The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that provide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) individuals and communities with the tools to empower local movements and communities, prevent, mitigate and recover from violence, discrimination, stigma, and human rights abuses, as well as programs that work to eliminate laws which criminalize LGBTI status and/or conduct.

DRL invites organizations to submit proposals that respond to the Global Equality Fund’s strategic framework, which includes, but is not limited to the following areas:  

• Freedom from Violence: Individuals, organizations and communities within the LGBTI community are safe and secure from all forms of violence, including threats, intimidation, harassment, abuse, sexual violence, and psychological or physical harm.
• Access to Justice: Civil society works to ensure that equal protection under the law is extended to the LGBTI community through improved jurisprudence on the human rights of LGBTI people, and that the rule of law is fairly and consistently implemented and enforced to affirm and include LGBTI people.
• Empowered & Inclusive Movements & Organizations: The LGBTI community – alongside other grassroots human rights movements –secure their fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly.
• Social Inclusion: The human dignity of LGBTI persons is affirmed and protected, and the community is included in economic and human development as equal members of society in line with guidance such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.

Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:

• Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
• Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
• Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
• Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
• Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
• Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.

Funding Information

• Funding Floor: $750,000
• Funding Ceiling: $1,000,000
• Period of Performance (example 12-18 months, 2 -5 years): 24-48 months
• Anticipated Time to Award (pending availability of funds): 2-8 months

Eligibility Criteria

• DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.