DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement | DFOP0016957

Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016957

The DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement is a discretionary U.S. Department of State funding opportunity from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) for programs that strengthen and defend internet freedom. The core purpose is to support efforts that keep the internet open, interoperable, secure, and reliable, while advancing human rights online, protecting fundamental freedoms, and promoting the free flow of information. The opportunity is framed as part of the broader U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace, signaling that proposed activities should connect clearly to rights-respecting, secure access to information and digital civic space rather than narrow technical modernization alone.

The application process begins with a Request for Statements of Interest, meaning DRL is first asking organizations to describe high-level program concepts and organizational fit, rather than submitting a fully built proposal at the outset. DRL also notes it may request additional background information, especially from applicants without prior federal award management experience, which suggests that organizational capacity, internal controls, and a track record of successfully running comparable programs can influence whether an idea moves forward.

Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based or foreign-based nonprofits and NGOs, public international organizations, and institutions of higher education (public, private, or state). For-profit entities may also apply, but the notice highlights that there are restrictions on fees and profits under grants and cooperative agreements, including relevant federal cost principles and cost accounting rules (referencing 48 CFR 30 and 48 CFR 31). In practice, this means for-profit applicants should be prepared for tighter scrutiny around allowable costs, indirect cost treatment, and any requested fee/profit structure, and should align budgets with federal allowability and reasonableness standards.

Beyond basic eligibility, DRL is looking for organizations that already have, or can credibly build, active partnerships with thematic experts and in-country stakeholders. The notice explicitly points to collaboration with relevant partners, including private sector actors and NGOs, implying that strong proposals will demonstrate how the applicant will work with local or regional implementers, civil society networks, technologists, and other stakeholders who can operate effectively in the target environments. DRL also expects demonstrable experience administering successful programs, preferably similar in theme or complexity, so applicants should be ready to show evidence of prior results, compliance capacity, and operational maturity.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number DFOP0016957 and CFDA 19.345. The listed award ceiling is up to $3,000,000. The posting lists “ExpectedAwards: 0,” which often indicates the number of awards is not predetermined or not entered in the public summary, rather than implying no awards will be made. The original closing date for the opportunity is January 9, 2025, and the opportunity was created on October 2, 2024. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is listed as “Other,” which is common for cross-cutting democracy, rights, governance, and technology programming that does not fit neatly into a single service category.

Overall, this opportunity is aimed at capable organizations with credible partner networks and a clear internet freedom mission, proposing practical, rights-centered programming that helps protect online freedoms and information access in challenging environments. Applicants that can show both technical and human-rights competencies, plus strong operational and compliance capacity, will generally be better positioned to compete under DRL’s internet freedom portfolio.

• The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement" 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 2024-10-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-09. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DFOP0016957

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