Supporting Groups Targeted for TNR in Europe and Eurasia

Supporting Groups Targeted for TNR in Europe and Eurasia is sponsored by U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Funding to support projects combating transnational repression in Europe and Eurasia.

**Funding Opportunity Title**Supporting Groups Targeted for TNR in Europe and Eurasia **Funding Opportunity Number**DFOP0019335 **Announcement Type**Initial Announcement **Deadline for Applications**Thursday August 13, 2026, 11:59PM ET **Assistance Listing Number**19.

345 **Length of performance period**18 to 24 months **Number of awards anticipated**1-2 awards (dependent on amounts) **Award amounts**A maximum of $1,973,359 (approximately) **Total available funding**$1,973,359 pending availability of funds **Type of Funding**FY25 Democracy Fund (DF) **Anticipated projects start date**September 30, 2026 **Funding Instrument Type:** Cooperative Agreement **Project Performance Period**: Proposed projects should be completed in 24 or less.

The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. **This notice is subject to availability of funding.

** **Priority Region:** Europe and Eurasia region The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that combat transnational repression (TNR) in the Europe and Eurasia region.

TNR enables perpetrators to extend repressive forms of governance outside their geographical borders and undermines state sovereignty. This program supports civil society efforts to increase awareness of TNR and enhance the ability to identify, document, and report incidents of TNR among civil society organizations, diaspora communities, and the public.

The proposed program aims to empower local stakeholders, including local civil society organizations, informal groups, local authorities, and community leaders to monitor and address TNR in their communities.

By strengthening coordination with NGOs and supporting documentation efforts to expose TNR activities, this initiative will protect human rights defenders and members of other targeted populations, increase accountability for perpetrators, and counter authoritarian efforts to silence dissent beyond their borders.

This program advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by supporting communities targeted for TNR, promoting the rule of law, and reinforcing Western values in the Europe and Eurasia region. ### 1.

Eligible Applicants 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 ### 2.

Cost Sharing or Matching **Providing cost sharing, matching, or cost participation is****not required for this NOFO and will not improve competitive ranking of an application**. However, DRL encourages applicants to provide maximum levels of cost sharing and funding in support of its programs. Any budget items proposed for cost share must be allowable per 2 CFR 200, Subpart E—Cost Principles.

When cost sharing is offered, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its proposal and later included in an approved agreement. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. For accountability, recipients must maintain written records to support all costs that are claimed as their contribution, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government.

Such records are subject to audit. The basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions must be in accordance with OMB 2 CFR 200. 306 – Cost Sharing and Matching.

### 3. Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM. gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.

gov. Please see Section D. 3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.

gov. Primary applicants may submit no more than two applications in response to this NOFO. ## C. Program Description ### 1.

Goals and Objectives This program will improve the ability of civil society organizations, diaspora communities, and local stakeholders in Europe and Eurasia to identify, document, and counter transnational repression carried out by authoritarian governments with the aim of protecting human rights defenders and members of other targeted populations, exposing perpetrators, and informing coordinated policy responses that advance U.S. national security interests and counter systematic campaigns of harassment, intimidation, and coercion across international boundaries.

**Objective 1: Strengthened Prevention, Protection, and Rapid Response Capabilities Mitigate Transnational Repression and Promote Defender Safety** Civil society organizations, diaspora communities, and human rights defenders possess the knowledge, tools, and rapid response mechanisms necessary to identify, respond to, and mitigate TNR threats to themselves and their communities. Objective 1.

1 **Prevention and Protection Systems to Identify Risks and Mitigate Transnational Repression Threats Before They Escalate** Grantees will develop and implement comprehensive prevention and protection mechanisms that proactively safeguard human rights defenders and members of other targeted populations from TNR.

This includes establishing early warning systems, conducting regular threat and risk assessments, providing digital and physical security support, creating secure communication networks, and coordinating with local civil society to identify vulnerabilities and implement protective measures.

By building defenders’ resilience and reducing their exposure to threats, these prevention efforts minimize the likelihood and severity of TNR incidents. Objective 1.

2 **Rapid Response and Crisis Intervention to Provide Immediate Life-Saving Assistance to Defenders Under Active Threat** Grantees will establish and maintain rapid response mechanisms that deliver immediate, coordinated assistance when human rights defenders, journalists, and members of other targeted populations face acute TNR threats.

This includes operating 24/7 emergency hotlines, providing emergency relocation and temporary shelter, offering urgent legal representation, coordinating with diplomatic missions and security actors, delivering emergency financial assistance, and ensuring access to psychosocial support. These crisis response capabilities ensure that defenders receive timely, life-saving interventions during critical moments of danger.

**Objective 2: Improved Documentation, Reporting, and Accountability Mechanisms** Strengthen Evidence-Based Advocacy and Adapt Protection Strategies for At-Risk Human Rights Defenders and Members of Other Targeted Populations. This objective seeks to establish comprehensive systems that protect human rights defenders and members of other targeted populations facing transnational repression in Europe and Eurasia.

Grantees will develop standardized protocols and secure digital platforms to systematically document TNR incidents while safeguarding victims’ identities and sensitive information.

These mechanisms will enable coordinated analysis and evidence-based reporting that supports multiple accountability pathways, including policy engagement with host governments, advocacy for targeted sanctions against perpetrators, pursuit of legal remedies through domestic and international courts, and engagement with international human rights mechanisms.

By creating robust documentation and reporting infrastructure, this objective ensures that TNR cases are tracked, analyzed, and leveraged to drive concrete protection outcomes and hold perpetrators accountable.

**Objective 3: Increased Coordination, Awareness, and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement****to Leverage Collective Resources and Strengthen Systemic Response to Transnational Repression** Grantees will foster strategic partnerships and coordinated action among civil society organizations, governments, international organizations, media, and private sector actors to create a comprehensive ecosystem of support for human rights defenders and members of other targeted populations.

This includes establishing formal coordination mechanisms, convening multi-stakeholder platforms, conducting advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of TNR tactics, facilitating information-sharing networks, and building coalitions that leverage diverse expertise and resources.

By strengthening coordination and expanding stakeholder engagement, this objective ensures that financial, technical, political, and institutional resources are strategically mobilized and deployed where they are most needed.

Enhanced awareness among policymakers, diplomatic actors, and the public will drive political will for stronger protective measures, while coordinated multi-stakeholder responses will close gaps in protection coverage, prevent duplication of efforts, and create more robust safety nets for at-risk defenders across Europe.

This systemic approach maximizes the collective impact of diverse actors and resources to counter transnational repression more effectively across Europe.

_Illustrative Activities:_ * Public forums with survivors; * Multilingual awareness campaigns; * Diaspora media initiatives; * Briefings for policymakers and international organizations; * Coordination platforms for civil society and government stakeholders; * Rapid information-sharing mechanisms; * Educational toolkits for community leaders.

**Expected program outcomes may include, but are not limited to:** * Civil society organizations, journalists, diaspora communities, and human rights defenders demonstrate improved capacity to identify, prevent, document, and respond to TNR and other threats.

* Participating organizations adopt strengthened digital safety, secure communications, reporting, and crisis response practices to improve operational resilience and participants’ protection. * TNR incidents are documented more consistently, securely, and systematically through strengthened reporting, investigative, and evidence-collection mechanisms.

* Victims and affected communities gain increased access to trusted reporting channels, rapid response support mechanisms, and accountability resources. * Governments, civil society organizations, diaspora communities, and international stakeholders strengthen coordination, information-sharing, and collaborative response efforts related to countering TNR threats.

* Public awareness of TNR tactics, risks, and impacts increases across targeted communities and stakeholder groups. * Evidence-based reporting and advocacy contribute to increased engagement by policymakers, international organizations, and accountability mechanisms addressing TNR threats.

* Competitive applications will include focus on: * Target countries (countries that are primary targets of TNR by authoritarian regimes) * Strategic regional partners (willing to cooperate and build enforcement capacity) * Areas home to significant vulnerable diaspora communities * Countries with a demonstrated willingness to cooperate on TNR issues * Areas of strategic geographic positioning for American and/or regional influence * Countries where existing law enforcement and judicial capacity can be enhanced.

**Program Requirements:** 1. The organization will apply a Do No Harm approach to their documentation efforts to avoid over documentation, repetition, victims and witnesses’ fatigue and re-traumatization. The organization will guarantee tailored communication with survivors and their family and informed consent with knowledge of the risks associated with documentation.

The organization will regularly meet with DRL to discuss overall programmatic approach and ensure that activities are not retraumatizing program participants or causing harm. 2. The organization will submit to DRL for approval a workplan that includes timeline, planned milestones, and short descriptions of all workshops and events, and a list of stakeholder groups and organizations participating.

3. The organization will review and update its program do no harm approaches, risk assessments, and contingency planning every six months and share with DRL for approval. 4.

Applicants must [](https://www. state. gov/releases/bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/2026/07/notice-of-funding-opportunity-nofo-drl-supporting-groups-targeted-for-tnr-in-europe-and-eurasia)demonstrate how their teaming approach brings a variety of knowledge, skills, and abilities to lead the activity.

DRL prefers programs that include subawards and other teaming arrangements with local partners. 5. If a local partner(s) is identified, applicants should describe the division of labor among themselves and any local partners.

6. Applicants must describe their approach for working with informal, non-registered networks and coalitions. 7.

Risk analysis: Applicants must identify potential security, operational, financial, and reputational risks that could compromise beneficiary safety, program effectiveness, or implementation, and describe concrete mitigation strategies to address each identified risk. 8.

Security Plan: Applicants must provide a comprehensive security plan that details protocols for protecting beneficiaries and staff, safeguarding sensitive information, and maintaining secure communications and data management throughout program implementation. 9.

Contingency Plan: Applicants must outline contingency measures for responding to unexpected disruptions, including emergency protocols, alternative service delivery mechanisms, backup coordination channels, and adaptive strategies to ensure program continuity in changing or restricted operating environments. 10.

Budget line items to include emergency expenses should program staff or beneficiaries be targeted by TNR as a result of this program. 11. Proposals should demonstrate the organization’s expertise and previous experience in administering programs of similar scope, scale and/or in similarly challenging environments.

### 2. Substantial Involvement The award will be a cooperative agreement. DRL will be substantially involved in the planning and implementation of the project.

The organization that is awarded this program will collaborate with DRL on overall programmatic planning and implementation and report programmatic challenges as they arise through all phases of the project.

The Department of State will be substantially involved in carrying out the following aspects of this cooperative agreement: #### Award Startup Phase: * Within 30 days of activation of this award, the recipient will schedule and participate in an orientation meeting with DRL to discuss reporting requirements, finalize award agreement attachments, address best practices for implementation, and discuss the primary conditions and obligations of performance of this award.

* DRL will approve a detailed work plan and timeline of activities for this program. * The work plan and timeline are due to DRL within 45 days of the award. Requirements for the work plan will be addressed at the initial orientation meeting.

#### Award Implementation Phase: * Communicate to DRL during regular check-in meetings whether any changes are needed to the annual work plan. * Changes that amount to significant revision of components of the work plan must be communicated to DRL at least 90 days in advance and require DRL written approval. This includes changes to the proposed target countries or specific issues to be addressed through this program.

* Secure written approval from DRL prior to disclosing the source of funding for this award to any external interlocuter, including other donors, and will take steps to ensure program participants and organizational members do not disclose the funding source without prior authorization.

* At least 14 days in advance of in-person activities or advocacy events in all countries other than the United States, the recipient will secure written DRL approval. DRL will in turn suggest and provide relevant points of contact across the Department, civil society, and other networks as needed to ensure maximal program effectiveness and impact.

* DRL will approve any subawards issued through this program, along with the accompanying scope of work and budget materials. The grantee will consult with DRL during the course of the project to ensure subaward issuance and management is conducted in full compliance with relevant sections of 2 CFR 200 and in alignment with the overall award scope of work.

* DRL and the recipient shall coordinate to ensure program deconfliction and coordinate programs as they engage with USG entities, noting that U.S. foreign assistance funds cannot be used to advocate or lobby the U.S. government. The recipient will notify and consult with DRL before meeting with law enforcement agencies in the United States or other countries.

* The specific review and approval points and procedures for DRL’s substantial involvement will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to award issuance and reflected in the final award. ## D. Application Contents and Format Please follow all instructions below carefully.

Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

### Content of Application * The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity * All documents are in English * All budgets are in U.S. dollars * All documents are formatted to fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and * All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins. The following documents are **required**: ### 1.

Mandatory application forms * SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals) at: https://www. grants. gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family * SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) * SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) ### 2.

Summary Page (optional) Cover sheet stating the applicant’s name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program. ### 3. Proposal Narrative (15 pages maximum) The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do.

You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below. * **Proposal Summary:**Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including project objectives and anticipated impact.

* **Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying**: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the State Department and/or U.S. government agencies.

* **Problem Statement:**Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed * **Project Goals and Objectives:**The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

* **Project Activities**: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives. * **Project Methods and Design**: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal. Include a logic model as appropriate.

* **Proposed Project Schedule and Timeline:**The proposed timeline for the program activities. Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events. * **Key Personnel:** Resumes are not required at this time.

Instead, provide only the selection criteria your program will apply throughout the grant period of performance when filling key positions. * **Project Partners:** List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees. * **Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:**This is an important part of successful grants.

Throughout the timeframe of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant? * **Future Funding or Sustainability**Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable.

* **Security Plan:** Safety and security of program partners and participants is imperative. As such, applicants are required to include a security plan with sections for operational security, online security, and where applicable a software development security plan that details measures that will be taken to enhance the safety and security of individuals who participate in in-person and/or digitally based programs.

The security plan should describe the applicant’s insurance provisions for itself and its sub-recipients and consultants for political risk, travel, kidnapping and ransom, cyber-threats, and other areas as needed for the specific award. Applicants should include a brief statement on contingency plans for in-person or online activities in the event activities are disrupted or delayed due to security issues. ### 4.

Budget Justification Narrative After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section _I. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions_ below for further information.

* Key personnel position descriptions. Resumes are not required at this time. Instead, provide only the selection criteria your program will apply throughout the grant period of performance when filling key positions.

* Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner. * If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file. * Official permission letters, if required for program activities.

## E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines ### 1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required above are available at MyGrants and Grants.

gov. ### 2. Department of State Contacts If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact: DRL-PRU-Solicitation@state. gov. ### 3.

Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM. gov) #### Required Registrations All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM. gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards.

An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO. The 2 CFR 200 requires subrecipients to obtain a UEI.

Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient. **_Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM. gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

Please begin your registration as early as possible. _** * Organizations **based in the United States** or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.

gov. * Organizations **based outside of the United States** and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM. gov. Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions: Step 1:Proceed to SAM. gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.

gov registration process. SAM. gov registration must be renewed annually.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions: Step 1:Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below: NCAGE Homepage:https://eportal. nspa. nato.

int/AC135Public/sc/CageList. aspx NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato. int) An exemption from the UEI and sam.

gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25. 110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM. gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.

gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review. ### 4. Submission Dates and Times Applications are due no later than Thursday August 13, 2026, 11:59PM ET ### 5.

Funding Restrictions 1. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). 2.

Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration Caravans towards the United States Southwest Border: None of the funds awarded under this grant may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border.

Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the United States asylum process; and/or for referrals to legal representation in the United States. Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the United States southwest border.

The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted. 3. Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this NOFO will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award: 1.

Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and; 2. It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring. 4. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C.

1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements. Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs: 1.

Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds. 5.

Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan Applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the United States exceeds $500,000: 1.

To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient, nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any of the activities described in 2 CFR 175.

105(a); The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR 175(b)(5). 2. That the Recipient has and will implement procedures to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175.

105(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in these activities. Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan. However, they must provide it to the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on their website and at the workplace.

Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance. 6. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

If your project involves the purchase or use of an UAS, see this link for requirements and information you must include in your application. 7. Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA) Applicants for foreign assistance awards should be aware of requirements in 2 CFR Part 602, 603, and 604.

These policies are referred to collectively as the Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA) Policy. 602:The award term imposes certain abortion-related requirements on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, public international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

603: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to gender ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals. 604: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to discriminatory equity ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

The Department recognizes there are costs associated with these policies. Potential one-time and recurring costs the Department identifies for recipients and grantees are for familiarization with the policy, development and delivery of organizational training and implementation guidance, routine compliance monitoring, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. ### 6.

Other Submission Requirements All application materials must be submitted electronically through www. Grants. gov or MyGrants.

## F. Application Review Information Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below. **Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea:** The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out.

The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The proposal does not include any activities contrary to any standing Executive Orders. For a full list, see https://www.

federalregister. gov/. **Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants:** The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds.

This includes a financial management system and a bank account. If sub-awards are proposed, applicant demonstrates experience managing subawards. **Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives:** Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

**Budget:** The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.

**Monitoring and evaluation plan:** Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured. **Sustainability:** Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.

If two or more applications receive equivalent scores based on the evaluation criteria outlined in this NOFO, preference will be given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, as consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). This preference will only be applied as a tie-breaking mechanism and does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria. ### 3.

Review and Selection Process A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications. DRL strives to ensure that each application receives a balanced evaluation by a DRL review panel. A review committee will evaluate all technically eligible applications against the criteria outlined above.

In most cases, the DRL review panel includes representatives from DRL and the appropriate Department of State regional bureau (to include feedback from U.S. embassies).

In some cases, additional panelists may participate, including from other Department of State bureaus or offices; U.S. government departments, agencies, or boards; representatives from partner governments; or representatives from entities that are in a public-private partnership with DRL.

At the end of the panel’s discussion about an application, the review panel votes on whether to recommend the application for approval by the DRL Assistant Secretary. If more applications are recommended for approval than DRL can ultimately fund, the review panel will rank the recommended applications in priority order for consideration by the DRL Assistant Secretary.

The Grants Officer Representative (GOR) for the eventual award does not vote on the panel. All panelists must sign non-disclosure agreements and conflicts of interest agreements. DRL review panels may provide conditions and recommendations on applications to enhance the proposed project, which must be addressed by the applicant before further consideration of the award.

To ensure effective use of DRL funds, conditions or recommendations may include requests to increase, decrease, clarify, and/or justify costs and project activities. 1. Risk factorsUnder the merit review as required by 2 CFR 200.

206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors: 2. Management systems and standards 3. History of performance 4.

Audit reports and findings 5. Ability to effectively implement requirements 6. Organizational capacity to manage DRL funds, including prior USG grant experience and adequate staffing levels for award oversight.

2. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM. gov The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible