Countering Transnational Repression Through Evidence-based Research

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor is soliciting applications for grants funding evidence-based research on transnational repression, with an application deadline of August 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. One award of $986,679 is anticipated from this competitive opportunity.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and international not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, for-profit organizations, individuals, and public international organizations. No cost sharing or matching is required.

The program investigates how perpetrators of transnational repression infiltrate diaspora communities using faith-based or quasi-government organizations to target individuals and groups across borders and exploit governmental and quasi-governmental mechanisms. Applicants must translate research findings into immediately actionable options for individuals, organizations, governments, and international bodies to mitigate risk and end these practices.

Projects must be completed within 24 months or fewer and target 2–5 countries globally. Competitive applications must include risk analysis, security and contingency plans, budget allocations for emergency expenses, teaming arrangements with local partners, and stakeholder engagement strategies. Key personnel must include a Conflict Sensitivity Advisor with at least 15 years of experience, and organizations must budget for a Psychosocial Support Specialist consultant.

Applicants must address three main objectives: documenting transnational repression methods and perpetrator tactics; improving diaspora and faith-based community safety; and producing evidence-based research findings for law enforcement, judicial authorities, and policymakers. Applications are evaluated on program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, ability to achieve objectives, budget reasonableness, monitoring and evaluation plans, and sustainability; where applications receive equivalent scores, preference is given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate.

All organizations must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov. Applications require mandatory federal forms, a proposal narrative limited to 15 pages, budget justification, and supporting documentation including letters of support from partners.

This opportunity is funded under CFDA 19.345, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. The point of contact is DRL-PRU-Solicitation@state.gov.