Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005253
The FY 2018 DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0005253) is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It uses a two-step approach that begins with a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI), meaning DRL is first asking organizations to submit a short concept-style Statement of Interest (SOI) describing a proposed program before any invitation to submit a full application. The opportunity is framed around the U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace and focuses on advancing Internet Freedom worldwide by protecting an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet.
At its core, the program aims to promote fundamental freedoms, human rights, and the free flow of information online. DRL signals that it is looking for program concepts that strengthen civil society and help people safely access, share, and protect information in digital environments where censorship, surveillance, harassment, shutdowns, or other restrictions may be present. The announcement emphasizes an integrated approach, suggesting that strong proposals may connect technology support with user safety, advocacy, and evidence-building rather than treating these as isolated efforts.
The types of activities DRL highlights as within scope include support for technology, digital safety, policy and advocacy, and applied research. In practical terms, this could cover work like developing or improving tools that help users communicate securely or bypass censorship, training journalists and civil society groups on digital security and risk reduction, supporting advocacy efforts that push back against restrictive internet laws or practices, and conducting applied research that documents threats to online rights or evaluates what interventions work best. The common thread is enabling civil society actors to operate more safely and effectively online while defending open information ecosystems.
The award instrument is a grant, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.345. The posting notes "Expected Awards: 0," which typically indicates that the agency is not committing in the announcement to a specific number of awards at that time, and that actual awards (and how many) may depend on funding availability, DRL priorities, and the quality of submissions received through the SOI process.
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional details referenced in the original eligibility guidance (not included in the provided text). That phrasing usually indicates that DRL may consider a range of applicants beyond only state or local governments, such as nonprofit organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, and possibly certain for-profit entities depending on the specific eligibility language in the full notice. The key takeaway is that interested organizations should confirm they fit DRL's eligibility criteria and tailor their SOI to the Internet Freedom objectives spelled out in the program statement.
The opportunity was created on July 11, 2018, and had an original closing date of September 14, 2018. Organizations responding were expected to submit an SOI by the deadline, outlining a clear program concept aligned with DRL's goal of protecting Internet Freedom through support to civil society across technical solutions, safety practices, policy engagement, and applied research.Apply for SFOP0005253
- 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 "FY 2018 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 Jul 11, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 14, 2018. (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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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