Opportunity Information: Apply for DRL 11 GR CHINA SOI 110718
Apply for DRL 11 GR CHINA SOI 110718
- 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 "Request for Statements of Interest China" 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 Jul 18, 2011 and posted on Jul 18, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 7, 2011 Applicants must submit proposals using www.grants.gov by 1159 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Wednesday, September 7. DRL will not accept proposals submitted via email, the U.S. postal system, FedEx, UPS and similar delivery companies, or courier. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $16,500,000.00 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 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Organizations submitting SOIs must meet the following criteria Be a non profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) or a public international organization. Applicants in the process of registration must submit proof that they are seeking non profit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of SOI submission. Should the applicant be selected for a grant award, funding will be contingent upon 501(c)(3) status or 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 targeting the requested country and/or region, or a 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 the target country and/or region. Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined SOI. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
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Opportunity Summary:
This opportunity is a Request for Statements of Interest (SOI) from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), focused on advancing democracy and human rights priorities in China. It is not a full Request for Proposals at this stage. Instead, DRL is using the SOI process to identify organizations with strong program ideas and the capacity to operate in a difficult environment; select applicants will later be invited to submit full proposals. DRL signals that it is looking for projects designed to produce direct, lasting impact by promoting reforms and structural changes, and it places a strong emphasis on fresh, innovative approaches that make sense in the Chinese context rather than generic or standard programming.
DRL is seeking program concepts across several priority areas. Under Rule of Law, it is interested in initiatives that support legal reform and better implementation of existing laws, expand public interest law, strengthen the skills and professionalism of legal actors, support development of the legal profession, and improve criminal defense and access to legal services, especially for underserved and vulnerable groups. A notable sub-priority is programming that helps China implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and more broadly, DRL encourages applicants to show how people with disabilities will be meaningfully included in project activities whenever relevant.
In the Civil Society area, DRL is looking for capacity-building for non-governmental entities and efforts that strengthen the nonprofit sector itself, including reforms or establishment of the underlying systems and institutions that allow nonprofits to operate effectively and sustainably. This can include improving nonprofit governance, management, accountability systems, and enabling frameworks, as well as building cross-sector collaboration among civil society, professional communities, and other stakeholders where appropriate.
For Labor, the SOI invites concepts that improve labor rights and working conditions, including practical mechanisms that support collective bargaining, workplace representation, and dispute resolution such as mediation. It also highlights the interests and vulnerabilities of migrant workers, suggesting interest in programs that build support structures, representation, or services for these populations while addressing systemic workplace challenges.
On Religious Freedom, DRL emphasizes religious pluralism and social harmony, with particular attention to minority areas. It is also open to programs that strengthen the capacity of religious groups to provide social services, which implies a focus not only on rights and protections but also on constructive civic roles religious communities may play.
In Freedom of Information and Expression, DRL is seeking ideas tied to transparency and open government information, as well as press freedom, media reform, and journalism. This area points toward projects that help improve the information environment, strengthen professional standards and protections for media actors, and expand public access to credible information and government transparency tools.
The final thematic area is Public Participation, where DRL wants concepts that improve the processes and methodologies for citizen input into government decision-making. The focus here is on increasing both the quality and scope of public participation, suggesting interest in practical models that make consultation more meaningful, inclusive, and responsive rather than purely symbolic.
Funding details indicate a sizable program portfolio. DRL anticipates making around 12 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $16.5 million. Individual awards are expected to fall between $400,000 (floor) and $1.5 million (ceiling). There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement in general; however, there is a specific restriction for Taiwan: funding for projects in Taiwan will only be considered if it is matched with non-U.S. government sources, meaning applicants would need outside matching funds for that portion.
Eligibility is limited to certain types of organizations with demonstrated capacity. Applicants must be either (1) a nonprofit organization that meets 501(c)(3) requirements (or can show it is actively seeking that status, with final funding contingent on approval), (2) a public international organization, or (3) a U.S. university or research institution that meets the relevant tax code provisions. DRL also expects applicants to have a track record of successfully administering projects, preferably in China or similarly challenging operating environments, and to have existing partnerships or the ability to develop active partnerships with organizations in the target country/region. Consortia are permitted, but one organization must be designated as the lead applicant.
The administrative process is strict about submission. SOIs had to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 7, 2011. Submissions by email, postal mail, commercial delivery services, courier, or fax were explicitly rejected, underscoring that applicants needed to follow federal electronic submission requirements closely. The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding using a grant instrument, under CFDA 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor). For further guidance, DRL directed applicants to the full SOI announcement on its website and provided a point of contact for access issues and solicitation questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is this funding opportunity?
This is a Request for Statements of Interest (SOI) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It is intended to identify organizations with strong program concepts and the ability to operate in a difficult environment. It is not a full Request for Proposals (RFP) at this stage.
2. Is this an open call for full proposals right now?
No. DRL is using the SOI process to screen for strong ideas and capable implementers. Only select applicants will be invited later to submit full proposals.
3. What overall outcomes is DRL looking for in proposed concepts?
DRL indicates it is looking for projects that produce direct, lasting impact by promoting reforms and structural changes. The announcement also stresses fresh, innovative approaches that fit the China context rather than generic or standard programming.
4. What country or context is the SOI focused on?
The SOI is focused on advancing democracy and human rights priorities in China, including operating in a challenging environment.
5. What are the priority program areas under this SOI?
DRL is seeking concepts across six thematic areas: Rule of Law; Civil Society; Labor; Religious Freedom; Freedom of Information and Expression; and Public Participation.
6. What types of activities fit under the Rule of Law priority?
Rule of Law concepts may include supporting legal reform and better implementation of existing laws; expanding public interest law; strengthening the skills and professionalism of legal actors; supporting development of the legal profession; and improving criminal defense and access to legal services, especially for underserved and vulnerable groups.
7. Is disability inclusion specifically mentioned?
Yes. A notable sub-priority is programming that helps China implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. More broadly, DRL encourages applicants to explain how people with disabilities will be meaningfully included in project activities whenever relevant.
8. What does DRL mean by Civil Society programming in this SOI?
Civil Society concepts may focus on capacity-building for non-governmental entities and strengthening the nonprofit sector itself, including reforms or establishment of systems and institutions that allow nonprofits to operate effectively and sustainably.
9. What examples of nonprofit-sector strengthening are included?
The SOI mentions improving nonprofit governance, management, and accountability systems, as well as improving enabling frameworks. It also notes cross-sector collaboration among civil society, professional communities, and other stakeholders where appropriate.
10. What types of Labor concepts are of interest?
Labor concepts may address labor rights and working conditions, including practical mechanisms that support collective bargaining, workplace representation, and dispute resolution such as mediation.
11. Are migrant workers a specific focus under the Labor area?
Yes. DRL highlights the interests and vulnerabilities of migrant workers and suggests interest in programs that build support structures, representation, or services for migrant workers while addressing systemic workplace challenges.
12. What is emphasized under Religious Freedom?
DRL emphasizes religious pluralism and social harmony, with particular attention to minority areas. The SOI also notes openness to programs that strengthen the capacity of religious groups to provide social services.
13. What does the Freedom of Information and Expression area cover?
This area includes concepts tied to transparency and open government information, as well as press freedom, media reform, and journalism. It points toward improving the information environment, strengthening professional standards and protections for media actors, and expanding public access to credible information and government transparency tools.
14. What does DRL want under Public Participation?
Public Participation concepts should improve the processes and methodologies for citizen input into government decision-making. DRL emphasizes increasing both the quality and scope of participation, with interest in practical models that make consultation more meaningful, inclusive, and responsive rather than symbolic.
15. How many awards does DRL expect to make, and what is the total funding?
DRL anticipates making about 12 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $16.5 million.
16. What is the expected size of individual awards?
Individual awards are expected to range from $400,000 (floor) to $1.5 million (ceiling).
17. Is cost-sharing or matching required?
In general, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
18. Are there any special matching requirements related to Taiwan?
Yes. Funding for projects in Taiwan will only be considered if it is matched with non-U.S. government sources. This means applicants would need outside (non-U.S. government) matching funds for the Taiwan portion.
19. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to: (1) a nonprofit organization that meets 501(c)(3) requirements (or can show it is actively seeking that status, with final funding contingent on approval); (2) a public international organization; or (3) a U.S. university or research institution that meets the relevant tax code provisions.
20. Does DRL expect applicants to have specific experience?
Yes. DRL expects applicants to have a track record of successfully administering projects, preferably in China or similarly challenging operating environments, and to have existing partnerships or the ability to develop active partnerships with organizations in the target country/region.
21. Are consortia allowed?
Yes. Consortia are permitted, but one organization must be designated as the lead applicant.
22. How and where did applicants have to submit the SOI?
SOIs had to be submitted through Grants.gov.
23. Were alternative submission methods accepted (email or mail)?
No. Submissions by email, postal mail, commercial delivery services, courier, or fax were explicitly rejected.
24. What was the submission deadline?
The SOI deadline was 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 7, 2011.
25. What type of funding instrument is this opportunity?
The opportunity is described as discretionary funding using a grant instrument.
26. What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is under CFDA 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor).
27. Where could applicants find additional official guidance?
DRL directed applicants to the full SOI announcement on its website for further guidance.
28. Was there a point of contact for help?
Yes. DRL provided a point of contact for access issues and solicitation questions.
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