Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor: Religious Freedom and Rule of Law Program

Deadline: 1 November 2016

The United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is seeking applications from eligible organisations interested in forming a consortium for a program entitled “Religious Freedom and Rule of Law” with an aim to provide expert analysis of global trends in laws and legislation that impact the ability of individuals to exercise the rights to freedom of religion or belief as guaranteed in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Focus Areas

Mapping the current state of laws that impact the ability of individuals to exercise the rights to freedom of religion or belief as guaranteed in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights globally. Particular focus would be given to countries identified by the Department of State or U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom for particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
Conducting in-depth expert analysis on such laws and producing a public report; the consortium should ensure that a cadre of experts familiar with every region of the world is noted as key personnel within the consortium since this will be a global program.
The ability to provide expert consultation to U.S. or foreign government officials regarding any given country with laws that impacts the ability of individuals to exercise the rights to freedom of religion or belief. This may include, but is not limited to: laws related to the ability of individuals to practice, teach, or speak about their beliefs; laws limiting construction or use of places of worship; laws limiting free expression under the guise of protecting religion (e.g. blasphemy or so-called ‘defamation of religion’ laws); laws preventing or limiting individuals from changing their faith (e.g. apostasy laws); laws circumscribing the ability to wear/not wear religious attire; laws preventing individuals from speaking about their faith (e.g. proselytization bans), or laws that restrict religious education.
The ability to implement small grants to support grassroots groups seeking to bolster legal reform and create a legal system that protects and promotes religious freedom rather than constricts it. Small grants activities could include but are not limited to: projects that build the capacity of local organizations to analyze and document legislation that impedes religious freedom; encourage civil society groups/religious groups to constructively engage relevant stakeholders to encourage legal/policy reform to expand religious freedom, bolster the capacity of lawyers to support religious freedom cases.

Funding Information

DRL anticipates having approximately $600,000 available to support approximately one successful application submitted in response to this NOFO, subject to the availability of funding.
Applications should not request less than $300,000 and no more than $600,000.
Applicants should include an anticipated start date between January 2017 – June 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18 months to 36 months.

Eligibility Criteria

DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.
DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities and relevant stakeholders, including private sector partners and NGOs, and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects.
DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs headquartered in the geographic regions/countries relevant to this NOFO. Applicants may form consortia and submit a combined application. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant with the other members as sub-award partners.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities.
DRL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. DRL encourages applications from organizations working with the most at risk and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and LGBTI persons.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit grants.gov.