Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007916
The grant opportunity titled "DRL FY20 Supporting Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Syria" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007916) is a discretionary U.S. Department of State program run by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It is designed to fund projects that strengthen democratic values, protect human rights, and reinforce rule of law principles for Syrians, with a clear emphasis on safeguarding civic space and promoting an inclusive vision of Syrian society.
At its core, the opportunity is aimed at supporting practical, on-the-ground or remotely delivered initiatives that help Syrians participate safely in civic life and defend their rights in a highly constrained conflict environment. DRL signals three priority focus areas for applicants. First is protecting civic space, which generally means helping civil society actors, independent voices, and community-based organizations operate more safely and effectively, including through rights awareness, protection mechanisms, documentation support, or other measures that reduce threats and intimidation. Second is the reintegration and protection of conflict-affected women and children, reflecting the need for programs that address the harms of conflict, reduce vulnerability to abuse and exploitation, and help survivors re-enter community life with appropriate protections and support. Third is support for housing, land, and property rights, an area often linked to displacement, restitution, documentation, and preventing unlawful seizures or discriminatory barriers that keep people from returning to their homes or reclaiming property.
A foundational expectation of the program is that proposals should reinforce the importance of a pluralistic, rights-respecting Syrian national identity. In practice, this means projects are expected to be inclusive across religious and ethnic communities and to promote equal rights and dignity rather than narrow sectarian or exclusionary approaches. The solicitation frames inclusion and respect for diversity not as an optional component, but as a baseline principle that should be reflected in program design, partnerships, and intended outcomes.
From an administrative standpoint, the award instrument is a grant under CFDA 19.345. The opportunity was posted on April 26, 2021, with an original application deadline of June 22, 2021. DRL anticipated making around four awards, and the maximum award amount (ceiling) listed is $2,000,000 per award. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, signaling that a range of organizational types may be able to apply depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete notice.
Overall, this funding opportunity targets organizations capable of delivering rights-focused programming for Syrians that protects civil society and civic participation, addresses the specific protection and reintegration needs of women and children affected by conflict, and advances fair and secure housing, land, and property rights, all while grounding the work in a non-discriminatory, inclusive concept of Syrian national identity.Apply for SFOP0007916
- 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 "DRL FY20 Supporting Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Syria" 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 Apr 26, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 2021. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled DRL FY20 Supporting Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Syria.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007916.
Which U.S. government agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary program of the U.S. Department of State, administered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the main goal of the program?
The program is designed to fund projects that strengthen democratic values, protect human rights, and reinforce rule of law principles for Syrians, with a clear emphasis on safeguarding civic space and promoting an inclusive vision of Syrian society.
Who is the intended beneficiary population?
The intended beneficiaries are Syrians, particularly those who need support to participate safely in civic life, defend their rights, and access protections and remedies in a highly constrained conflict environment.
What types of activities does DRL expect to fund?
DRL indicates interest in practical initiatives that can be delivered on-the-ground or remotely and that help Syrians engage in civic life safely, protect their rights, and strengthen rule of law-related protections in the conflict context.
What are the priority focus areas for applicants?
DRL signals three priority focus areas:
- Protecting civic space
- Reintegration and protection of conflict-affected women and children
- Support for housing, land, and property (HLP) rights
What does "protecting civic space" mean in this opportunity?
In this solicitation, protecting civic space generally refers to helping civil society actors, independent voices, and community-based organizations operate more safely and effectively. Examples mentioned include efforts such as rights awareness, protection mechanisms, and documentation support, as well as other measures that reduce threats and intimidation.
What does the opportunity mean by reintegration and protection for women and children?
This focus area reflects the need for programs that address the harms of conflict and that work to reduce vulnerability to abuse and exploitation. It also includes support that helps survivors re-enter community life with appropriate protections and support.
What are housing, land, and property (HLP) rights in the context of this grant?
HLP rights here are tied to issues common in conflict and displacement, including restitution, documentation, and efforts to prevent unlawful seizures or discriminatory barriers that keep people from returning to their homes or reclaiming property.
Does DRL require projects to be inclusive across communities?
Yes. A foundational expectation is that proposals reinforce a pluralistic, rights-respecting Syrian national identity. Projects are expected to be inclusive across religious and ethnic communities and promote equal rights and dignity, rather than narrow sectarian or exclusionary approaches.
Is inclusion treated as optional or required?
The solicitation presents inclusion and respect for diversity as a baseline principle to be reflected in program design, partnerships, and intended outcomes, not as an optional add-on.
Can projects be delivered remotely, or must they be implemented on the ground?
The opportunity explicitly contemplates initiatives delivered on-the-ground or remotely, recognizing the operational constraints of the conflict environment.
What type of award instrument will be used?
The award instrument is a grant under CFDA 19.345.
How much funding is available per award?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) listed is $2,000,000 per award.
How many awards did DRL anticipate making?
DRL anticipated making around four awards.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 26, 2021.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was June 22, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others", with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This suggests a range of organizational types may be able to apply, depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete notice.
What kinds of organizations are best positioned to compete for this funding?
Based on the description, the opportunity targets organizations capable of delivering rights-focused programming for Syrians that protects civil society and civic participation, addresses women and children protection and reintegration needs, and advances fair and secure HLP rights, while grounding the work in a non-discriminatory, inclusive concept of Syrian national identity.
What is the overarching approach DRL is looking for in proposals?
DRL emphasizes practical, rights-focused initiatives suited to a constrained conflict environment and expects proposals to clearly reflect pluralism, inclusion, equal rights, and dignity as core design principles.
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