IRF FY25 Nigeria Strengthening Capacity of the Legal Community

The United States Department of State, through its Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF), is offering a funding opportunity titled IRF Nigeria Strengthening Capacity of the Legal Community. This program is part of the U.S. government’s broader foreign assistance efforts authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The IRF office works globally to promote and protect religious freedom as defined under international human rights law, particularly Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This funding opportunity specifically focuses on Nigeria, which has been designated as a Country of Particular Concern due to severe violations of religious freedom. The primary purpose of this program is to strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s legal community to defend religious freedom and engage constructively with state actors. The initiative seeks to improve access to justice for individuals facing religious persecution or discrimination, including violations of related rights such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The program aims to address systemic barriers such as intimidation of lawyers, societal pressures, and limited expertise in international human rights law, all of which currently hinder effective legal advocacy in Nigeria. Funding will support activities that build legal capacity, promote strategic litigation, and enhance collaboration between legal actors and government institutions. Programs are expected to lead to sustainable improvements beyond the grant period, including reforms in legal frameworks and increased public demand for adherence to international religious freedom standards. However, certain activities are explicitly prohibited, including humanitarian aid, purely academic research without capacity-building, micro-loans, and unrelated international exchanges. All activities must align with U.S. foreign policy objectives and constitutional requirements, including compliance with the Establishment Clause. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes foreign and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, public international organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit entities. While for-profit organizations may apply, they are subject to additional scrutiny and cannot earn profit from the award. Applicants must also have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov. Cost sharing is not required and does not provide a competitive advantage in the selection process. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or MyGrants and includes multiple components such as standard federal forms (SF-424 series), a detailed proposal narrative, budget and budget narrative, logic model, monitoring and evaluation plan, risk analysis, and supporting documentation. Applications must be submitted in English, adhere to formatting guidelines, and include clearly defined objectives, measurable outcomes, and implementation strategies. The deadline for submission is July 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including the quality and originality of the program idea, feasibility of implementation, organizational capacity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Preference is given to proposals that demonstrate innovative approaches, measurable impact, and the ability to operate effectively within Nigeria’s complex legal and cultural environment. The review process includes a merit panel and final approval by the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom or their delegate. The anticipated award amount is $3,500,000, with one award expected. The period of performance ranges from 24 to 48 months, and the program is expected to begin approximately four months after the award is made. While the opportunity is currently open for applications, it is not explicitly stated as recurring. Applicants are encouraged to contact IRFGrants@state.gov for technical questions and to ensure timely submission through the designated platforms.

Focus on measurable outcomes sustainability and legal impact; demonstrate experience in complex legal systems; avoid duplicating existing programs; ensure strong partnerships and risk mitigation strategies