INL Increasing Police Recruitment to Counter FTOs and TCOs in Colombia

The INL – Increasing Police Recruitment to Counter Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Transnational Criminal Organizations in Colombia is a federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. This program is designed to strengthen public safety and national security by supporting efforts to increase recruitment into the Colombian National Police, particularly in regions heavily impacted by narcotrafficking, criminal organizations, and instability. The initiative aligns with broader U.S. foreign assistance objectives to reduce transnational crime and enhance regional stability in the Western Hemisphere. The primary purpose of this program is to increase the number of qualified individuals joining the Colombian National Police from priority regions where criminal organizations are actively recruiting and operating. The program focuses on providing scholarship support to eligible candidates, enabling them to enter police training programs and serve in areas most affected by illicit activities. By strengthening police recruitment pipelines, the program seeks to reduce the influence and growth of foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations that threaten both Colombian and U.S. security interests. Funded activities under this opportunity include recruitment, vetting, and training support for police candidates, as well as the administration of scholarship funds through structured financial systems. The implementing organization is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely disbursement of funds, maintaining financial accountability, and minimizing direct cash handling. Additional responsibilities include organizing recruitment campaigns, supporting outreach and communications strategies, and developing systems to track participant performance and program outcomes. The program also requires collaboration with the Colombian National Police and the U.S. Embassy to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and effective implementation. The program emphasizes data collection, monitoring, and reporting to evaluate effectiveness and inform future programming. Recipients must submit regular progress and financial reports, including quarterly performance reports through designated systems. Activities also include conducting surveys and collecting metrics related to recruitment trends, community perceptions, and program outcomes. The initiative incorporates community engagement strategies to improve perceptions of law enforcement and reduce the appeal of criminal organizations among youth populations in targeted regions. The total available funding for this opportunity is $4,000,000, with a single award anticipated. Individual awards must fall between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000. The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement from the Department of State in project implementation and oversight. The initial project period is 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. While cost sharing is not required, it is encouraged and must be documented if included in the proposal. Eligibility for this program is limited to organizations, including U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement programs in Colombia or partner with a Colombia-based organization to fulfill local operational requirements. For-profit organizations and public international organizations are explicitly excluded. Applicants must also meet federal registration requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive set of required documents such as proposal narratives, budgets, monitoring plans, and risk analyses. The application deadline is July 13, 2026, with an estimated project start date of August 2026. This opportunity represents a targeted investment in strengthening law enforcement capacity and countering criminal recruitment in high-risk regions of Colombia through coordinated international assistance efforts.