Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007207
The grant opportunity titled "Preparing to Promote Defections from the ADF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007207) is a U.S. Department of State program run through the Bureau of Conflict Stabilization Operations. It is designed to help Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) weaken the influence of the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) by improving how defections are encouraged, managed, and followed by safe reintegration. The core idea is that defections and reintegration do not work well if they are improvised; they require practical systems, clear roles, and coordination so that people leaving the armed group can do so safely and communities receiving them are not put at greater risk.
The main purpose of the program is preparatory: it aims to equip Uganda and the DRC with best practices and hands-on technical support to build effective and coordinated strategies, frameworks, and mechanisms for promoting defections from the ADF and reintegrating former members. Rather than focusing on large-scale operational programming right away, the project is meant to lay the groundwork so that follow-on defection promotion efforts and reintegration activities can be implemented according to established best practices. A major emphasis is risk reduction, both for defectors and for the communities and institutions that will receive them. The opportunity description highlights that without sufficient preparation, defectors could face a hostile reintegration environment in eastern DRC and Uganda, which can undermine demobilization efforts, raise security concerns, and potentially drive recidivism or retaliation.
Strategically, this opportunity supports a broader U.S. government policy objective: reducing the activity of armed groups in eastern DRC. By strengthening credible pathways out of the ADF, the program is meant to make defection more feasible and attractive while also making reintegration more structured and safer. In practice, that typically implies helping governments and relevant stakeholders put in place coordinated procedures and standards for identifying and receiving defectors, handling screening and protection issues responsibly, establishing referral pathways for services, and setting up mechanisms that reduce fear and backlash in affected communities. The stated end state is that both Uganda and the DRC have aligned and functional approaches that can support later, more direct programming aimed at increasing defections and sustaining reintegration outcomes.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government would likely expect a more collaborative relationship with the awardee than in a standard grant. The opportunity is listed under CFDA (now often referred to as Assistance Listing) 19.121. The eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status in the United States, excluding institutions of higher education. The program anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $799,875. The opportunity was posted on July 17, 2020, and originally closed on August 17, 2020.
Overall, the grant is centered on strengthening the enabling environment for defections and reintegration related to the ADF in Uganda and the DRC. The value proposition is that well-planned, coordinated, and risk-aware systems can weaken armed group influence by making exit pathways more credible and by reducing the likelihood that defectors or their communities experience harm, stigma, or instability as a result of reintegration.Apply for SFOP0007207
- The Department of State, Bureau of Conflict Stabilization Operations in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Preparing to Promote Defections from the ADF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.121.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 17, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 17, 2020. (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 $799,875.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Preparing to Promote Defections from the ADF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007207.
Which U.S. government entity is running this program?
This is a U.S. Department of State program run through the Bureau of Conflict Stabilization Operations.
What problem is the program trying to address?
The program is designed to help Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) weaken the influence of the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) by improving how defections are encouraged, managed, and followed by safe reintegration.
Who is the ADF in the context of this opportunity?
In this opportunity, the ADF is described as an Islamic State-affiliated armed group whose influence and activity the program aims to reduce by strengthening credible pathways for defection and safer reintegration.
What is the main purpose of the project (operational programming or preparation)?
The main purpose is preparatory. The project focuses on equipping Uganda and the DRC with best practices and hands-on technical support to build effective and coordinated strategies, frameworks, and mechanisms for promoting defections and reintegrating former members, rather than launching large-scale operational programming immediately.
What does "preparatory" mean for this grant in practical terms?
It means building the groundwork needed for later defection-promotion and reintegration efforts to work well. The opportunity emphasizes creating practical systems, clarifying roles, and improving coordination so defections can happen safely and reintegration can be managed in a structured way.
Why does the opportunity emphasize preparation instead of improvised approaches?
Because the opportunity states that defections and reintegration do not work well if improvised. Without sufficient preparation, defectors may face a hostile reintegration environment in eastern DRC and Uganda, which can undermine demobilization efforts, raise security concerns, and potentially drive recidivism or retaliation.
Which countries are the focus of this program?
The program focuses on Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with particular attention to conditions affecting reintegration in eastern DRC and Uganda.
What outcomes is the program trying to enable in Uganda and the DRC?
The stated end state is that both Uganda and the DRC have aligned and functional approaches that can support later, more direct programming aimed at increasing defections and sustaining reintegration outcomes.
What kinds of systems or mechanisms does the opportunity suggest improving?
The description points to coordinated procedures and standards for identifying and receiving defectors, responsibly handling screening and protection issues, establishing referral pathways for services, and setting up mechanisms to reduce fear and backlash in affected communities.
How does the program define success at a high level?
Success is framed as strengthening the enabling environment for defections and reintegration so that exit pathways out of the ADF are more credible, reintegration is more structured and safer, and the risk of harm, stigma, or instability to defectors and their communities is reduced.
What is the program's approach to risk?
A major emphasis is risk reduction for both defectors and the communities and institutions that receive them. The opportunity highlights that poor preparation can increase security concerns and contribute to negative outcomes like recidivism or retaliation.
How does this opportunity connect to broader U.S. government policy?
Strategically, it supports a broader U.S. government policy objective of reducing the activity of armed groups in eastern DRC by strengthening credible pathways out of the ADF.
What type of funding instrument is expected for this award?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for the relationship with the U.S. government?
The opportunity notes that a cooperative agreement typically implies a more collaborative relationship with the U.S. government than a standard grant.
What is the Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA (now often referred to as Assistance Listing) 19.121.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status in the United States, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are universities or institutions of higher education eligible?
No. The opportunity explicitly excludes institutions of higher education from eligibility.
How many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $799,875.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 17, 2020.
When did the opportunity originally close?
The opportunity originally closed on August 17, 2020.
Is this grant focused on direct reintegration service delivery right away?
Based on the description provided, the emphasis is on preparation and establishing best-practice frameworks and mechanisms so that follow-on defection promotion efforts and reintegration activities can later be implemented effectively and safely.
What is the core value proposition of the program?
The opportunity argues that well-planned, coordinated, and risk-aware systems can weaken armed group influence by making exit pathways more credible and by reducing the likelihood that defectors or their communities experience harm, stigma, or instability as a result of reintegration.
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