Law Enforcement and Rule of Law Programs for Countries in Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama)

Post Date

May 3rd 2011

Application Due Date

May 31st 2011

Funding Opportunity Number

INL-11-GR-0004-WHA-05022011

CFDA Number(s)

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Grant

Funding Activity Categories

Law, Justice and Legal Services

Number of Awards

10

Eligibility Categories

Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
Non-Profits With 501 (c) (3) Status With The IRS (Except Higher Education Institutions)
Private Institutions of Higher Education

Funding

• Award Range:

  $250000 - $1500000

Grant Description

INL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program concepts and capacity to manage projects targeting the following issues throughout Central America: CARSI Strategic Objective: Governing Justly and Democratically. Project: Forensics Capacity Building Up to $1,500,000 available: INL seeks proposals that will assist in building the capacity of Central American countries to collect, analyze, and present in a legal proceeding forensic evidence to reduce criminal impunity and improve citizen safety. These proposals may include targeted technical assistance, training, and equipment expenditures to address crime scene forensics evidence collection and management; improve forensics laboratory capacity; and enhance judicial system actor•À_s capabilities to use that forensic evidence appropriately. Forensic procedural training and recommendations on equipment or low tech solutions may be required. All programs will be coordinated with assessments being conducted by INL forensics advisor. Background: The explosive growth in criminality over the last two years as transnational criminal organizations have expanded operations outside of Mexico, and long standing societal pressures have boiled over, have resulted in a widespread deterioration in citizen security in Central America. Inadequate investment in security and rule of law institutions have resulted in high impunity rates. The proper use of forensics evidence by Central American authorities may enhance their ability to reduce these high rates of impunity.INL seeks proposals that improve the forensics capabilities of police, lab technicians, judicial investigators, prosecutors and judges in Central America, as well as assistance to enhance coordination between these entities and avoid expensive duplication. INL is currently conducting forensics assessments of all the Central American countries to comprehensively understand the widely varying capabilities and assess current gaps in training, equipment, analysis, and legal procedure. It is anticipated that these assessments conducted by a forensics advisor will help inform the grantee in their programmatic decisions. For questions regarding this Request for Grant Proposals, please forward them to the Point of Contact listed in this RFGP. Questions and Answers will posted as an attachment to this RFGP. Questions must be submitted in writing by 5pm on May 20, 2011.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of State

• Office:

  International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affair

• Agency Contact:

  Cheryl Price
  Grants Management Specialist
  Phone 202-776-8743

• Agency Mailing Address:

  DOS email

• Agency Email Address:

  PriceCH@state.gov