Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0009384
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity (SFOP0009384) to support civil society-led projects that strengthen and defend freedom of expression for people who are frequently targeted because of their identity, status, or advocacy. The program is framed around a clear problem: anti-rights actors increasingly use coordinated intimidation, stigma, and legal or political tools to silence vulnerable and marginalized communities, discourage public participation, and weaken democratic institutions. DRL is looking for projects that do more than promote speech in the abstract; the goal is to protect the ability of specific at-risk groups to speak, organize, and participate in civic life without being chilled by threats, harassment, or punitive legal tactics.
The intended beneficiaries include women and girls in all their diversity, LGBTQI people with particular attention to transgender and gender-diverse persons, migrants, members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities, religious minority communities, and others who face targeted attacks from anti-rights movements. The opportunity highlights that the pressure on these groups often shows up through both online and offline tactics, including targeted threats and harassment campaigns, disinformation designed to justify discriminatory policies, and repeated efforts to undermine or burden human rights organizations. A concrete example noted in the description is the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), where litigation is used as a weapon to drain resources, intimidate activists or journalists, and deter legitimate public-interest speech.
In terms of what the funding is meant to accomplish, DRL is prioritizing initiatives that respond directly to these anti-rights strategies and that help preserve democratic participation and fundamental freedoms. While the notice does not list specific required activities in the excerpt provided, the emphasis suggests competitive proposals will likely involve practical protections and durable mechanisms that allow targeted communities and the civil society organizations supporting them to continue speaking out. That can include work that counters disinformation narratives used to push discriminatory legislation, strengthens the safety and resilience of advocates and communities facing threats, and reduces the impact of legal harassment or other coercive tactics aimed at silencing criticism and organizing.
The opportunity is administered as a grant under CFDA 19.345 by the Department of State (DRL). It was created on February 2, 2023, with an original application deadline of April 5, 2023. DRL anticipated making about two awards, with an award ceiling of up to $750,000 per award. Eligibility is broadly described as civil society organizations, with the formal eligibility category listed as "Others" and additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. Overall, the program is designed to resource a small number of relatively high-impact projects that can demonstrably defend freedom of expression where it is being deliberately constrained through targeted stigma, threats, disinformation, and legal intimidation aimed at marginalized populations and the institutions that protect their rights.Apply for SFOP0009384
- The Department of State, 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 "DRL FY2022: Ensuring Freedom of Expression for Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations Responding to Anti-Rights Efforts and Targeted Attacks" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 02, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 05, 2023. (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 $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: Administration of the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Local Competition at Designated Institutions of Higher Education
Previous opportunity: Fiscal Year 2023 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) ($130M)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SFOP0009384
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SFOP0009384) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| STOPS: Stopping Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and Operationalizing Prevention Strategies Apply for SFOP0009389 Funding Number: SFOP0009389 Agency: Department of State, Office of Global Womens Issues Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| 2023 TIP Office International Programs to Combat Human Trafficking in Select Regions Notice of Funding Opportunity – Call for Proposals Apply for SFOP0009386 Funding Number: SFOP0009386 Agency: Department of State, Office to Monitor-Combat Trafficking in Persons Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Enhancing Aden Airport’s Aviation Security Apply for SFOP0009388 Funding Number: SFOP0009388 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,950,617 |
| Fiscal Year 2022 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program Apply for DHS 22 GPD 083 00 99 Funding Number: DHS 22 GPD 083 00 99 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DRL Inclusive Approaches to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Northern Central America Apply for SFOP0009396 Funding Number: SFOP0009396 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY 2023 Community College Administrator Program (CCAP) Apply for SFOP0009399 Funding Number: SFOP0009399 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefitting Refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa Apply for SFOP0009394 Funding Number: SFOP0009394 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Refugees in Ethiopia and Kenya Apply for SFOP0009371 Funding Number: SFOP0009371 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Zagreb-Alumni Small grants (FY2023) Apply for HRV01FY2023 Funding Number: HRV01FY2023 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Croatia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| U.S. Embassy in Finland Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement Apply for PDS FIN FY23 01 Funding Number: PDS FIN FY23 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Finland Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Effective Absentee Systems for Elections 3.0 Apply for H982102310001 Funding Number: H982102310001 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| USAID/ Ghana Youth Activity Apply for RFI 641 23 00001 Funding Number: RFI 641 23 00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Ghana USAID-Accra Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Democracy Commission Small Grants Program Apply for STX 100 TM 23 GR001 Funding Number: STX 100 TM 23 GR001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Turkmenistan Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| DRL Advancing Access to Justice for Morocco’s Underserved Populations Apply for SFOP0009362 Funding Number: SFOP0009362 Agency: Department of State, Office of Acquisitions Management Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| DRL Strengthening Independent Media in Sri Lanka Apply for SFOP0009402 Funding Number: SFOP0009402 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| DRL Support Civic Engagement in Sri Lanka Apply for SFOP0009403 Funding Number: SFOP0009403 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program 2022 Apply for DOS KAM AMBSSH FY22 Funding Number: DOS KAM AMBSSH FY22 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Book Translation Program Apply for DOS GEO 23 005 02032023 Funding Number: DOS GEO 23 005 02032023 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| U.S. Embassy Luanda Public Diplomacy Section Request for Statements of Interest: Annual Program Statement Apply for DOS PAS ANG FY23 01 Funding Number: DOS PAS ANG FY23 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Angola Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY 2023 PRM Request for Full Proposals for South America and the Caribbean Apply for SFOP0009412 Funding Number: SFOP0009412 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SFOP0009384", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.