Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 10 GR SYRIA 062110
Apply for DRL 10 GR SYRIA 062110
- 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 "Human Rights and Civil Society Initiatives in Syria." 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 21, 2010 and posted on Jun 21, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 19, 2010 PLEASE NOTE DRL strongly urges applicants to immediately access www.grants.gov to obtain a username and password. It may take up to a week to register with grants.gov. Please see the section titled DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS in the full announcement for specific instructions. Applicants must submit proposals using www.grants.gov by 1159 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on July 19, 2010.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,250,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Organizations submitting proposals must meet the following criteria Be a non profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3). Be a U.S. university or research institution meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3) and Have demonstrated experience administering successful projects, preferably in Syria, or similarly challenging program environment. 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 and Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with organization(s) in Syria. Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) released this grant opportunity, titled "Human Rights and Civil Society Initiatives in Syria" (Funding Opportunity Number DRL 10 GR SYRIA 062110), to fund programs that strengthen Syrian civil society and support democratic governance outcomes. The core idea is to back practical, well-managed initiatives that help Syrians engage in non-violent expression and peaceful resolution of political differences, expand inclusive public deliberation, and contribute to governance that is more sustainable, accountable, and responsive. DRL is looking for applicants that can show creativity and sensitivity to the Syrian context, including the ability to operate in a difficult environment, build cooperation among local actors, and deliver measurable results rather than continuing routine, ongoing work.
Applicants can propose activities under one or more of four main program objective areas. First, "International Human Rights Issues and Obligations" supports projects that encourage Syria's adherence to international human rights commitments and that promote dialogue among Syrians about human rights challenges globally and different ways societies address them. Second, "NGO development" focuses on strengthening civil society's capacity through networking and advocacy at national, regional, or local levels, including civic participation pathways such as work with university students through clubs, campus governance, and professional or academic societies. Third, "Rule of Law" supports training and professional development for attorneys, mediators, and other legal advocates to increase near-term ability to advance respect for the rule of law within existing frameworks, grounded in Syria's constitution and international commitments. Fourth, "Freedom of Expression" seeks projects that expand access to information and rights-respecting expression, including support for young journalists and media work that does not rely solely on the Internet, plus efforts that improve the quality and impartiality of reporting on economic and social issues through training (online and in-person) and media-content analysis. DRL is open to innovative delivery approaches, including programs implemented inside Syria, in third countries with Syrian participants, or through online training formats. Projects can be focused in one or multiple provinces, and proposals that involve engagement between citizens and officials at various levels of government are welcomed. Grantees are not required to publicly disclose U.S. government funding.
The funding is provided under FY 2009 Economic Support Funds (ESF) through a discretionary grant competition. DRL anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding pool of approximately $1.25 million. Individual awards were expected to fall between $500,000 and $750,000, and projects were required to run between 18 and 36 months, with the bulk of activities focused on Syria. While programs can include out-of-country components, DRL signaled that U.S.-based activities should be minimal and that study tours, scholarships, and exchange-style projects would not be competitive. Similarly, proposals centered mainly on academic research, conferences, commercial law, or economic development were discouraged or considered non-competitive, and health, technology, or scientific projects were discouraged unless they clearly advanced the listed democracy and human rights objectives.
Eligibility was limited to U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, including U.S. universities or research institutions that meet those nonprofit requirements. Applicants were expected to demonstrate experience managing successful projects, preferably in Syria or similarly challenging environments, and to have existing partnerships in Syria or a credible capacity to build them. Consortia were allowed, but one organization needed to serve as the lead applicant. DRL also made clear it would not consider any proposal that reflected support for members, affiliates, or representatives of designated terrorist organizations, and proposals would undergo eligibility screening and compliance reviews, with final award authority held by the Department of State Grants Officer.
Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2010, and DRL warned that Grants.gov registration could take up to a week. The required application package was structured and format-sensitive, following DRL's March 2010 Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI). Submissions needed standardized federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), a one-page table of contents, a one-page executive summary with specific items (including contact, synopsis, objectives/activities, budget request and duration, and a short case for innovation, sustainability, and impact), and a proposal narrative capped at 10 pages. Applicants also had to include a budget narrative and a detailed line-item budget with separate columns for DRL funds, cost share (if any), and totals, all in U.S. dollars, plus up to seven pages of attachments in a specific order: a monitoring and evaluation plan, short bios and roles for key personnel, a project timeline, and optional supporting materials such as letters of support or MOUs. If an organization planned to charge indirect costs under a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA), the NICRA had to be included as a PDF (not counted against page limits).
DRL stated that proposals would be evaluated by a Department of State review committee using six equally weighted criteria. These criteria emphasized: the quality and originality of the program idea and its fit with DRL's mission; detailed planning and a credible ability to achieve measurable objectives (including stakeholder engagement, partner roles, participant selection, and contingency planning for difficult conditions); multiplier effects and sustainability beyond the grant period (such as lasting networks, mentoring, and continued use of deliverables); a strong monitoring and evaluation plan with outcome-based indicators, baselines and targets, and regular data collection, with independent evaluations viewed favorably; the applicant institution's record, staffing, and fiscal/management capacity; and cost effectiveness, including low overhead, limited U.S.-based costs, and the inclusion of cost sharing, which was encouraged even though not required. Awards were contingent on funds availability and internal approvals, including Congressional approval of DRL's spending plan and Department-level authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Human Rights and Civil Society Initiatives in Syria (DRL 10 GR SYRIA 062110)
1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Human Rights and Civil Society Initiatives in Syria" (Funding Opportunity Number: DRL 10 GR SYRIA 062110).
2) Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
The grant was released by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
3) What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program is intended to fund practical, well-managed initiatives that strengthen Syrian civil society and support democratic governance outcomes. Priority is placed on programs that help Syrians engage in non-violent expression and peaceful resolution of political differences, expand inclusive public deliberation, and contribute to governance that is more sustainable, accountable, and responsive.
4) What kinds of proposals is DRL specifically looking for?
DRL is looking for applicants that demonstrate creativity and sensitivity to the Syrian context, can operate in a difficult environment, can build cooperation among local actors, and can deliver measurable results. DRL emphasized interest in proposals that go beyond routine, ongoing work.
5) What are the main program objective areas applicants can propose under?
Applicants may propose activities under one or more of four objective areas:
- International Human Rights Issues and Obligations
- NGO Development
- Rule of Law
- Freedom of Expression
6) What does the "International Human Rights Issues and Obligations" objective cover?
This objective supports projects that encourage Syria's adherence to international human rights commitments and promote dialogue among Syrians about human rights challenges globally and the different ways societies address them.
7) What does the "NGO development" objective cover?
This objective focuses on strengthening civil society capacity through networking and advocacy at national, regional, or local levels. It also includes civic participation pathways such as work with university students through clubs, campus governance, and professional or academic societies.
8) What does the "Rule of Law" objective cover?
This objective supports training and professional development for attorneys, mediators, and other legal advocates to increase near-term ability to advance respect for the rule of law within existing frameworks. DRL noted the work should be grounded in Syria's constitution and international commitments.
9) What does the "Freedom of Expression" objective cover?
This objective seeks projects that expand access to information and rights-respecting expression. Examples described include support for young journalists, media work that does not rely solely on the Internet, and efforts to improve the quality and impartiality of reporting on economic and social issues through training (online and in-person) and media-content analysis.
10) Can projects be implemented outside Syria?
Yes. DRL was open to innovative delivery approaches, including programs implemented inside Syria, in third countries with Syrian participants, or through online training formats.
11) Does DRL require that activities take place mainly in Syria?
Yes. Projects were required to run with the bulk of activities focused on Syria. Programs could include out-of-country components, but U.S.-based activities were expected to be minimal.
12) Can a project focus on just one province, or must it cover all of Syria?
Projects could be focused in one province or in multiple provinces.
13) Are projects that bring citizens and officials together encouraged?
Yes. Proposals involving engagement between citizens and officials at various levels of government were welcomed.
14) Are grantees required to publicly disclose U.S. government funding?
No. DRL stated that grantees are not required to publicly disclose U.S. government funding.
15) What is the source of the funding?
Funding was provided under FY 2009 Economic Support Funds (ESF) through a discretionary grant competition.
16) How many awards did DRL expect to make?
DRL anticipated making about three awards.
17) What was the estimated total funding available under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding pool was approximately $1.25 million.
18) What was the expected size of individual awards?
Individual awards were expected to fall between $500,000 and $750,000.
19) What project duration was required?
Projects were required to run between 18 and 36 months.
20) Are study tours, scholarships, or exchange-style projects competitive under this opportunity?
No. DRL stated that study tours, scholarships, and exchange-style projects would not be competitive.
21) What types of proposals were discouraged or considered non-competitive?
DRL discouraged or considered non-competitive proposals centered mainly on academic research, conferences, commercial law, or economic development. Health, technology, or scientific projects were also discouraged unless they clearly advanced the listed democracy and human rights objectives.
22) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, including U.S. universities or research institutions that meet those nonprofit requirements.
23) What experience did applicants need to demonstrate?
Applicants were expected to demonstrate experience managing successful projects, preferably in Syria or similarly challenging environments, and to have existing partnerships in Syria or a credible capacity to build them.
24) Are consortia or partnerships between organizations allowed?
Yes. Consortia were allowed, but one organization needed to serve as the lead applicant.
25) Are there restrictions related to designated terrorist organizations?
Yes. DRL stated it would not consider any proposal that reflected support for members, affiliates, or representatives of designated terrorist organizations. Proposals would undergo eligibility screening and compliance reviews.
26) Who makes the final award decision?
Final award authority was held by the Department of State Grants Officer.
27) How and where did applicants have to submit the application?
Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov.
28) What was the application deadline?
Applications were due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2010.
29) How long could Grants.gov registration take?
DRL warned that Grants.gov registration could take up to a week.
30) What instructions governed the required application format?
The application package was format-sensitive and had to follow DRL's March 2010 Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI).
31) Which standard federal forms were required?
The required standard forms were SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B.
32) What were the required components of the written application package?
The submission required:
- A one-page table of contents
- A one-page executive summary with specific items (contact information, synopsis, objectives/activities, budget request and duration, and a short case for innovation, sustainability, and impact)
- A proposal narrative capped at 10 pages
- A budget narrative
- A detailed line-item budget with separate columns for DRL funds, cost share (if any), and totals, all in U.S. dollars
- Up to seven pages of attachments in a specified order (including monitoring and evaluation plan, short bios and roles for key personnel, project timeline, and optional supporting materials such as letters of support or MOUs)
33) What needed to be included in the executive summary?
The one-page executive summary had to include contact information, a synopsis, objectives and activities, the budget request and duration, and a brief case for innovation, sustainability, and impact.
34) What was the maximum length of the proposal narrative?
The proposal narrative was capped at 10 pages.
35) What was required in the budget submission?
Applicants had to include a budget narrative and a detailed line-item budget. The line-item budget had to be presented in U.S. dollars and show separate columns for DRL funds, any cost share, and totals.
36) Was cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing was encouraged but not required.
37) What attachments were required, and what was the page limit for attachments?
Applicants could include up to seven pages of attachments, in a specific order. The attachments included a monitoring and evaluation plan, short bios and roles for key personnel, and a project timeline. Optional supporting materials could include letters of support or MOUs.
38) How were indirect costs handled, and did a NICRA count against page limits?
If an organization planned to charge indirect costs under a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA), the NICRA had to be included as a PDF and did not count against page limits.
39) How were proposals evaluated?
Proposals were evaluated by a Department of State review committee using six equally weighted criteria.
40) What were the evaluation criteria?
The six equally weighted evaluation criteria emphasized:
- Quality and originality of the program idea and its fit with DRL's mission
- Detailed planning and credible ability to achieve measurable objectives (including stakeholder engagement, partner roles, participant selection, and contingency planning for difficult conditions)
- Multiplier effects and sustainability beyond the grant period (lasting networks, mentoring, continued use of deliverables)
- Strong monitoring and evaluation plan with outcome-based indicators, baselines and targets, regular data collection, and favorable consideration of independent evaluations
- Applicant institution's record, staffing, and fiscal/management capacity
- Cost effectiveness (including low overhead, limited U.S.-based costs, and cost sharing, which was encouraged)
41) What did DRL signal about monitoring and evaluation expectations?
DRL emphasized outcome-based indicators with baselines and targets and regular data collection. Independent evaluations were viewed favorably.
42) What cost factors did DRL care about in scoring proposals?
Cost effectiveness was an explicit evaluation factor, including expectations for low overhead, limited U.S.-based costs, and (if included) cost sharing.
43) Were awards guaranteed?
No. Awards were contingent on funds availability and internal approvals.
44) What approvals or authorizations could affect whether awards are made?
DRL noted awards depended on internal approvals, including Congressional approval of DRL's spending plan and Department-level authorization.
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