Strengthening Philippine Maritime Legal Units
🏛 Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement (DOS-INL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for international development organizations and U.S. government partners supporting maritime law capacity building in the Philippines.
Eligible applicants typically include U.S. nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies with expertise in maritime law, international legal development, or capacity building. Work focuses on Philippine government entities, especially the Office of the Solicitor General and Department of Justice.
The program supports technical training, legal advisory services, interagency coordination, and professional exchanges. Activities include developing training frameworks, creating legal reference materials, and establishing sustainable knowledge-transfer mechanisms in maritime law and UNCLOS.
Geographic scope is limited to the Philippines and Indo-Pacific region for implementation activities.
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Program description
This project will support the development of sustainable maritime legal capacity within the Philippine Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other relevant agencies. Through technical training, legal advisory support, interagency coordination, and professional exchanges, the initiative aims to strengthen institutional expertise in maritime law, UNCLOS, arbitration, litigation strategy, and maritime case development. The project will support establishment of long-term training and knowledge-transfer mechanisms, including a multiyear training roadmap, Training-of-Trainers framework, and development of maritime legal reference materials. By building durable, in-house maritime legal expertise and strengthening rules-based approaches to maritime legal issues, the initiative supports regional stability, lawful commerce, and partner self-reliance in the Indo-Pacific.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NOFO Section C (Eligibility Information)
- Project Narrative detailing maritime law capacity-building approach
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capacity and qualifications documentation
- Letters of commitment from Philippine government partners
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement
- 📞 202-890-9795
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.703 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$65,863,884
-
$62,410,000
-
$33,153,617
-
$19,342,430
-
$11,994,629
-
$9,228,097
-
$7,982,775
-
$7,582,625
-
$7,538,812
-
$6,820,980
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.703). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $94,426,720 | |
| 2025 | $2,600,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Typically U.S. nonprofits, universities, and government agencies with maritime law expertise. Check the NOFO's Section C for the complete eligible applicants list.
What is the funding amount?
The award is fixed at $2,500,000. No cost-sharing is required from applicants.
What activities does this grant support?
Technical training, legal advisory services, interagency coordination, and professional exchanges. Applicants can develop training frameworks and maritime legal reference materials.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong partnerships with Philippine government agencies, proven maritime law expertise, and clear sustainability mechanisms improve competitiveness.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is July 20, 2026. Submit well before this date to allow for processing.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build strong partnerships with Philippine government entities early. Direct relationships with OSG and DOJ strengthen your application significantly.
- Emphasize sustainability and knowledge transfer mechanisms. The program prioritizes long-term capacity building over short-term training.
- Demonstrate maritime law expertise clearly. Show your team's track record with UNCLOS, maritime arbitration, and litigation strategy.
- Develop a detailed Training-of-Trainers framework. This is a core program expectation, not optional.
- Connect your work to regional stability and Indo-Pacific policy goals. Frame maritime legal capacity as supporting rules-based approaches.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to secure Philippine government buy-in before applying significantly weakens competitiveness. Applicants must show institutional commitment from OSG or DOJ. Focusing only on one-time training rather than sustainable, in-house capacity building misses the program's core intent. Generic maritime law experience without specific UNCLOS, arbitration, or litigation expertise won't address program needs.
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