Developing Civilizational Bonds, Democratic Resilience, and Rule of Law in Europe

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor within the U.S. Department of State seeks proposals to advance democratic resilience, the rule of law, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press across Europe by supporting research, conferences, cultural initiatives, and civil society efforts aimed at confronting challenges such as national sovereignty disputes, migration pressures, censorship, and lawfare. The initiative is grounded in a shared commitment to Western civilizational values, political philosophy, and legal traditions, and seeks to reinforce institutional integrity and civic engagement through targeted, evidence-based interventions that promote human rights and democratic norms. Proposals must demonstrate a clear alignment with these objectives and show capacity to implement programs across multiple European contexts. The solicitation, identified as DFOP0019307, was posted on July 16, 2026, with a submission deadline of August 12, 2026, and falls under NAICS Code 541720 for research and development in the social sciences and humanities. Applications are open to federal and eligible organizations with experience in international democratic development, and proposals will be evaluated based on their strategic relevance, feasibility, and potential for measurable impact. All inquiries should be directed to the Bureau’s designated point of contact via email or phone. There is no set-aside designation for this opportunity, and performance is expected to occur across Europe with no specific location designated for implementation.