Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0003638
The FY18 DRL Internet Freedom APS (SFOP0003638) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) funding opportunity focused on strengthening internet freedom worldwide. The opportunity is aimed at projects that help keep the internet open, interoperable, secure, and reliable, with an emphasis on protecting fundamental freedoms, advancing human rights, and supporting the free flow of information online. In practical terms, DRL is looking to back efforts that help people communicate, organize, and access information without undue censorship, surveillance, intimidation, or disruption.
This announcement signals that DRL wants programs that provide integrated support to civil society rather than isolated, one-off activities. The core program areas highlighted include technology support (tools and infrastructure that help people stay connected and communicate safely), digital safety (training, risk reduction, incident response, and protective practices for activists, journalists, and at-risk communities), policy and advocacy (work that promotes rights-respecting laws, regulations, norms, and accountability), and applied research (evidence-driven studies that map threats, evaluate interventions, and inform better strategies). The overall goal is to reinforce an online environment where rights can be exercised and information can move freely, even in restrictive or high-risk contexts.
The funding mechanism for this opportunity is a cooperative agreement, which usually means the government expects to have a more active role during implementation than it would under a standard grant. While the notice does not list a set number of awards, it sets an award ceiling of up to $3,000,000 per award, indicating DRL may fund substantial, potentially multi-country or multi-partner initiatives that can demonstrate strong impact and measurable outcomes.
Applicants are asked to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) that outline program concepts aligned with DRL's internet freedom objectives. An SOI stage typically functions as an initial screening step, where DRL can assess whether a concept is a strong fit before requesting a full proposal. The emphasis on concept submissions suggests the bureau is open to a range of approaches, provided they clearly connect to the stated themes of rights protection, security, and information access online.
Eligibility for this specific listing is limited to for-profit organizations other than small businesses. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding under CFDA 19.345. The posting was created on December 18, 2017, with an original application deadline of February 12, 2018. Overall, the APS is geared toward well-developed, civil-society-facing internet freedom efforts that combine practical support (tools and safety) with broader ecosystem work (policy, advocacy, and research) to protect online rights and keep digital spaces open and secure.Apply for SFOP0003638
- 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 "FY18 DRL Internet Freedom APS" 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 Dec 18, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 12, 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: For profit organizations other than small businesses.
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FY18 DRL Internet Freedom APS (SFOP0003638) - FAQs
1) What is the FY18 DRL Internet Freedom APS (SFOP0003638)?
This is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) funding opportunity focused on strengthening internet freedom worldwide. It supports projects that help keep the internet open, interoperable, secure, and reliable, with an emphasis on protecting fundamental freedoms, advancing human rights, and supporting the free flow of information online.
2) What outcomes is DRL trying to achieve through this opportunity?
DRL is seeking efforts that help people communicate, organize, and access information without undue censorship, surveillance, intimidation, or disruption. The broader aim is to reinforce an online environment where rights can be exercised and information can move freely, including in restrictive or high-risk contexts.
3) What types of projects are a strong fit for this APS?
Projects that align with DRL's internet freedom objectives and combine practical support with broader ecosystem work. The announcement emphasizes programs that provide integrated support to civil society rather than isolated, one-off activities.
4) What are the core program areas highlighted in the announcement?
The APS highlights four core areas:
- Technology support: Tools and infrastructure that help people stay connected and communicate safely.
- Digital safety: Training, risk reduction, incident response, and protective practices for activists, journalists, and at-risk communities.
- Policy and advocacy: Work that promotes rights-respecting laws, regulations, norms, and accountability.
- Applied research: Evidence-driven studies that map threats, evaluate interventions, and inform better strategies.
5) What does "integrated support to civil society" mean in this context?
Based on the announcement language, DRL is signaling a preference for cohesive programs that address multiple needs (for example, combining tools, safety practices, and advocacy/research) rather than stand-alone activities that do not connect to a broader strategy for protecting online rights.
6) Who is the intended beneficiary or target audience for supported work?
The APS emphasizes support for civil society, including activists, journalists, and at-risk communities who face censorship, surveillance, intimidation, or disruption online.
7) What funding mechanism is being used?
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically means the U.S. government expects to have a more active role during implementation than it would under a standard grant.
8) How much funding is available per award?
The notice sets an award ceiling of up to $3,000,000 per award.
9) How many awards will be made?
The announcement does not specify a set number of awards.
10) What does the award ceiling suggest about the scale of projects DRL may support?
An award ceiling of up to $3,000,000 per award indicates DRL may fund substantial initiatives, potentially including multi-country or multi-partner efforts, especially where applicants can demonstrate strong impact and measurable outcomes.
11) What is required at the initial application stage?
Applicants are asked to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) outlining program concepts aligned with DRL's internet freedom objectives.
12) What is the purpose of the Statement of Interest (SOI) stage?
The SOI stage functions as an initial screening step, allowing DRL to assess whether a concept is a strong fit before requesting a full proposal.
13) Does this APS indicate whether DRL is open to different approaches?
Yes. The emphasis on concept submissions suggests DRL is open to a range of approaches, as long as they clearly connect to the stated themes of rights protection, security, and information access online.
14) Who is eligible to apply under this specific listing?
Eligibility is limited to for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
15) Is this opportunity considered discretionary funding?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
16) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.345.
17) When was the posting created?
The posting was created on December 18, 2017.
18) What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline listed is February 12, 2018.
19) What is DRL emphasizing about impact and results?
The description indicates DRL is interested in initiatives that can demonstrate strong impact and measurable outcomes, especially for larger-scale efforts.
20) In plain terms, what kinds of problems is this APS trying to address?
It targets real-world barriers to internet freedom such as censorship, surveillance, intimidation, and disruption, with the goal of helping people safely communicate and access information while supporting human rights and fundamental freedoms online.
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