Opportunity Information: Apply for INL21GR0011 WHPMEX AGEXCHANGETRNG 120720

The Binational State Attorneys General Exchange and Training grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number INL21GR0011 WHPMEX AGEXCHANGETRNG 120720) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It was created on December 7, 2020, with an original application deadline of February 8, 2021. The program sits within the law, justice, and legal services funding area (CFDA 19.703) and is structured to support a single award, with an anticipated maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $3,120,000 and one expected award overall.

At its core, the opportunity is framed under the Merida Initiative, which is the umbrella for long-running U.S.-Mexico cooperation on security, justice, and rule-of-law goals. The specific focus here is on strengthening coordination and shared capabilities between U.S. and Mexican criminal justice actors by supporting exchanges and training tied to Mexico's shift toward an oral, adversarial criminal justice system at both federal and state levels. In practical terms, that transition involves moving away from more closed, paper-driven procedures and toward open court proceedings where evidence is tested through argument, examination, and judicial decision-making in a more transparent format. The grant is designed to help ensure that prosecutors, attorneys general offices, and law enforcement counterparts on both sides of the border can function effectively in that environment, particularly when cases have cross-border elements or require cooperation across jurisdictions.

The program's stated goal is to improve how criminal justice and law enforcement officials work together so they can successfully prosecute crime while applying the rule of law consistently across jurisdictions in Mexico and the United States. That emphasis on consistency and cooperation signals that the project is not only about technical courtroom skills, but also about harmonizing approaches to investigations, case preparation, interagency coordination, and professional practices that affect whether prosecutions are effective and legally sound. Because the opportunity explicitly mentions "exchange and training," the expected activities generally align with structured professional development such as binational workshops, peer-to-peer exchanges, study visits, joint trainings, and other capacity-building engagements that let practitioners compare procedures, learn best practices, and build working relationships that support real-world collaboration.

Eligible applicants include a range of higher education and nonprofit entities: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in each case, other than institutions of higher education where applicable). This eligibility mix suggests INL is open to implementers with demonstrated legal, training, and international cooperation capacity, including universities and specialized justice-sector nonprofits capable of designing curriculum, coordinating cross-border programming, and delivering trainings for government practitioners. The funding instrument is a grant, meaning the recipient would be expected to carry out the program plan and manage performance and reporting requirements consistent with U.S. government assistance awards.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted rule-of-law and justice-sector professionalization effort within the broader U.S.-Mexico security partnership. By investing in binational exchanges and training connected to Mexico's adversarial justice reforms, the program aims to strengthen prosecution and law enforcement collaboration, improve the effectiveness and fairness of criminal case outcomes, and reinforce shared rule-of-law standards across the two countries' jurisdictions.

  • The Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Binational State Attorneys’ General Exchange and Training" 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 Dec 07, 2020.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 08, 2021. (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 $3,120,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • 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, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled Binational State Attorneys General Exchange and Training.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is INL21GR0011 WHPMEX AGEXCHANGETRNG 120720.

Which federal agency is offering this grant?

This is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Is this a discretionary or formula grant?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity.

What type of funding instrument will be used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on December 7, 2020.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was February 8, 2021.

What is the CFDA number and program area?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.703 and falls within the law, justice, and legal services funding area.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity is structured to support a single award, with one expected award overall.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The anticipated maximum funding level (award ceiling) is $3,120,000.

What larger initiative is this opportunity associated with?

The opportunity is framed under the Merida Initiative, described as an umbrella for long-running U.S.-Mexico cooperation on security, justice, and rule-of-law goals.

What is the core purpose of the program?

The program focuses on strengthening coordination and shared capabilities between U.S. and Mexican criminal justice actors by supporting exchanges and training tied to Mexico's transition to an oral, adversarial criminal justice system at federal and state levels.

What does "oral, adversarial criminal justice system" mean in this context?

In the information provided, it is described as a shift away from closed, paper-driven procedures and toward open court proceedings where evidence is tested through argument, examination, and judicial decision-making in a more transparent format.

Why is Mexico's justice system transition relevant to a binational training program?

The grant is designed to help ensure that prosecutors, attorneys general offices, and law enforcement counterparts on both sides of the border can function effectively in an adversarial court environment, especially in cases with cross-border elements or that require cooperation across jurisdictions.

What is the program's stated goal?

The stated goal is to improve how criminal justice and law enforcement officials work together so they can successfully prosecute crime while applying the rule of law consistently across jurisdictions in Mexico and the United States.

Is the focus limited to courtroom advocacy skills?

No. The description emphasizes that the project is not only about technical courtroom skills, but also about improving consistency and cooperation across jurisdictions, including investigations, case preparation, interagency coordination, and professional practices that affect effective and legally sound prosecutions.

What kinds of activities does the grant anticipate supporting?

Because the opportunity explicitly mentions "exchange and training," the expected activities generally align with structured professional development such as binational workshops, peer-to-peer exchanges, study visits, joint trainings, and other capacity-building engagements that allow practitioners to compare procedures, learn best practices, and build working relationships.

Who are the intended participants or beneficiaries of the activities?

The description points to criminal justice and law enforcement officials, including prosecutors and attorneys general offices, and their counterparts involved in cross-border or multi-jurisdictional cooperation between the United States and Mexico.

What outcomes is the program aiming to improve?

The opportunity aims to strengthen prosecution and law enforcement collaboration, improve the effectiveness and fairness of criminal case outcomes, and reinforce shared rule-of-law standards across U.S. and Mexican jurisdictions.

Which organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)

Does the opportunity allow both higher education institutions and nonprofits to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list includes both higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private) and nonprofit entities (with or without 501(c)(3) status), with the noted distinctions "other than institutions of higher education" where applicable.

What capabilities does INL appear to be looking for in an implementing organization?

Based on the eligibility mix and program description, the opportunity suggests INL is open to implementers with demonstrated legal, training, and international cooperation capacity, including organizations able to design curricula, coordinate cross-border programming, and deliver training for government practitioners.

Is this opportunity intended to fund multiple projects or one project?

It is structured for one award and anticipates a single recipient implementing the program.

How is this program positioned within U.S.-Mexico cooperation?

It is presented as a targeted rule-of-law and justice-sector professionalization effort within the broader U.S.-Mexico security partnership, linked to the Merida Initiative.

What does "consistent application of the rule of law across jurisdictions" imply for program content?

As described, it implies an emphasis on harmonizing approaches and professional practices that affect cross-jurisdictional cooperation, including how investigations, case preparation, and interagency coordination are handled so prosecutions are effective and legally sound.

Does the provided information specify the project period, cost share, or match requirement?

No. The information provided does not describe a project period, cost share, or match requirement.

Does the provided information list specific reporting requirements?

No. It only states generally that, as a grant recipient, the awardee would be expected to manage performance and reporting requirements consistent with U.S. government assistance awards, without listing specifics.

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