Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 11 NEA 06162011
Apply for DRL 11 NEA 06162011
- 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 "Justice and Dignity Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa" 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 16, 2011 and posted on Jun 16, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 14, 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 $2,075,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,075,000.00 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.
- 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 Justice and Dignity Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) funding opportunity designed to support programs that defend and expand core civil and political freedoms in MENA countries where governments routinely and systematically restrict them. The grant is aimed at advancing the fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, expression, and religion, with an emphasis on practical, on-the-ground assistance that helps local actors operate more safely and effectively, strengthens independent voices, and improves access to justice for communities facing repression or exclusion.
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects substantial involvement in shaping or overseeing implementation compared to a standard grant. The initiative anticipates one award with a total funding amount of $2,075,000, and the award ceiling and floor are both set at exactly $2,075,000, indicating DRL intended to fund a single, full-sized program at that amount. The scope is explicitly broad and meant to cover a wide spectrum of democracy, human rights, and rule of law assistance, with individual program components potentially large enough to run across multiple years. At the same time, the announcement stresses speed and responsiveness: the selected grantee should be able to launch and execute activities efficiently, sometimes within a matter of weeks, reflecting the need to respond quickly to fast-changing political openings, crackdowns, or urgent protection and capacity needs.
Programmatically, the initiative prioritizes capacity-building and technical support for civil society activists and organizations, media actors, and emerging or opposition political parties. It encourages efforts that build durable civic infrastructure, such as training, mentoring, and organizational strengthening, as well as outward-facing work like public advocacy and civic education campaigns. A key focus is documenting human rights abuses and improving pathways to justice, including access to legal aid, which can involve helping local partners develop documentation methods, case support, referral networks, or mechanisms that connect victims and at-risk groups with legal services and advocacy channels.
Examples of eligible activities provided in the announcement include training and mentoring local and citizen journalists, strengthening independent media capacity, and supporting initiatives that increase public awareness of religious freedom and tolerance. The initiative also highlights inclusion and coalition-building, such as engaging women in political party activities, building coalitions among youth groups, and bolstering the capacity of independent worker organizations. It explicitly notes efforts to expand access to justice or civic participation for at-risk or marginalized populations, including women, people with disabilities, and indigenous communities. Overall, the eligible activity list signals that DRL is open to a wide range of interventions, as long as they clearly advance fundamental freedoms and can be executed effectively in restrictive environments.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with U.S. 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) or comparable internationally headquartered organizations. Applicants are expected to have demonstrated experience successfully administering similar projects, and DRL reserves the right to request additional background information, particularly from groups without prior federal award experience; such organizations may face limited pilot funding. Applicants must be registered on Grants.gov and comply with federal identifier requirements, including having a DUNS number (per the OMB directive referenced in the notice). A notable requirement is that organizations must apply as a consortium submitting a joint proposal, with one organization designated as the primary applicant/lead organization, implying DRL wanted combined capabilities and regional or technical breadth under a single coordinated management structure. Applicants must also already have, or be able to develop, active partnerships with in-country entities and relevant stakeholders, including nongovernmental organizations and industry actors, reinforcing the expectation that work will be implemented through credible local relationships rather than purely external delivery.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed as discretionary funding under CFDA 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) and falls under the “Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law” category. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The funding opportunity number is DRL 11 NEA 06162011, it was posted June 16, 2011, and the closing date was July 14, 2011, with an archive date of August 13, 2011. For applicant support, the notice references DRL’s website and lists a program officer contact (Benton Wisehart, 202-632-2064) for access issues or questions about the announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Justice and Dignity Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)?
The Justice and Dignity Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) funding opportunity intended to support programs that defend and expand core civil and political freedoms in MENA countries where governments routinely and systematically restrict them.
What freedoms or rights does this initiative aim to advance?
The initiative is focused on advancing fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, expression, and religion. It emphasizes practical assistance that helps local actors operate more safely and effectively, strengthens independent voices, and improves access to justice for communities facing repression or exclusion.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement in shaping and/or overseeing implementation compared to a standard grant.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The total anticipated funding amount is $2,075,000.
What are the award ceiling and floor?
The award ceiling and the award floor are both exactly $2,075,000, indicating DRL intended to fund a single, full-sized program at that amount.
How many awards does DRL anticipate making?
The announcement anticipates one award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the program’s overall scope?
The scope is explicitly broad and intended to cover a wide spectrum of democracy, human rights, and rule of law assistance. The announcement indicates individual program components may be large enough to operate across multiple years.
Does the initiative require rapid implementation?
Yes. The announcement stresses speed and responsiveness. The selected grantee should be able to launch and execute activities efficiently, sometimes within weeks, to respond to fast-changing political openings, crackdowns, or urgent protection and capacity needs.
What kinds of organizations or groups are the priority beneficiaries?
The initiative prioritizes capacity-building and technical support for civil society activists and organizations, media actors, and emerging or opposition political parties.
What kinds of activities are encouraged under this opportunity?
Examples described in the announcement include training, mentoring, and organizational strengthening to build durable civic infrastructure, as well as outward-facing work such as public advocacy and civic education campaigns.
Does the opportunity support human rights documentation and access to justice work?
Yes. A key focus is documenting human rights abuses and improving pathways to justice, including access to legal aid. The announcement notes activities such as developing documentation methods, supporting cases, building referral networks, and connecting victims and at-risk groups with legal services and advocacy channels.
What media-related activities are explicitly mentioned as eligible examples?
The announcement provides examples such as training and mentoring local and citizen journalists and strengthening independent media capacity.
Does the initiative include religious freedom and tolerance activities?
Yes. The announcement explicitly mentions supporting initiatives that increase public awareness of religious freedom and tolerance.
Does DRL emphasize inclusion and coalition-building?
Yes. The initiative highlights inclusion and coalition-building, including engaging women in political party activities, building coalitions among youth groups, and strengthening the capacity of independent worker organizations.
Which populations are specifically noted as at-risk or marginalized in the announcement?
The announcement explicitly notes efforts to expand access to justice or civic participation for at-risk or marginalized populations, including women, people with disabilities, and indigenous communities.
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 internationally headquartered organizations.
Are institutions of higher education eligible if they have 501(c)(3) status?
No. The announcement excludes institutions of higher education from eligibility under the 501(c)(3) category described.
What experience is expected from applicants?
Applicants are expected to have demonstrated experience successfully administering similar projects.
What if an organization does not have prior federal award experience?
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information, particularly from organizations without prior federal award experience. The announcement notes that such organizations may face limited pilot funding.
Is registration on Grants.gov required?
Yes. Applicants must be registered on Grants.gov.
Are there federal identifier requirements mentioned in the notice?
Yes. Applicants must comply with federal identifier requirements, including having a DUNS number (as referenced via the OMB directive in the notice).
Do applicants need to apply as a consortium?
Yes. A notable requirement is that organizations must apply as a consortium submitting a joint proposal, with one organization designated as the primary applicant/lead organization.
What does it mean to designate a primary applicant/lead organization?
The consortium submits a joint proposal, but one organization is identified as the lead/primary applicant. This implies DRL is seeking combined capabilities under a single coordinated management structure.
Are partnerships with in-country entities required?
Yes. Applicants must already have, or be able to develop, active partnerships with in-country entities and relevant stakeholders, including nongovernmental organizations and industry actors. The announcement reinforces an expectation that work will be implemented through credible local relationships rather than delivered purely externally.
What is the CFDA number and program category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) and falls under the “Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law” category.
Is this opportunity discretionary funding?
Yes. The announcement lists the opportunity as discretionary funding.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DRL 11 NEA 06162011.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The notice states it was posted on June 16, 2011, and the closing date was July 14, 2011.
What are the archive details for this opportunity?
The archive date listed is August 13, 2011.
Who can applicants contact for access issues or questions about the announcement?
The notice lists a program officer contact for access issues or questions: Benton Wisehart at 202-632-2064. It also references DRL’s website for applicant support.
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