Developing Civilizational Bonds, Democratic Resilience, and Rule of Law in Europe
🏛 Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor (DOS-DRL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations strengthening democracy, rule of law, and human rights in Europe. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, think tanks, NGOs, public educational institutions, private educational institutions, and for-profit organizations. Activities supported include research, conferences, cultural engagements, and civil society support addressing sovereignty, migration, censorship, and lawfare challenges. The geographic scope is Europe only.
Applicants must align with Western democratic values and address human rights protection. This is a cooperative agreement, requiring partnership with the U.S. State Department.
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Program description
DRL requests proposals to strengthen and develop democratic resilience, rule of law, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and the defense of human rights in Europe through research, conferences, cultural engagements, and support for civil society to address national sovereignty, migration, censorship, and lawfare challenges in line with shared political philosophy, law, and our common Western civilizational heritage.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Letters of Support from European Partners
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.345 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$315,860,780
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$315,249,800
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$315,000,000
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$300,000,000
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$169,139,219
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$41,873,445
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$25,316,509
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$25,249,252
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$18,266,765
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$10,254,124
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, think tanks, NGOs, public institutions, private educational institutions, and for-profit organizations are eligible. All applicants must have the capacity to work on democracy and human rights issues in Europe.
What activities does this grant fund?
Funded activities include research, conferences, cultural engagements, and civil society support. Projects should address democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech, press freedom, and human rights.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 12, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not a rolling application period.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. Exact funding depends on project scope and demonstration of impact.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required. However, applicants should demonstrate organizational capacity and commitment to project success.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly connect your work to Western democratic principles and the grant's focus on civilizational bonds and shared values. Show how your project strengthens democratic resilience in Europe.
- Address specific challenges mentioned: national sovereignty, migration, censorship, and lawfare. Demonstrate deep understanding of these issues in your target region or country.
- As a cooperative agreement, expect ongoing collaboration with State Department partners. Build partnership and communication into your project design.
- Highlight existing networks and relationships in Europe. Demonstrate access to key civil society, academic, or cultural institutions that strengthen project credibility.
- Document measurable outcomes for democracy, rule of law, and human rights. Show how you will track and report progress on these abstract but critical concepts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak European partnerships or lack of demonstrated relationships with local civil society organizations. Vague descriptions of how projects strengthen democracy or rule of law without specific metrics or evidence. Failure to address the political/legal context of target countries or underestimating censorship and lawfare barriers.
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