Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0006427
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) issued a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) for programming in Iraq under Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0006427 (CFDA 19.016). This is a discretionary grant opportunity managed through the Department of State, Office of Acquisitions Management, and it uses an RSOI format, meaning applicants are first asked to submit concise concept-level ideas along with evidence of their ability to responsibly run projects in-country. The opportunity was posted on February 19, 2020, with an original closing date of March 25, 2020.
The purpose of the opportunity is to identify organizations and project concepts that can help strengthen Iraq's democratic governance and protect human rights in ways that are practical, measurable, and responsive to local realities. DRL is looking for initiatives that reinforce effective governance, expand political participation, and encourage civic activism. In addition, proposed work should promote fundamental freedoms, which typically includes issues such as freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and related civil and political rights. The scope also explicitly includes atrocities prevention and accountability, as well as conflict mitigation, signaling interest in programs that reduce drivers of violence, support social cohesion, document or address serious abuses, and improve pathways for justice and reconciliation where appropriate.
Financially, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000 and anticipates up to 10 awards. While the notice does not specify exact award sizes for each project beyond the ceiling, the combination of a relatively high ceiling and multiple expected awards suggests DRL is open to a range of project scales, potentially from smaller targeted interventions to larger, multi-province or multi-component efforts, depending on the strength of the concept, feasibility, and organizational capacity. The funding activity category is listed as "Other," which indicates the work may cut across standard sector labels and could combine governance, civic engagement, rights protection, accountability, and peacebuilding elements under one integrated approach.
Eligibility is broadly described as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement, which usually means DRL may consider a variety of entity types depending on what the full eligibility language allows. In practice, DRL opportunities commonly attract applications from nonprofit organizations, civil society groups, and sometimes educational or other mission-aligned institutions with demonstrated program management capacity, compliance systems, and relevant experience in similar environments. Because this is an RSOI, DRL is clearly emphasizing not just good ideas, but the ability to manage sensitive, complex programming in Iraq, including strong oversight, risk management, partner coordination, and monitoring and evaluation.
Overall, this opportunity is aimed at surfacing implementable project concepts that can produce real improvements in governance and civic life in Iraq while also addressing high-stakes issues like preventing mass atrocities, supporting accountability for serious violations, and reducing conflict risks. The initial submission is designed to help DRL quickly assess which organizations have both the strategic approach and operational maturity to move forward in a challenging context, before inviting fuller proposals or proceeding to the next steps in the funding process.Apply for SFOP0006427
- The Department of State, Office of Acquisitions Management 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 Request for Statements of Interest: Iraq" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.016.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 19, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 25, 2020. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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 this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State opportunity from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) requesting Statements of Interest (RSOI) for programming in Iraq under Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0006427 (CFDA 19.016).
Which U.S. government office is managing the process?
The opportunity is a discretionary grant managed through the Department of State, Office of Acquisitions Management, on behalf of DRL.
What does "Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)" mean in this context?
An RSOI format means applicants are first asked to submit concise, concept-level ideas along with evidence they can responsibly implement and manage projects in-country. The initial submission is meant to help DRL assess both the concept and the organization’s capacity before any later-step request for more detailed materials.
What country or location is this opportunity focused on?
The programming focus is Iraq.
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the original closing date?
It was posted on February 19, 2020, with an original closing date of March 25, 2020.
What is DRL trying to achieve through this opportunity?
The purpose is to identify organizations and project concepts that strengthen Iraq’s democratic governance and protect human rights in practical, measurable ways that respond to local realities.
What kinds of activities or outcomes are DRL interested in supporting?
DRL is looking for initiatives that reinforce effective governance, expand political participation, and encourage civic activism, while also promoting fundamental freedoms and addressing conflict-related risks.
Which fundamental freedoms are referenced or implied?
The scope typically includes freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to peaceful assembly, along with related civil and political rights.
Does the scope include atrocities prevention and accountability?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes atrocities prevention and accountability.
What does "atrocities prevention and accountability" imply for project concepts?
Based on the description, it signals interest in work that can reduce drivers of violence, support social cohesion, document or address serious abuses, and improve pathways for justice and reconciliation where appropriate.
Is conflict mitigation part of the scope?
Yes. Conflict mitigation is explicitly included, indicating DRL’s interest in programs that reduce conflict risks and contribute to stability and social cohesion.
How much funding is available per award?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000. It does not specify exact award sizes for each project beyond that ceiling.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates up to 10 awards.
Does this opportunity suggest a preference for small or large projects?
The combination of a relatively high ceiling ($4,000,000) and multiple expected awards (up to 10) suggests DRL may be open to a range of project scales, from smaller targeted interventions to larger, multi-province or multi-component efforts, depending on concept strength, feasibility, and organizational capacity.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is listed as "Other."
What does it mean that the funding activity category is "Other"?
It indicates the work may cut across standard sector labels and could combine elements such as governance, civic engagement, rights protection, accountability, and peacebuilding within an integrated approach.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement. This suggests DRL may consider a variety of entity types depending on the detailed eligibility language in the full notice.
What kinds of organizations commonly pursue DRL opportunities like this?
Based on the information provided, DRL opportunities commonly attract applications from nonprofit organizations, civil society groups, and sometimes educational or other mission-aligned institutions with demonstrated program management capacity, compliance systems, and relevant experience in similar environments.
What is DRL emphasizing for applicants besides having a strong idea?
Because this is an RSOI, DRL is emphasizing evidence of the organization’s ability to manage sensitive, complex programming in Iraq. This includes strong oversight, risk management, partner coordination, and monitoring and evaluation.
What should an initial RSOI submission focus on?
The initial submission should present a concise concept-level idea and include evidence that the applicant can responsibly run projects in-country, particularly given Iraq’s challenging operational context.
What characteristics does DRL want in proposed concepts?
DRL is seeking concepts that are practical, measurable, and responsive to local realities in Iraq, and that can produce real improvements in governance and civic life while addressing risks related to serious human rights violations and conflict dynamics.
What happens after the RSOI stage?
The RSOI is designed to help DRL quickly assess which organizations have both a strong strategic approach and the operational maturity to move forward, before inviting fuller proposals or proceeding to the next steps in the funding process.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.016.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0006427.
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