– Increasing Police Recruitment to Counter FTOs and TCOs in Colombia
🏛 Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to strengthen Colombian law enforcement capacity and counter transnational criminal organizations. Eligible applicants typically include U.S.-based nonprofits, universities, and government agencies with documented experience in international law enforcement development, police training, or narcotics control in Latin America. The program supports activities that increase police recruitment, improve officer retention, enhance training programs, and build institutional capacity within Colombian National Police. Applicants must demonstrate relationships with Colombian government counterparts, technical expertise in police development, and commitment to combating trafficking organizations. Geographic scope is limited to Colombia, though applicants may be based anywhere in the United States. Activities must align with U.S. foreign policy objectives and DEA/State Department priorities regarding transnational criminal organizations.
This grant is for organizations working to strengthen Colombian law enforcement capacity and counter transnational criminal organizations. Eligible applicants typically include U.S.-based nonprofits, universities, and government agencies with documented experience in international law enforcement development, police training, or narcotics control in Latin America. The program supports activities that increase police recruitment, improve officer retention, enhance training programs, and build institutional capacity within Colombian National Police. Applicants must demonstrate relationships with Colombian government counterparts, technical expertise in police development, and commitment to combating trafficking organizations. Geographic scope is limited to Colombia, though applicants may be based anywhere in the United States. Activities must align with U.S. foreign policy objectives and DEA/State Department priorities regarding transnational criminal organizations.
Program description
The program will increase the recruitment of qualified candidates from INL Bogota’s priority geographic areas —regions that are critical to U.S. interests due to their high levels of coca production, narcotrafficking, and child recruitment by criminal organizations.
By building a more capable and professional police force in these strategically important areas, this scholarship program will help disrupt criminal networks at their source, reducing the flow of illicit drugs, weapons, and human trafficking that threaten the United States. The program will support the recruitment and training of approximately 1,000 CNP students per year: 600 for non-commissioned officer (NCO) roles and 400 for commissioned officer (CO) roles. A stronger Colombian police presence in these regions will advance U.S. national security priorities, safeguard American lives, and promote stability in the Western Hemisphere.
The program will provide scholarship support to qualified candidates through a structured financial management system. The implementor will ensure timely monthly electronic funds transfer payments to the bank accounts of scholarship recipients or service providers for required items. Scholarship recipients will receive electronic funds transfers only for approved support expenses. To strengthen internal controls, the implementer will minimize direct cash handling and ensure all disbursement are documented and subject to audit.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for organizations working to strengthen Colombian law enforcement capacity and counter transnational criminal organizations. Eligible applicants typically include U.S.-based nonprofits, universities, and government agencies with documented experience in international law enforcement development, police training, or narcotics control in Latin America. The program supports activities that increase police recruitment, improve officer retention, enhance training programs, and build institutional capacity within Colombian National Police. Applicants must demonstrate relationships with Colombian government counterparts, technical expertise in police development, and commitment to combating trafficking organizations. Geographic scope is limited to Colombia, though applicants may be based anywhere in the United States. Activities must align with U.S. foreign policy objectives and DEA/State Department priorities regarding transnational criminal organizations.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (typically 15-20 pages, detailing objectives, methods, timeline, and evaluation plan)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Statement (demonstrating experience in law enforcement or international development)
- Letters of Support from Colombian National Police or relevant government agencies
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status (for nonprofits)
- Audited financial statements (typically last 2 years)
- Resumes of key personnel and project leadership
- Work plan and monitoring/evaluation framework
- Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.704 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$19,804,392
-
$14,811,653
-
$7,081,081
-
$6,996,710
-
$6,928,314
-
$6,866,490
-
$6,300,000
-
$5,392,000
-
$3,382,500
-
$2,970,359
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.704). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $948,289 | |
| 2025 | $6,450,289 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Primarily U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, research institutions, and government agencies with established expertise in law enforcement development and Colombia-focused programs. Some for-profit contractors may be eligible if they partner with nonprofits.
What is the typical funding range?
This grant typically awards awards ranging from $500,000 to $2 million+, though exact amounts vary by project scope. Budget should reflect realistic costs for police training and institutional development activities in Colombia.
What types of activities does this grant support?
Funding supports police recruitment campaigns, officer training programs, institutional strengthening, capacity building for Colombian law enforcement agencies, and technical assistance to counter narcotics trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.
When are applications due and reviewed?
Applications open May 12, 2026 and close July 13, 2026. Review typically takes 2-3 months, with awards announced in fall 2026. This is a fixed deadline with no rolling submissions.
How competitive is this funding?
This is highly competitive federal funding. Strong applications demonstrate prior successful work in Colombia or Latin America, established relationships with Colombian government partners, and clear metrics for police recruitment/retention outcomes. Letters of support from Colombian authorities are essential.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong Colombian government partnership: Secure written commitment from the National Police or relevant Colombian ministry early. This is often the determining factor in competitive review.
- Emphasize measurable recruitment and retention outcomes: Clearly define how your program will increase police recruitment numbers and reduce officer attrition. Use specific metrics and realistic targets.
- Demonstrate regional expertise and local presence: Show your organization has worked successfully in Colombia or similar Latin American contexts. Local staff or established partnerships increase credibility significantly.
- Address both recruitment and operational support: Winning applications address not just hiring but also officer quality, training standards, and institutional sustainability—showing understanding of the full police development challenge.
- Align explicitly with counternarcotics priorities: Clearly connect your police development activities to combating FTOs (Transnational Criminal Organizations) and TCOs, using current threat assessment language and DEA/State Department focus areas.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail by proposing police training without secure Colombian government buy-in or long-term sustainability plans. Many applicants underestimate the compliance and reporting requirements for international law enforcement work, leading to rejected budgets. Weak applications lack specific recruitment/retention metrics or focus too narrowly on training without addressing systemic barriers to police recruitment in Colombia.
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