Building International Capacity to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware | DFOP0016689

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.

• 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.

Apply for DFOP0016689

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