International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (19.345)
International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (Assistance Listing 19.345) is run by the Department of State. It awarded $1.7 billion in 53 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $31.2 million per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $718,591. Half of the 53 awards fell between $5,000 and $2.0 million, and they ranged from $2,100 to $316 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$1.7 billion
- Grant awards53
- Typical award$718,591
- Awarded in FY 2025$315 million
- Size rank194 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- Annual funding was roughly flat, $321 million in fiscal 2021 and $315 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 194th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 100% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 7 states and territories.
What the program funds
DRL funds targeted democracy and human rights programs to address human rights abuses globally and support the U.S. government’s foreign policy objectives. These programs touch on advancing the rule of law, upholding fundamental freedoms, and supporting U.S. workers and businesses abroad. In addition, DRL funds efforts across the globe to facilitate successful and sustained transitions to democracies, where civil and political rights are respected, and there is a process for transitional justice, accountability and reconciliation.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov for additional eligibility criteria.
What the money can and cannot pay for
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor’s Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF) supports programs that uphold democratic principles, support and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, and build civil society. Permissible uses of democracy funds include supporting free and fair elections through voter education, election monitoring, and training for officials; strengthening civil society through capacity building for NGOs, advocacy training, and civic engagement; promoting rule of law and good governance through judicial reform, anti-corruption initiatives, and legislative strengthening; protecting human rights through support for defenders, legal aid, and documentation of abuses; enhancing media freedom through training for journalists, investigative journalism, and countering disinformation; and promoting political pluralism. DRL focuses its work in countries with egregious human rights violations, where democracy and human rights advocates are under pressure and where governments are undemocratic or in transition. The Bureau's programmatic strategy is to primarily work with local civil society, including independent media, to support those working to strengthen democratic institutions and promote accountability. Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Deadlines do not apply Deadlines do not apply
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Please see solicitation on www.grants.gov.
Funding history and past recipients
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 | |
| American University | District of Columbia | 1 | $2.1 million |
| Mercy Corps | Oregon | 1 | $2.0 million |
| Staly Sekretariat Wspolnoty Demokracji | 1 | $2.0 million | |
| Disability Rights Fund Inc | Massachusetts | 1 | $1.7 million |
| The Asia Foundation | California | 2 | $1.5 million |
| Search for Common Ground | District of Columbia | 1 | $1.4 million |
| Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees | 19 | $1.3 million | |
| The Tor Project Inc. | Washington | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Horizontal | District of Columbia | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Fundacion Saraki | 1 | $993,750 | |
| National Center for State Courts | Virginia | 1 | $987,654 |
| University of Southern California | California | 1 | $987,654 |
| Nulai-Nigeria LTD/Gte | 1 | $896,296 | |
| Internews Network | California | 1 | $730,223 |
| World Institute on Disability | California | 1 | $650,000 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 99% of the money, colleges and universities 0.2%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 21 | $1.6 billion | 99% |
| Other | 25 | $7.0 million | 0.4% |
| Colleges and universities | 2 | $3.1 million | 0.2% |
| Individuals | 5 | $32,953 | 0% |
By state
6 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 12 | $1.6 billion |
| New York | 2 | $22.2 million |
| California | 5 | $3.8 million |
| Oregon | 1 | $2.0 million |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $1.7 million |
| Washington | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Virginia | 1 | $987,654 |