Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0006265
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), is seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) for potential grant-funded programs focused on protecting and promoting human rights in China. This opportunity is released as a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI), which typically functions as an early step in DRL's process to identify promising organizations and concepts before inviting full proposals. The emphasis is on human rights programming related to China, aligning with DRL's broader mandate to support democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the protection of vulnerable and targeted communities.
This is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0006265) under CFDA 19.345, administered by DRL within the Department of State. The maximum possible award amount listed is $1,500,000, although the posting shows "Expected Awards: 0," which usually signals that DRL is not committing in advance to a set number of awards at the SOI stage and may depend on priorities, available funding, and the quality of submissions. The opportunity was created on November 8, 2019, with an original closing date of December 7, 2019, indicating a relatively short window for organizations to submit an initial concept.
Eligible applicants are described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice (not included in the excerpt). In practice, DRL human rights opportunities often attract applications from nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, civil society groups, and sometimes academic institutions or other qualified entities with demonstrated experience in human rights work, advocacy support, documentation, legal assistance, digital safety, or related programmatic areas. Because this is an RSOI, organizations are generally expected to submit a concise description of their proposed approach, target beneficiaries, and anticipated outcomes rather than a fully developed implementation plan and budget at the outset.
Overall, the opportunity is designed to surface strong program ideas and capable implementers for China-focused human rights initiatives. Organizations considering this type of funding typically need to show credibility in rights-based work, a clear understanding of the operating environment and risks, and an ability to design activities that meaningfully support human rights protections and accountability while prioritizing participant safety.Apply for SFOP0006265
- 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 "Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Statements of Interest: CHINA PROGRAMS" 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 Nov 08, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 07, 2019. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) for potential grant-funded programs focused on protecting and promoting human rights in China.
What does an RSOI mean in practical terms?
An RSOI is typically an early step in DRL's process to identify promising organizations and program concepts. Instead of submitting a full proposal right away, applicants generally submit a concise concept describing their approach, intended beneficiaries, and expected outcomes. DRL may later invite selected applicants to submit full proposals.
Who is running and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is SFOP0006265.
What CFDA listing is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.345.
Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The notice describes it as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the program focus or topic area?
The primary focus is human rights programming related to China. It aligns with DRL's broader mandate to support democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the protection of vulnerable and targeted communities.
What kinds of program ideas are likely to fit this opportunity based on the notice?
Based on the description provided, relevant concepts are those that protect and promote human rights in China and support democracy and fundamental freedoms, particularly for vulnerable or targeted communities. The excerpt also notes that DRL opportunities commonly relate to areas such as human rights advocacy support, documentation, legal assistance, and digital safety, among other human-rights-related programmatic areas.
What is the maximum possible award amount?
The maximum possible award amount listed is $1,500,000.
Does the listing guarantee awards will be made?
No. The posting shows "Expected Awards: 0," which generally indicates DRL is not committing in advance to a set number of awards at the SOI stage. Decisions may depend on priorities, available funding, and the quality of submissions.
How many awards will be made?
The excerpt shows "Expected Awards: 0." This usually means the agency is not specifying a number of awards at the SOI stage and may decide later based on priorities, funding availability, and the strength of submissions.
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?
The opportunity was created on November 8, 2019, and had an original closing date of December 7, 2019.
How much time did applicants have to submit at the SOI stage?
Based on the creation date (November 8, 2019) and the original closing date (December 7, 2019), the window for submitting an initial concept was relatively short.
Who is eligible to apply?
The excerpt lists eligible applicants broadly as "Others," and it notes that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full notice (not included in the provided text). The excerpt also states that DRL human rights opportunities often attract nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, civil society groups, and sometimes academic institutions or other qualified entities with relevant experience.
Are nonprofits, NGOs, or academic institutions eligible?
The excerpt does not definitively list specific eligible organization types beyond "Others," but it explains that DRL human rights opportunities often attract applications from nonprofits, NGOs, civil society groups, and sometimes academic institutions or other qualified entities with demonstrated experience in relevant work.
What is DRL looking for in a Statement of Interest?
Because this is an RSOI, organizations are generally expected to submit a concise description of their proposed approach, target beneficiaries, and anticipated outcomes, rather than a fully developed implementation plan and budget at the outset.
Do applicants need to submit a full proposal and detailed budget at this stage?
Not typically. The excerpt indicates that at the RSOI stage, organizations usually submit a concise concept (approach, target beneficiaries, anticipated outcomes) rather than a fully developed plan and budget.
What is the geographic or thematic scope?
The thematic emphasis is human rights, and the focus is China-related human rights programming.
What broader goals does this opportunity align with?
The opportunity aligns with DRL's mandate to support democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the protection of vulnerable and targeted communities.
What does the opportunity aim to accomplish overall?
The stated intent is to surface strong program ideas and capable implementers for China-focused human rights initiatives, identifying promising organizations and concepts before potentially inviting full proposals.
What kinds of applicant capabilities are implied as important?
The excerpt suggests applicants typically need to show credibility in rights-based work, a clear understanding of the operating environment and risks, and an ability to design activities that meaningfully support human rights protections and accountability while prioritizing participant safety.
Is participant safety and risk management a consideration?
Yes. The excerpt explicitly notes that organizations considering this type of funding typically need to understand the operating environment and risks and prioritize participant safety.
Will DRL invite all SOI submitters to submit full proposals?
The excerpt describes the RSOI as an early step used to identify promising organizations and concepts before inviting full proposals, which implies invitations may be selective.
Where can applicants find the detailed eligibility requirements?
The excerpt indicates that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full notice, which is not included in the provided information.
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