Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 17 031
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "DRL Programs to Promote Religious Freedom" (Funding Opportunity Number: DRLA DRLAQM 17 031). The program is structured as an open competition, meaning DRL is inviting qualified organizations to submit proposals for projects that advance a central U.S. foreign policy objective: promoting international religious freedom. Applicants are expected to follow DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI), which are hosted on the DRL website and typically lay out required formats, budget rules, mandatory attachments, and submission procedures.
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant, and the activity category is listed broadly as "Other," which signals that DRL is not limiting applicants to a narrow technical field but is instead focusing on whether proposed activities credibly support the objective of strengthening religious freedom in international contexts. While the brief notice does not list specific programmatic themes or target countries, DRL religious freedom competitions commonly support work such as protecting freedom of religion or belief, countering religiously motivated discrimination, supporting pluralism and tolerance, improving legal and policy frameworks, strengthening civil society capacity to document and respond to abuses, and assisting communities facing restrictions or persecution. Any proposed project would generally need to show a clear theory of change, measurable outcomes, and a feasible implementation plan consistent with DRL's human rights and democracy programming approach.
Eligibility is relatively broad. Organizations that may apply include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and an "other" category that can include additional types of entities depending on DRL's standard eligibility rules. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 19.345, which corresponds to Department of State assistance programming.
Key administrative details include an original closing date of December 21, 2016, and a creation date of October 21, 2016. The award ceiling is listed as $700,000, indicating the maximum anticipated funding level for a single award under this announcement. The notice also lists "Expected Awards:" but does not provide a specific number, suggesting the total number of awards may depend on available funding, the quality of proposals received, and DRL program priorities at the time of selection.
In practical terms, an applicant considering this opportunity would need to propose a well-defined project aimed at advancing religious freedom outcomes abroad, identify the specific problem and context the project will address, and present a strong monitoring and evaluation plan to demonstrate impact. Because DRL directs applicants to its Proposal Submission Instructions, compliance with those instructions is a central requirement; they typically govern how narratives and budgets must be organized, what documentation must be included, and how applications must be submitted for consideration.Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 17 031
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRL 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 2016-10-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-12-21. (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 $700,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): DRL Programs to Promote Religious Freedom (DRLA DRLAQM 17 031)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "DRL Programs to Promote Religious Freedom".
What agency is offering this grant?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DRLA DRLAQM 17 031.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Is this a competitive opportunity or a sole-source award?
It is structured as an open competition, meaning DRL is inviting qualified organizations to submit proposals.
What is the main objective of the program?
The central objective is to advance a U.S. foreign policy priority: promoting international religious freedom.
What kinds of projects are generally expected to fit this opportunity?
While the notice does not list specific themes, DRL religious freedom competitions commonly support projects such as:
- Protecting freedom of religion or belief
- Countering religiously motivated discrimination
- Supporting pluralism and tolerance
- Improving legal and policy frameworks related to religious freedom
- Strengthening civil society capacity to document and respond to abuses
- Assisting communities facing restrictions or persecution
Does the announcement specify target countries or regions?
No. The notice does not list specific target countries or regions.
Does the announcement specify required programmatic themes?
No. The brief notice does not provide specific programmatic themes, though it describes common areas supported in DRL religious freedom competitions.
What activity category is listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as "Other", indicating DRL is not limiting applicants to a narrow technical field and is focused on whether the proposed activities credibly support religious freedom objectives.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is relatively broad. Organizations that may apply include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education)
- An "other" category that may include additional entities depending on DRL's standard eligibility rules
Is 501(c)(3) status required to apply?
No. The notice states that nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status may apply, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status may also apply (as long as they are not institutions of higher education).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 19.345, which corresponds to Department of State assistance programming.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $700,000, which is the maximum anticipated funding level for a single award under this announcement.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
The notice includes an "Expected Awards:" field but does not provide a number. This suggests the number of awards may depend on available funding, proposal quality, and DRL priorities at the time of selection.
What is the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date listed is December 21, 2016.
What is the creation date of the opportunity?
The creation date listed is October 21, 2016.
Where are the application instructions located?
Applicants are expected to follow DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI), which are hosted on the DRL website.
How important is compliance with DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI)?
Compliance is described as a central requirement. The PSI typically governs required formats, budget rules, mandatory attachments, and submission procedures.
What should a strong proposal include, based on the notice?
Based on the notice, an applicant would generally be expected to present:
- A well-defined project aimed at advancing religious freedom outcomes abroad
- A clear description of the problem and context the project will address
- A clear theory of change
- Measurable outcomes
- A feasible implementation plan aligned with DRL's human rights and democracy programming approach
- A strong monitoring and evaluation plan to demonstrate impact
Are budget rules and required attachments described in the notice?
Not in the brief notice. Instead, the notice directs applicants to the DRL Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI), which typically include budget rules, mandatory attachments, formatting requirements, and submission procedures.
Does the notice describe the submission method (for example, email vs. an online portal)?
No. The notice does not specify the submission method and instead points applicants to DRL's Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for submission procedures.
Does the notice specify how proposals will be evaluated?
No evaluation criteria are listed in the provided notice. The information emphasizes alignment with the religious freedom objective and compliance with DRL's PSI.
Can projects address multiple aspects of religious freedom (for example, legal reform and civil society capacity)?
The notice does not restrict projects to one approach. It describes a broad focus on advancing religious freedom outcomes and notes several common types of supported work, implying that multi-component projects may be relevant if they credibly support the objective and include measurable outcomes and a feasible plan.
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