Capacity Building of Duty Bearers for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons | H NOFO 20 101

Opportunity Information: Apply for H NOFO 20 101

The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Mission to India, offered a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Capacity Building of Duty Bearers for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons" (Funding Opportunity Number: H NOFO 20 101). Released on March 10, 2020, with an original application deadline of May 9, 2020, this opportunity was designed to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts by improving the knowledge, skills, and coordination of key actors who have direct responsibilities in preventing and responding to trafficking in persons (TIP). The funding is provided through either a cooperative agreement or a grant, which generally means applicants should be prepared for either a standard grant relationship or a more collaborative arrangement where the agency may remain actively involved in project implementation.

The core purpose of the project is capacity building for "duty bearers," meaning local officials and institutions with formal obligations to enforce laws, protect vulnerable populations, and support victims. A central expected outcome is an increase in the prosecution rate of individuals involved in trafficking, achieved by making local officials more informed and effective in identifying trafficking cases, collecting and preserving evidence, applying relevant laws and procedures, and coordinating with other parts of the justice system. While the short description does not list specific training topics, the stated goal implies practical, prosecution-oriented strengthening that can translate into better case outcomes, not just general awareness raising.

A second major objective is to establish a sustainable training ecosystem by creating a pool of trained civil society personnel who can continue anti-TIP training beyond the life of the grant. In other words, the opportunity is not only about delivering one-time workshops; it aims to build a cadre of trainers within civil society who can repeatedly train diverse stakeholders over time. This suggests a "training-of-trainers" model where select participants receive deeper instruction, facilitation skills, and standardized training materials so they can replicate training for broader audiences. The emphasis on "diverse stakeholders" signals that the project may be expected to reach beyond a single sector, potentially engaging community-based organizations, service providers, educators, and local institutions that encounter at-risk populations or trafficking survivors.

In terms of who could apply, eligibility included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions under that nonprofit category). This eligibility mix indicates the opportunity was open to organizations that can credibly deliver structured training, develop curricula, and convene multi-stakeholder groups, including universities with relevant expertise and nonprofit organizations with field presence and practitioner experience.

The opportunity was categorized under community development and education activities and was associated with CFDA number 19.040, reflecting its placement within State Department assistance programming. The award ceiling was listed at $65,000, and the agency anticipated making about 10 awards, indicating a relatively modest, targeted set of projects rather than a single large national program. With multiple expected awards, applicants likely needed to propose focused, implementable interventions with clear deliverables and measurable results within the available budget.

Overall, this grant opportunity sought practical, on-the-ground improvements in anti-trafficking response by strengthening the capabilities of local government duty bearers and leaving behind a sustainable base of trained civil society trainers. The intended impact is both immediate (more competent officials and improved prosecution outcomes) and longer-term (ongoing training capacity that continues to spread anti-TIP knowledge and practices across stakeholder groups).

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the community development, education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Capacity Building of Duty Bearers for Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 10, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 09, 2020. (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 $65,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for H NOFO 20 101

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