Global Digital Threat Lab
🏛 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 working on digital freedom and online threats to expression globally. U.S.-based and foreign nonprofits, NGOs, higher education institutions (public or private), and for-profit businesses can apply. The program supports work addressing threats from authoritarian governments, commercial spyware, and AI-enabled cyberattacks that suppress dissent and restrict freedom online.
Priority areas include protecting privacy, access to information, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and religious belief online. Applicants should demonstrate expertise in digital threat assessment, technology policy, or human rights defense.
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Program description
Freedom of expression online faces threats globally from authoritarian governments employing sophisticated technology to restrict speech, control the flow of information, and chill dissenting voices. These challenges infringe on privacy; access to information; and the exercise of freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and religion or belief online. The misuse of commercial spyware is increasingly deployed by authoritarian governments and other digital threat actors to suppress dissent and restrict freedom of expression and privacy. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now facilitating cyberattacks, lowering the barrier of entry for threat actors and improving their efficiency and effectiveness.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Statement of Work/Project Plan
- Budget Justification/Narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Audit/financial statements
- Evidence of tax-exempt status (if applicable)
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
Can foreign nonprofits apply for this grant?
Yes, both U.S.-based and foreign nonprofits, NGOs, and higher education institutions are eligible. For-profit organizations are also eligible.
What activities does this funding support?
Projects addressing digital threats to freedom of expression, including threats from authoritarian surveillance, commercial spyware, and AI-enabled cyberattacks. Work on privacy protection and access to information online is supported.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required for this grant.
What is the funding amount?
Awards are fixed at $2,960,039 per grant. This is a substantial grant amount for digital rights and freedom of expression work.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is August 13, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling acceptance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on concrete threats from authoritarian governments or technology actors. Use specific examples of surveillance or censorship your project addresses.
- Demonstrate technical expertise in digital threat analysis, cybersecurity, or technology policy. Include team members with relevant credentials.
- Show a clear plan to protect vulnerable populations targeted by digital threats. Explain how your work strengthens freedom online.
- Connect your work to the grant's priority areas: privacy, access to information, freedom of expression, assembly, association, or religion online.
- Be specific about deliverables and measurable outcomes. Vague statements about "digital freedom" will not be competitive.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lacking specific digital threat examples or concrete protective strategies. Overly broad projects that don't focus clearly on one threat actor or technology. Teams without demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity, human rights, or technology policy.
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