Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019364
The Global Digital Threat Lab (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0019364) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (CFDA 19.345), focused on countering growing digital threats to online freedom of expression and related human rights. The program is framed around the reality that authoritarian governments are increasingly using advanced technologies to restrict speech, manipulate or control the flow of information, and intimidate or silence dissenting voices. These practices are not limited to censorship alone; they also undermine privacy, weaken access to information, and interfere with fundamental freedoms exercised online, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and freedom of religion or belief.
A central concern highlighted in the opportunity is the expanding misuse of commercial spyware. The grant emphasizes that spyware tools, often developed and sold by private companies, are being deployed by authoritarian regimes and other digital threat actors to monitor, intimidate, and suppress journalists, activists, political opponents, civil society leaders, and other targeted communities. This spyware-driven surveillance can have a chilling effect, making people less likely to speak, organize, or seek information because of fear of being tracked or punished.
The opportunity also points to the accelerating role of Artificial Intelligence in cyber-enabled repression and cyberattacks. AI is described as lowering the barrier to entry for malicious actors by making attacks easier to conduct and scale, while also increasing their speed, efficiency, and effectiveness. In practical terms, this means more sophisticated targeting, faster exploitation, and more persuasive information manipulation, creating a harder environment for at-risk groups to communicate safely and for defenders to detect and respond to threats in time.
The award is structured as a grant with a maximum funding level (ceiling) of $2,960,039, and the agency expects to make one award. The opportunity was created on 2026-07-15, and the original application closing date is 2026-08-13. Eligible applicants include a broad mix of organization types: U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and NGOs, foreign-based nonprofits and NGOs, public or private institutions of higher education, and for-profit organizations or businesses. This wide eligibility suggests the program is open to both mission-driven and technical implementers, including organizations that can combine research, threat analysis, capacity building, or technical development aimed at protecting online civic space and mitigating spyware- and AI-enabled digital threats.Apply for DFOP0019364
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Digital Threat Lab" 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 2026-07-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-13. (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 $2,960,039.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Global Digital Threat Lab (DFOP0019364)
What is the Global Digital Threat Lab funding opportunity?
The Global Digital Threat Lab (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0019364) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. It is listed under CFDA 19.345 and focuses on countering growing digital threats to online freedom of expression and related human rights.
Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the main problem this program is trying to address?
The program is framed around the rise of digital threats to online civic space, especially as authoritarian governments increasingly use advanced technologies to restrict speech, manipulate or control information flows, and intimidate or silence dissent.
Is the program only about censorship?
No. The opportunity highlights that the threat goes beyond censorship and includes practices that undermine privacy, weaken access to information, and interfere with fundamental freedoms exercised online.
Which human rights and freedoms does the opportunity connect to online threats?
The opportunity specifically links digital threats to online freedom of expression and related rights, including peaceful assembly, association, and freedom of religion or belief when exercised online.
Why does the opportunity emphasize commercial spyware?
A central concern in the opportunity is the expanding misuse of commercial spyware. It notes that spyware tools developed and sold by private companies are being deployed by authoritarian regimes and other digital threat actors to monitor, intimidate, and suppress targeted communities.
Who is most at risk from spyware according to the opportunity?
The opportunity identifies journalists, activists, political opponents, civil society leaders, and other targeted communities as groups that may be monitored or suppressed through spyware-enabled surveillance.
How can spyware affect freedom of expression and civic participation?
The opportunity explains that spyware-driven surveillance can have a chilling effect, making people less likely to speak, organize, or seek information due to fear of being tracked or punished.
How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) described in relation to digital repression?
AI is described as accelerating cyber-enabled repression and cyberattacks. The opportunity states that AI can lower the barrier to entry for malicious actors by making attacks easier to conduct and scale, while increasing speed, efficiency, and effectiveness.
What practical impacts of AI-driven threats are mentioned?
The opportunity points to more sophisticated targeting, faster exploitation, and more persuasive information manipulation, which can make it harder for at-risk groups to communicate safely and for defenders to detect and respond in time.
What type of award is this?
The award is structured as a grant.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The maximum funding level (ceiling) for this opportunity is $2,960,039.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency expects to make one award.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-15.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is 2026-08-13.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and NGOs, foreign-based nonprofits and NGOs, public or private institutions of higher education, and for-profit organizations or businesses.
Are foreign-based organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes foreign-based nonprofits and NGOs.
Can universities apply for this grant?
Yes. Public or private institutions of higher education are eligible.
Are for-profit companies eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations or businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
What kinds of organizations does this opportunity seem designed for?
Based on the stated focus, the opportunity appears open to both mission-driven and technical implementers, including organizations that can combine research, threat analysis, capacity building, or technical development aimed at protecting online civic space and mitigating spyware- and AI-enabled digital threats.
What kinds of activities or approaches are implied by the opportunity description?
The description suggests work that supports protecting online civic space and mitigating spyware- and AI-enabled digital threats, potentially through research, threat analysis, capacity building, and technical development. The opportunity text emphasizes countering repression, surveillance, and information manipulation affecting human rights online.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 19.345.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0019364.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Previous opportunity: Fiscal Year 2026 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
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