Deadline: 03-Aug-2026
The Standard Grants Programme provides financial support of up to EUR 40,000 to organisations and entities seeking to strengthen their activities through projects, programmes, activities, or general organisational support. The grant usually ranges from EUR 10,000 to EUR 30,000 and supports work for 12–18 months, with a focus on human rights-related work, organisational capacity, innovation, and sustainability.
Overview
The Standard Grants Programme supports organisations that need funding to improve, maintain, or expand their work.
The programme can support:
- Projects
- Programmes
- Specific activities
- General organisational support
- Core funding needs
The requested support should address needs that cannot be supported under the same conditions by another national, regional, or international organisation.
Funding Amount and Duration
The usual funding request should be between EUR 10,000 and EUR 30,000.
The maximum funding request is EUR 40,000.
The grant may support activities for a maximum period of 12–18 months.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The programme focuses on strengthening organisations and helping them continue their work in a sustainable way.
Priority areas include:
- Human rights-related activities
- Organisational development
- Programme and project support
- General organisational support
- Capacity building
- Innovative initiatives
- Sustainable results beyond the grant period
- Financial sustainability
- Short-, medium-, and long-term organisational growth
Key Concepts Explained
General Organisational Support
General organisational support, also known as core funding, helps an organisation meet essential needs that allow it to continue operating.
This may include support for planning, coordination, governance, administration, internal systems, or institutional development.
Project or Programme Support
Project or programme support funds a specific set of activities with clear objectives, expected results, a budget, and a defined timeline.
Organisational Capacity
Organisational capacity means the ability of an organisation to plan, manage, implement, monitor, and sustain its work effectively.
Sustainability
Sustainability means the ability of the organisation to continue its work or maintain results after the grant period ends.
Who is Eligible?
Organisations and entities seeking support to strengthen their activities may apply.
Applicants should be able to show:
- A clear organisational purpose
- A legal profile
- A defined organisational structure
- Leadership and board information
- Previous activities and experience
- Financial records
- Donor history
- Capacity to implement the proposed work
- Cooperation with human rights organisations or institutions
Required Organisational Information
Applicants must provide:
- Organisation name
- Headquarters address
- Operating locations
- Establishment date
- Contact details
- Website
- Social media links
- Legal profile
- Origins and purpose of the organisation
- Organisational structure
- Leadership team
- Board members
- Previous activities
- Memberships
- Security management practices
Required Financial Information
Applicants must include a clear financial profile.
This should include:
- Previous year income
- Previous year expenditures
- Provisional annual budget for the year of the request
- Current donors
- Previous donors
- Past funding difficulties, if any
Proposal Requirements
Applicants must describe the context in which they operate and the issues their proposal aims to address.
The proposal should clearly state whether the request is for:
- Core funding
- A specific programme
- A specific project
- A specific activity
The proposal should explain:
- Objectives
- Expected results
- Requested budget
- Duration of support
- Added value compared with existing initiatives
- Innovation aspects
- Capacity development needs
- Sustainability of results
- Financial sustainability after the grant period
Other Funding Applications
Applicants must disclose other funding applications submitted to foundations or donors.
This section should include:
- Donor or foundation names
- Requested amounts
- Outcomes of those applications
Reference Requirements
Applicants must provide references to confirm the credibility and relevance of their work.
References should include:
- Human rights organisations or institutions the applicant cooperates with
- At least two independent reference persons familiar with the organisation’s work
How to Apply
Step 1: Identify the Type of Support Needed
Decide whether the request is for core funding, a programme, a project, or a specific activity.
Step 2: Prepare Organisational Details
Gather all required organisational information, including legal status, purpose, structure, leadership, board members, previous activities, memberships, and contact details.
Step 3: Prepare Financial Information
Collect financial records, including income, expenditure, provisional annual budget, current and previous donors, and past funding difficulties.
Step 4: Write the Proposal
Clearly explain the operating context, issue being addressed, objectives, expected results, requested budget, grant duration, added value, innovation, capacity needs, and sustainability plan.
Step 5: Include Other Funding Details
List other donor or foundation applications, including requested amounts and outcomes.
Step 6: Add References
Provide references from cooperating human rights organisations or institutions and at least two independent reference persons.
Step 7: Review the Application
Keep the application clear, complete, and approximately 10 pages or less.
Additional details may be provided where necessary.
The Foundation may request further explanations or documentation during assessment.
Why It Matters
The Standard Grants Programme helps organisations strengthen their internal systems, improve their activities, and sustain their work beyond the grant period.
It matters because it supports:
- Stronger human rights-related work
- Improved organisational capacity
- Innovation in existing activities
- Financial sustainability
- Long-term organisational resilience
- Continued impact after funding ends
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Requesting more than EUR 40,000
- Submitting incomplete organisational information
- Providing weak financial details
- Failing to explain the context and issue being addressed
- Not stating whether the request is for core funding, project funding, programme funding, or activity support
- Giving unclear objectives or expected results
- Not explaining innovation or added value
- Ignoring sustainability after the grant period
- Failing to disclose other funding applications
- Providing incomplete references
- Exceeding the recommended application length without need
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Keep the proposal clear and focused
- Match the budget with the proposed activities
- Explain why the funding is needed
- Show how the support will strengthen the organisation
- Provide realistic objectives and expected results
- Demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period
- Include accurate financial information
- Provide credible references
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Standard Grants Programme?
The Standard Grants Programme provides financial support to organisations and entities seeking to strengthen their activities through projects, programmes, activities, or general organisational support.
What is the maximum grant amount?
The maximum funding request is EUR 40,000.
What is the usual funding range?
The usual funding request ranges between EUR 10,000 and EUR 30,000.
What is the grant duration?
The maximum grant duration is 12–18 months.
Can applicants request core funding?
Yes. Applicants may request general organisational support, also known as core funding, as well as support for a specific project, programme, or activity.
What information must be included in the application?
Applicants must provide organisational information, financial information, proposal details, details of other funding applications, and references.
Can the Foundation provide partial support?
Yes. The Foundation may provide full or partial support based on its assessment of the application.
Conclusion
The Standard Grants Programme offers flexible funding for organisations seeking to strengthen their activities, improve internal capacity, and sustain results beyond the grant period. With support of up to EUR 40,000 for 12–18 months, the programme is suitable for organisations working on human rights-related activities, organisational development, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
For more information, visit EMHRF.