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.Apply for DFOP0016957
- 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.
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FAQs: DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement (DFOP0016957)
What is the DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement?
It is a discretionary U.S. Department of State funding opportunity from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) that seeks Statements of Interest (SOIs) for programs that strengthen and defend internet freedom.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
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.
What kinds of program concepts are a good fit?
Program concepts should clearly connect to rights-respecting, secure access to information and the protection of digital civic space. The opportunity emphasizes internet freedom outcomes (human rights and fundamental freedoms online) rather than narrow technical modernization alone.
How does this opportunity relate to U.S. cyberspace strategy?
The opportunity is framed as part of the broader U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace. In practical terms, applicants should align activities with an open, secure internet and the protection of online rights and information access.
What is being requested at the first stage of the application process?
DRL is requesting a Statement of Interest (SOI). This first step focuses on high-level program concepts and organizational fit, rather than requiring a fully developed proposal at the outset.
Does DRL require a complete proposal right away?
No. The process begins with a Request for Statements of Interest, meaning the initial submission is intended to describe a concept and the applicant organization’s fit, not a fully built proposal.
Can DRL ask for more information after an SOI is submitted?
Yes. DRL notes it may request additional background information, particularly from applicants without prior federal award management experience.
Why does prior federal award management experience matter?
The notice indicates that organizational capacity, internal controls, and a track record of successfully running comparable programs can influence whether an idea moves forward. Applicants without prior federal award management experience may be asked for additional background information.
Who is eligible to apply?
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.
Are non-U.S. (foreign-based) organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The opportunity states that both U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofits and NGOs are eligible.
Can universities and colleges apply?
Yes. Institutions of higher education are eligible, including public, private, and state institutions.
Are for-profit entities eligible, and are there special restrictions for them?
For-profit entities may apply, but the notice highlights restrictions on fees and profits under grants and cooperative agreements. For-profit applicants should be prepared for scrutiny related to allowable costs, indirect cost treatment, and any requested fee/profit structure, consistent with relevant federal cost principles and cost accounting rules (including references to 48 CFR 30 and 48 CFR 31).
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is up to $3,000,000.
How many awards will be made?
The posting lists “ExpectedAwards: 0.” This often indicates the number of awards is not predetermined or not entered in the public summary, rather than meaning no awards will be made.
What are the key identifiers for this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0016957 and the CFDA number is 19.345.
When is the application due?
The original closing date listed for the opportunity is January 9, 2025.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on October 2, 2024.
What activity category is listed for this opportunity?
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.
What kinds of partnerships does DRL expect applicants to have?
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.
How important is in-country or local stakeholder engagement?
It is emphasized as important. Strong submissions are expected to show 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.
What type of organizational experience does DRL appear to value?
DRL expects demonstrable experience administering successful programs, preferably similar in theme or complexity. Applicants should be prepared to show evidence of prior results, compliance capacity, and operational maturity.
What does “rights-centered” programming mean in this context?
Based on the description, it means programming that advances human rights online, protects fundamental freedoms, promotes the free flow of information, and supports an open and secure digital civic space, rather than focusing only on technical upgrades without a clear connection to rights and freedoms.
What budgeting or cost issues should for-profit applicants be ready to address?
The notice signals tighter scrutiny around allowable costs, indirect cost treatment, and any requested fee/profit structure under federal rules. Budgets should align with federal allowability and reasonableness standards and the referenced cost principles/cost accounting rules (including 48 CFR 30 and 48 CFR 31).
What is DRL ultimately looking for in competitive applicants?
Capable organizations with a credible internet freedom mission, practical and rights-centered program concepts, strong partner networks (including in-country stakeholders and thematic experts), and strong operational and compliance capacity are generally better positioned to compete under DRL’s internet freedom portfolio.
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