IRF FY25 Nigeria Documentation and Accountability for Religious Freedom Abuses

The Office of International Religious Freedom within the U.S. Department of State administers this funding opportunity to support global efforts that advance freedom of religion or belief. The program is grounded in U.S. foreign policy priorities and the legal framework established under the Foreign Assistance Act. Through this initiative, the agency seeks to strengthen civil society’s role in documenting, reporting, and advancing accountability for religious freedom abuses, specifically within Nigeria, a country identified as facing severe and ongoing violations. The primary purpose of this grant is to improve the quality, accessibility, and use of documentation related to religious freedom abuses in Nigeria. The program emphasizes the importance of accurate, secure, and actionable data collection that can support advocacy, accountability mechanisms, and memorialization efforts. Activities funded under this opportunity must directly respond to restrictions on religious freedom, including violence and coercion targeting individuals and communities based on their beliefs. The initiative aims to ensure that documented evidence contributes to both national and international accountability processes. Funding under this opportunity totals 3500000 dollars and is expected to support a single award over a performance period of 24 to 48 months. The program allows for either a grant or cooperative agreement, depending on the level of federal involvement required. Allowable activities focus on capacity building for civil society actors, strengthening documentation methodologies, and enabling engagement with legal and international accountability systems. Restrictions include prohibitions on humanitarian aid, purely academic research without applied components, and activities not directly tied to in-country impact. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes foreign and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, public international organizations, and for-profit entities, although nonprofit organizations are preferred. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, relevant experience, and the ability to operate in complex security environments. Cost sharing is not required and does not influence competitiveness. All applicants must maintain active registration in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. The application process is comprehensive and requires submission through Grants.gov or MyGrants. Required components include standard federal forms, a detailed proposal narrative, budget and budget narrative, logic model, monitoring and evaluation plans, risk analysis, security plan, and supporting documentation such as letters of support. Proposals must clearly articulate objectives, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and align with program goals. Evaluation criteria include program quality, feasibility, organizational capacity, cost effectiveness, sustainability, and adherence to a rights-based approach. The application deadline is July 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications are currently being accepted, and the anticipated program start date is approximately four months after award. The review process includes technical eligibility screening, merit panel evaluation, and final approval by senior leadership within the Office of International Religious Freedom. Applicants may be required to address conditions or recommendations prior to final award. This funding opportunity is not explicitly stated as recurring, and applicants should treat it as a competitive, one-time solicitation unless otherwise announced in future cycles. Organizations are encouraged to design programs with long-term sustainability and measurable impact, particularly in regions of Nigeria most affected by religious violence, such as the Middle Belt.

Align proposal with accountability outcomes and measurable impacts; prioritize Middle Belt regions and specify at least four states; demonstrate partnerships with local actors; avoid duplicating existing efforts; include strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks