Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 103
The grant opportunity titled "DRL FY16 Statement of Interest: Supporting Human Rights Defenders in Eurasia" (Funding Opportunity Number: DRLA-DRLAQM-16-103) was issued by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It is a discretionary grant program in the community development funding area (CFDA 19.345) and was created on November 22, 2016, with an original closing date of December 22, 2016. The core purpose is to advance DRL's objective of supporting human rights activists in Eurasia who have been forced to flee their home countries due to threats, pressure, or persecution, and to help them continue their human rights work while living abroad.
The opportunity is framed around sustaining the effectiveness and safety of displaced or exiled activists rather than starting entirely new advocacy movements. The central idea is continuity: activists who leave their countries under duress often lose access to networks, platforms, resources, and secure communications, and they may face legal, financial, and psychological hurdles that can disrupt their work. Through this call, DRL sought Statements of Interest (SOIs) describing programs that would keep these defenders engaged, connected, and able to contribute meaningfully to human rights documentation, advocacy, organizing, or support to others back home, even while operating from a host country.
Eligible applicants were broadly defined to include a wide range of organizational types capable of implementing international human rights support programming. This included U.S. and non-U.S. nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category), private institutions of higher education, for-profit entities other than small businesses, and small businesses. This breadth suggests DRL was open to proposals from traditional civil society organizations as well as specialized implementers that might offer technical, legal, or security expertise relevant to supporting activists in exile.
While the source description is brief, the practical interpretation of the objective is clear: proposed activities would be expected to help exiled human rights defenders remain operational and effective from abroad. In real-world program terms, that could include support structures that enable safer cross-border work (such as secure communications and digital safety practices), maintaining professional and advocacy networks, and providing tools and training that allow activists to continue documenting abuses, engaging media and international bodies, or coordinating with civil society partners. The emphasis is on assistance to activists who have already fled, meaning programs would likely need strong strategies for outreach, vetting, and tailored support, since exiled communities are diverse in language, legal status, security exposure, and capacity to continue public-facing work.
The listing includes an award ceiling of "1" (as shown in the provided data) and shows "ExpectedAwards:" without a number, which implies the publicly displayed fields were either incomplete or formatted unusually in the source. Even so, the intent of the opportunity remains focused: DRL was soliciting interest in projects that preserve and strengthen the role of Eurasian human rights defenders after displacement, ensuring that forced relocation does not silence their advocacy and that they can continue contributing to human rights outcomes from outside their countries of origin.Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 103
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRL FY16 Statement of Interest: Supporting Human Rights Defenders in Eurasia" 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 2016-11-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-12-22. (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 $1.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: 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, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "DRL FY16 Statement of Interest: Supporting Human Rights Defenders in Eurasia."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DRLA-DRLAQM-16-103.
Which U.S. government office issued this opportunity?
It was issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What type of funding program is this?
This is described as a discretionary grant program.
What is the CFDA number and funding area?
The listing places this opportunity in the community development funding area and references CFDA 19.345.
When was the opportunity created or posted?
The opportunity was created on November 22, 2016.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was December 22, 2016.
What is the core purpose of this opportunity?
The core purpose is to advance DRL's objective of supporting human rights activists in Eurasia who have been forced to flee their home countries due to threats, pressure, or persecution, and to help them continue their human rights work while living abroad.
Who is the primary target population for funded activities?
The focus is on displaced or exiled human rights defenders from Eurasia who have already fled their home countries and are operating from a host country.
Is the goal to launch new advocacy movements?
No. The opportunity is framed around sustaining the effectiveness and safety of displaced or exiled activists and emphasizes continuity of existing work rather than starting entirely new advocacy movements.
Why does DRL emphasize continuity for activists in exile?
The opportunity notes that activists who leave their countries under duress often lose access to networks, platforms, resources, and secure communications, and may face legal, financial, and psychological hurdles that disrupt their work. The call seeks programs that help prevent forced relocation from silencing their advocacy.
What was DRL requesting from applicants (full proposals or something else)?
DRL sought Statements of Interest (SOIs) describing programs to keep these defenders engaged, connected, and able to contribute meaningfully to human rights work while abroad.
What kinds of activities were expected to be supported (at a high level)?
Based on the objective described, activities would be expected to help exiled human rights defenders remain operational and effective from abroad, including maintaining connections, improving safety, and supporting continued human rights documentation, advocacy, organizing, or support to others back home.
Does the opportunity suggest specific program components?
The description points to practical needs that programs could address, such as restoring access to networks and platforms, strengthening resources and secure communications, and addressing hurdles that may be legal, financial, or psychological in nature. It also highlights the need for outreach, vetting, and tailored support strategies for diverse exile communities.
Does this opportunity relate to cross-border or host-country operations?
Yes. The goal is to help activists continue their work while living abroad in a host country and remain connected and effective in relation to human rights outcomes tied to their countries of origin.
Which organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants were broadly defined and included: U.S. and non-U.S. nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category), private institutions of higher education, for-profit entities other than small businesses, and small businesses.
Were non-U.S. organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes non-U.S. nonprofits.
Could a nonprofit without 501(c)(3) status apply?
Yes. The eligibility description includes U.S. and non-U.S. nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the noted exclusion related to institutions of higher education within that nonprofit category.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible. The eligibility language also notes an exclusion for institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category referenced, while still separately listing private institutions of higher education as eligible.
Are for-profit entities eligible?
Yes. For-profit entities other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
How many awards were expected?
The listing shows "ExpectedAwards:" without a number, suggesting the publicly displayed field was incomplete or unusually formatted in the source. The information provided does not state a specific expected number of awards.
What does the award ceiling show?
The listing includes an award ceiling of "1" as shown in the provided data, though the surrounding fields appear incomplete or unusually formatted.
What is the main outcome DRL was trying to achieve through this opportunity?
DRL was soliciting interest in projects that preserve and strengthen the role of Eurasian human rights defenders after displacement, ensuring that forced relocation does not silence their advocacy and that they can continue contributing to human rights outcomes from outside their countries of origin.
Does the opportunity require working with activists who have already fled (rather than those still at home)?
The emphasis is on assistance to activists who have already fled their home countries and are living abroad. Programs were expected to focus on enabling them to continue their work from exile.
Does the description highlight any implementation challenges applicants should plan for?
Yes. It notes that exiled communities are diverse in language, legal status, security exposure, and capacity to continue public-facing work, and it indicates programs would likely need strong strategies for outreach, vetting, and tailored support.
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