International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
Active
- Assistance listing
- 19.345
- Agency
-
Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Department of State
- Grant awards
- 743 $4,252,162,430 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury accounts
-
- 19-7290-0-3-060
- 19-7290-1-0-101
- 19-1991-1-1-210
- 19-7290-1-0-210
- 19-7290-1-0-371
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) awarded a Project Grant to the National Endowment for Democracy for $315 million on March 26, 2026 (CFDA 19.345), the most recent award in this program funding democracy, human rights, and labor initiatives globally.
DRL funds targeted programs advancing rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and labor rights worldwide in coordination with U.S. embassies. Recent grant activity spans concrete interventions: civil society capacity-building to address conflict-related sexual violence survivors; independent journalism resilience in Europe and the Eurasia region; women's political participation and civic leadership; protection for at-risk journalists and human rights defenders; legal access for survivors of gender-based violence and ISIS atrocities; transitional justice and forensic training for conflict documentation; media literacy and fact-based information access in restrictive environments; worker organizing and labor rights advocacy; and supply-chain accountability for forced labor. A significant share of the portfolio funds the National Endowment for Democracy's worldwide programs per the NED Act, with individual awards to civil society and implementing partners ranging from $5,000 to $4 million or more.
The program is predominantly Project Grants (91 percent of 743 recent awards) with a smaller Cooperative Agreement component (9 percent), though the portfolio shows volatile year-to-year award cadence: 190 awards in 2022, then 13 in 2021, 10 in 2023, 9 in 2024, and 1 award in 2026 year-to-date. Combined federal dollars obligated total $4.25 billion across 743 awards dating to 2009. DRL accounts for 581 awards and $3.93 billion federal dollars (92.5 percent of the portfolio by award count). A major outlier appears in the top funders: the National Science Foundation obligated $316.1 million across 2 awards, substantially exceeding all other funders except DRL. The Department of State Bureau of African Affairs, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Near Eastern Affairs together contributed under $4 million across 158 awards.
Multiple grant opportunities are currently open through August and September 2026. DRL is soliciting Cooperative Agreements for emergency assistance to fundamental freedom defenders facing imminent threat ($4.93 million ceiling, due September 8); rapid-response funding for democracy and human rights windows of opportunity (due August 31); early warning and conflict prevention networks in Nigeria (due August 28, extended from August 25); independent journalism consortia in Europe (due September 1); documentation of human rights abuses by organized crime, DPRK propaganda, hateful rhetoric targeting minorities, and sexual violence against women and girls (all due August 31); and labor rights advancement in garment supply chains and seafood supply chains linked to forced labor (due August 27 and September 3). Grant awards under this program are subject to annual audit requirements per 2 CFR Subpart F and seven-year record retention.
Objective and description
- Objective
DRL funds targeted democracy and human rights programs to address human rights abuses globally and support the U.S. government's foreign policy objectives. These programs touch on advancing the rule of law, upholding fundamental freedoms, and suppor
- Description
This listing supports democracy and human rights programs worldwide, implemented in close coordination with U.S. embassies to advance American values and strategic interests. We defend fundamental freedoms, support U.S. workers and businesses abroad, and counter authoritarianism through targeted assistance that aligns with America-first foreign policy.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov for additional eligibility criteria.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov for additional eligibility criteria.
- Uses of assistance
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor's Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF) supports programs that uphold democratic principles, support and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, and build civil society. Permissible uses of democracy funds include supporting free and fair elections through voter education, election monitoring, and training for officials; strengthening civil society through capacity building for NGOs, advocacy training, and civic engagement; promoting rule of law and good governance through judicial reform, anti-corruption initiatives, and legislative strengthening; protecting human rights through support for defenders, legal aid, and documentation of abuses; enhancing media freedom through training for journalists, investigative journalism, and countering disinformation; and promoting political pluralism. DRL focuses its work in countries with egregious human rights violations, where democracy and human rights advocates are under pressure and where governments are undemocratic or in transition. The Bureau's programmatic strategy is to primarily work with local civil society, including independent media, to support those working to strengthen democratic institutions and promote accountability.
- Use restrictions
See solicitation on Grants.gov See solicitation on Grants.gov for use restrictions.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Assistance is available for up to 3 years. HRDF funds are accessible through the Payment Management System operated by the Department of Health and Human Services.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov.
- Award procedure
Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov.
- Deadlines
Deadlines do not apply
Grant opportunities
Show 29 more
Latest 39 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 743 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Endowment For Democracy | $3,680,544,692 | 87% |
| 2 | International Coalition Of Sites Of Conscience | $53,179,420 | 1% |
| 3 | Vital Voices Global Partnership Inc. | $48,405,958 | 1% |
| 4 | Freedom House, Inc. | $47,190,415 | 1% |
| 5 | International Republican Institute | $36,980,829 | 1% |
| 6 | National Democratic Institute For International Affairs | $32,517,503 | 1% |
| 7 | Internews Network | $31,550,718 | 1% |
| 8 | American Center For International Labor Solidarity | $24,646,766 | 1% |
| 9 | American Bar Association | $14,481,890 | <1% |
| 10 | Center For International Private Enterprise, Inc. | $10,254,124 | <1% |
10 of 251 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $313,905,935 |
| FY2025 | $314,666,239 |
| FY2024 | $332,680,704 |
| FY2023 | $334,320,609 |
| FY2022 | $591,862,448 |
| FY2021 | $321,115,613 |
| FY2020 | $347,389,813 |
| FY2019 | $208,408,368 |
| FY2018 | $201,264,474 |
| FY2017 | $186,136,807 |
| FY2016 | $188,158,932 |
| FY2015 | $153,474,910 |
| FY2014 | $138,238,204 |
| FY2013 | $178,883,450 |
| FY2012 | $139,903,695 |
| FY2011 | $181,035,670 |
| FY2010 | $119,303,905 |
Show all 17
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 19.345?
Assistance Listing 19.345 is International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, a federal grant program run by Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor (Department of State).
What is the CFDA number for International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor?
Its CFDA number is 19.345: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 19.345 awarded?
743 grant awards under 19.345 have obligated $4,252,162,430 in federal funds to 251 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 19.345?
The recipients obligated the most under International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor are National Endowment For Democracy ($3,680,544,692), International Coalition Of Sites Of Conscience ($53,179,420) and Vital Voices Global Partnership Inc. ($48,405,958).
How much did 19.345 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 19.345 obligated $314,666,239 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 19.345?
None of the latest 39 opportunities under 19.345 is open now. The latest, Emergency Assistance for Fundamental Freedom Defenders, was posted on September 1, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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