Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0009539

The "2023 Full Proposal NOFO Asia" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0009539) is a discretionary funding opportunity released by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). Issued on March 17, 2023, and originally due on April 17, 2023, the notice invites full proposals from nongovernmental actors to support refugees and asylum seekers in three priority countries in Asia: Thailand, Bangladesh, and India. The overarching purpose is to fund humanitarian and protection-oriented programming that responds to the needs of displaced populations and the systems and organizations assisting them.

Awards under this opportunity are planned as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants. That distinction matters because a cooperative agreement typically implies more substantial U.S. government involvement during implementation, such as closer coordination, shared planning, or ongoing technical input and oversight compared with a traditional grant. The funding is categorized under an "Other" funding activity type (with additional clarification referenced in the original notice), which usually signals that the work spans multiple humanitarian sectors or does not fit neatly into a single standard category.

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.523, which corresponds to refugee-related assistance programming managed by PRM. While the eligible applicant field is listed broadly as "Others" (with further detail referenced in the full announcement), the description makes clear the intent is to support NGO programming. In practice, this generally points toward organizations with demonstrated capacity to run humanitarian assistance and protection programs, particularly those experienced in working with refugee and asylum-seeking communities and coordinating with host governments, UN agencies, and local civil society partners.

The stated award ceiling is $6,500,000, indicating the maximum amount that could be awarded for a single project under this solicitation. The posting lists "ExpectedAwards: 0," which can appear on some federal listings even when funding is anticipated; it may reflect internal posting conventions, pending final appropriations, or an administrative placeholder rather than a literal expectation of zero awards. The definitive number of awards, sizes, and final selections would typically be clarified in the full NOFO text and depend on proposal quality, funding availability, and PRM program priorities.

In terms of program focus, the notice is explicitly aimed at "NGO Programs Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers" in Thailand, Bangladesh, and India. Although the brief synopsis does not spell out sectors, PRM opportunities in this space commonly emphasize activities such as protection services (including legal assistance and case management), access to basic services, support for particularly vulnerable individuals, child protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, mental health and psychosocial support, livelihoods or self-reliance where permitted, community-based protection, and strengthening referral pathways and coordination mechanisms. Proposals are typically expected to be grounded in needs assessments, demonstrate strong safeguarding and accountability practices, and include clear monitoring and evaluation approaches appropriate to humanitarian settings.

Overall, this NOFO represents a PRM funding call for full proposals in FY 2023 to deliver or strengthen NGO-led assistance and protection for refugees and asylum seekers in selected Asian host-country contexts, using a cooperative agreement mechanism with a per-award cap of up to $6.5 million, under the State Department bureau responsible for refugee and migration humanitarian response.

  • The Department of State, Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2023 Full Proposal NOFO Asia" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.523.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Mar 17, 2023.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 17, 2023. (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 $6,500,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: 2023 Full Proposal NOFO Asia (SFOP0009539)

What is the "2023 Full Proposal NOFO Asia" opportunity?

It is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity (a Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO) released by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). It invites full proposals from nongovernmental actors to support refugees and asylum seekers in selected countries in Asia.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0009539.

Who is the issuing agency?

The issuing agency is the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).

When was this NOFO issued?

The NOFO was issued on March 17, 2023.

What was the original application due date?

The posting states an original due date of April 17, 2023.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

Awards under this opportunity are planned as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants.

What does it mean that awards are "cooperative agreements"?

In general, a cooperative agreement typically involves more substantial U.S. government involvement during implementation than a standard grant. The synopsis indicates this can include closer coordination, shared planning, and ongoing technical input and oversight compared with a traditional grant.

What is the overarching purpose of the funding?

The overarching purpose is to fund humanitarian and protection-oriented programming that responds to the needs of displaced populations (refugees and asylum seekers) and the systems and organizations assisting them.

Which countries are prioritized under this NOFO?

The NOFO identifies three priority countries in Asia: Thailand, Bangladesh, and India.

Who is the intended population to be served?

The opportunity is focused on programs supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

What types of organizations are expected to apply?

The notice invites full proposals from nongovernmental actors and describes the intent to support NGO programming. The eligible applicant field is listed broadly as "Others" with additional detail referenced in the full announcement, but the synopsis indicates NGO implementers are the primary target audience.

What experience or capacity does the opportunity imply applicants should have?

Based on the synopsis, it generally points toward organizations with demonstrated capacity to run humanitarian assistance and protection programs, particularly those experienced in working with refugee and asylum-seeking communities and coordinating with host governments, UN agencies, and local civil society partners.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.523.

What does CFDA 19.523 relate to?

CFDA 19.523 corresponds to refugee-related assistance programming managed by PRM.

What is the funding activity type listed for this NOFO?

The funding activity type is categorized as "Other" (with additional clarification referenced in the original notice).

What does "Other" funding activity type imply in this context?

The synopsis indicates that "Other" usually signals the work spans multiple humanitarian sectors or does not fit neatly into a single standard category.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The stated award ceiling is $6,500,000, which is the maximum amount that could be awarded for a single project under this solicitation.

Does the posting specify how many awards will be made?

The posting lists "ExpectedAwards: 0." The synopsis notes this can appear on some federal listings even when funding is anticipated and may reflect internal posting conventions, pending final appropriations, or an administrative placeholder. Final numbers would typically be clarified in the full NOFO text and depend on proposal quality, funding availability, and PRM priorities.

What program areas or sectors does PRM typically fund for refugees and asylum seekers under opportunities like this?

The synopsis does not list sectors explicitly, but it notes that PRM opportunities in this space commonly emphasize areas such as protection services (including legal assistance and case management), access to basic services, support for particularly vulnerable individuals, child protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, mental health and psychosocial support, livelihoods or self-reliance where permitted, community-based protection, and strengthening referral pathways and coordination mechanisms.

Are proposals expected to include needs assessments and accountability elements?

Yes. The synopsis states that proposals are typically expected to be grounded in needs assessments, demonstrate strong safeguarding and accountability practices, and include clear monitoring and evaluation approaches appropriate to humanitarian settings.

What is PRM trying to strengthen besides direct services?

In addition to meeting needs of displaced populations, the synopsis emphasizes supporting the systems and organizations assisting them, which can include strengthening referral pathways and coordination mechanisms.

Is this opportunity specific to FY 2023?

Yes. The synopsis describes it as a PRM funding call for full proposals in FY 2023.

Where would details like eligibility specifics, selection criteria, and final award quantities normally be confirmed?

The synopsis indicates that definitive details (including the number of awards, sizes, and final selections) would typically be clarified in the full NOFO text and would depend on proposal quality, funding availability, and PRM program priorities.

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