Emergency Assistance for Fundamental Freedom Defenders
Limited submission
This grant offers urgent, short-term funding to individuals and groups under threat for defending freedoms like speech, assembly, and association, helping them continue their human rights work.
Funder: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Due Dates: September 8, 2026 (Full application submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4,932,500 total; one award; project duration up to 18 months.
Summary: Supports rapid, emergency assistance to individuals and organizations under imminent threat for defending fundamental freedoms worldwide.
Key Information: Cost sharing is not required; only one proposal per organization will be reviewed.
Description
This opportunity from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) funds a global program to provide emergency, on-demand financial and technical support to individuals and organizations facing imminent threat due to their work promoting and defending fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and association. The intent is to enable defenders to continue their advocacy and reform efforts in the face of threats, attacks, arbitrary detention, or prosecution. The program offers flexible, short-term support (e.g., cash transfers, legal assistance, safe housing, trauma counseling, equipment replacement) and referrals to longer-term services. The DRL will be substantially involved in program implementation, including beneficiary eligibility and security protocols. The program is global in scope, with the exception of Iran and North Korea.
