INL Increasing Police Recruitment to Counter FTOs and TCOs in Colombia

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a program aimed at increasing police recruitment in Colombia to counter foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). INL’s broader mission is to enhance global security and protect U.S. interests by addressing crime, narcotics trafficking, and instability abroad through foreign assistance, diplomatic engagement, and policy coordination. This funding opportunity aligns with those goals by strengthening the operational capacity of the Colombian National Police (CNP) in regions heavily impacted by narcotrafficking, coca cultivation, and organized crime. The primary objective of the program is to expand the recruitment and retention of qualified individuals from priority geographic regions in Colombia, including Choco, Narino, Valle de Cauca, and Cauca. The program focuses on building a stronger, community-rooted police force capable of disrupting criminal networks and preventing youth recruitment into illegal armed groups. It aims to support approximately 1,000 recruits annually through scholarship assistance, including both commissioned and non-commissioned officer roles. By improving recruitment pipelines and enhancing community perceptions of the police, the initiative seeks long-term reductions in criminal activity and improved regional stability. Funding will be provided through a cooperative agreement, with substantial involvement from INL in project oversight and implementation. The total available funding is 4,000,000 dollars, with a single anticipated award ranging from a minimum of 3,000,000 dollars to a maximum of 4,000,000 dollars. The initial period of performance is 12 months, beginning in August 2026, with the possibility of extension up to five years depending on performance and funding availability. Funds are intended to support scholarship payments, recruitment activities, data systems, outreach campaigns, and program monitoring. Direct cash handling is discouraged, and all disbursements must be documented and auditable. Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Organizations must demonstrate capacity to manage federal assistance awards and comply with all registration requirements, including maintaining an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity Identifier. Applicants without an in-country presence in Colombia are required to partner with a local organization to carry out key functions such as candidate pre-selection, data collection, and coordination with the CNP. Cost sharing is not required but is encouraged and must be documented if included. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components such as standard federal forms, a detailed proposal narrative, a performance monitoring plan, a project risk analysis, and comprehensive budget documentation. The proposal narrative must outline the project’s theory of change, implementation strategy, and sustainability plan. Applicants must also provide organizational background, staffing plans, and evidence of past performance. Evaluation criteria include project design, monitoring and risk management, institutional capacity, and cost effectiveness. The timeline for this opportunity includes a question submission deadline of June 12, 2026, and a final application deadline of July 13, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the deadline date. Successful applicants are expected to be notified by September 2026. Award recipients must submit quarterly performance and financial reports and comply with all federal reporting and compliance requirements. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes, including recruitment increases, improved community perceptions, and long-term retention of officers in targeted regions. Key contacts for this funding opportunity include Dianne Murril and Eison Palacios, who serve as points of contact for grants and programmatic inquiries. The program is not explicitly stated as recurring, and future funding is contingent on performance and availability. Overall, this initiative represents a strategic investment in international law enforcement capacity building, with direct implications for regional security and U.S. national interests.

Ensure strong theory of change; align activities with measurable outcomes; demonstrate experience in similar programs; include robust monitoring and risk mitigation plans