Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005462
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) issued a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) titled "CHINA PROGRAMS" under funding opportunity number SFOP0005462. This announcement is a discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 19.345) focused on identifying organizations interested in proposing activities that protect and promote human rights in China. Rather than immediately calling for full proposals, the RSOI format is used to gather short, preliminary concept submissions (Statements of Interest) from prospective applicants, which can help DRL assess which ideas and implementers are the best fit before inviting more developed applications.
The program purpose is explicitly centered on human rights in China, with the overall intent of supporting initiatives that advance democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and rights protections. While the notice excerpt does not list specific project themes, DRL human rights programming in such contexts typically aligns with efforts to document and counter rights abuses, strengthen civil society capacity, expand access to independent information, support vulnerable or targeted communities, improve legal and policy advocacy, and promote accountability and international human rights norms. Applicants should interpret the "China programs" framing as a signal that the target beneficiaries, activities, or primary impact should relate directly to human rights conditions affecting people in China, including where relevant in cross-border or diaspora contexts consistent with U.S. foreign assistance rules and DRL priorities.
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $1,500,000, indicating the maximum potential federal funding for an individual award under this announcement. The number of expected awards is shown as 0 in the source data, which often reflects that DRL did not commit in the notice to making a set number of awards at that time, or that awards would depend on funding availability, internal decisions, and the quality of submissions received. The original closing date for submitting Statements of Interest was November 16, 2018, and the opportunity was created on October 30, 2018, establishing a relatively short submission window typical of RSOI processes.
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement rather than included in the excerpt. In DRL notices, this category commonly encompasses a wide range of entities such as U.S. and non-U.S. non-profits, non-governmental organizations, public international organizations, educational institutions, and in some cases for-profit entities, depending on the specific solicitation language. Because the excerpt does not provide the exact eligibility constraints, any applicant would need to consult the full listing to confirm organizational eligibility, any geographic or registration requirements, and whether there are restrictions tied to the country context.
In practical terms, this RSOI is best read as an early-stage screening step for a human rights-focused grants portfolio related to China. Organizations that could compete well are those able to operate responsibly in sensitive environments, protect participant security, demonstrate strong monitoring and evaluation practices, and show credible experience with human rights programming, advocacy support, research, capacity building, digital safety, and/or rule of law-related work. Submissions would be expected to articulate a clear human rights problem statement, a plausible approach, intended outcomes, and why the organization is positioned to deliver results while managing risk in a highly restrictive operating environment.Apply for SFOP0005462
- 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 Oct 30, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 16, 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 $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) - DRL "China Programs" (SFOP0005462)
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) titled "CHINA PROGRAMS" under funding opportunity number SFOP0005462. It is a discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 19.345) intended to identify organizations interested in proposing activities that protect and promote human rights in China.
What does "RSOI" mean, and how is it different from a standard grant competition?
An RSOI is a preliminary step used to collect short concept submissions (Statements of Interest) rather than full proposals. DRL uses these short submissions to assess which ideas and implementers appear to be the best fit before potentially inviting more developed applications later. In other words, the RSOI is an early-stage screening process rather than an immediate request for full proposals.
What is the main purpose of the "China Programs" RSOI?
The purpose is to support initiatives that advance democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and rights protections in China. The opportunity is explicitly centered on protecting and promoting human rights in China.
What kinds of activities are likely to fit under this opportunity?
The excerpt does not list specific project themes, but it frames the opportunity as human rights-focused programming related to China. In practice, DRL human rights programming in restrictive contexts commonly aligns with activities such as documenting and countering rights abuses, strengthening civil society capacity, expanding access to independent information, supporting vulnerable or targeted communities, improving legal and policy advocacy, and promoting accountability and international human rights norms. Applicants should align their concepts with the human rights conditions affecting people in China, including cross-border or diaspora contexts where relevant and consistent with U.S. foreign assistance rules and DRL priorities.
Does the project have to take place inside China?
The excerpt indicates that the primary impact should relate directly to human rights conditions affecting people in China. It also notes that cross-border or diaspora contexts may be relevant, as long as they are consistent with U.S. foreign assistance rules and DRL priorities. The excerpt does not provide a strict geographic requirement, so applicants would need to rely on the full announcement for any location-based constraints.
Who is the federal sponsor for this opportunity?
The sponsor is the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,500,000, which indicates the maximum potential federal funding for an individual award under this announcement.
Is $1,500,000 the guaranteed amount an applicant would receive?
No. The figure provided is an award ceiling, meaning the maximum possible amount for an individual award. The excerpt does not specify typical award sizes, minimum amounts, cost share expectations, or how budgets are evaluated.
How many awards will be made?
The number of expected awards is shown as 0 in the source data. This often means DRL did not commit to making a set number of awards at that time, and any awards would depend on funding availability, internal decisions, and the quality of submissions received.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date for submitting Statements of Interest was November 16, 2018.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was created on October 30, 2018.
What is being requested at this stage: a full proposal or a concept?
At this stage, DRL is requesting short, preliminary concept submissions called Statements of Interest (SOIs). The RSOI format is specifically designed to gather initial concepts before potentially inviting fuller applications later.
What should a Statement of Interest generally include for an opportunity like this?
Based on the excerpt, a competitive submission would be expected to articulate a clear human rights problem statement, a plausible approach, intended outcomes, and why the organization is positioned to deliver results while managing risk in a highly restrictive operating environment. The excerpt also emphasizes the importance of responsible operations in sensitive environments, participant security, strong monitoring and evaluation practices, and credible experience with human rights programming.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement rather than included in the excerpt. In DRL notices, this category commonly encompasses a wide range of entities such as U.S. and non-U.S. non-profits, non-governmental organizations, public international organizations, educational institutions, and sometimes for-profit entities, depending on the solicitation language. Because the excerpt does not include the exact eligibility constraints, applicants must consult the full announcement to confirm eligibility, any geographic or registration requirements, and any China-related restrictions.
Are non-U.S. organizations allowed to apply?
The excerpt does not explicitly confirm eligibility for non-U.S. organizations, but it notes that DRL opportunities under an "Others" category commonly include U.S. and non-U.S. entities depending on the full solicitation language. The full announcement would be the controlling source for this requirement.
Can for-profit entities apply?
The excerpt does not confirm this. It notes that DRL notices sometimes include for-profit entities depending on the specific solicitation language. Applicants would need to review the full announcement for definitive eligibility rules.
What is CFDA 19.345?
CFDA 19.345 is the assistance listing identifier associated with this DRL discretionary grant opportunity, as cited in the excerpt.
What does "discretionary grant opportunity" mean in this context?
It indicates that the awarding agency (DRL) has discretion in selecting projects to fund, based on its priorities, available funding, internal decisions, and the quality and fit of submissions.
What does "China programs" mean for designing an SOI?
It signals that the target beneficiaries, activities, and primary intended impact should relate directly to human rights conditions affecting people in China. Applicants should frame the concept around advancing democratic values, fundamental freedoms, and rights protections connected to China, including relevant cross-border or diaspora dimensions if appropriate and permissible.
What characteristics does DRL appear to value for implementers in this opportunity?
Based on the excerpt, organizations are likely to be more competitive if they can operate responsibly in sensitive environments, protect participant security, demonstrate strong monitoring and evaluation practices, and show credible experience with human rights programming. Relevant experience areas mentioned include advocacy support, research, capacity building, digital safety, and rule of law-related work.
Are there special risks or considerations for projects connected to China?
The excerpt explicitly references the need to manage risk in a highly restrictive operating environment and highlights participant security and responsible operations in sensitive contexts. This implies that an SOI should reflect thoughtful risk management and security considerations.
Does the excerpt specify required partners, target provinces, or mandated themes?
No. The excerpt does not list specific project themes, geographic sub-focus areas, or required partners. Any such details, if they exist, would be in the full announcement.
Will everyone who submits an SOI be invited to submit a full application?
The excerpt indicates that DRL uses the RSOI to assess which ideas and implementers are the best fit before inviting more developed applications. That implies invitations are selective and not guaranteed.
Where can applicants find the missing details (eligibility specifics, submission format, and other requirements)?
The excerpt states that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement rather than included in the excerpt. Applicants should consult the full funding opportunity listing for definitive rules on eligibility, registrations, submission requirements, and any restrictions tied to the country context.
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