Call for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Support Program (US)

The Southern Cone Cooperation (SCC) Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Program is accepting applications for projects that provide technical assistance to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies across SCC partner countries. The programme, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), offers $500,000 to strengthen regional capacity to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and prevent foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) from operating in the Southern Cone.

Southern Cone Cooperation Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Program 2026

The Southern Cone Cooperation (SCC) Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Program is a competitive funding opportunity that supports projects aimed at strengthening law enforcement institutions and criminal justice systems across Southern Cone Cooperation partner countries.

Administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the programme seeks qualified organizations capable of delivering timely technical assistance, institutional capacity building, and specialized support to agencies responsible for combating organized crime and improving regional security.

The initiative focuses on strengthening cooperation among partner countries while improving the ability of justice institutions to respond to evolving criminal threats.

What Is the Southern Cone Cooperation Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Program?

The Southern Cone Cooperation Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Program is an international assistance initiative designed to strengthen criminal justice institutions and law enforcement agencies throughout the Southern Cone Cooperation (SCC) region.

The programme supports projects that enhance institutional capacity, improve operational effectiveness, and strengthen regional cooperation against organized crime and terrorism-related threats.

Through technical assistance, training, and strategic support, the initiative aims to improve the effectiveness of agencies responsible for public safety, criminal investigations, and justice administration.

About the Programme

The programme enables INL to work with key government agencies throughout SCC partner countries by supporting initiatives that improve criminal justice systems and law enforcement capabilities.

Technical assistance may include institutional strengthening, specialized training, operational support, knowledge sharing, and capacity development that enhances regional cooperation against transnational crime.

The programme contributes to broader regional security objectives by improving coordination among partner countries and strengthening their ability to address complex cross-border criminal challenges.

Objectives of the Programme

The programme seeks to strengthen criminal justice systems and law enforcement institutions throughout the Southern Cone region.

Its objectives include:

• Strengthen law enforcement agencies.
• Improve criminal justice institutions.
• Deliver timely technical assistance.
• Combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).
• Prevent foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) from operating in the region.
• Enhance regional cooperation.
• Strengthen institutional capacity.
• Improve operational effectiveness.
• Support justice sector reform.
• Promote regional security and public safety.

Key Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following priority areas:

• Law enforcement capacity building
• Criminal justice reform
• Technical assistance
• Institutional strengthening
• Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs)
• Counterterrorism support
• Foreign terrorist organization (FTO) prevention
• Cross-border cooperation
• Criminal investigations
• Justice sector development
• Security governance
• Public safety
• Training and professional development
• Regional law enforcement cooperation

Why This Programme Matters

Transnational crime and terrorism-related threats require coordinated regional responses.

Strengthening Law Enforcement

The programme improves the capacity of agencies responsible for preventing and investigating serious crime.

Combating Organized Crime

Support helps partner countries respond more effectively to transnational criminal organizations operating across borders.

Preventing Terrorist Activity

The initiative contributes to efforts aimed at limiting the ability of foreign terrorist organizations to establish or maintain operations in the region.

Improving Criminal Justice Systems

Technical assistance strengthens institutions responsible for investigation, prosecution, and criminal justice administration.

Enhancing Regional Cooperation

The programme encourages collaboration among SCC partner countries to address shared security challenges.

Funding Information

The programme provides funding for one project.

Total Program Funding

• $500,000

Award Ceiling

• $500,000

Award Floor

• $500,000

Since the award ceiling and award floor are identical, the programme is expected to support one award.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to a broad range of eligible organizations.

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S.-based nonprofit organizations.
• U.S.-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• U.S.-based educational institutions eligible under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
• U.S.-based educational institutions eligible under 26 U.S.C. §115.
• Foreign-based nonprofit organizations.
• Foreign-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Foreign-based educational institutions.
• U.S.-based for-profit organizations.
• Foreign-based for-profit organizations.

Applicants should demonstrate the expertise and organizational capacity necessary to implement technical assistance programmes in the law enforcement and criminal justice sector.

Eligible Project Activities

Depending on the approved proposal, activities may include:

• Technical assistance to law enforcement agencies.
• Criminal justice capacity building.
• Institutional development.
• Specialized training programmes.
• Strategic planning.
• Operational support.
• Knowledge exchange.
• Professional development workshops.
• Regional cooperation initiatives.
• Policy support.
• Justice sector advisory services.
• Coordination with government agencies.

Projects should directly support the objectives of strengthening criminal justice institutions and combating organized crime within SCC partner countries.

How the Programme Works

The funding process generally follows several stages.

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity

Applicants review the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), eligibility criteria, and programme priorities.

Step 2: Develop a Project Proposal

Prepare a proposal describing:

• Project objectives.
• Technical approach.
• Activities.
• Target institutions.
• Timeline.
• Budget.
• Expected outcomes.
• Monitoring and evaluation framework.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Eligible organizations submit a complete application package according to the published guidelines.

Step 4: Proposal Evaluation

Applications are assessed based on technical quality, organizational capacity, programme relevance, feasibility, and expected impact.

Step 5: Award Decision

The highest-ranked proposal is selected for funding.

Step 6: Project Implementation

The selected organization delivers technical assistance and reports on project progress according to grant requirements.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Confirm that your organization falls within one of the eligible applicant categories.

Step 2: Study Programme Requirements

Review the official guidance, funding priorities, reporting obligations, and application instructions.

Step 3: Design the Project

Develop a proposal that explains:

• Regional challenges.
• Proposed technical assistance.
• Beneficiary agencies.
• Expected outcomes.
• Sustainability.
• Risk management.
• Budget justification.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documents

Gather all required organizational and financial documentation requested in the funding announcement.

Step 5: Submit the Proposal

Complete and submit the application according to the official programme requirements before the deadline.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Applications are generally assessed based on:

• Relevance to programme objectives.
• Technical quality.
• Institutional experience.
• Organizational capacity.
• Project feasibility.
• Expected regional impact.
• Budget justification.
• Monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Sustainability.
• Risk management.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Weak technical methodologies.
• Poor understanding of regional security challenges.
• Unrealistic implementation plans.
• Inadequate monitoring frameworks.
• Insufficient organizational capacity.
• Weak budget justification.
• Poor sustainability planning.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

To strengthen your application:

• Clearly explain the regional security challenge your project addresses.
• Demonstrate expertise in law enforcement or criminal justice assistance.
• Include measurable performance indicators.
• Build realistic implementation timelines.
• Show experience working with government institutions.
• Develop a strong monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Present a detailed and well-justified budget.
• Explain how project outcomes will continue beyond the funding period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Southern Cone Cooperation Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Program?

It is an international assistance programme that supports technical assistance and capacity-building projects for law enforcement and criminal justice agencies across Southern Cone Cooperation partner countries.

2. How much funding is available?

The programme provides $500,000 in total funding, with both the award ceiling and award floor set at $500,000.

3. Who manages the programme?

The programme is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

4. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign nonprofit organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations that meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

5. What are the main objectives of the programme?

The programme supports technical assistance to strengthen law enforcement agencies, improve criminal justice institutions, combat transnational criminal organizations, and prevent foreign terrorist organizations from operating in the Southern Cone region.

6. What types of activities are supported?

Eligible activities may include technical assistance, institutional strengthening, specialized training, justice sector capacity building, regional cooperation initiatives, and operational support for law enforcement agencies.

7. What makes a strong application?

Strong proposals clearly demonstrate technical expertise, regional knowledge, institutional capacity, measurable outcomes, sustainable approaches, and well-planned implementation strategies aligned with programme objectives.

Conclusion

The Southern Cone Cooperation Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Sector Support Program 2026 offers a significant opportunity for qualified organizations to strengthen law enforcement and criminal justice institutions across SCC partner countries. By providing $500,000 in funding for technical assistance and institutional capacity-building initiatives, the programme supports regional efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), prevent foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) from operating in the region, and enhance cooperation among justice sector agencies.

Organizations with expertise in criminal justice reform, law enforcement assistance, institutional development, and regional security are encouraged to prepare comprehensive proposals that demonstrate strong technical capacity, sustainable impact, and practical solutions for improving public safety and justice systems throughout the Southern Cone region.