CFAs: Supporting Groups Targeted for TNR in Europe and Eurasia (US)

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is accepting applications for projects that address transnational repression (TNR) across the Europe and Eurasia region. The funding opportunity provides $1,973,359 to support initiatives that strengthen human rights, protect individuals and communities targeted across borders, and improve responses to transnational repression through advocacy, research, capacity building, and policy engagement.

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Transnational Repression Program 2026: Funding Opportunity for Europe and Eurasia

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) has announced an open funding opportunity to support projects addressing transnational repression (TNR) in the Europe and Eurasia region.

The programme seeks proposals from qualified organizations capable of designing and implementing initiatives that strengthen protection mechanisms, increase awareness, improve documentation, and respond to the growing challenge of transnational repression. Through this funding opportunity, DRL aims to support projects that promote human rights, democratic values, and the protection of individuals targeted beyond their national borders.

What Is the DRL Transnational Repression Program?

The DRL Transnational Repression Program is a grant initiative that supports projects focused on addressing the growing problem of governments or state-linked actors targeting individuals outside their own countries.

The programme funds projects that improve understanding of transnational repression, strengthen institutional responses, support affected communities, and promote accountability through research, advocacy, capacity building, and policy engagement.

The funding opportunity is administered through an open competition managed by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).

About the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL)

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor is part of the U.S. Department of State and supports initiatives worldwide that advance:

Human rights
Democratic governance
Rule of law
Fundamental freedoms
Civil society
Accountability
Protection of vulnerable communities

Through competitive grant programmes, DRL partners with civil society organizations, educational institutions, international organizations, and other eligible entities to implement projects addressing global human rights challenges.

What Is Transnational Repression?

Transnational repression (TNR) refers to actions taken by governments or their proxies to intimidate, monitor, harass, threaten, silence, or harm individuals who reside outside their country of origin.

Examples may include:

Harassment of journalists.
Threats against human rights defenders.
Surveillance of diaspora communities.
Intimidation of political dissidents.
Online harassment and digital targeting.
Pressure on family members remaining in the home country.
Attempts to restrict freedom of expression.
Cross-border intimidation campaigns.

Projects funded through this opportunity should contribute to preventing, documenting, or responding to such activities within the Europe and Eurasia region.

Funding Information

The programme provides funding for one qualifying project.

Total Program Funding

$1,973,359

Award Ceiling

$1,973,359

Award Floor

$1,973,359

Because the award ceiling and award floor are identical, the programme is expected to support one award under this funding opportunity.

Objectives of the Program

The funding opportunity seeks to strengthen responses to transnational repression across Europe and Eurasia.

Its objectives include:

Address transnational repression.
Protect human rights defenders.
Support civil society organizations.
Strengthen democratic institutions.
Improve documentation of human rights violations.
Increase awareness of cross-border repression.
Enhance regional cooperation.
Build organizational capacity.
Promote accountability.
Strengthen evidence-based advocacy.

Key Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following areas:

Transnational repression
Human rights protection
Democracy promotion
Civil society strengthening
Rule of law
Human rights documentation
Advocacy
Public awareness
Digital security
Protection of journalists
Protection of activists
Diaspora engagement
Policy development
Capacity building
Regional cooperation

Why This Funding Opportunity Matters

Transnational repression presents growing challenges for democratic societies and civil society organizations.

Protecting Human Rights

Projects help safeguard individuals and communities targeted because of their advocacy, journalism, political opinions, or activism.

Strengthening Civil Society

Funding supports organizations working to defend democratic values and fundamental freedoms.

Improving Accountability

Evidence-based documentation strengthens advocacy efforts and contributes to greater accountability for human rights abuses.

Building Regional Cooperation

Collaborative projects can strengthen partnerships among organizations working across Europe and Eurasia.

Promoting Democratic Values

The programme reinforces freedom of expression, civic participation, and respect for internationally recognized human rights.

Who Is Eligible?

The funding opportunity is open to a wide range of eligible organizations.

Eligible applicants include:

U.S.-based nonprofit organizations
U.S.-based NGOs (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
Foreign-based nonprofit organizations
Foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Public institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
State institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations and businesses
Public International Organizations (PIOs)

Applicants should demonstrate the technical expertise and organizational capacity required to implement projects addressing transnational repression.

Eligible Project Activities

Depending on the approved proposal, activities may include:

Human rights research.
Documentation of transnational repression.
Capacity-building programmes.
Civil society training.
Digital security initiatives.
Public awareness campaigns.
Policy research.
Advocacy activities.
Regional networking.
Stakeholder engagement.
Knowledge-sharing workshops.
Development of practical guidance and resources.

Projects should contribute directly to addressing transnational repression in the Europe and Eurasia region.

How the Program Works

The funding process generally includes several stages.

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity

Eligible organizations review the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), eligibility requirements, and application guidance.

Step 2: Develop the Project Proposal

Applicants prepare a comprehensive proposal describing:

Project objectives
Activities
Implementation methodology
Timeline
Budget
Expected outcomes
Monitoring and evaluation framework

Step 3: Submit the Application

Organizations submit complete applications before the published deadline following DRL submission requirements.

Step 4: Technical Evaluation

Applications are reviewed based on technical quality, organizational capacity, project relevance, feasibility, and expected impact.

Step 5: Award Decision

The highest-ranked proposal is selected for funding.

Step 6: Project Implementation

The selected organization implements the approved project while complying with DRL reporting and grant management requirements.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these general steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization falls within one of the eligible applicant categories.

Step 2: Review the Official Guidelines

Carefully examine the funding priorities, application instructions, evaluation criteria, and reporting requirements.

Step 3: Prepare a Competitive Proposal

Develop a proposal that clearly explains:

Project rationale
Objectives
Activities
Target beneficiaries
Regional relevance
Risk management
Monitoring and evaluation
Sustainability
Budget justification

Step 4: Gather Supporting Documentation

Prepare all required organizational and financial documentation requested in the funding announcement.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete the application package and submit it according to the official instructions before the deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following:

Failing to address transnational repression directly.
Submitting incomplete applications.
Weak project methodologies.
Insufficient regional context.
Poor monitoring and evaluation plans.
Unrealistic implementation timelines.
Weak organizational capacity descriptions.
Inadequate risk management strategies.
Incomplete budgets.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

To improve your proposal’s competitiveness:

Clearly define the transnational repression challenge your project addresses.
Demonstrate experience in human rights or democracy programming.
Present evidence-based methodologies.
Include measurable outcomes and performance indicators.
Show strong partnerships where appropriate.
Address digital and physical security considerations.
Explain long-term sustainability.
Develop a realistic implementation schedule and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the DRL Transnational Repression Program?

It is a funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor that supports projects addressing transnational repression across Europe and Eurasia.

2. How much funding is available?

The programme provides $1,973,359 in total funding, with both the award ceiling and award floor set at $1,973,359.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign nonprofit organizations, NGOs, higher education institutions, for-profit organizations, and Public International Organizations.

4. What is transnational repression?

Transnational repression refers to efforts by governments or state-linked actors to intimidate, monitor, threaten, or silence individuals beyond their national borders, including journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and diaspora communities.

5. What types of projects are encouraged?

Projects may include human rights documentation, advocacy, research, civil society capacity building, digital security initiatives, public awareness campaigns, policy development, and regional cooperation activities.

6. Which geographic region does the programme cover?

The funding opportunity focuses on projects addressing transnational repression in the Europe and Eurasia region.

7. What makes a strong application?

Strong applications clearly demonstrate organizational expertise, a well-defined project methodology, measurable outcomes, regional relevance, effective monitoring plans, and a realistic implementation strategy.

Conclusion

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) Transnational Repression Program 2026 provides a significant funding opportunity for organizations working to address one of the most pressing human rights challenges affecting the Europe and Eurasia region. By supporting initiatives that strengthen documentation, advocacy, capacity building, and protection mechanisms, the programme seeks to enhance responses to transnational repression while promoting democratic values and respect for fundamental freedoms.

With $1,973,359 available for a single award, the initiative offers eligible organizations the opportunity to develop impactful projects that protect vulnerable communities, strengthen civil society, and advance evidence-based human rights advocacy. Organizations with relevant expertise are encouraged to prepare comprehensive proposals that demonstrate technical excellence, regional knowledge, and sustainable approaches to combating transnational repression.