Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0010164
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is soliciting Statements of Interest (SOIs) for potential programming focused on human rights and accountability related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This notice is structured as a Request for Statements of Interest rather than a full proposal competition at the outset, meaning DRL is first looking to identify capable organizations and strong program concepts that align with its policy objective: advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms in North Korea. In practical terms, the SOI phase is used to gauge which ideas and implementers are best positioned before inviting fuller submissions or taking next steps.
The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0010164, with the funding activity category labeled "Other" and a CFDA/assistance listing number of 19.345. The original closing date for submissions is January 26, 2024, and the stated award ceiling is $1,250,000. The notice shows "ExpectedAwards: 0," which typically indicates that the announcement does not commit to a specific number of awards at this stage (or that awards are not guaranteed), reinforcing that this is an initial interest-collection step rather than a promise of immediate grant-making.
DRL indicates broad eligibility. Applicants may be U.S.- or foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, public international organizations, or private/public/state institutions of higher education. For-profit entities and businesses may also apply, but the announcement flags that there are restrictions tied to federal assistance mechanisms on the payment of fees and/or profits. It specifically references federal cost principles and standards (including 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31, Contract Cost Principles and Procedures), signaling that budget structures, allowable costs, and any profit-related treatment will be scrutinized under applicable rules when assistance funding is used.
A key requirement is that applicant organizations must already have, or be able to build, active partnerships with relevant stakeholders. The notice highlights partnerships with thematic or in-country partners and other entities, including private sector partners and NGOs. Given the DPRK context, "in-country" partnerships may in many cases involve indirect networks, regional partners, diaspora groups, documentation organizations, service providers, researchers, or other stakeholders operating outside North Korea but connected to DPRK-related human rights work. The emphasis is on credible collaboration and access to the expertise, communities, and operational channels needed to carry out sensitive human rights and accountability programming.
DRL also expects applicants to demonstrate experience successfully administering similar programs. This is both a programmatic and compliance signal: DRL is looking for organizations that can manage complex activities, handle safeguarding and risk considerations, and meet U.S. government grant management standards. The announcement explicitly notes that DRL may request additional background information from organizations that do not have prior experience administering federal awards, which implies that newer-to-federal-funding organizations can still express interest, but should be prepared to substantiate their systems, internal controls, past performance, and capacity to comply with reporting and oversight requirements.
Overall, the opportunity is an invitation to put forward strong, partnership-driven concepts aimed at advancing DPRK human rights and fundamental freedoms, with the SOI serving as an early filter for feasibility, organizational capacity, and strategic alignment before any later-stage funding decisions are made.Apply for SFOP0010164
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRL FY23 DPRK Human Rights and Accountability Programs - Statements of Interest" 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 2023-12-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-26. (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 $1,250,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) 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 (SOIs) for potential programming focused on human rights and accountability related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
2) Is this a full grant application competition?
No. The notice is structured as a Request for Statements of Interest rather than a full proposal competition at the outset. DRL is using the SOI phase to identify capable organizations and strong program concepts before deciding whether to invite fuller submissions or take other next steps.
3) What is DRL trying to achieve through this opportunity?
The stated policy objective is advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms in North Korea. DRL is looking for program concepts that align with that objective and that credibly address human rights and accountability related to the DPRK.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0010164.
5) What type of award is being described?
The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant.
6) What is the CFDA/assistance listing number?
The CFDA/assistance listing number provided is 19.345.
7) What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is labeled as "Other."
8) What is the submission deadline shown in the notice?
The original closing date for submissions is January 26, 2024.
9) What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling is $1,250,000.
10) Does the notice guarantee that awards will be made?
No. The notice shows "ExpectedAwards: 0," which typically indicates that DRL is not committing to a specific number of awards at this stage (or that awards are not guaranteed). This aligns with the SOI being an initial interest-collection step rather than a promise of immediate grant-making.
11) Who is eligible to submit a Statement of Interest?
DRL indicates broad eligibility. Applicants may include U.S.- or foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, public international organizations, and private/public/state institutions of higher education.
12) Can for-profit entities or businesses apply?
Yes. For-profit entities and businesses may apply, but the announcement notes restrictions associated with federal assistance mechanisms regarding the payment of fees and/or profits.
13) What does the notice say about fees or profit for for-profit applicants?
The notice flags that restrictions apply to the payment of fees and/or profits under federal assistance mechanisms. It also references federal cost principles and standards that affect how budgets are structured and how allowable costs (and any profit-related treatment) may be reviewed.
14) What cost principles or standards are referenced?
The notice references federal cost principles and standards, including 48 CFR 30 (Cost Accounting Standards Administration) and 48 CFR 31 (Contract Cost Principles and Procedures). This signals that budgets and cost allowability will be scrutinized under applicable rules.
15) Are partnerships required or strongly encouraged?
Yes. A key requirement is that applicant organizations must already have, or be able to build, active partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
16) What kinds of partners does DRL expect applicants to work with?
The notice highlights partnerships with thematic or in-country partners and other entities, including private sector partners and NGOs. The emphasis is on credible collaboration and access to the expertise, communities, and operational channels needed to carry out sensitive human rights and accountability programming.
17) How should applicants think about "in-country" partnerships given the DPRK context?
The notice emphasizes partnerships, and it notes that in the DPRK context, "in-country" partnerships may often involve indirect networks or regional partners outside North Korea, such as diaspora groups, documentation organizations, service providers, researchers, or other stakeholders connected to DPRK-related human rights work.
18) What level of organizational experience is DRL looking for?
DRL expects applicants to demonstrate experience successfully administering similar programs. This includes the ability to manage complex activities, handle safeguarding and risk considerations, and meet U.S. government grant management standards.
19) Can organizations without prior U.S. federal award experience still submit an SOI?
Yes. The announcement indicates that DRL may request additional background information from organizations that do not have prior experience administering federal awards. This implies newer-to-federal-funding organizations can express interest, but should be prepared to substantiate their systems, internal controls, past performance, and capacity to comply with reporting and oversight requirements.
20) Why might DRL request additional background information?
The notice explicitly notes that DRL may request additional background information from organizations without prior federal award experience. Based on the notice, this is tied to assessing whether an organization has the capacity and internal controls needed to manage a federal assistance award and comply with grant management and oversight requirements.
21) What is DRL evaluating during the SOI phase?
Based on the notice, DRL is using the SOI phase to gauge feasibility, organizational capacity, partnership readiness, and alignment with the policy objective of advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms in North Korea.
22) What happens after the SOI phase?
The notice indicates that DRL is collecting SOIs to identify the best-positioned ideas and implementers before inviting fuller submissions or taking other next steps. It does not promise that every SOI will lead to an invitation or an award.
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