DFOP0017721: International Religious Freedom Fund (I-REFF) Emergency Assistance
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: FY26 DRL/IRF Global Request for Statements of Interest (DFOP0019929). Status: Closes December 7, 2026 (30 days left). It is in our archive of Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor notices from 2026.
Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor offered grants of up to $4.9 million (at least $4.9 million) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on March 16, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed January 14, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$4.9 million
- Award floor$4.9 million
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | January 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | March 16, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S.-based non-profit organizations/NGOs with or without 501(c)(3) status Private, public, or state institutions of higher education For-profit organizations or businesses Foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) Public International Organizations
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor awards averaged $31.2 million; this notice allows up to $4.9 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (99% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor, Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a program to provide emergency financial assistance to victims of religious persecution and defenders of religious freedom.
Who has won International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (19.345) awarded $1.7 billion across 53 grant awards, an average of $31.2 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Endowment for Democracy | District of Columbia | 5 | $1.6 billion |
| Vital Voices Global Partnership Inc | District of Columbia | 2 | $31.4 million |
| International Coalition of Sites of Conscience | New York | 2 | $22.2 million |
| Freedom House, Inc. | District of Columbia | 2 | $20.2 million |
| United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation | 1 | $2.6 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, DFOP0019929, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is DFOP0017721 still open?
No. It closed on March 16, 2026. A newer notice is open: DFOP0019929, closes December 7, 2026 (30 days left).
Who can apply for International Religious Freedom Fund (I-REFF) Emergency Assistance?
Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for International Religious Freedom Fund (I-REFF) Emergency Assistance?
Closed March 16, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $4.9 million each.
Who has won International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were National Endowment for Democracy, Vital Voices Global Partnership Inc, International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. The program made 53 awards worth $1.7 billion in that time.
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