Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005687
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announced a discretionary grant opportunity titled "DRL FY18/19 NEA Programs to Promote Religious Freedom" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0005687) focused on the Middle East and North Africa region. Released on March 26, 2019, with an application deadline of May 13, 2019, the program was designed to support initiatives that strengthen respect for religious freedom and the rights of individuals and communities to live without discrimination or violence based on religion or belief. The assistance mechanism was a grant, listed under CFDA 19.345, and eligibility was described broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.
DRL's central objective in this call was to encourage the development of diverse, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious societies where the rights of all people are protected. The opportunity emphasized practical, conflict-sensitive interventions aimed at breaking or weakening recurring patterns of intolerance, violence, and inter-communal distrust tied to religion or belief. In other words, the program was looking for proposals that do more than raise awareness; it sought efforts that can realistically interrupt drivers of sectarian tension, reduce the risk of identity-based harm, and help communities and institutions move toward greater inclusion and equal treatment.
Funding expectations were relatively concentrated, with DRL anticipating 2 to 3 awards total. Individual award sizes were expected to fall between $500,000 and $1,250,000, with an award ceiling of $1,250,000. This structure suggests a preference for a small number of comparatively substantial projects that can demonstrate a clear strategy, credible implementation capacity, and measurable impact within the target context.
A key requirement of the announcement was geographic focus. Applicants were instructed to concentrate on one or two countries only, rather than proposing region-wide programming across many settings. Proposals needed to provide strong, well-reasoned justifications for why the selected country or countries were appropriate for the proposed intervention and why the approach was likely to work in those contexts. At the same time, DRL cautioned applicants not to spend excessive space on broadly known background material, particularly when proposing work in more than one country. The expectation was that applications would be concise where possible on general context and instead devote space to concrete problem analysis, theory of change, implementation design, risk considerations, partnerships, and the specific rationale for the chosen intervention.
Overall, this opportunity can be summarized as a targeted DRL grant competition for the MENA region intended to fund a small set of sizeable projects that promote religious freedom by reducing religion-based intolerance and violence, strengthening social cohesion across religious and belief lines, and supporting inclusive societies. The program prioritized proposals with tight geographic focus (one or two countries), strong justification for the selection and approach, and practical interventions capable of disrupting cycles of inter-communal distrust and harm.Apply for SFOP0005687
- 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 FY18/19 NEA Programs to Promote Religious Freedom" 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 Mar 26, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 13, 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 $1,250,000.00 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).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "DRL FY18/19 NEA Programs to Promote Religious Freedom."
Which U.S. government office is offering this funding?
The funding was announced by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0005687.
When was the opportunity released?
The opportunity was released on March 26, 2019.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was May 13, 2019.
What region is this opportunity focused on?
The opportunity focuses on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
What is the main objective of the program?
DRL's central objective is to encourage the development of diverse, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious societies where the rights of all people are protected, with a focus on strengthening respect for religious freedom and the right to live without discrimination or violence based on religion or belief.
What types of outcomes was DRL looking for?
The program emphasized practical, conflict-sensitive interventions intended to break or weaken recurring patterns of intolerance, violence, and inter-communal distrust linked to religion or belief. It prioritized approaches that can realistically reduce the risk of identity-based harm and support greater inclusion and equal treatment.
Is this program only for awareness-raising activities?
No. The announcement emphasized that proposals should do more than raise awareness. It sought practical interventions that can interrupt drivers of sectarian tension, reduce risks of harm, and help communities and institutions move toward greater inclusion.
What is the assistance mechanism for this opportunity?
The assistance mechanism was a grant.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.345.
How many awards did DRL expect to make?
DRL anticipated making 2 to 3 awards total.
What award size range was expected?
Individual award sizes were expected to range from $500,000 to $1,250,000.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $1,250,000.
Does the funding structure suggest anything about the kinds of projects DRL wanted?
Yes. Because DRL expected only 2 to 3 awards with relatively large award amounts, the structure points toward a preference for a small number of substantial projects with a clear strategy, credible implementation capacity, and measurable impact in the target context.
How many countries can a proposal cover?
Applicants were instructed to concentrate on one or two countries only, rather than proposing region-wide programming across many settings.
Can an applicant propose a MENA-wide or multi-country regional program?
The opportunity emphasized that applicants should not propose region-wide programming across many settings. Proposals were expected to focus on one or two countries.
What was required when choosing the country or countries of focus?
Proposals needed to provide strong, well-reasoned justifications for why the selected country or countries were appropriate for the proposed intervention and why the approach was likely to work in those contexts.
How much background context should an application include?
DRL cautioned applicants not to spend excessive space on broadly known background material, particularly when proposing work in more than one country. Applications were expected to stay concise on general context and devote more space to concrete problem analysis, theory of change, implementation design, risk considerations, partnerships, and the specific rationale for the intervention.
What themes or issues did the opportunity prioritize?
The opportunity prioritized promoting religious freedom; reducing religion-based intolerance and violence; strengthening social cohesion across religious and belief lines; supporting inclusive societies; and decreasing inter-communal distrust tied to religion or belief through practical, conflict-sensitive programming.
What does "conflict-sensitive interventions" mean in the context of this notice?
In this notice, "conflict-sensitive" refers to practical interventions designed with awareness of local tensions and risks, aimed at weakening recurring patterns of intolerance and violence and reducing inter-communal distrust linked to religion or belief.
What does the eligibility section say?
Eligibility was described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.
Where can applicants find the additional eligibility details?
The announcement indicated that additional eligibility details were provided in the full notice.
What is the simplest summary of this funding opportunity?
This was a targeted DRL grant competition for the MENA region intended to fund a small set of sizeable projects that promote religious freedom by reducing religion-based intolerance and violence, strengthening social cohesion across religious and belief lines, and supporting inclusive societies, with proposals expected to focus on one or two countries and provide strong justification and practical, implementable approaches.
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| Promoting Freedom of Expression in Malaysia Apply for SFOP0005656 Funding Number: SFOP0005656 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: $500,000 |
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