Opportunity Information: Apply for INLEA INLCN 17 001
The grant opportunity titled "Reducing Human Trafficking Through Forensics in Central America" (Funding Opportunity Number INLEA INLCN 17 001) is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It is designed to support efforts that reduce human trafficking within Central America and trafficking from the region by strengthening forensic tools, specifically through the creation or improvement of a DNA database that can help identify missing or abducted children and connect them with biological relatives. The core idea is to use reliable forensic identification to support investigations, disrupt trafficking networks, and help families locate children who have been taken or gone missing.
At the center of the program is the establishment or enhancement of a DNA database composed of known reference samples taken from parents or other family members of missing or abducted children in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. In practical terms, this means setting up a system that can securely collect family reference DNA, process it using accepted forensic methods, store resulting DNA profiles in a database, and make the information usable for lawful comparison purposes. The opportunity recognizes that some capacity may already exist in the region, so applicants can propose either building a new database service or strengthening and expanding an existing one, as long as it can meet the trafficking-focused identification need across the three countries.
A major requirement is that projects work through collaboration rather than operating in isolation. Applicants are expected to partner with local law enforcement entities, civil society organizations, and academic institutions, which can include universities or forensic training centers. The program also encourages leveraging private sector investments where possible, which could involve equipment support, technology services, laboratory infrastructure assistance, or other forms of co-investment that improve sustainability and long-term performance. Overall, the grant is meant to build on forensic DNA capacity already being developed and implemented in Central America, not replace it, and to strengthen the systems that make that capacity operational for anti-trafficking outcomes.
Another major emphasis of the opportunity is solving the non-technical barriers that often prevent DNA tools from being used effectively. The project scope explicitly includes identifying and addressing legal, procedural, and functional obstacles related to collecting, maintaining, and sharing DNA samples and DNA database information for counter-trafficking purposes. This can include helping draft and support the passage of legislation that authorizes and governs DNA sample collection, testing, data protection, and cross-institutional information sharing. It can also include developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for how samples are collected, transported, tested, stored, safeguarded, and shared, including protocols that protect sensitive personal data and ensure chain-of-custody and quality assurance. In addition, projects may include technical capacity-building so local partners can properly collect and analyze DNA samples, manage database information, and use results appropriately within investigative and judicial processes.
Public outreach is also part of the envisioned approach, reflecting the reality that a family-reference DNA database only works if families know it exists and trust the process enough to participate. The grant allows for outreach and engagement activities to encourage potential family members to provide DNA samples, which may include public information campaigns, collaboration with victim support groups, community-based organizations, and mechanisms that lower practical barriers to participation. While the opportunity description does not provide a full victim-services framework, it clearly anticipates that participation must be organized in a way that is safe, credible, and accessible to families affected by disappearance and trafficking.
Geographically, the grant is structured with a specific allocation of effort across the three target countries. Proposals must be weighted so that 50 percent of the effort is in Guatemala, and 25 percent of the effort is in El Salvador and 25 percent in Honduras. The implementer must be capable of running activities in all three countries at the same time, meaning applicants need operational reach, staff coverage, partner networks, and management systems that can support parallel implementation. The program also stresses sustainability, requiring projects to develop capacity in each country that can continue after the grant ends. This includes train-the-trainer models and other approaches that build local expertise, institutional ownership, and ongoing operational ability rather than short-term external support.
In terms of eligibility, the opportunity is open to U.S.-based or overseas-based nonprofit organizations, including civil society groups, NGOs, and educational institutions, as long as they have experience operating in a Latin American context and have appropriate forensic expertise and capacity. The eligible applicant categories listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as applicable under U.S. rules), and other eligible entities as defined in the notice. The grant’s activity category is listed under law, justice, and legal services (and other), reflecting its focus on strengthening investigative and judicial capabilities through forensic systems that support anti-trafficking objectives.
The award ceiling is listed as $4,000,000, with the original closing date shown as March 27, 2017, and the opportunity creation date as January 27, 2017. While the notice does not specify the number of expected awards in the provided text, the overall structure signals a sizable, multi-country implementation effort focused on combining technical DNA forensic improvements with the legal frameworks, procedures, partnerships, and public engagement needed to make a trafficking-related DNA identification system functional and sustainable in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.Apply for INLEA INLCN 17 001
- The Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services, other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Reducing Human Trafficking Through Forensics in Central America" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.704.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-03-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Reducing Human Trafficking Through Forensics in Central America
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Reducing Human Trafficking Through Forensics in Central America."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is INLEA INLCN 17 001.
Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
What problem is the program trying to address?
The program is designed to reduce human trafficking within Central America and trafficking from the region by strengthening forensic identification tools. A central focus is improving the ability to identify missing or abducted children and connect them with biological relatives through reliable forensic DNA methods.
What is the main technical focus of the project?
The core technical focus is the creation or improvement of a DNA database made up of known reference samples from parents or other family members of missing or abducted children. The database is intended to support lawful comparisons to help identify children and support trafficking investigations.
Which countries are covered by this grant?
The project must operate across Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
How must the effort be allocated across the three countries?
Proposals must be weighted so that 50 percent of the effort is in Guatemala, 25 percent in El Salvador, and 25 percent in Honduras.
Does the project need to run in all three countries at the same time?
Yes. The implementer must be capable of conducting activities in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador concurrently, with the staffing, partner networks, and management systems needed for parallel implementation.
Is the grant meant to build a new DNA database, or can it support an existing one?
Applicants may propose building a new DNA database service or strengthening and expanding an existing one, as long as it can meet the trafficking-focused identification need across all three countries.
What does the DNA database consist of, according to the notice?
The database is described as being composed of known reference samples taken from parents or other family members of missing or abducted children, with the resulting DNA profiles stored for lawful comparison to support identification.
What kinds of activities are expected to make the DNA system operational?
Based on the description, the project may include establishing secure collection of reference DNA, processing samples using accepted forensic methods, storing DNA profiles in a database, and ensuring the information can be used appropriately for lawful comparison purposes.
Is the project only about laboratory and database technology?
No. The opportunity emphasizes that non-technical barriers often prevent DNA tools from being used effectively. Projects are expected to address legal, procedural, and functional obstacles that affect DNA sample collection, maintenance, and information sharing for counter-trafficking purposes.
What kinds of legal or policy work are included in the scope?
The scope can include helping draft and support the passage of legislation that authorizes and governs DNA sample collection, testing, data protection, and cross-institutional information sharing.
Are standard operating procedures (SOPs) part of the expected project scope?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes developing SOPs covering how DNA samples are collected, transported, tested, stored, safeguarded, and shared, including protocols for chain-of-custody, quality assurance, and protection of sensitive personal data.
Does the opportunity include training and capacity-building?
Yes. The project may include technical capacity-building so local partners can collect and analyze DNA samples, manage database information, and use results appropriately within investigative and judicial processes.
What types of partnerships are expected?
Applicants are expected to collaborate with local law enforcement entities, civil society organizations, and academic institutions (including universities or forensic training centers), rather than operating in isolation.
Does the grant encourage private sector involvement?
Yes. The opportunity encourages leveraging private sector investments where possible, such as equipment support, technology services, laboratory infrastructure assistance, or other co-investments that improve sustainability and long-term performance.
Is public outreach included, and why is it important?
Yes. Outreach and engagement are allowed because a family-reference DNA database only works if families know it exists and trust the process enough to participate. Activities may include public information campaigns and collaboration with victim support and community-based organizations to encourage participation and reduce barriers.
Who can apply for this grant?
The opportunity is open to U.S.-based or overseas-based nonprofit organizations, including civil society groups, NGOs, and educational institutions, as long as they have experience operating in a Latin American context and have appropriate forensic expertise and capacity.
Are higher education institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible categories include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, consistent with the applicant categories listed in the notice.
Do applicants need to be a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit to be eligible?
No. The eligible applicant categories include nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as applicable under U.S. rules), along with other eligible entities defined in the notice.
What field or activity category does the grant fall under?
The activity category is listed under law, justice, and legal services (and other), reflecting the program's focus on strengthening investigative and judicial capabilities through forensic systems that support anti-trafficking objectives.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed as $4,000,000.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity creation date is January 27, 2017.
What was the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date shown is March 27, 2017.
Does the provided notice specify how many awards will be made?
No. The information provided does not specify the number of expected awards.
How does the opportunity describe sustainability after the grant ends?
The program stresses sustainability by requiring projects to develop capacity in each country that can continue after the grant ends. This includes approaches such as train-the-trainer models that build local expertise, institutional ownership, and ongoing operational ability rather than short-term external support.
Is the project intended to replace existing forensic DNA efforts in the region?
No. The opportunity is intended to build on forensic DNA capacity already being developed and implemented in Central America, not replace it, and to strengthen the systems that make that capacity operational for anti-trafficking outcomes.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Other
Next opportunity: Empowering Insular Communities Program 2017
Previous opportunity: USAID: DIASPORA PARTNERSHIPS
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for INLEA INLCN 17 001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (INLEA INLCN 17 001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Increasing Accountability in Tunisia and Empowering the Judicial Financial Pole Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 17 009 Funding Number: NEAAC ACMEPI 17 009 Agency: Assistance Coordination Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services, Other Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "INLEA INLCN 17 001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.