Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019542
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity titled Promoting Civilizational Values (Opportunity Number DFOP0019542) to support projects that strengthen how European countries and institutions defend core democratic principles. The focus is on improving the ability of partners across Europe to protect freedom of expression, maintain political pluralism, and uphold national self-government. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at bolstering resilience in democratic systems and institutions so they can better withstand pressure from censorship, political intimidation, democratic backsliding, or external influence that undermines open societies.
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. While the announcement does not list specific project models in the source text provided, the stated goals suggest activities could include policy and institutional strengthening, civic and educational programming, research and analysis by qualified organizations, cross-border collaboration, and exchanges that reinforce democratic norms. The opportunity explicitly ties its purpose to the U.S. National Security Strategy priority of building up the "healthy nations of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe" through commercial ties, political collaboration, and cultural and educational exchanges, signaling that proposed projects should align with that broader strategic frame and likely emphasize cooperation among countries, institutions, and civil society.
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations, as well as public and private educational institutions. The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," and the funding is associated with CFDA number 19.345. The award ceiling is $1,973,359, meaning proposals can be submitted up to that maximum amount. The posting lists expected awards as 0, which can indicate the agency has not specified the number of anticipated awards in the notice rather than implying no awards will be made.
The opportunity was created on 2026-08-07, and the original application deadline is 2026-08-21. Applicants considering submission should plan around the relatively short window between posting and closing and should be prepared to demonstrate how their proposed approach will measurably strengthen protections for free expression, political competition and pluralism, and legitimate self-governance within the European context, particularly in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe.Apply for DFOP0019542
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting Civilizational Values" 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 2026-08-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-21. (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 $1,973,359.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Promoting Civilizational Values.
Who is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is DFOP0019542.
What type of funding mechanism is being used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. In general, that typically means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant.
What is the main purpose of the opportunity?
The purpose is to support projects that strengthen how European countries and institutions defend core democratic principles, with an emphasis on strengthening democratic resilience against censorship, intimidation, democratic backsliding, or external influence that undermines open societies.
Which democratic principles or outcomes are emphasized?
The notice emphasizes improving the ability of partners across Europe to:
- Protect freedom of expression
- Maintain political pluralism and political competition
- Uphold national self-government (legitimate self-governance)
What region or geography is this focused on?
The opportunity is focused on Europe, with particular relevance to Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe.
What kinds of challenges or threats is this opportunity trying to address?
The stated focus is on helping democratic systems and institutions better withstand pressure from:
- Censorship
- Political intimidation
- Democratic backsliding
- External influence that undermines open societies
What types of activities might fit this opportunity?
The source information does not list specific project models, but the stated goals suggest potential activities could include:
- Policy and institutional strengthening related to democratic governance
- Civic and educational programming that reinforces democratic norms
- Research and analysis conducted by qualified organizations
- Cross-border collaboration among countries and institutions
- Cultural and educational exchanges that reinforce democratic principles
How does this opportunity connect to broader U.S. strategy?
The opportunity is explicitly tied to the U.S. National Security Strategy priority of building up the "healthy nations of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe" through:
- Commercial ties
- Political collaboration
- Cultural and educational exchanges
This signals proposals should align with that broader strategic frame and likely emphasize cooperation among countries, institutions, and civil society.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations)
- Public and private educational institutions
The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others".
What is the CFDA number associated with this funding?
The funding is associated with CFDA 19.345.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,973,359, meaning proposals can be submitted up to that maximum amount.
How many awards will be made?
The posting lists expected awards as 0. This can indicate the agency has not specified the number of anticipated awards in the notice, rather than implying that no awards will be made.
When was the opportunity posted (created date)?
The opportunity was created on 2026-08-07.
What is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is 2026-08-21.
How much time is there between posting and the deadline?
Based on the provided dates (2026-08-07 to 2026-08-21), there is a relatively short window between posting and closing, so applicants should plan accordingly.
What should an applicant be prepared to demonstrate in a proposal?
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how the proposed approach will measurably strengthen protections for:
- Free expression
- Political competition and pluralism
- Legitimate self-governance
This should be framed within the European context, particularly in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe.
Does the opportunity emphasize collaboration across borders or institutions?
Yes. The description suggests an emphasis on cooperation among countries, institutions, and civil society, and it references cross-border collaboration and exchanges as examples of potentially aligned activity types.
Is this opportunity limited to civil society organizations only?
No. The eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs) and also public and private educational institutions.
Is the goal to address democratic backsliding and censorship specifically?
Yes. The opportunity description explicitly references strengthening resilience so institutions can better withstand pressure from censorship, political intimidation, democratic backsliding, and external influence that undermines open societies.
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| Safeguarding U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chains- Tunisia Apply for DFOP0019505 Funding Number: DFOP0019505 Agency: Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,536,507 |
| DRL Promoting Sovereignty and Rule of Law in Europe Apply for DFOP0019631 Funding Number: DFOP0019631 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,960,039 |
| Promoting Technology for the Common Good and Countering Authoritarian Influence Apply for DFOP0019655 Funding Number: DFOP0019655 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,973,359 |
| Strengthening Community-Backed Governance to Advance Stability and Peace in Burma Apply for DFOP0019639 Funding Number: DFOP0019639 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,973,359 |
| Documentation of Human Rights Abuses by Organized Criminal Groups Apply for DFOP0019647 Funding Number: DFOP0019647 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,967,535 |
| Promoting Responsible Investment and Rights-Respecting Production Models Apply for DFOP0019659 Funding Number: DFOP0019659 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,959,500 |
| Countering Weaponized Migration to Central and Eastern Europe Apply for DFOP0019651 Funding Number: DFOP0019651 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,973,359 |
| Documenting Human Rights Abuses and Countering DPRK Propaganda Apply for DFOP0019674 Funding Number: DFOP0019674 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,960,039 |
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