U.S. Department of State, Bureau of INL announces Justice Academy Curriculum Development in Armenia

Deadline: 16 December 2019

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is seeking applications from qualified Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), Educational Institutions and other qualified organizations for a Grant to implement a program entitled “Justice Academy Curriculum Development in Armenia”.

INL is currently seeking an organization with the requisite capability and experience to support the Armenian Justice Academy to develop quality curriculum and content for continuing education of investigators, prosecutors, and judges, focusing on anti-corruption and human rights courses. Note that special consideration will be given to proposals which demonstrate results-oriented activities, sustainability, ability to identify qualified trainers, and strong program evaluation mechanisms. Deliverables may address recommendations made by international bodies such as the UN Convention against Corruption and the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO).

Project Goals

Contribute to reforms in key Armenian criminal justice sector educational institutions to create a climate where the rule of law is consistently and fairly applied and strengthen the ability of the Government of Armenia to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate transnational organized and related crimes and respect human rights during criminal proceedings.

Project Objectives

• Objective 1: Develop quality training content for investigators, prosecutors, and judges and trainers for Academy of Justice courses on human rights and corruption-related topics.
  • Activity 1: Develop a training content and teaching guides for courses on:
    • Investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating cybercrime cases;
    • The presumption of innocence and the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt;
    • Electronic evidence in criminal proceedings;
    • Investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating illicit enrichment cases; and
    • Proceedings for the civil forfeiture of illegal assets.
  • Activity 2: Create a training schedule and plan for sustainability after program end date to integrate new curriculum and courses into the Justice Academy’s standard curriculum
  • Activity 3: Identify and train qualified host government officials or others in relevant offices to serve as trainers in future iterations of the courses. These future trainers should include practicing judges, investigators, and prosecutors.
  • Activity 4: Create a mechanism to make course materials available online in Armenian on the Justice Academy’s official website and to INL in English. Note: These courses are not to be created as distance learning courses under the current NOFO.
• Objective 2: Bring criminal justice professionals together for scheduled discussions on the progress of anti-corruption and human rights-based efforts within the criminal justice system.
  • Activity 1: Hold at least three workshops to bring judges together for discussions and collaboration with the aim of identifying improvements and challenges within the justice sector in the areas of human rights and anti-corruption. The grantee should provide recommendations for future INL programming based on these workshops. Proposals should indicate the expected frequency of these workshops.
  • Activity 2: Hold at least two workshops to bring investigators and prosecutors together for discussions and collaboration with the aim of identifying improvements and challenges within the justice sector in the areas of human rights and anti-corruption. The grantee should provide recommendations for future INL programming based on these workshops. Proposals should indicate the expected frequency of these workshops.

Award Information

• Award Ceiling: $200,000
• Award Floor: $150,000

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to:

• U.S. non-profit organization or a U.S. private/state educational institution meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3) and can demonstrate current country registration in Armenia. Applicants in the process of registration must submit proof that they are seeking non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of proposal submission. Should the applicant be selected for an award, funding will be contingent upon 501(c)(3) status; OR
• Local, in-country, non-profit organization, educational institution, or private institutions that can demonstrate current country registration in Armenia, competent programmatic ability, and ability to meet INL reporting requirements;
• Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Armenia. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
• Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
• Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
• Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
• Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.
• PLEASE NOTE: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.
• To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. INL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. INL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.
• Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards issued under this grant award.
• INL encourages applications from potential new partners.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321613