The Department of Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has announced an open competition for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 projects to combat wildlife trafficking and illegal logging in Sub-Saharan Africa.

INL combines forces with other U.S. Government (USG) and international agencies and takes a regional approach to widespread problems. INL also encourages more developed governments to take responsibility as equal partners in global efforts to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking. The Bureau’s priority programs support three inter-related objectives:

• BUILDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS: Institutionalize rule of law by developing and expanding criminal justice systems to strengthen partner country law enforcement and judicial effectiveness, foster cooperation in legal affairs, and advance respect for human rights;
• COUNTER-NARCOTICS: Disrupt the overseas production and trafficking of illicit drugs through targeted counter-narcotics and institution-building assistance and coordination with foreign nations and international organizations, and;
• TRANSNATIONAL CRIME: Minimize the impact of transnational crime and criminal networks on the United States and its allies through enhanced international cooperation and foreign assistance.

Project Goal: To reduce the ability of criminal groups to carry out and profit from poaching and trafficking of protected animals and their body parts, as well as protected timber, plants and lumber, originating from or transiting Africa.

Funding Information

• Applicants may submit applications for no less than $500,000 and no more than $1.5 million.
• The typical project lifecycle for an INL grant or cooperative agreement is approximately 24 months in length.

Target Population

Applicants should identify target audiences, specific demographics, and the sub-region(s) within Africa 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

Organizations submitting proposals must meet the following criteria:

• Be a registered U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3). Applicants in the process of registration must submit proof that they are seeking non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of proposal submission. Should the applicant be selected for a cooperative agreement award, funding will be contingent upon 501(c)(3) status; or
• Be a U.S. university or research institution meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3); or
• Be a local in-country non-profit organization based in Africa that can demonstrate current country registration, competent programmatic ability, and meet reporting requirements; or
• Be an international non-governmental organization that can demonstrate target country buyin, competent programmatic ability, and meet reporting requirements.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.