Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007759

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) published an Annual Program Statement calling for Statements of Interest (SOIs) focused on human rights, accountability, and access to information related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This opportunity is listed as a discretionary funding competition under Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007759 (CFDA 19.345). Rather than inviting full proposals up front, the notice emphasizes the submission of an SOI, which is typically a preliminary concept describing an organization's idea, approach, and fit with the program's goals, and may be used by the agency to identify promising concepts for possible follow-on discussions or later request(s) for full applications.

The core policy objective is to promote human rights and accountability in the DPRK, with a specific emphasis on improving access to information. In practical terms, this signals support for program concepts that strengthen documentation and reporting of human rights conditions, advance accountability mechanisms for abuses, and expand the ability of people affected by the DPRK's restrictions to obtain independent, reliable information. DRL's framing suggests an interest in initiatives that can contribute to international attention, credible records of violations, and pathways toward accountability, while also supporting efforts that counter isolation and censorship through information access.

The opportunity is administered by DRL within the Department of State and was created on March 17, 2021. The original closing date for submissions was April 15, 2021. The listed award ceiling is $3,000,000, indicating the maximum potential amount for an individual award under this notice. The posting shows "Expected Awards: 0," which commonly appears in listings that are structured around an SOI process or where final award planning depends on future decisions, availability of funding, or the quality and suitability of submissions received.

Eligibility is described broadly but not exhaustively in the summary fields provided. The notice lists eligible applicants as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in a separate section ("Additional Information on Eligibility") in the full announcement. In similar DRL opportunities, this often means a range of organizations may be able to apply, potentially including nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, educational institutions, and other entities with relevant capacity and experience, but the definitive eligibility rules would be in the full funding announcement text.

Overall, this announcement is best read as an invitation for organizations with credible ideas and demonstrated ability to work on DPRK-related human rights issues to submit an initial statement outlining a program concept aligned with DRL's objectives: promoting human rights, strengthening accountability for abuses, and expanding access to information in or about the DPRK.

  • 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 "Annual Program Statement for Statements of Interest for Human Rights, Accountability, and Access to Information in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea" 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 Mar 17, 2021.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 15, 2021. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: DRL Annual Program Statement (SOIs) on DPRK Human Rights, Accountability, and Access to Information (SFOP0007759)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding competition from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), issued under an Annual Program Statement. It calls for Statements of Interest (SOIs) focused on human rights, accountability, and access to information related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA listing?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007759 and the CFDA number is 19.345.

3) Who is administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).

4) Is the agency requesting full proposals right away?

No. The notice emphasizes submission of a Statement of Interest (SOI) rather than a full proposal up front. An SOI is typically a preliminary concept that describes your idea, approach, and fit with the program's goals and can be used by the agency to identify promising concepts for possible follow-on discussions or later requests for full applications.

5) What is a Statement of Interest (SOI) in this context?

Based on the notice summary, an SOI is an initial, concept-level submission that outlines an organization's proposed idea, the general approach, and why it aligns with DRL's objectives for DPRK-related human rights work. It is not described as the same as a complete application package in the summary provided.

6) What are the main program goals or policy objectives?

The core objective is to promote human rights and accountability in the DPRK, with a specific emphasis on improving access to information. The framing highlights interest in concepts that strengthen documentation and reporting of human rights conditions, advance accountability mechanisms for abuses, and expand access to independent, reliable information for people affected by DPRK restrictions.

7) What kinds of activities does DRL seem interested in supporting?

The summary suggests support for program concepts that:

  • Strengthen documentation and reporting of human rights conditions in the DPRK
  • Advance accountability mechanisms related to abuses
  • Expand access to independent, reliable information in or about the DPRK
  • Contribute to credible records of violations and international attention
  • Support efforts that counter isolation and censorship through information access

8) Does this opportunity focus more on human rights, accountability, or information access?

It focuses on all three, but the summary explicitly notes a specific emphasis on improving access to information, within the broader goals of promoting human rights and strengthening accountability.

9) What is the award ceiling?

The listed award ceiling is $3,000,000, which indicates the maximum potential amount for an individual award under this notice.

10) How many awards are expected?

The posting shows "Expected Awards: 0." In listings like this, that can appear when the process is structured around SOIs, or when final award planning depends on future decisions, funding availability, and/or the quality and suitability of submissions received.

11) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 17, 2021.

12) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date for submissions was April 15, 2021.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

The summary fields list eligible applicants as "Others," and indicate that additional eligibility details are provided in a separate section ("Additional Information on Eligibility") in the full announcement. The summary suggests eligibility is broad but not exhaustively defined here.

14) What does "Others" mean for eligibility?

In the summary provided, "Others" signals that the applicant pool may include a range of organization types, but the definitive eligibility rules are referenced as being in the full funding announcement. The summary notes that, in similar DRL opportunities, eligibility often extends to various entities such as nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, educational institutions, and other qualified organizations, but this specific notice requires checking the full text for the controlling requirements.

15) Do we need prior DPRK experience to submit an SOI?

The summary positions the announcement as an invitation for organizations with credible ideas and demonstrated ability to work on DPRK-related human rights issues. While the summary does not list a formal experience requirement, it indicates DRL is looking for concepts and organizations that can credibly operate in this space.

16) Is this opportunity specifically about the DPRK?

Yes. The SOIs are focused on human rights, accountability, and access to information related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

17) What role does accountability play in the program focus?

Accountability is one of the core themes. The summary indicates interest in initiatives that advance accountability mechanisms for abuses and create credible records of violations that may support pathways toward accountability.

18) What does "access to information" mean in the way DRL describes it?

From the summary, it refers to expanding the ability of people affected by DPRK restrictions to obtain independent, reliable information, and supporting efforts that counter isolation and censorship through information access.

19) Is this a competitive opportunity?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding competition, and it uses an SOI-based process to identify promising concepts that may proceed to later stages (such as discussions or requests for full applications).

20) Where can applicants find the complete eligibility and submission requirements?

The summary indicates that additional eligibility details are located in the full announcement under "Additional Information on Eligibility." The summary also implies that the full funding announcement text is the authoritative source for the rules and requirements not spelled out in the summary fields.

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