Global Rapid Response Fund for Advancing Fundamental Freedoms
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0019705
- Agency
-
Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $9,569,050
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
- Not on record
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of State Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor is soliciting applications for a single cooperative agreement to establish a Global Rapid Response Fund for Advancing Fundamental Freedoms, with an application deadline of August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. This is a one-award opportunity with a ceiling of $9,569,050 from FY25 Democracy Fund resources.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign nonprofits, for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and NGOs. All applicants must maintain active SAM.gov registrations with a Unique Entity Identifier obtained through sam.gov, a process that can take two to four weeks. Cost-sharing is encouraged and increases competitiveness, though no mandatory cost share is specified.
The cooperative agreement will fund a flexible, rapid-response grant-making facility capable of deploying resources within days or weeks to address unexpected events, policy challenges, and political opportunities affecting fundamental freedoms globally. The awardee will manage a pre-vetted network of local partner organizations, maintain rapid-assessment capabilities, and disburse funds expeditiously through streamlined mechanisms. Up to 40 percent of funds may be provided as grants to sub-partners, with individual grant ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. The performance period is 18–24 months, with an anticipated project start date of October 1, 2026.
Applications must address two primary objectives: protecting at-risk civil society and media during crises, and capitalizing on political openings to institutionalize gains for fundamental freedoms and democratic governance. Proposals must demonstrate organizational capacity, grantmaking abilities, timeline, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation plans, and letters of support from partners. The awardee must comply with 2 CFR 200, trafficking in persons certifications, and Department of State branding guidance. The Assistance Listing number is 19.345.
Synopsis
The U.S. Department of State Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) will award a cooperative agreement for a new program that responds to unexpected events, policy challenges, and political opportunities affecting U.S. interests in advancing fundamental freedoms and democratic values. The program will provide timely, short-term interventions that respond to threats to fundamental freedoms and/or seize openings that improve conditions for the exercise of same. For cost-effectiveness and higher impact, program interventions will primarily be led by organizations that are rooted in the affected communities and countries.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| MTDC Calculation Table.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Budget Template FY26 with MTDC Calculation_Final (1).xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 2026 Proposal Submission Instructions Updated.pdf | ||
| DFOP0019705 Rapid Response Fund NOFO.pdf |
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