Global Coalition Against Transnational Repression

The Global Coalition Against Transnational Repression funding opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. This program is designed to address the growing global challenge of transnational repression, a practice in which authoritarian governments extend their reach beyond borders to intimidate, harass, or harm diaspora communities, journalists, dissidents, and human rights defenders. The initiative reflects the Department’s broader mission to promote democratic values and protect fundamental freedoms worldwide by strengthening international coordination and response mechanisms. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish a comprehensive global program that improves awareness, coordination, and response capabilities among governments, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations. The program emphasizes a multi stakeholder approach that integrates public sector institutions with non governmental actors to develop cohesive strategies against transnational repression. Through this collaboration, the initiative seeks to enhance protection mechanisms for vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators operating across borders. Funding for this opportunity is provided through Democracy Funds under the Foreign Assistance Act, with a total available amount of 2960039 dollars and a single anticipated award. Individual award amounts range from 2000000 dollars to 2960039 dollars. The funding will support a cooperative agreement, meaning that the Department of State will maintain substantial involvement throughout the project lifecycle, including planning, implementation, and oversight. The performance period is expected to range from 24 to 36 months, with projects required to be completed within a maximum of 36 months. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as nonprofit organizations, think tanks, civil society organizations, public and private educational institutions, for profit entities where permitted, and individuals. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, including experience managing similar programs and the ability to coordinate subawards and partnerships. Organizations are required to maintain a valid Unique Entity Identifier and active registration in SAM.gov, ensuring compliance with federal funding requirements. Cost sharing is not required and does not influence application competitiveness. Program activities are expected to include organizing regional convenings known as global roadshows, facilitating dialogue between stakeholders, and developing educational toolkits and training materials. These activities will build capacity among participants to identify and respond to transnational repression tactics. Additional components include establishing secure information sharing platforms, producing analytical reports on emerging threats, and creating protocols that protect sensitive data and victim confidentiality. The program must also dedicate at least twenty percent of its budget to subawards or partnerships with local entities, ensuring localized engagement and sustainability. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or MyGrants and includes standard federal forms such as SF 424 and SF 424A, along with a detailed proposal narrative. The narrative must address program objectives, implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation plans, and sustainability considerations. Applicants must also provide a security plan outlining risk mitigation measures for participants and staff. Evaluation criteria focus on program quality, organizational capacity, feasibility, budget justification, and the ability to achieve measurable outcomes. The deadline for applications is August 12, 2026 at 1159 PM Eastern Time, with an anticipated project start date of September 30, 2026. Applicants may contact the Department of State via the designated email for questions regarding the application process. Successful applicants will be notified by September 30, 2026. This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in global human rights protection and aims to create a sustained international network capable of preventing and responding to transnational repression.

Align proposal clearly with stated objectives and demonstrate measurable impact, strong monitoring and evaluation, and organizational capacity to manage subawards and international coordination