Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019651
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity focused on "Countering Weaponized Migration to Central and Eastern Europe" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0019651). The goal is to fund analysis that deepens understanding of how malign foreign governments and their proxies deliberately manipulate migration flows to achieve geopolitical objectives, particularly by pressuring, destabilizing, or weakening democratic states in Central and Eastern Europe. DRL is looking for programs that do more than describe the problem in general terms; the emphasis is on generating practical, actionable analysis and developing approaches that can help expose these tactics and support efforts to counter them.
The opportunity frames "weaponized migration" as a strategy with historical precedent, referencing East Germany's Soviet-backed trafficking of migrants into West Germany in the 1980s as a way to stoke social tensions. DRL argues that similar patterns are appearing today, where state or state-backed criminal actors allegedly lure migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia toward Central and Eastern European democracies. The intent of these efforts, as described in the notice, is to create political strain, sharpen social divisions, and undermine stability. The notice also highlights a related dynamic: malign actors may exploit or intensify conflicts in other regions and then channel conflict-affected populations toward Europe, using displacement and humanitarian pressure as part of a broader influence or coercion campaign.
DRL is running this as an open competition for proposals, meaning applicants are expected to propose their own analytic frameworks, research plans, and counter-strategies aligned with the theme. While the notice is centered on analysis, it also explicitly calls for the development of approaches to expose and counter weaponized migration, which suggests that competitive proposals may combine research with policy design, stakeholder engagement, communications strategies, early warning tools, or other methods that help governments, civil society, and partners recognize and respond to state-enabled manipulation of migration. The funding activity category is listed as "Other," which typically signals flexibility in the type of work supported as long as it fits DRL's objectives and produces clear public benefit.
A single award is expected under this opportunity, with an award ceiling of $1,973,359. The application deadline is August 28, 2026, and the opportunity was posted on August 14, 2026. The program is administered under CFDA 19.345, and the funding instrument is a grant. DRL lists broad eligibility, allowing both U.S.-based and international applicants. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. This wide eligibility indicates DRL is open to proposals ranging from academic and think tank research to applied, practitioner-led analysis, including consortium approaches if they are permitted under the final solicitation rules.
In practical terms, this opportunity is designed to produce a clearer picture of how hostile actors use migration as a lever of influence and to translate that understanding into concrete methods for identifying, documenting, and countering those operations in Central and Eastern Europe. The end-state implied by the notice is improved resilience among targeted democracies: better situational awareness, stronger public understanding of malign manipulation, and more effective responses that protect democratic stability while recognizing the humanitarian realities surrounding migration and displacement.Apply for DFOP0019651
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering Weaponized Migration to Central and Eastern Europe" 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 2026-08-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-28. (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 $1,973,359.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Countering Weaponized Migration to Central and Eastern Europe."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0019651.
Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The purpose is to fund analysis that deepens understanding of how malign foreign governments and their proxies deliberately manipulate migration flows to achieve geopolitical objectives, especially to pressure, destabilize, or weaken democratic states in Central and Eastern Europe.
What does the opportunity mean by "weaponized migration"?
In this notice, "weaponized migration" is framed as the deliberate manipulation of migration flows by state or state-backed actors as a tool of influence or coercion. The notice cites historical precedent (such as Soviet-backed trafficking of migrants from East Germany into West Germany in the 1980s to stoke social tensions) and suggests similar patterns may be occurring today.
What kinds of outcomes is DRL looking for?
DRL is seeking work that goes beyond general descriptions and produces practical, actionable analysis. The implied end-state includes improved resilience among targeted democracies, including better situational awareness, stronger public understanding of malign manipulation, and more effective responses that protect democratic stability while acknowledging humanitarian realities around migration and displacement.
Is this opportunity only for research, or can it include other components?
Although the notice is centered on analysis, it also explicitly calls for developing approaches to expose and counter weaponized migration. Competitive proposals may therefore combine research with policy design, stakeholder engagement, communications strategies, early warning tools, or other methods that help governments, civil society, and partners recognize and respond to state-enabled manipulation of migration.
Does DRL prescribe a specific analytic framework or research method?
No. This is described as an open competition for proposals, meaning applicants are expected to propose their own analytic frameworks, research plans, and counter-strategies aligned with the theme.
What geographic focus does DRL emphasize?
The focus is Central and Eastern Europe, particularly democratic states that may be targeted by efforts to pressure, destabilize, or weaken them through manipulated migration flows.
Does the notice describe where migrants are allegedly being lured from?
Yes. The notice describes allegations that state or state-backed criminal actors lure migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia toward Central and Eastern European democracies.
Does the opportunity mention links between conflict and migration manipulation?
Yes. The notice highlights a related dynamic in which malign actors may exploit or intensify conflicts in other regions and then channel conflict-affected populations toward Europe, using displacement and humanitarian pressure as part of a broader influence or coercion campaign.
Is this a competitive funding opportunity?
Yes. DRL describes this as an open competition for proposals.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
The notice indicates that a single award is expected.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,973,359.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is August 28, 2026.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on August 14, 2026.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is administered under CFDA 19.345.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is listed as "Other," which typically signals flexibility in the type of work supported as long as it fits DRL's objectives and produces clear public benefit.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S.-based and international applicants. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
Are international applicants allowed?
Yes. DRL lists eligibility that includes international applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations are explicitly listed among eligible applicants.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
Yes. Individuals are listed among eligible applicant types.
Can governmental or intergovernmental entities apply?
Yes. Governmental institutions and public international organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
Is DRL looking for general background reports on migration issues?
No. DRL indicates it is looking for programs that do more than describe the problem in general terms. The emphasis is on practical, actionable analysis and on developing approaches that can help expose these tactics and support efforts to counter them.
What kinds of practical approaches does the notice suggest could be included?
The notice suggests that approaches could include policy design, stakeholder engagement, communications strategies, early warning tools, and other methods that help relevant actors recognize and respond to state-enabled manipulation of migration.
What public benefit does DRL appear to be aiming for?
Based on the notice, the public benefit centers on strengthening democratic resilience in Central and Eastern Europe by improving understanding of malign manipulation and translating that understanding into more effective, practical ways to identify, document, expose, and counter those operations.
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| Documenting Human Rights Abuses and Countering DPRK Propaganda Apply for DFOP0019674 Funding Number: DFOP0019674 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,960,039 |
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