Global Digital Threat Lab
This grant supports efforts to counter digital threats to online freedom of expression, privacy, and information access posed by authoritarian regimes using advanced technologies like spyware and AI.
Funder: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Due Dates: August 13, 2026 (Full application submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: $2,960,039 total; single award; project period up to 36 months
Summary: Supports a global digital threat lab to investigate, analyze, and mitigate advanced digital attacks (e.g., spyware, AI-enabled threats) against civil society and independent voices worldwide.
Key Information: No cost sharing required; only one application per primary applicant; global, multi-partner consortia encouraged.
Description
This opportunity funds the establishment or expansion of a global digital threat lab aimed at protecting freedom of expression online. The program targets the growing use of sophisticated technologies by authoritarian governments and other threat actors to surveil, repress, and silence civil society organizations, human rights defenders (HRDs), and other independent voices. The lab will provide digital forensics, incident response, research, and capacity-building to help civil society identify, mitigate, and prevent cyberattacks—including commercial spyware and AI-facilitated threats. The initiative emphasizes a global reach, particularly supporting high-risk groups in repressive contexts, and strongly encourages consortia and collaboration with diverse organizations and experts.
