International Religious Freedom Fund (I-REFF) Emergency Assistance

The International Religious Freedom Fund (I-REFF) Emergency Assistance grant is a funding initiative administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF), under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. This program is part of the United States' longstanding commitment to promoting and defending religious freedom globally, as enshrined in the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and further strengthened by the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016. The fund operates under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and is supported by FY2025 Democracy Fund and Gift Funds. The I-REFF Emergency Assistance grant is a cooperative agreement valued at up to $4,853,409, and aims to provide emergency financial support to individuals and organizations experiencing or at risk of religious persecution. The purpose of the I-REFF Emergency Assistance program is to deliver timely and secure aid to victims of religious persecution and those who defend religious freedom. Assistance may cover urgent needs such as medical treatment resulting from assaults, legal representation, protection from imminent threats of violence, and replacement of confiscated or destroyed equipment. The program emphasizes both responsiveness and accountability, requiring implementers to verify emergency conditions, monitor use of funds, and prioritize recent emergencies using a structured triage plan. It is intended to ensure that recipients benefit in tangible ways—through improved safety, health, or freedom to practice their religion—and to do so without exposing them or the implementing organization to unnecessary risk. I-REFF was initially launched during the 2018 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom under President Trump and has since continued as a global response mechanism to support individuals and communities facing severe violations of religious liberty. The initiative defines religious persecution in alignment with the IRF Act, and prioritizes victims located in countries with documented systemic abuses, such as those designated by the U.S. government as Countries of Particular Concern or on the Special Watch List. Organizations applying for the grant are expected to demonstrate an extensive geographic reach, the capacity to verify emergency claims, and a strong network of trusted referral partners, including subgrantees, to ensure equitable access for victims across different religious backgrounds and global regions. This funding opportunity is open to a wide range of applicants, including U.S.-based and foreign non-profit and for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and public international organizations. While cost sharing is not required and offers no competitive advantage, all applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Each organization may submit only one application. The Department of State reserves substantial involvement in the implementation of the cooperative agreement, including the review of individual beneficiary cases, approval of performance indicators, guidance on monitoring and evaluation, and oversight of partner organizations involved in administering assistance. Applications will be accepted between January 14 and March 16, 2026, with an anticipated project start date of July 1, 2026. The performance period for awarded projects is expected to range between 36 and 48 months. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or MyGrants and must include the full set of required components: mandatory federal forms (SF-424 series), summary and proposal narratives, detailed budget and narrative, risk and security plans, key personnel bios, and documentation of past performance. Proposals should adhere to formatting and length guidelines strictly, as only content within the page limits will be reviewed. Evaluation of proposals will be based on a weighted system: 30 points for program quality and feasibility, 25 for planning and implementation capacity, 20 for organizational experience and staffing, 15 for the monitoring and evaluation plan, and 10 for budget clarity and appropriateness. The Department will also conduct a risk assessment of selected applicants prior to award, based on financial stability, performance history, and audit results. Successful applicants will receive payment via PMS or SF-270 and must adhere to standard federal post-award and reporting requirements. These include submission of narrative and financial progress reports, adherence to anti-discrimination and anti-trafficking certifications, and compliance with branding and marking standards.

Highlight applicant's expertise delivering secure assistance in high-risk areas; Ensure M&E indicators are strong and trackable; Follow page limits strictly to avoid disqualification.