Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019674
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity called "Documenting Human Rights Abuses and Countering DPRK Propaganda" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0019674). The program is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means DRL expects to stay actively involved with the recipient during implementation rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The overall focus is on North Korea (the DPRK) and on efforts that both document human rights abuses and push back against the regime's global influence and propaganda operations.
At its core, the opportunity seeks projects that can safely gather and document real-time information on human rights conditions and other ground-level realities inside the DPRK. The stated intent is to challenge the DPRK's information monopoly by improving the availability and credibility of information about what is happening in the country. In practice, that points to initiatives such as secure collection of testimonies and incident reporting, development of reliable documentation methodologies, and careful verification and organization of evidence so it can be used for advocacy, accountability efforts, or broader public understanding. The framing also highlights countering regime influence operations beyond North Korea's borders, indicating the program is not only about internal conditions but also about responding to the regime's narratives and messaging internationally.
The competition is open to a wide range of applicants. Eligible organizations include U.S.-based non-profits and NGOs (with or without 501(c)(3) status), private/public/state institutions of higher education, for-profit entities and businesses, and foreign-based non-profit organizations/NGOs. This broad eligibility suggests DRL is interested in practical capacity and specialized expertise, whether that comes from civil society organizations, academic institutions with research and documentation capability, or private-sector groups with relevant technical or analytical tools.
The opportunity falls under CFDA number 19.345 and is categorized under "Other" for the funding activity category. DRL expects to make up to three awards, with an award ceiling of $2,960,039. The original application closing date is August 31, 2026, and the opportunity was created on August 17, 2026.Apply for DFOP0019674
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Documenting Human Rights Abuses and Countering DPRK Propaganda" 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 2026-08-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-31. (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 $2,960,039.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Documenting Human Rights Abuses and Countering DPRK Propaganda."
2. What agency is offering this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
3. What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0019674.
4. What type of award is being offered (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This program is structured as a cooperative agreement. That typically means DRL expects to remain actively involved with the recipient during implementation rather than issuing a hands-off award.
5. What is the overall focus or theme of the program?
The overall focus is on North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) and on efforts that both document human rights abuses and counter the regime's global influence and propaganda operations.
6. What kinds of projects is DRL looking to support?
DRL is seeking projects that can safely gather and document real-time information on human rights conditions and other ground-level realities inside the DPRK, and that help challenge the DPRK's information monopoly by improving the availability and credibility of information about what is happening in the country.
7. What does "documenting human rights abuses" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, it points to initiatives such as secure collection of testimonies and incident reporting, development of reliable documentation methodologies, and careful verification and organization of evidence so it can be used for advocacy, accountability efforts, or broader public understanding.
8. Does the opportunity emphasize real-time information?
Yes. The opportunity specifically references safely gathering and documenting real-time information on human rights conditions and other ground-level realities inside the DPRK.
9. Is the program only about documenting conditions inside North Korea?
No. The framing also highlights countering DPRK influence operations beyond North Korea's borders, indicating the program includes responding to the regime's narratives and messaging internationally as well as documenting internal conditions.
10. What does "countering DPRK propaganda" mean for this program?
From the information provided, it refers to efforts that push back against the regime's global influence and propaganda operations and challenge the DPRK's information monopoly by improving the availability and credibility of information about conditions and realities in the DPRK.
11. Who is eligible to apply?
The competition is open to a wide range of applicants, including:
- U.S.-based non-profits and NGOs (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- Private, public, and state institutions of higher education
- For-profit entities and businesses
- Foreign-based non-profit organizations and NGOs
12. Are U.S.-based nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status?
No. U.S.-based non-profits and NGOs may apply with or without 501(c)(3) status.
13. Can for-profit companies apply?
Yes. For-profit entities and businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
14. Can universities and colleges apply?
Yes. Private, public, and state institutions of higher education are eligible to apply.
15. Can foreign organizations apply?
Yes. Foreign-based non-profit organizations and NGOs are included in the eligible applicant categories.
16. How many awards does DRL expect to make?
DRL expects to make up to three awards.
17. What is the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling is $2,960,039.
18. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA number 19.345.
19. What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is listed as "Other."
20. When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 17, 2026.
21. What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is August 31, 2026.
22. What does DRL mean by improving the "availability and credibility" of information?
As described, the intent is to challenge the DPRK's information monopoly by improving access to trustworthy information about what is happening in the country. The description points to secure collection, reliable documentation methods, verification, and organized evidence suitable for advocacy, accountability, or public understanding.
23. What is meant by "verification and organization of evidence" in this opportunity?
The program description indicates an interest in careful verification and organization of collected information and evidence so it can be credibly used for advocacy, accountability efforts, or broader public understanding.
24. What is the geographic and topical scope implied by the opportunity?
Geographically, the focus is the DPRK (North Korea), with an additional emphasis on countering DPRK influence and propaganda beyond its borders. Topically, it centers on documenting human rights abuses and countering propaganda and influence operations.
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