Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0009291

The FY22 DRL Syria Programs - Statements of Interest opportunity (SFOP0009291) is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant initiative run by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It was issued as a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI), which means applicants are first asked to submit a concept-level proposal that outlines a project idea and shows they have the organizational capacity, experience, and systems needed to implement and manage programming related to Syria. In practice, an RSOI is often used to identify strong partners and promising approaches before inviting full proposals or moving into more detailed award discussions.

The program focus is on advancing justice and accountability related to atrocities connected to Syria, with an emphasis on practical support to affected people and communities. DRL is seeking concepts that strengthen efforts to document abuses, pursue accountability, and promote justice in ways that are survivor-centered and sensitive to the risks facing participants. The description also highlights possible activities tied to community reintegration and reconciliation, indicating interest in initiatives that help communities recover from conflict and division, reduce cycles of retaliation, and support safe pathways for individuals to rejoin community life where appropriate. Another central theme is protecting civic space, which typically includes helping civil society actors, human rights defenders, independent groups, and community organizations operate safely and effectively despite repression, intimidation, surveillance, or legal and administrative restrictions.

A further priority area is direct and meaningful support for survivors of torture, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and victims of other atrocities. This can encompass services and programs that address trauma, stabilize lives disrupted by violence, and improve access to assistance and protection. It also signals that DRL values approaches that recognize the long-term impacts of torture and SGBV, including stigma, barriers to reporting, safety concerns, and the need for confidential, ethical, and survivor-informed service delivery and referrals. While the notice does not list specific required interventions, it clearly frames the intended impact around justice, accountability, civic resilience, and survivor support connected to Syria.

From the funding details provided, the award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award, and DRL expected to make up to 11 awards. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed as "Other" (with additional explanation referenced in the full announcement). The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.345, which corresponds to State Department public diplomacy and related external assistance funding streams administered under DRL and other State components.

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the note that applicants should consult the full announcement for the specific eligibility language and any limitations or preferences. That typically means the competition may be open to a range of organization types, often including non-profits, NGOs, and potentially certain international or regional entities, depending on the program design and DRL requirements. The key point embedded in the RSOI language is that applicants must be able to demonstrate capacity to manage Syria-related programs, which commonly includes operational readiness, safeguarding and risk management, monitoring and evaluation capabilities, and an ability to operate in complex, high-risk environments or through well-managed partnerships.

The opportunity was created on January 3, 2023, and the original closing date was February 2, 2023. In short, this was a time-bound DRL call for concept notes aimed at identifying implementers for Syria-focused projects that contribute to accountability for atrocities, protect and expand civic space, and provide targeted support to survivors and affected communities, with individual awards potentially reaching up to $2 million and an anticipated portfolio of roughly a dozen awards.

  • The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY22 DRL Syria Programs - Statements of Interest" 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 Jan 03, 2023.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 02, 2023. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: FY22 DRL Syria Programs - Statements of Interest (SFOP0009291)

What is the FY22 DRL Syria Programs - Statements of Interest opportunity (SFOP0009291)?

This is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant opportunity run by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). It was issued as a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI), meaning the initial submission is a concept-level proposal rather than a full application package.

Which U.S. government office is administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).

Is this a grant or a contract?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What does "Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)" mean for applicants?

An RSOI asks applicants to submit an early, concept-level project idea and to show they have the organizational capacity, relevant experience, and systems to implement and manage Syria-related programming. In practice, an RSOI is often used to identify strong potential partners and promising approaches before full proposals are invited or award discussions proceed in more detail.

What is the main program focus?

The focus is on advancing justice and accountability related to atrocities connected to Syria, with an emphasis on practical support to affected people and communities.

What kinds of activities is DRL looking for under this opportunity?

Based on the description, DRL is interested in concepts that:

  • Strengthen efforts to document abuses
  • Support pursuits of accountability and justice related to Syria
  • Use survivor-centered approaches and address risks to participants
  • Support community reintegration and reconciliation to help communities recover, reduce cycles of retaliation, and support safe pathways for individuals to rejoin community life where appropriate
  • Protect civic space by helping civil society actors and human rights defenders operate safely and effectively despite repression, intimidation, surveillance, or restrictive legal/administrative environments
  • Provide direct and meaningful support for survivors of torture, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and victims of other atrocities

Does the opportunity emphasize survivor-centered approaches?

Yes. The description highlights survivor-centered support and sensitivity to risks facing participants, including the need for confidential, ethical, survivor-informed service delivery and referral practices.

What survivor groups are explicitly mentioned as priorities?

The notice highlights direct and meaningful support for survivors of torture, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and victims of other atrocities connected to Syria.

Are specific interventions required for survivor support?

The notice does not list specific required interventions. It frames the intended impact around justice, accountability, civic resilience, and survivor support, including addressing trauma, stabilizing lives disrupted by violence, and improving access to assistance and protection.

What does "protecting civic space" mean in the context of this program?

In the description provided, protecting civic space generally refers to helping civil society actors, human rights defenders, independent groups, and community organizations operate safely and effectively despite challenges like repression, intimidation, surveillance, and legal or administrative restrictions.

Is reconciliation or reintegration within communities part of the scope?

Yes. The description notes possible activities tied to community reintegration and reconciliation, including efforts that help communities recover from conflict and division and reduce cycles of retaliation.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award.

How many awards did DRL expect to make?

DRL expected to make up to 11 awards.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as "Other" (with additional explanation referenced in the full announcement).

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.345.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," and applicants are directed to consult the full announcement for the specific eligibility language and any limitations or preferences.

What types of organizations might "Others" include?

The information provided suggests the competition may be open to a range of organization types, often including non-profits, NGOs, and potentially certain international or regional entities, depending on DRL requirements described in the full announcement.

What does DRL expect applicants to demonstrate at the RSOI stage?

Applicants are expected to outline a project idea at the concept level and demonstrate organizational capacity, experience, and systems needed to implement and manage Syria-related programming.

What kinds of organizational capacity are implied as important for Syria-related programming?

While the detailed requirements are referenced as being in the full announcement, the description indicates applicants should be able to demonstrate capacity commonly associated with Syria-related work, such as operational readiness, safeguarding and risk management, monitoring and evaluation capabilities, and the ability to operate in complex, high-risk environments or through well-managed partnerships.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on January 3, 2023.

What was the application closing date?

The original closing date was February 2, 2023.

Is this opportunity still open?

Based on the dates provided (closing date of February 2, 2023), this was a time-bound call that has already closed unless it was extended or re-opened in a separate notice (not indicated in the information provided here).

What is the practical purpose of issuing this as an RSOI rather than a full proposal request?

The description indicates the RSOI format is used to identify strong partners and promising approaches before inviting full proposals or moving into detailed award discussions.

What outcomes is DRL trying to achieve through this opportunity?

The intended impact is framed around justice and accountability for Syria-related atrocities, strengthened civic resilience (including protection of civic space), and direct support to survivors and affected communities, with attention to risk, ethics, confidentiality, and survivor-informed approaches.

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