Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0006508
This funding opportunity (SFOP0006508) is a discretionary grant solicitation from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), focused on strengthening democracy, governance, and human rights in Pakistan. The program is framed around the idea that sustained U.S. democracy and human rights assistance can support a more stable Pakistan by encouraging governance rooted in democratic principles, respect for human rights, and peaceful coexistence. Within that broad aim, the opportunity highlights three priority themes: promoting and protecting womens right to property, supporting free and fair elections, and advancing media freedom. The call emphasizes practical, on-the-ground relevance, meaning proposals are expected to address immediate realities in Pakistan rather than offering abstract or purely theoretical interventions.
The opportunity specifically underscores protection and advocacy for groups described as especially vulnerable, including youth, women, and religious and ethnic minorities. It also points to the need to mitigate the impacts of conflict on Pakistani communities, suggesting that projects can include elements that reduce harm, strengthen resilience, or protect rights in contexts affected by insecurity or violence. Overall, the Department of State is looking for programming that aligns with U.S. government democracy, governance, and human rights objectives in Pakistan and that complements Pakistani efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, improve governance practices, and expand respect for human rights.
Applicants are encouraged to ground their proposals in credible, country-specific evidence, and the notice points to two U.S. government resources as useful references: the annual Pakistan Human Rights Report and the International Religious Freedom Report. These reports can help applicants define the problem, justify the chosen target populations, and describe how proposed activities respond to documented trends in rights conditions, civic space, discrimination, or freedom of expression and belief. A key compliance detail is also included: proposals must clearly state the applicants current NGO registration status in Pakistan, signaling that the ability to operate legally and transparently in-country is a required part of the application narrative.
From a funding and competition standpoint, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $2,750,000 and anticipates making up to three awards, indicating a relatively limited number of sizable grants rather than many small ones. The funding instrument type is listed as "Other," and the funding activity category is also labeled "Other," implying that applicants should pay close attention to the specific program description and any instructions in the full notice regarding allowable activities, deliverables, and reporting expectations. The opportunity was posted on February 25, 2020, with an original closing date of April 10, 2020, and it is associated with CFDA 19.345. Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with additional eligibility clarification referenced in the full posting, so prospective applicants would need to confirm they fall within the eligible categories and meet any country registration or operational requirements.
In practical terms, a strong proposal under this solicitation would describe a clear rights or governance problem tied to one or more of the focus areas (womens property rights, election integrity and participation, and media freedom), explain why the approach fits current conditions in Pakistan, identify realistic local partners or stakeholders, and show how activities will produce measurable improvements such as stronger protections, better accountability, safer civic participation, or expanded capacity for rights advocacy. The notice makes it clear that the intent is not only to support civil society in principle, but to fund concrete work that strengthens democratic systems and human rights protections in ways that are relevant, timely, and implementable in Pakistan.Apply for SFOP0006508
- 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 Promoting and Protecting: Women’s Right to Promoting and Protecting: Women’s Right to Property; Free and Fair Elections; and Media Freedom in Pakistan" 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 Feb 25, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 10, 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 $2,750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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