IRF FY25 Nigeria Strengthening Capacity of the Legal Community
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0018450
- Agency
-
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $3,500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Law, Justice and Legal Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of State's Office of International Religious Freedom is soliciting applications for a $3.5 million single grant or cooperative agreement to strengthen Nigeria's legal community's capacity to defend religious freedom and engage state actors on cases involving religious freedom violations by July 9, 2026. Nigeria was designated a Country of Particular Concern on October 31, 2025, due to particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign nonprofits, public international organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit organizations, though IRF prefers working with nonprofits. All prime organizations must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active SAM.gov registration. Cost-sharing is encouraged but not required; other U.S. federal funding does not constitute cost-sharing. The program duration is 24–48 months, with an anticipated start date four months after selection.
The proposal must include standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), a one-page cover page and executive summary, a ten-page narrative, detailed budgets with IRF request and cost-sharing columns, budget narrative, logic model, monitoring and evaluation narrative and plan, risk analysis, security plan, key personnel biographies, and timeline. Budget categories follow OMB guidelines (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Construction, Other Direct Costs) with indirect costs calculable via organization-specific Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or a default 15% Modified Total Direct Costs rate. Unallowable costs include entertainment, alcoholic beverages, and projects advocating foreign government policy positions.
Evaluation criteria are program quality and originality, planning and capacity to achieve objectives, institutional record and capacity, rights-based approach, cost-effectiveness, multiplier effect and sustainability potential, and monitoring and evaluation capabilities. The program operates under CFDA 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor). Applicants must comply with 2 CFR 200, Leahy Law vetting, terrorism vetting requirements, and International Code of Conduct for private security contractors. Electronic submission via MyGrants or Grants.gov is required.
Synopsis
The Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support Nigeria's legal community to defend religious freedom and constructively engage state actors on cases involving religious freedom violations, including violations of mutually reinforcing rights, such as the freedoms of association, assembly, expression, and movement.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Template FY26 with MTDC Calculation_Final.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 2026 IRF PSI for Applications.pdf | ||
| FY25 IRF NOFO - Nigeria Legal Sector_full disclosure.pdf |
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