Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007487
The U.S. Department of State, through the Office of Global Womens Issues (S/GWI), released this discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007487) as a Request for Statements of Interest focused on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) implementation led by women-led civil society. The agency is looking for an organization that can propose a strong program concept and demonstrate the operational capacity to run a multi-country, multi-region initiative under a cooperative agreement, meaning the Department of State expects to have an active partnership role during implementation rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant.
At its core, the opportunity is built around two connected program components. The first is a structured, longer-term partnership model that works equitably with a range of local womens civil society organizations in at least five countries across at least three different regions. The intent is to advance WPS initiatives that are locally designed, which signals that the funding is meant to support solutions driven by local women leaders and organizations, not imported templates. The second component is a smaller, limited rapid-response capability that can provide WPS support globally, allowing the program to respond quickly to emerging needs or opportunities related to women, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, protection, or participation in peace and security decision-making.
A notable feature of the design is that both components may include optional organizational capacity-building, but only when it is requested by local civil society partners and approved by S/GWI. In practice, this means capacity-building is not meant to be imposed as a default; it should be responsive to what local organizations say they need for their own institutional growth and long-term sustainability. The grant also places an explicit emphasis on inclusion: some activities must support women from ethnic and religious minorities and other historically marginalized groups, making it clear that the program should not only benefit women broadly but also address barriers faced by women who experience compounded discrimination or exclusion in conflict-affected or fragile settings.
The award is structured as a single expected cooperative agreement, with an award ceiling of $5,200,000 and an anticipated total of one award. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and other qualifying nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and additional eligible entities as further described in the full notice. The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.801. The notice was created on December 15, 2020, and originally closed on February 12, 2021, which is important for timing: while the program description is still useful for understanding State Department priorities and what a strong WPS civil society platform looks like, the listed submission window has already passed unless a new round or related follow-on opportunity is issued.
Overall, this opportunity is essentially seeking one lead implementer capable of managing a global platform that both (a) funds and supports locally led WPS work through equitable partnerships in multiple countries and regions and (b) maintains a modest rapid-response mechanism for time-sensitive WPS needs worldwide, while centering inclusion of marginalized women and offering partner-driven capacity support to strengthen local civil society over the long term.Apply for SFOP0007487
- The Department of State, Office of Global Womens Issues in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Statements of Interest: Global Support for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Implementation by Women-led Civil Society" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.801.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 15, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 12, 2021. (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 $5,200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Global Womens Issues (S/GWI), released as a Request for Statements of Interest focused on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) implementation led by women-led civil society. The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007487.
Which U.S. government office is offering the award?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the Office of Global Womens Issues (S/GWI).
What type of award is expected?
The Department anticipates making a single cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement indicates the Department of State expects to play an active partnership role during implementation rather than issuing a hands-off grant.
How many awards are anticipated?
The notice anticipates one award in total.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $5,200,000.
What is the main program goal?
The core goal is to implement Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives through women-led civil society, using a model that supports locally designed solutions across multiple countries and regions, while also maintaining a limited rapid-response capability for emerging global WPS needs.
What does WPS refer to in this opportunity?
WPS refers to Women, Peace, and Security, including areas such as women-led peacebuilding, conflict prevention, protection, and womens participation in peace and security decision-making.
What are the two connected program components described in the notice?
The opportunity is built around two connected components: (1) a structured, longer-term partnership model with local womens civil society organizations in multiple countries and regions, and (2) a smaller, limited rapid-response capability that can provide WPS support globally for time-sensitive needs or opportunities.
What is required under the longer-term partnership component?
The partnership component is intended to work equitably with a range of local womens civil society organizations in at least five countries across at least three different regions, advancing WPS initiatives that are locally designed.
How many countries and regions must be included?
The longer-term partnership model must include at least five countries across at least three different regions.
Is the initiative intended to be multi-country and multi-region?
Yes. The Department is looking for an organization that can run a multi-country, multi-region initiative under a cooperative agreement.
What is the rapid-response component expected to do?
The rapid-response component is described as a smaller, limited capability that can support WPS needs globally and respond quickly to emerging needs or opportunities related to women, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, protection, or participation in peace and security decision-making.
Is capacity-building required for local partners?
Capacity-building is optional and is not described as a default requirement. Both components may include organizational capacity-building only when it is requested by local civil society partners and approved by S/GWI.
Who decides whether capacity-building activities are included?
Capacity-building may be included when requested by local civil society partners, and it must also be approved by S/GWI.
Does the opportunity emphasize locally led design?
Yes. The notice signals that WPS initiatives should be locally designed and driven by local women leaders and organizations, rather than relying on imported templates.
What does "equitable partnership" imply in this notice?
The notice describes a structured partnership model that works equitably with local womens civil society organizations, indicating the approach should be collaborative and locally driven while supporting partner organizations across multiple countries and regions.
Are there specific inclusion priorities?
Yes. The opportunity places explicit emphasis on inclusion, stating that some activities must support women from ethnic and religious minorities and other historically marginalized groups, particularly in conflict-affected or fragile settings.
Do activities need to address women who experience compounded exclusion?
Yes. The notice makes clear the program should address barriers faced by women from ethnic and religious minorities and other historically marginalized groups, acknowledging compounded discrimination or exclusion.
Who is the intended lead implementer?
The opportunity is seeking one lead implementer capable of managing a global platform that supports locally led WPS work through equitable partnerships and also maintains a modest rapid-response mechanism.
What kind of organizational capacity is the Department looking for in an applicant?
The Department is looking for an organization that can propose a strong program concept and demonstrate operational capacity to run a multi-country, multi-region initiative, with the Department playing an active role during implementation through a cooperative agreement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and other qualifying nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and additional eligible entities as described in the full notice.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Qualifying nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Is this opportunity limited only to U.S.-based organizations?
No. The eligibility description includes U.S.-based and other qualifying nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and also notes that additional eligible entities are further described in the full notice.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.801.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007487.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on December 15, 2020.
What was the original closing date for submissions?
The opportunity originally closed on February 12, 2021.
Is this opportunity currently open based on the dates provided?
Based on the dates provided, the listed submission window has already passed (original close date: February 12, 2021) unless a new round or related follow-on opportunity is issued.
What should readers take away if the submission window has passed?
Even if the submission period has ended, the program description can still be useful for understanding State Department priorities and what a strong WPS civil society platform looks like, including multi-country partnerships, rapid-response support, inclusion of marginalized women, and partner-driven capacity support.
Does the Department of State expect to be involved during implementation?
Yes. Because the award is expected to be a cooperative agreement, the Department of State expects an active partnership role during implementation.
What does the opportunity say about the scale of the rapid-response mechanism?
It describes the rapid-response capability as smaller and limited, intended to respond quickly to emerging global WPS needs or opportunities.
What does the opportunity prioritize in terms of sustainability for local organizations?
The notice indicates that capacity-building, when requested by local partners and approved by S/GWI, is meant to be responsive to local needs for institutional growth and long-term sustainability rather than imposed by default.
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