Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0008512
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) published a discretionary grant opportunity titled "DRL Expanding the Reach and Resilience of Wireless Internet-Independent Peer-to-Peer Communications" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0008512). The overall aim is to support a project that helps small groups of at-risk users, especially human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors, continue to communicate and share files when governments or other actors impose full Internet shutdowns. In practical terms, the opportunity is focused on strengthening wireless, peer-to-peer communication methods that do not rely on access to the public Internet, and on improving the real-world usability and security of those tools for people working under high-risk conditions.
The grant is structured as a single award competition, with DRL expecting to make one award. The maximum possible award amount listed is $1,000,000, indicating the Department is looking for a relatively substantial, concentrated effort rather than a large portfolio of smaller projects. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is listed as "Other," which usually signals that the work may cut across typical program buckets and may involve a blend of technical development, deployment, and user-focused support rather than a purely service-delivery or research-only program.
At its core, the opportunity is about resiliency during network disruptions: enabling people to share information "easily and securely" even when the Internet is completely unavailable. That emphasis suggests projects should not only demonstrate that communication is technically possible without Internet connectivity, but also that the approach is practical for small groups in the field. It also signals that security and ease of use are central priorities, because the intended beneficiaries operate in environments where interception, device compromise, and retaliation are realistic risks, and where complicated setup requirements can make tools unusable in urgent situations.
The opportunity was issued by the Department of State (Agency name: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) under CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.345. The posting shows it was created on January 7, 2022, with an original application deadline of March 11, 2022. Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with details typically provided in the full notice under an additional eligibility section, which generally means DRL may consider a range of organizational applicants depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete announcement.
In summary, this DRL competition seeks one grant-funded project, up to $1 million, that expands and hardens wireless, Internet-independent peer-to-peer communications so that small, high-risk groups can continue exchanging messages and files securely during complete Internet shutdowns. The clear thematic focus is protecting civic space and supporting information flow under repression by improving communications resilience for frontline users like journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society members.Apply for SFOP0008512
- 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 "DRL Expanding the Reach and Resilience of Wireless Internet-Independent Peer-to-Peer Communications" 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 07, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 11, 2022. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "DRL Expanding the Reach and Resilience of Wireless Internet-Independent Peer-to-Peer Communications."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0008512.
Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the main goal of the grant?
The overall aim is to support a project that helps small groups of at-risk users continue to communicate and share files when governments or other actors impose full Internet shutdowns.
Who is the intended beneficiary or end-user group?
The opportunity emphasizes supporting small groups of at-risk users, especially human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors operating under high-risk conditions.
What problem is the grant trying to address?
It focuses on resiliency during network disruptions, specifically enabling communication and file sharing when the public Internet is completely unavailable due to shutdowns or other disruptions.
What kinds of communication methods are in scope?
The opportunity is focused on strengthening wireless, peer-to-peer communication methods that do not rely on access to the public Internet.
Does the project need to work during a complete Internet shutdown?
Yes. The description highlights full Internet shutdown scenarios and calls for tools and approaches that function when the Internet is completely unavailable.
Is the grant focused more on technical feasibility or real-world usability?
Both matter, but the opportunity strongly emphasizes practical, real-world usability for small groups in the field, not just a technical proof that communication is possible without Internet connectivity.
How important are security and ease of use in this program?
Security and ease of use are central priorities. The intended users operate in environments where interception, device compromise, and retaliation are realistic risks, and where complicated setup can make tools unusable in urgent situations.
What types of activities might be supported under this grant?
The activity category is listed as "Other," which suggests the work may blend technical development, deployment, and user-focused support rather than being purely service-delivery or research-only.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
DRL expects to make one award. The grant is structured as a single award competition.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum possible award amount listed is $1,000,000.
What does the maximum award amount imply about the scale of the project?
The listing suggests a substantial, concentrated effort rather than a large portfolio of smaller projects, since it anticipates a single award up to $1 million.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What CFDA/Assistance Listing number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.345.
When was this opportunity created (posted)?
The posting shows it was created on January 7, 2022.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline shown is March 11, 2022.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly described as "Others." The listing notes that details are typically provided in the full notice under an additional eligibility section, and that DRL may consider a range of organizational applicants depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete announcement.
What does "Internet-independent" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this context, it refers to communication and file-sharing approaches that do not rely on access to the public Internet, with an emphasis on wireless, peer-to-peer methods.
Is file sharing explicitly included, or is it only messaging?
File sharing is explicitly included. The opportunity describes enabling users to communicate and share files easily and securely during shutdowns.
What kinds of operating environments is this grant designed for?
It is designed for high-risk environments where users may face surveillance, interception, device compromise, and retaliation, particularly in contexts involving repression and restrictions on civic space.
What is the overarching thematic focus of the opportunity?
Thematic focus is on protecting civic space and supporting information flow under repression by improving communications resilience for frontline users during complete Internet shutdowns.
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