Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0004171

The FY18 DRL Labor Rights and Mega Sporting Events opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0004171) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It focuses on supporting projects that confront and reduce the potential negative human rights and labor rights impacts connected to international "mega-sporting events" such as large, high-profile tournaments that require major construction, extensive service-sector staffing, and significant public and private investment. The central idea behind the solicitation is that these events can create heightened risks for labor exploitation and other rights abuses, and DRL is inviting proposals that meaningfully address those risks through practical, rights-based interventions.

The opportunity was posted on February 26, 2018, with an original application deadline of April 16, 2018. Awards are issued as grants, and the maximum funding amount per award is listed as $500,000. The listing shows "Expected Awards: 0," which can occur in federal postings when the agency cannot commit in advance to a specific number of awards and may depend on the availability of funds, the quality of applications received, or shifting program priorities. The program is associated with CFDA number 19.345, which corresponds to the State Department's democracy, human rights, and labor programming line.

While the notice does not spell out detailed program activities in the excerpt provided, the scope is clearly aimed at mitigating harms that can occur around mega-sporting events, where rapid timelines and intense demand for labor can lead to unsafe working conditions, wage theft, recruitment fees and debt bondage, confiscation of identity documents, forced overtime, restrictions on freedom of movement, retaliation against worker organizing, and related abuses affecting migrant workers and other vulnerable groups. Projects responsive to this kind of solicitation typically involve combinations of monitoring and documentation, worker rights education, advocacy with governments and event organizers, engagement with companies and supply chains, strengthening grievance mechanisms and access to remedy, and building partnerships with local civil society to sustain pressure and protections before, during, and after the event.

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with a note pointing to additional information in the full announcement for clarification. In practice, DRL competitions commonly attract applications from nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, civil society groups, and sometimes academic or research institutions and other qualified entities, depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete solicitation. Overall, this grant opportunity is intended to catalyze targeted, time-sensitive, and impact-oriented efforts that improve labor and human rights outcomes in the context of major international sporting events, with funding up to half a million dollars per award.

  • The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY18 DRL Labor Rights and Mega Sporting Events" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Feb 26, 2018.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 16, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for SFOP0004171

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FY18 DRL Labor Rights and Mega Sporting Events opportunity?

It is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). The opportunity supports projects that confront and reduce potential negative human rights and labor rights impacts linked to international "mega-sporting events."

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0004171.

Who is the funding agency?

The funding agency is the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).

What types of events does this grant focus on?

The grant focuses on international "mega-sporting events," described as large, high-profile tournaments that typically involve major construction, extensive service-sector staffing, and significant public and private investment.

Why are mega-sporting events a focus for labor rights and human rights work?

The solicitation is based on the idea that these events can create heightened risks for labor exploitation and other rights abuses, especially when rapid timelines and intense labor demand are involved.

What kinds of harms or abuses is this opportunity trying to mitigate?

The scope is aimed at mitigating harms that can occur around mega-sporting events, including unsafe working conditions, wage theft, recruitment fees and debt bondage, confiscation of identity documents, forced overtime, restrictions on freedom of movement, and retaliation against worker organizing. The notice also highlights risks to migrant workers and other vulnerable groups.

What is the main purpose or goal of projects funded under this opportunity?

The central goal is to support practical, rights-based interventions that meaningfully address and reduce labor and human rights risks connected to mega-sporting events.

What types of activities might a responsive project include?

While the excerpt does not provide a detailed required activity list, it describes common responsive approaches such as monitoring and documentation, worker rights education, advocacy with governments and event organizers, engagement with companies and supply chains, strengthening grievance mechanisms and access to remedy, and building partnerships with local civil society to sustain protections before, during, and after the event.

Does the excerpt list specific required program activities?

No. The excerpt states that the notice does not spell out detailed program activities in the portion provided, but it clearly frames the scope around reducing rights risks tied to mega-sporting events.

What type of award is offered?

Awards are issued as grants.

What is the maximum funding amount per award?

The maximum funding amount per award is listed as $500,000.

How many awards are expected?

The listing shows "Expected Awards: 0." The excerpt notes this can appear in federal postings when an agency cannot commit in advance to a specific number of awards and decisions may depend on funding availability, application quality, or shifting program priorities.

When was this opportunity posted?

It was posted on February 26, 2018.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was April 16, 2018.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The program is associated with CFDA number 19.345.

What does CFDA 19.345 correspond to?

The excerpt states that CFDA 19.345 corresponds to the State Department's democracy, human rights, and labor programming line.

Who is eligible to apply based on the excerpt?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with a note that additional information is provided in the full announcement for clarification.

What kinds of applicants commonly apply to DRL competitions like this?

The excerpt notes that DRL competitions commonly attract applications from nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, civil society groups, and sometimes academic or research institutions and other qualified entities, depending on the specific eligibility language in the full solicitation.

Is this opportunity designed to support time-sensitive interventions?

Yes. The excerpt describes the intent as catalyzing targeted, time-sensitive, and impact-oriented efforts to improve labor and human rights outcomes in the context of major international sporting events.

Is the focus limited to construction labor?

No. The excerpt mentions major construction and also highlights extensive service-sector staffing and broader labor dynamics connected to these events.

Does the opportunity explicitly mention migrant workers?

Yes. The excerpt specifically references abuses affecting migrant workers and other vulnerable groups.

What does the solicitation suggest about engagement with event organizers or companies?

The excerpt indicates that responsive projects often include advocacy with governments and event organizers, and engagement with companies and supply chains, as part of efforts to reduce labor and human rights harms.

Does the excerpt mention remedies or grievance mechanisms for workers?

Yes. It notes that projects responsive to this type of solicitation typically include strengthening grievance mechanisms and improving access to remedy.

Is the detailed eligibility language included in the excerpt?

No. The excerpt only states that eligibility is listed as "Others" and points to the full announcement for clarification.

Where should applicants look for complete requirements and eligibility details?

The excerpt indicates that additional details, including eligibility clarification, are in the full announcement for Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0004171.

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