The United States Department of State is primarily responsible for the foreign affairs division of the US Government. However, its deep involvement in global diplomacy has led to opening up of channels for providing funding support to governments and NGOs from developing countries. It carries out research and produces information on various issues affecting the social, economic and political structures of poor countries around the world. Based on this research, the Department not only develops its bilateral policies to work with these countries, but also closely involves the civil society in addressing these issues. The issues include, democracy, human rights, trafficking, refugees, war crimes, women’s issues etc. There are separate bureaus and offices within the Department that deal with these issues. The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons is responsible for monitoring country policies against trafficking around the world. It also issues grant funding to NGOs in countries where trafficking is a problem. Likewise, the Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues is responsible for ” foreign policy issues relted to the political, economic, and social advancement of women in democracy worldwide.”

For more information and to find funding opportunities, it is best to keep monitoring the Department’s website. The US Government’s grant managing website, www.grants.gov also has up-to-date information about grants from the Department.