Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017067
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is inviting organizations to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) for a grant opportunity focused on expanding access to objective, independent information related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea. The core purpose of the opportunity is to support programs that strengthen the free flow of credible information into North Korea, out of North Korea, and within North Korea, with an emphasis on independent and fact-based content rather than propaganda. This is presented as a discretionary funding opportunity, meaning proposals are competitively reviewed and funded at the agency's discretion based on program goals and merit.
The opportunity is identified as "DRL Increasing Access to Information in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea)" under funding opportunity number DFOP0017067, with a CFDA/assistance listing number of 19.345. DRL is the administering agency. The posting indicates that DRL is currently seeking Statements of Interest rather than a full proposal at the initial step, which usually functions as a preliminary screening mechanism to identify promising concepts before inviting more detailed applications or proposals.
In terms of who can apply, the eligibility rules are broad and include several types of entities. Eligible applicants include foreign-based non-profit organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), U.S.-based non-profit organizations/NGOs whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, public international organizations, and private or public institutions of higher education (including state universities). The listing also explicitly allows for-profit organizations and businesses to apply, which suggests DRL may be open to proposals that involve technology platforms, communications tools, media distribution, data services, or other private-sector capabilities that could support information access goals.
The financial details provided show an award ceiling of up to $1,000,000 per award. The posting lists "ExpectedAwards: 0," which commonly means the number of awards has not been determined or is not being specified in the public listing, rather than implying that no awards will be made. The original closing date is January 10, 2025, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of December 16, 2024. The funding instrument type is labeled "Other," and the activity category is also listed as "Other," which can indicate the program does not fit neatly into a standard category label in the public database, but is still a grant-style assistance opportunity administered by DRL.
Overall, the opportunity is aimed at organizations capable of designing and implementing practical, secure, and effective initiatives that widen access to independent information in a highly restricted information environment. While the notice itself is brief and does not list specific program models, the central requirement is clear: proposed activities should measurably increase the availability and movement of objective information into, out of, and within North Korea, aligning with DRL's broader democracy, human rights, and freedom of information priorities.Apply for DFOP0017067
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRL Increasing Access to Information in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North 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 2024-12-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-10. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) discretionary funding opportunity titled "DRL Increasing Access to Information in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea)."
2. What is the main purpose of the opportunity?
The core purpose is to support programs that strengthen the free flow of credible information into North Korea, out of North Korea, and within North Korea, with an emphasis on objective, independent, fact-based content rather than propaganda.
3. Who is administering this opportunity?
The administering agency is the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
4. What is the funding opportunity number and assistance listing number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0017067. The CFDA/assistance listing number is 19.345.
5. Is DRL requesting a full proposal right away?
No. DRL is currently requesting Statements of Interest (SOIs) as the initial step, which typically serves as a preliminary screening stage to identify promising concepts before inviting more detailed applications.
6. What is a Statement of Interest (SOI) in this context?
Based on the posting, an SOI is the first-step submission DRL is seeking. It is used to surface and assess potential program concepts before DRL decides whether to invite more detailed submissions.
7. What kinds of activities does DRL want to support?
The opportunity is focused on initiatives that measurably increase access to objective, independent information related to North Korea by improving the movement and availability of credible information into, out of, and within North Korea.
8. What type of content is emphasized?
Independent and fact-based content is emphasized, rather than propaganda.
9. What does "discretionary funding opportunity" mean here?
It means submissions are competitively reviewed and any funding decisions are made at the agency's discretion based on program goals and the merit of the proposed concept.
10. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes foreign-based non-profit organizations and NGOs, U.S.-based non-profit organizations/NGOs (whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status), public international organizations, and private or public institutions of higher education (including state universities). The listing also explicitly allows for-profit organizations and businesses to apply.
11. Can a U.S. nonprofit apply if it does not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The posting specifies U.S.-based non-profit organizations/NGOs are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status.
12. Can a for-profit company apply?
Yes. The listing explicitly allows for-profit organizations and businesses to apply.
13. Are universities eligible?
Yes. Private or public institutions of higher education are eligible, including state universities.
14. Are foreign-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The posting includes foreign-based non-profit organizations and NGOs as eligible applicants.
15. What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is up to $1,000,000 per award.
16. How many awards will be made?
The posting lists "ExpectedAwards: 0." This commonly indicates the number of awards is not determined or not being specified in the public listing, rather than confirming that no awards will be made.
17. What is the application deadline?
The original closing date shown is January 10, 2025.
18. When was the opportunity created or posted?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of December 16, 2024.
19. What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is labeled "Other" in the posting.
20. What is the activity category?
The activity category is also listed as "Other," which can indicate the program does not fit neatly into a standard public database category label while still being a DRL-administered assistance opportunity.
21. Does the notice specify exact program models or required approaches?
No. The notice is described as brief and does not list specific program models. The central requirement is that proposed activities should measurably increase the availability and movement of objective information related to North Korea.
22. What overall priorities does this opportunity align with?
It aligns with DRL priorities related to democracy, human rights, and freedom of information, specifically in the context of expanding access to independent information in a highly restricted information environment.
23. What kinds of organizations might be a good fit, based on the eligibility and goals?
Based on the eligibility and the stated purpose, organizations capable of designing and implementing practical, secure, and effective initiatives that widen access to independent information may be a good fit. The eligibility for for-profits suggests DRL may be open to concepts involving technology platforms, communications tools, media distribution, data services, or other private-sector capabilities that support information access goals.
24. Is this opportunity specifically about the DPRK/North Korea information environment?
Yes. The focus is on expanding access to objective, independent information related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea, and improving information flows into, out of, and within the country.
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