Raising Awareness and Building Cooperation to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering | OFOP0001637

Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0001637

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement funding opportunity titled "Raising Awareness and Building Cooperation to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering" (Opportunity Number OFOP0001637). The project focuses on Mexico and is designed to strengthen practical cooperation and reporting related to foreign bribery and corruption issues that implicate U.S. and Mexican authorities, specifically under the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The overall intent is to turn anti-corruption laws into workable, real-world processes by increasing awareness, improving reporting pathways, and standardizing how stakeholders respond when potential violations occur.

The core requirement is the design and implementation of a three-component project. While the notice highlights outreach and training as central elements, the emphasis is not just general public education; it is targeted capacity-building on how to file complaints and reports with the appropriate U.S. and/or Mexican authorities when conduct may violate FEPA and/or the FCPA. In practice, this means applicants should be prepared to develop materials and deliver trainings that walk participants through the reporting process, explain what information is useful for authorities, clarify jurisdictional issues, and reduce common barriers that prevent reporting (confusion about where to report, fear of retaliation, lack of knowledge of evidentiary needs, and uncertainty about legal protections). The opportunity also anticipates that the project will encourage cross-border cooperation by making reporting channels and expectations clearer to individuals and organizations operating in or with Mexico.

A second major deliverable is the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for combating corruption in Mexico in a manner consistent with FEPA and FCPA compliance expectations. This SOP component signals that INL is looking for more than one-off trainings; it wants structured, repeatable guidance that organizations and stakeholders can use to respond consistently when corruption risks arise. These SOPs would typically cover steps for identifying and documenting red flags, internal escalation and decision-making, preservation of records, safe reporting practices, coordination with counsel or compliance staff, and clear processes for engaging with U.S. and Mexican authorities. The SOPs are meant to make anti-corruption responses more uniform and actionable, supporting both prevention and credible reporting when misconduct is suspected.

This opportunity is open to a range of nonprofit and educational institutions, both U.S.-based and foreign-based. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit/non-governmental organizations, U.S.-based educational institutions qualifying under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or under 26 U.S.C. 115, as well as foreign-based nonprofit/non-governmental organizations and foreign-based educational institutions. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means the U.S. government expects more substantial involvement during implementation than with a standard grant, often through collaboration, regular coordination, and alignment with government priorities and reporting requirements.

Key administrative details include an application closing date of November 18, 2024. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, and INL anticipates making up to two awards. The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 19.703, and the agency is identified as the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Taken together, the scope and funding level suggest INL is seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in anti-corruption programming, cross-border or Mexico-relevant engagement, training design and delivery, and the ability to translate complex legal requirements (FEPA/FCPA concepts and reporting procedures) into practical tools that real participants can use without needing to be legal specialists.

In plain terms, this funding opportunity is about building a functional bridge between anti-corruption law and on-the-ground action in Mexico: teaching people and organizations how to report credible allegations to the right authorities, and creating standardized procedures that help institutions respond consistently and lawfully when corruption risks or incidents arise, all while reinforcing cooperation and improving the overall ecosystem for combating corruption and associated money laundering concerns.

• The Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Raising Awareness and Building Cooperation to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.703.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-18. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for OFOP0001637

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