Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016689
The grant opportunity titled Building International Capacity to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0016689) is a U.S. government-funded initiative aimed at helping countries strengthen how they regulate commercial spyware. The core purpose is to build practical, durable capacity so that governments can design and implement rules that prevent spyware from spreading or being misused, while keeping those rules aligned with international best practices. A major emphasis of the program is encouraging regulatory approaches that are both technically informed (grounded in how spyware is actually developed, sold, deployed, and maintained) and rights-respecting (designed to reduce abuse and protect civil liberties such as privacy, freedom of expression, and due process).
The funding is offered by the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy under CFDA 19.665, and it is categorized as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically means the U.S. government expects to have substantial involvement during the project, such as collaborating on objectives, reviewing deliverables, or coordinating on engagement with foreign partners and stakeholders. The opportunity anticipates making a single award, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000, indicating this is intended to support one main implementer or consortium leading a focused, high-impact effort rather than multiple smaller projects.
Programmatically, the work described centers on helping countries develop effective regulations to curb the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware. In practical terms, that can involve supporting the creation or improvement of legal and regulatory frameworks, assisting with policy design that reflects real technical constraints and risks, and promoting safeguards that reduce the likelihood of spyware being used for unlawful surveillance, political repression, or targeting of journalists, activists, opposition figures, or other vulnerable groups. The description also highlights an advocacy component: encouraging adoption of regulatory models that are consistent with international norms and best practices, and ensuring those models do not inadvertently create loopholes, weak oversight, or disproportionate impacts on human rights. The phrase technically sound and rights-respecting signals that the program is not just about banning tools in theory, but about crafting workable rules around areas like licensing, procurement, export/import controls, transparency and reporting, oversight and accountability mechanisms, and avenues for redress when misuse occurs.
Eligibility is broad and includes a range of organization types capable of implementing international policy and capacity-building work. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit and non-governmental organizations that fall under sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) of the U.S. tax code, Public International Organizations (PIOs) or Foreign Public Entities (FPEs), foreign-based non-profit organizations/NGOs, private/public/state institutions of higher education (universities and colleges), and for-profit organizations or businesses. This wide eligibility suggests the funder is open to approaches led by civil society, academia, international bodies, or private-sector entities, as long as the proposed work credibly advances regulatory capacity and supports responsible, rights-centered governance of commercial spyware.
Key logistical details from the announcement include a creation date of June 13, 2024, and an original application closing date of July 29, 2024. The opportunity category is listed as discretionary, and the activity category is listed as other, which often indicates a cross-cutting project that combines policy development, technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, training, and international coordination rather than fitting neatly into a single sector like health or education.
Overall, this opportunity funds one substantial project designed to help governments and relevant stakeholders move from awareness of spyware risks to concrete, enforceable, and internationally aligned regulatory solutions that reduce misuse and protect rights, backed by technical credibility and policy best practices.Apply for DFOP0016689
- The Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building International Capacity to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.665.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-29. (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 $1,000,000.00 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 Building International Capacity to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0016689.
Who is funding this opportunity?
This is a U.S. government-funded opportunity offered by the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.
What is the CFDA listing for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 19.665.
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The core purpose is to help countries strengthen their ability to regulate commercial spyware by building practical, durable capacity to design and implement rules that prevent spyware from spreading or being misused, while aligning those rules with international best practices.
What does the program mean by "commercial spyware" in this context?
Based on the opportunity description, the focus is on spyware that is developed, sold, deployed, and maintained as a commercial product or service, and that can be misused for unlawful surveillance or other abuses.
What does "technically informed" mean for proposed activities?
"Technically informed" means proposed regulatory approaches should be grounded in how spyware actually works in practice, including how it is built, sold, deployed, and maintained, and should reflect real-world technical constraints and risks.
What does "rights-respecting" mean for proposed activities?
"Rights-respecting" means the work should aim to reduce abuse and protect civil liberties, including privacy, freedom of expression, and due process, and should incorporate safeguards that reduce the likelihood of targeting journalists, activists, opposition figures, and other vulnerable groups.
What types of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The intended outcome is to help governments and stakeholders move from general awareness of spyware risks to concrete, enforceable, internationally aligned regulatory solutions that reduce misuse and protect rights.
What kinds of activities can be supported under this opportunity?
The description indicates support may include helping countries create or improve legal and regulatory frameworks, assisting with policy design that reflects technical realities, and promoting safeguards and accountability measures to prevent misuse.
Does the opportunity include an advocacy component?
Yes. The announcement highlights encouraging adoption of regulatory models consistent with international norms and best practices and avoiding rules that create loopholes, weak oversight, or disproportionate human-rights impacts.
What regulatory topics might be addressed by the project?
The opportunity signals workable rulemaking around areas such as licensing, procurement, export/import controls, transparency and reporting, oversight and accountability mechanisms, and avenues for redress when misuse occurs.
What is the award type?
The award is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for project implementation?
A cooperative agreement typically means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement during the project, such as collaborating on objectives, reviewing deliverables, or coordinating engagement with foreign partners and stakeholders.
How many awards does the opportunity expect to make?
The announcement anticipates making a single award.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
What does the award ceiling suggest about the project scope?
The ceiling and the plan to make one award suggest the program is designed to support one main implementer or consortium leading a focused, high-impact effort rather than multiple smaller projects.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: U.S.-based non-profit/NGOs under 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6), Public International Organizations (PIOs) or Foreign Public Entities (FPEs), foreign-based non-profit organizations/NGOs, private/public/state institutions of higher education, and for-profit organizations/businesses.
Does the opportunity allow for applications from foreign-based organizations?
Yes. The eligibility list includes foreign-based non-profit organizations/NGOs and also includes PIOs and Foreign Public Entities.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes for-profit organizations or businesses.
Are universities and colleges eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include private, public, and state institutions of higher education (universities and colleges).
What is the opportunity category?
The opportunity category is discretionary.
What is the activity category?
The activity category is listed as other, indicating a cross-cutting project that can combine policy development, technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, training, and international coordination.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The creation date listed is June 13, 2024.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date listed is July 29, 2024.
What kinds of risks and harms is the program trying to reduce?
The description emphasizes reducing unlawful surveillance and misuse tied to political repression or targeting of journalists, activists, opposition figures, and other vulnerable groups, while protecting civil liberties.
What does "internationally aligned" regulation mean in this opportunity?
It refers to regulatory approaches that are consistent with international norms and best practices, rather than isolated or ad hoc rules that could leave gaps, weaken oversight, or create unintended rights impacts.
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