Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 13 020

  • 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 Land Rights Through Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" 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 Feb 20, 2013 and posted on Feb 19, 2013.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 29, 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 $500,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 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.
Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 13 020

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Opportunity Summary:

The grant opportunity titled "Promoting Land Rights Through Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" was released by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It sits within the broader foreign assistance and international democracy and human rights portfolio, and it is connected to CFDA 19.345, "International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor." In practical terms, the program is aimed at advancing land rights by encouraging or enabling the use of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) as a framework for how governments and companies should prevent, address, and remedy human rights harms linked to business activity, with land and land-related conflicts as the core focus.

This funding opportunity was offered as a discretionary grant, meaning proposals would be competitively reviewed and selected based on the government's priorities and evaluation criteria laid out in the full solicitation. The activity category is listed as "Other," with no additional category explanation provided in the summary record, which usually signals that the work may cut across standard program boxes (for example, combining legal empowerment, policy work, corporate engagement, accountability mechanisms, and community-based rights protection). The announcement itself directs applicants to the attached solicitation for the detailed scope, requirements, and expectations, which is where the specific countries or regions, technical approach, deliverables, and evaluation factors would be spelled out.

The available funding level indicates a relatively focused, single-award or small-number-of-awards initiative rather than a large multi-year portfolio. The award floor was $400,000 and the award ceiling was $500,000, so applicants were expected to design a project in that band. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning the applicant needed to contribute a portion of the total project cost through cash or allowable in-kind support, as defined in the solicitation and federal assistance rules. That detail is important because it affects budgeting and partnership structure; applicants typically need to document committed match and ensure it is verifiable and allowable.

Eligibility was broad across several organizational types, including nonprofits (both those with 501(c)(3) status and those without), institutions of higher education (private and public/state-controlled), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. That mix suggests DRL was open to proposals from NGOs with land and human rights experience, university-based centers with research and implementation capacity, and mission-driven firms that could provide technical assistance or compliance expertise. The listing does not mention restrictions beyond the standard federal assistance requirements, but the full solicitation would normally include additional eligibility conditions, compliance rules, and any geographic or thematic preferences.

The timeline shows the opportunity was posted on February 19, 2013, with a creation date of February 20, 2013. The original and current closing date was March 29, 2013, and the opportunity was archived on April 28, 2013, indicating it is no longer open for applications. For prospective applicants at the time, that gave roughly five to six weeks to prepare and submit a complete proposal package, which usually includes a technical narrative, monitoring and evaluation approach, detailed budget and budget justification, and organizational documentation.

From a program-intent standpoint, the title signals a focus on land rights challenges that arise where business activities intersect with land tenure, land acquisition, extractive industries, agriculture, infrastructure development, and similar investments that can affect communities. Linking that work to the UNGPs implies attention to concepts like human rights due diligence, meaningful stakeholder consultation, preventing and mitigating adverse impacts, and access to remedy when harms occur. In many land contexts, that can translate into strengthening community awareness of rights, improving transparency and accountability around land deals, helping institutions apply rights-respecting safeguards, and encouraging businesses to align operations with international standards. DRL's involvement also implies an emphasis on governance, rule of law, and protection of vulnerable populations, rather than purely technical land administration.

The announcement provided a practical support route for applicants who could not access the full notice electronically. It directed users to GrantSolutions.gov customer support, including phone numbers (1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282) and an email address (help@grantsolutions.gov). That is typical for State Department grant postings hosted or supported through GrantSolutions, and it suggests that application submission and troubleshooting were managed through that platform rather than through a program office directly.

In short, this was a mid-sized DRL grant competition from 2013 designed to support international work at the intersection of land rights and responsible business conduct, using the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as the organizing framework. The funding range, match requirement, and eligible applicant pool indicate an implementation-oriented project that could combine advocacy, training, policy engagement, corporate practice improvements, and mechanisms to prevent or address land-related human rights impacts tied to business activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Promoting Land Rights Through Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights."

Which U.S. government office released this funding opportunity?

It was released by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).

What broader program area or portfolio does this grant fall under?

It sits within the foreign assistance and international democracy and human rights portfolio, connected to CFDA 19.345, "International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor."

What is the main purpose or goal of the program?

The program aims to advance land rights by encouraging or enabling the use of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) as a framework for preventing, addressing, and remedying human rights harms linked to business activity, with land and land-related conflicts as the central focus.

How does this opportunity relate to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)?

The UNGPs are presented as the organizing framework for how governments and companies should prevent and mitigate human rights impacts connected to business, and how people and communities should be able to access remedy when harms occur. This opportunity ties that framework specifically to land rights and land-related conflict contexts.

What kinds of land rights issues does the grant appear to target?

Based on the program intent described, it targets land rights challenges that arise where business activities intersect with land tenure, land acquisition, extractive industries, agriculture, infrastructure development, and similar investments that may affect communities and lead to land-related conflict.

What is the funding instrument type?

This was offered as a discretionary grant, meaning proposals were to be competitively reviewed and selected based on government priorities and evaluation criteria described in the full solicitation.

What is the activity category for the opportunity?

The activity category is listed as "Other," with no additional explanation provided in the summary record. This typically signals the work may cut across multiple program areas (for example, combining legal empowerment, policy engagement, corporate engagement, accountability mechanisms, and community-based rights protection).

How much funding was available per award?

The award floor was $400,000 and the award ceiling was $500,000, so proposed projects were expected to be designed within that budget range.

Does the opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning the applicant needed to contribute a portion of the total project cost through cash or allowable in-kind support, as defined in the solicitation and federal assistance rules.

Why does the cost share/match requirement matter for applicants?

It affects project budgeting and partnership structure because applicants typically need to document committed match and ensure it is verifiable and allowable under the relevant solicitation terms and federal assistance rules.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included nonprofits (both those with 501(c)(3) status and those without), institutions of higher education (private and public/state-controlled), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.

Were small businesses eligible to apply?

The eligibility list included for-profit organizations other than small businesses, which indicates small businesses were not included in the eligible for-profit category as described in the summary information provided.

What does the mix of eligible organization types suggest about the intended applicants?

It suggests DRL was open to proposals from NGOs with land and human rights experience, university-based centers with research and implementation capacity, and mission-driven firms that could provide technical assistance or compliance expertise.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 19, 2013 (with a creation date of February 20, 2013).

What was the application deadline?

The original and current closing date was March 29, 2013.

Is this grant opportunity still open?

No. It was archived on April 28, 2013, indicating it is no longer open for applications.

How long did applicants have to prepare an application (based on the posted and closing dates)?

Based on the dates provided, applicants had roughly five to six weeks to prepare and submit a complete proposal package.

What kinds of proposal components would typically be expected for an opportunity like this?

While the detailed requirements would be in the full solicitation, the summary indicates applicants typically would submit items such as a technical narrative, a monitoring and evaluation approach, a detailed budget and budget justification, and organizational documentation.

Where would applicants find the detailed scope, requirements, and evaluation factors?

The announcement directed applicants to the attached solicitation for the detailed scope, requirements, expectations, and evaluation criteria (including details such as specific countries or regions, technical approach, deliverables, and evaluation factors).

What types of activities might this grant support, based on the summary description?

Based on the information provided, activities could include combinations of advocacy, training, policy engagement, corporate practice improvements, and mechanisms to prevent or address land-related human rights impacts tied to business activity, organized around UNGP concepts such as human rights due diligence, stakeholder consultation, prevention and mitigation of adverse impacts, and access to remedy.

What emphasis does DRL involvement suggest for this opportunity?

DRL involvement implies an emphasis on governance, rule of law, and the protection of vulnerable populations, rather than a purely technical land administration project.

What platform or support channel was provided for accessing the notice or getting help?

The announcement directed users to GrantSolutions.gov customer support for assistance, which suggests application submission and troubleshooting were managed through that platform.

What are the GrantSolutions.gov customer support contact details listed in the opportunity summary?

Phone: 1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282. Email: help@grantsolutions.gov.

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