is meant to speed delivery and leverage existing trusted relationships on the ground. On the compliance side, the grantee must collect receipts and or reimbursement documentation for any expenditure over 5,000, reflecting standard accountability requirements for higher-value transactions.
In terms of eligibility and award structure, the opportunity is open to U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status as well as public, state-controlled, and private institutions of higher education. DRL anticipated making up to six awards from an estimated total funding amount of 1,500,000. Individual awards were expected to range from 250,000 (floor) up to 1,500,000 (ceiling), and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed as "Other" specifically tied to the Global Human Rights Defenders Fund.
Administrative details in the announcement emphasize the need to register early on Grants.gov because obtaining login credentials can take up to a week. The funding opportunity number is DRL 09 HRDEFENDERS 102209, the posting date is October 22, 2009, and the application deadline listed is November 24, 2009 (with the archive date December 24, 2009). For technical issues accessing the full announcement, the point of contact provided is Megan Oates, Program Officer at DRL, reachable by phone at 202 261 8030 or email at oatesml@state.gov. Finally, the notice makes clear that receiving an award does not guarantee future funding in later fiscal years, so applicants should treat the grant as time-limited support rather than an ongoing entitlement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Global Human Rights Defenders Emergency Fund?
The Global Human Rights Defenders Emergency Fund is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It is designed to provide rapid, short-term financial assistance to human rights defenders facing urgent threats or reprisals.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The goal is to support practical, immediate approaches that can disburse small emergency grants quickly and reliably when repression intensifies or basic rights are restricted. DRL is looking for proposals that have clear systems for receiving requests, vetting them, approving them, and delivering assistance to people on the ground.
Is this program meant for long-term human rights programming?
No. The intent is not long-term programming. The fund is meant for fast, short-term support that can stabilize a defender (or their family) during a crisis and help address immediate legal, medical, or security-related needs.
Who is this fund intended to help?
The fund is intended to help human rights defenders facing urgent threats or reprisals. The announcement recognizes that activists, journalists, labor organizers, and other advocates may place their safety, livelihoods, and families at risk when promoting universally recognized human rights.
What types of defenders does DRL encourage applicants to include in their reach?
Proposals are expected to show how the applicant will reach a wide range of defenders, including those supporting marginalized communities. The announcement explicitly encourages strategies that include LGBT rights advocates, labor rights activists, and religious freedom activists, as well as defenders working on democracy, good governance, womens rights, fair labor practices, independent media, and journalism.
What kinds of costs can emergency assistance cover?
Funding is meant to cover specific emergency costs tied to harassment, detention, abuse, or government pressure. Examples listed include legal representation, medical bills resulting from abuse, trial monitoring, transportation for prison visitation, appeals, replacing equipment damaged or confiscated by authorities, and basic living expenses when a primary provider is detained, imprisoned, or evicted. Other urgent needs may be supported if consistent with the emergency purpose.
Can funds be held as a general contingency or reserve?
No. Assistance cannot be set aside as generic contingency funds. Funds must be awarded in response to actual, case-based emergency requests.
How much of the budget must go directly to emergency assistance?
DRL requires that at least 60 percent of the requested budget be dedicated directly to emergency assistance for human rights defenders.
Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity is open to U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and to public, state-controlled, and private institutions of higher education.
How many awards does DRL expect to make, and what is the total funding?
DRL anticipated making up to six awards from an estimated total funding amount of 1,500,000.
What is the expected size of individual awards?
Individual awards were expected to range from 250,000 (floor) up to 1,500,000 (ceiling).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
How will the fund be managed operationally?
The selected U.S.-based grantee or grantees would serve as the central manager of the fund while coordinating closely with DRL. DRL staff would act as the focal point for receiving and approving requests through the grantee, and they would coordinate vetting with relevant U.S. government officials. The grantee would then distribute approved support through local partners and/or networks to speed delivery and leverage trusted relationships on the ground.
Are there documentation requirements for expenditures?
Yes. The grantee must collect receipts and/or reimbursement documentation for any expenditure over 5,000.
Why does the announcement emphasize speed and reliable systems?
Because the purpose is emergency support, DRL is looking for proposals that can move quickly and reliably, with clear systems to receive requests, vet them, approve them, and deliver help when repression intensifies or rights are restricted.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DRL 09 HRDEFENDERS 102209.
What are the key dates listed in the announcement?
The posting date is October 22, 2009. The application deadline listed is November 24, 2009. The archive date is December 24, 2009.
What should applicants know about Grants.gov registration?
The announcement emphasizes registering early on Grants.gov because obtaining login credentials can take up to a week.
Who can be contacted for technical issues accessing the full announcement?
For technical issues accessing the full announcement, the point of contact listed is Megan Oates, Program Officer at DRL, reachable by phone at 202 261 8030 or email at oatesml@state.gov.
Does receiving an award guarantee future funding?
No. The notice states that receiving an award does not guarantee future funding in later fiscal years, so applicants should treat the grant as time-limited support rather than an ongoing entitlement.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as "Other," specifically tied to the Global Human Rights Defenders Fund.
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