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 to protect digital freedom and counter online threats from authoritarian governments and malicious actors. U.S.-based nonprofits, foreign-based nonprofits, colleges and universities, and for-profit organizations can apply. The program supports activities that address sophisticated digital threats like spyware, AI-enabled cyberattacks, and censorship targeting freedom of expression online. Work must advance privacy, information access, and online freedoms of expression, assembly, association, and religion globally.
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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
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Evidence of Eligibility (nonprofit status or institutional documentation)
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 is eligible to apply for this grant?
U.S. nonprofits, foreign nonprofits, higher education institutions (public or private), and for-profit organizations are eligible. Fiscal sponsorship arrangements may also qualify if structured appropriately.
What activities does this grant support?
The grant funds work countering digital threats from authoritarian governments and threat actors. This includes addressing sophisticated spyware, AI-enabled cyberattacks, censorship, and privacy violations targeting online freedom.
What is the award amount for this grant?
The fixed award is $2,960,039 per grant. There is no cost sharing requirement.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a highly competitive federal grant from the State Department focused on digital rights globally. Strong applications demonstrate proven expertise in cybersecurity, human rights, and international digital governance.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is August 13, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate clear expertise addressing digital threats like spyware, cyberattacks, and censorship in your organization's track record.
- Show how your work protects vulnerable populations facing online suppression in specific countries or regions.
- Connect activities directly to advancing freedom of expression, privacy, and digital rights as State Department priorities.
- Partner with organizations on the ground in target countries for credibility and on-the-ground implementation capacity.
- Clearly articulate measurable outcomes for digital freedom improvements, threat prevention, or resilience building.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague descriptions of digital threats or generic digital rights language without specific threat analysis. Applications lacking demonstrated expertise in both technology and human rights or focusing only on one aspect. Proposals without clear implementation strategy or local partnerships in target regions.
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