Combatting Transnational Organized Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina through Enhanced Forensic Accounting

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), is offering a funding opportunity to strengthen the capacity of Bosnia and Herzegovina to combat transnational organized crime through enhanced forensic accounting. INL’s broader mission focuses on countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad, with this program specifically targeting the financial dimensions of criminal networks that operate across borders. The initiative is rooted in the recognition that Bosnia and Herzegovina plays a key role along the Balkan route, where criminal organizations facilitate the movement of narcotics, weapons, and illicit financial flows tied to global cartels. The primary purpose of this grant is to improve forensic accounting capabilities within Bosnia and Herzegovina by establishing a sustainable, practice-oriented training system for prosecutors and law enforcement investigators. The project aims to enable these professionals to trace illicit financial flows, analyze complex financial records, and build stronger criminal cases against organized crime groups. By focusing on institutional development, the program seeks to transform an academic institution into a long-term training hub that can continue operating independently after the grant period ends. Funding under this opportunity ranges from a minimum of 250,000 dollars to a maximum of 350,000 dollars, with a total program allocation of 350,000 dollars and one anticipated award. The project implementation period is expected to last between 24 and 36 months, beginning around October 2026. While cost sharing is not required, it is encouraged and must be properly documented if included. Funds are intended to support curriculum development, training delivery, and institutional sustainability efforts, including partnerships with law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, provided they meet registration requirements such as obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining an active SAM.gov registration. For-profit entities and public international organizations are not eligible. The program encourages collaboration through consortium applications, although only one organization may serve as the lead applicant. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to manage federal funds and comply with U.S. legal and policy requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by July 15, 2026, following strict formatting and documentation requirements. Required components include standard federal forms, a detailed proposal narrative, performance monitoring plans, risk analysis, organizational information, and a comprehensive budget with narrative justification. Applicants are also required to submit supporting documentation related to financial management, prior federal funding experience, and organizational audits where applicable. The evaluation process is based on a 100-point scoring system that assesses project design, implementation feasibility, monitoring and risk management, organizational capacity, and cost effectiveness. Reviewers prioritize evidence-based approaches, realistic planning, and sustainability strategies. Successful applicants must also comply with reporting requirements, including quarterly performance reports and financial tracking through INL systems. The application timeline includes a question submission deadline of June 15, 2026, and an application deadline of July 15, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by November 2026, with project implementation beginning shortly thereafter. This opportunity does not explicitly indicate recurring funding cycles, suggesting it is a one-time or non-recurring competition. Overall, the program represents a targeted effort to disrupt organized crime through financial investigation capacity building in a strategically important region.

Align proposal with evaluation criteria focusing on evidence-based design, feasibility, and sustainability; clearly demonstrate institutional capacity and risk mitigation strategies