Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0010171
The Fundamental Freedoms Fund IV (SFOP0010171) is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity run by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It is set up as an open competition for a single large cooperative agreement to support work that defends and protects human rights, counters threats to democratic institutions, and addresses discrimination, inequity, and marginalization in all forms. In practical terms, DRL is looking for projects that strengthen fundamental freedoms and democratic resilience while confronting exclusion or unequal treatment affecting individuals and communities.
This opportunity is classified as a discretionary award and will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement during the life of the project (for example, collaborating on major activities, monitoring progress closely, and shaping implementation alongside the recipient). The funding activity category is listed as "Other" under CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.345, reflecting DRL's broad democracy and human rights mandate rather than a narrow sector-only program.
The competition is open to a wide range of applicants. Eligible entities include U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations and NGOs, public international organizations, private or public institutions of higher education (including state universities), and for-profit organizations or businesses. Even though for-profit entities are technically eligible, DRL states a clear preference to work with non-profit organizations. When a for-profit applicant is considered, DRL notes that the application may receive additional scrutiny after the panel selection process, reflecting the government’s heightened compliance concerns when federal assistance is routed through commercial entities.
A key condition for any for-profit or commercial applicant is that the Department of State does not allow profit under its assistance awards. In this context, "profit" means any amount beyond allowable direct and indirect costs. Put simply, a commercial recipient can recover legitimate project costs (including approved indirect costs), but cannot add a margin on top. For commercial organizations, whether a cost is allowable is determined under relevant sections of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), specifically 48 CFR 30 (Cost Accounting Standards Administration) and 48 CFR 31 (Contract Cost Principles and Procedures). This signals that budgeting, accounting practices, and documentation standards will be closely reviewed, especially for entities that do not typically operate under federal assistance cost principles.
In terms of funding scale and competitiveness, the notice lists an award ceiling of $7,250,000 and an expectation of 1 award, meaning the program is designed for one relatively large, centralized project (or a single lead implementing organization) rather than multiple smaller grants. The opportunity was created on January 16, 2024, and the original application closing date was March 5, 2024. The agency named for administration is DRL within the State Department, and the opportunity category is discretionary, indicating that funding decisions are competitive and dependent on merit review, policy priorities, and available funds.
Overall, this is a high-value, single-award DRL competition aimed at supporting a substantial initiative (or platform) that advances human rights and democratic governance outcomes, with a strong emphasis on combating discrimination and structural marginalization. Organizations considering similar future DRL competitions should be prepared to demonstrate credible technical expertise, strong compliance capacity, and an implementation approach consistent with a cooperative agreement model where the U.S. government plays an active role during execution.Apply for SFOP0010171
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fundamental Freedoms Fund IV" 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 2024-01-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-05. (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 $7,250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Fundamental Freedoms Fund IV (SFOP0010171) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Fundamental Freedoms Fund IV (SFOP0010171)?
The Fundamental Freedoms Fund IV (SFOP0010171) is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity administered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It is designed to support work that defends and protects human rights, counters threats to democratic institutions, and addresses discrimination, inequity, and marginalization in all forms.
2) Which U.S. government office is running this opportunity?
The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
3) What type of funding opportunity is this?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity, meaning it is competitive and awards are based on merit review, policy priorities, and the availability of funds.
4) What award instrument will be used?
The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement.
5) What does it mean that this will be a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically means the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement during the life of the project. Examples described for this opportunity include collaborating on major activities, closely monitoring progress, and shaping implementation alongside the recipient.
6) What kinds of projects is DRL looking to fund under this competition?
DRL is looking for projects that strengthen fundamental freedoms and democratic resilience while confronting exclusion or unequal treatment affecting individuals and communities. The notice emphasizes defending and protecting human rights, countering threats to democratic institutions, and addressing discrimination, inequity, and marginalization.
7) How many awards does DRL expect to make?
The notice indicates an expectation of 1 award, suggesting this competition is designed for a single large project or a single lead implementing organization rather than multiple smaller awards.
8) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed in the notice is $7,250,000.
9) Is this an open competition?
Yes. The opportunity is set up as an open competition for a single large cooperative agreement.
10) Who is eligible to apply?
The competition is open to a wide range of applicants, including:
- U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations and NGOs
- Public international organizations
- Private or public institutions of higher education (including state universities)
- For-profit organizations or businesses
11) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations or businesses are listed as eligible applicants. However, DRL states a clear preference to work with non-profit organizations.
12) Does DRL treat for-profit applications differently?
DRL indicates that for-profit applications may receive additional scrutiny after the panel selection process. This reflects heightened compliance concerns when federal assistance is routed through commercial entities.
13) Can a for-profit organization earn profit under this assistance award?
No. The Department of State does not allow profit under its assistance awards. For this opportunity, "profit" is described as any amount beyond allowable direct and indirect costs. A commercial recipient can recover legitimate project costs (including approved indirect costs) but cannot add a margin on top.
14) What rules determine whether a commercial organization’s costs are allowable?
For commercial (for-profit) organizations, allowability of costs is determined under relevant sections of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), specifically 48 CFR 30 (Cost Accounting Standards Administration) and 48 CFR 31 (Contract Cost Principles and Procedures).
15) What does the CFDA/Assistance Listing number mean for this opportunity?
The funding activity is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.345. The notice lists the funding activity category as "Other," reflecting DRL's broad democracy and human rights mandate rather than a narrow sector-only program.
16) When was this opportunity created?
The notice states the opportunity was created on January 16, 2024.
17) What was the application closing date?
The original application closing date listed in the notice was March 5, 2024.
18) How competitive is this opportunity likely to be?
Based on the information provided, it is likely to be highly competitive because it is an open competition with an expectation of only 1 award and a large award ceiling. In discretionary competitions, awards depend on competitive merit review, policy priorities, and available funds.
19) What kind of implementation approach should applicants be prepared for?
Applicants should be prepared for an approach consistent with a cooperative agreement model, where the U.S. government plays an active role during execution, including collaboration on major activities, close monitoring of progress, and ongoing engagement that can shape implementation.
20) What organizational capabilities does DRL emphasize for applicants considering similar future competitions?
The notice indicates that organizations considering similar future DRL competitions should be prepared to demonstrate credible technical expertise, strong compliance capacity, and an implementation approach aligned with a cooperative agreement where the Department of State has substantial involvement.
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