Grant opportunity

Global Digital Threat Lab

DRL is funding a Global Digital Threat Lab to address online freedom of expression, commercial spyware, AI-enabled cyber threats and digital repression.

GrantDigital rightsHuman rightsCybersecurityDemocracyGlobal
Funder
U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Applications close 13 August 2026
Applications close 13 August 2026: Aug 13, 2026
Award
One award of USD 2,960,039
Applicant
U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofit organisations, NGOs, private or public higher education institutions, and for-profit organisations or businesses.
Discipline
Law, Governance and Human Rights
Region
Global
Posted
Jul 14, 2026

Call summary

Overview

This call supports democracy, human rights and labor work responding to digital threats, censorship, commercial spyware and AI-enabled threats to civic space.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofit organisations and NGOs, private or public institutions of higher education, and for-profit organisations or businesses.

What it supports

  • Digital threat monitoring and response related to freedom of expression online.
  • Threats from authoritarian governments, spyware, AI-enabled cyberattacks and digital repression.
  • Work that protects privacy, access to information and freedoms of expression, assembly, association and religion or belief online.

Funding and duration

  • The listing shows one expected award.
  • Award minimum and maximum are both listed as USD 2,960,039.
  • Cost sharing is not required.

Applications close 13 August 2026

Applications close 13 August 2026: Aug 13, 2026

How to apply

Apply through Grants.gov or MyGrants using opportunity number DFOP0019364 and the official NOFO package.

Call details

Source-based overview

The Global Digital Threat Lab NOFO addresses rising online threats to expression, privacy and civic freedoms. It focuses on authoritarian uses of technology, commercial spyware and AI-enabled cyber activity that can suppress dissent and restrict access to information.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofit organisations and NGOs, private or public institutions of higher education, and for-profit organisations or businesses.

Funding and benefits

The listing shows one expected award.

Award minimum and maximum are both listed as USD 2,960,039.

Cost sharing is not required.

Themes and supported activities

Digital threat monitoring and response related to freedom of expression online.

Threats from authoritarian governments, spyware, AI-enabled cyberattacks and digital repression.

Work that protects privacy, access to information and freedoms of expression, assembly, association and religion or belief online.

Deadline and timeline

Applications close 13 August 2026: Applications close 13 August 2026: Aug 13, 2026.

Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.

How to apply

Apply through Grants.gov or MyGrants using opportunity number DFOP0019364 and the official NOFO package.

Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.