Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 12 054
Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 12 054
- 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 "Promoting Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Iraq" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.016 Iraq Assistance Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 21, 2012 and posted on May 15, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 21, 2012 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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
- 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, or an international organization.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announced a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Promoting Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Iraq" (Funding Opportunity Number: DRLA DRLAQM 12 054) under CFDA 19.016 (Iraq Assistance Program). The purpose of this funding is to support programs that measurably increase human rights protections and strengthen the rule of law in Iraq, with a clear emphasis on practical, on-the-ground interventions that reinforce accountability, oversight, transparency, and rights-respecting security and justice institutions. Awards are structured as grants, and proposals must be designed for a fixed two-year period.
The program is aimed at organizations capable of implementing substantive human rights and rule-of-law activities in Iraq, particularly in ways that reinforce and expand the work already underway among Iraqi civil society actors. DRL is looking for proposals that address at least one of several priority areas. One major focus is helping civil society monitor security services and respond to abuses. This can include monitoring detention conditions in prisons and other facilities, following up on identified problems, documenting human rights violations attributed to security actors, delivering human rights and rule-of-law training to law enforcement personnel, and supporting efforts to combat impunity through legal advocacy and other accountability channels. The underlying idea is to strengthen the ability of non-governmental actors to observe, record, and press for remedies when abuses occur, while also improving professional standards within enforcement institutions.
A second priority area is strengthening democratic governance of the security sector through better oversight and engagement. DRL signals interest in programs that enhance parliamentary oversight of security institutions and expand human rights protections by enabling meaningful civil society engagement with government bodies and elected officials involved in security policy. In practice, this could mean helping legislators and relevant committees develop oversight tools and routines, supporting policy dialogue between civil society and decision-makers, and ensuring that human rights considerations are integrated into security policy development rather than treated as an afterthought.
A third area targets the criminal justice system, particularly transparency, due process, and abuse prevention. DRL invites activities such as advocacy for legal and regulatory reforms that protect rights and increase openness in criminal proceedings, along with training and support for NGOs and activists to track cases and verify whether due process is being respected. The announcement also explicitly highlights addressing torture and other human rights abuses that occur during criminal justice processes, implying support for monitoring, documentation, survivor-centered assistance pathways, and systemic advocacy to reduce such violations. Across these justice-focused activities, the program is expected to include capacity building, coaching, networking, and similar forms of sustained support to local partners, recognizing that long-term effectiveness depends on strengthening Iraqi organizations rather than substituting for them.
Beyond these institutional oversight and justice reforms, DRL also includes a community-level policing component: working with civil society to promote cooperation between civilians and police. This suggests support for initiatives that build trust, improve communication, and create safer mechanisms for communities to raise concerns, particularly where mistrust, fear of retaliation, or prior abuse has weakened relationships between residents and law enforcement.
Another distinct option under this opportunity is the creation of a documentation center housed within an existing institution, such as a university. The envisioned center would function as a repository for human rights abuse case information, serve as a resource on documentation methods and standards, and help coordinate ongoing documentation efforts among Iraqi human rights organizations. Importantly, proposals must show they will build on existing capacity in Iraq, noting that many Iraqi NGOs have already received training in documentation standards. DRL is not looking for duplication; it is looking for a structure that consolidates knowledge, preserves records responsibly, improves consistency and quality, and helps align separate documentation efforts into a more coherent national ecosystem.
Across all program options, DRL requires applicants to clearly explain how their proposed activities complement and build upon existing efforts in the same areas. The announcement also contains a firm restriction: these funds may not be used to provide assistance to military or paramilitary organizations. Funding requests must fall between an award floor of $900,000 and an award ceiling of $2,000,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, certain higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private), and comparable internationally headquartered organizations or international organizations, provided they meet the stated eligibility conditions. The opportunity was posted May 15, 2012, with a closing date of June 21, 2012, and it was later archived July 21, 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Promoting Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Iraq (DRLA DRLAQM 12 054)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Promoting Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Iraq."
Which U.S. government office is offering this funding?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DRLA DRLAQM 12 054.
What CFDA program is this grant associated with?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.016, the Iraq Assistance Program.
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The purpose is to support programs that measurably increase human rights protections and strengthen the rule of law in Iraq, emphasizing practical, on-the-ground interventions that reinforce accountability, oversight, transparency, and rights-respecting security and justice institutions.
What type of award will be made?
Awards are structured as grants.
What is the required project period?
Proposals must be designed for a fixed two-year period.
Who is this program intended for (in terms of implementers)?
The program is aimed at organizations capable of implementing substantive human rights and rule-of-law activities in Iraq, particularly those that reinforce and expand work already underway among Iraqi civil society actors.
Do proposals have to address specific program priorities?
Yes. DRL is looking for proposals that address at least one of the priority areas described in the announcement.
What is one priority area related to security services and abuses?
One priority is helping civil society monitor security services and respond to abuses. Examples include monitoring detention conditions, following up on identified problems, documenting violations attributed to security actors, providing human rights and rule-of-law training to law enforcement personnel, and supporting efforts to combat impunity through legal advocacy and other accountability channels.
What does DRL mean by strengthening accountability and oversight in this program?
Based on the announcement, it means strengthening the ability of non-governmental actors to observe, record, and press for remedies when abuses occur, while also improving professional standards within security and enforcement institutions through practical interventions.
What is the priority area focused on democratic governance of the security sector?
A second priority area is strengthening democratic governance of the security sector through better oversight and engagement, including enhancing parliamentary oversight of security institutions and enabling meaningful civil society engagement with government bodies and elected officials involved in security policy.
What kinds of activities are included under parliamentary oversight and engagement?
Examples mentioned include helping legislators and relevant committees develop oversight tools and routines, supporting policy dialogue between civil society and decision-makers, and ensuring human rights considerations are integrated into security policy development.
What is the criminal justice system priority area?
A third priority area targets the criminal justice system, especially transparency, due process, and abuse prevention.
What are examples of criminal justice activities that DRL invites?
Examples include advocacy for legal and regulatory reforms that protect rights and increase openness in criminal proceedings, and training/support for NGOs and activists to track cases and verify whether due process is being respected.
Does the opportunity mention torture and other abuses in criminal justice processes?
Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights addressing torture and other human rights abuses that occur during criminal justice processes, implying support for monitoring, documentation, survivor-centered assistance pathways, and systemic advocacy to reduce such violations.
Is capacity building for Iraqi partners expected?
Yes. Across justice-focused activities, the program is expected to include capacity building, coaching, networking, and other sustained support to local partners, emphasizing that long-term effectiveness depends on strengthening Iraqi organizations rather than substituting for them.
Is community-level policing included as an option?
Yes. DRL includes a community-level policing component that works with civil society to promote cooperation between civilians and police.
What does the community-level policing component aim to achieve?
It suggests initiatives that build trust, improve communication, and create safer mechanisms for communities to raise concerns, particularly where mistrust, fear of retaliation, or prior abuse has weakened relationships between residents and law enforcement.
What is the documentation center option described in the announcement?
Another option is creating a documentation center housed within an existing institution (such as a university) that would serve as a repository for human rights abuse case information, provide resources on documentation methods and standards, and help coordinate documentation efforts among Iraqi human rights organizations.
Does DRL want new documentation efforts or consolidation of existing work?
DRL signals it is not looking for duplication. Proposals for a documentation center must show they build on existing capacity in Iraq, consolidate knowledge, preserve records responsibly, improve consistency and quality, and help align separate documentation efforts into a more coherent national ecosystem.
Do applicants need to explain how their project fits with existing initiatives?
Yes. DRL requires applicants to clearly explain how proposed activities complement and build upon existing efforts in the same areas.
Are there restrictions on who can receive assistance using these funds?
Yes. The announcement includes a firm restriction that funds may not be used to provide assistance to military or paramilitary organizations.
What is the minimum (floor) award amount allowed?
The award floor is $900,000.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount allowed?
The award ceiling is $2,000,000.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, certain higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private), and comparable internationally headquartered organizations or international organizations, provided they meet the stated eligibility conditions.
When was this opportunity posted?
It was posted on May 15, 2012.
What was the application closing date?
The closing date was June 21, 2012.
Was this opportunity later archived?
Yes. It was archived on July 21, 2012.
Does the opportunity emphasize measurable results?
Yes. The purpose statement specifies programs should measurably increase human rights protections and strengthen the rule of law in Iraq.
Does DRL indicate a preference for on-the-ground, practical programming?
Yes. The announcement emphasizes practical, on-the-ground interventions that reinforce accountability, oversight, transparency, and rights-respecting security and justice institutions.
Is it acceptable for a proposal to focus on only one priority area?
The announcement states proposals must address at least one priority area, which indicates a proposal may focus on a single priority area as long as it clearly aligns with that area.
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