The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations or Educational Institutions for a Grant to implement a program entitled “Binational State Attorneys’ General Exchange and Training.”

The purpose of this project is to strengthen and support Mexico’s transition to and implementation of an oral, adversarial and accusatorial criminal justice system by providing legal educational and collaborative opportunities among and between U.S. and Mexican state Attorneys’ General Offices (AGO), through binational trainings, conferences and exchanges.

Goals: The main goal of this project is to ensure that criminal justice and law enforcement officials are able to work together to successfully prosecute crime and in ways that consistently apply the rule of law across jurisdictions in Mexico and the U.S.

Objectives

• Objective 1: Improve Mexican state criminal justice sector operators’ practical and theoretical knowledge of how to prosecute crime potentially through professional exchanges and other training events.
• Objective 2: Improve the capacity of law enforcement in Mexico and the U.S. to successfully investigate and prosecute transnational criminal activity, as well as foster collaborations supporting Mexico’s implementation of an accusatorial criminal justice system potentially by bringing together state Attorneys General from both countries, as well as federal, local and private sector partners from both countries.
• Objective 3: Increase collaboration between INL ROL implementing partners to ensure consistency across programs.

Funding Information

The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $3,120,000. The period of performance is three (3) years with an anticipated start date of March/April 2021.

Target Population

Applicants should identify target audiences, specific demographics, and the region(s) in which the project will be implemented. It is particularly important to specify the approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted by project activities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Mexico and meet INL’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Mexico, if required by Mexico. AND
• Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Mexico. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
• Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
• Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
• Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
• Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.