Countering Cartel Recruitment in Mexico

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has announced a funding opportunity titled “Countering Cartel Recruitment in Mexico.” This initiative is structured as a cooperative agreement and aligns with the INL’s broader mission of countering crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. The project seeks to disrupt recruitment pipelines used by organized crime groups in Mexico—particularly those that target vulnerable youth—and in turn, bolster regional stability and reduce cross-border threats to the United States. By integrating strategies that span prevention, disengagement, prosecution, and legal reform, the project aims to develop an evidence-based, multi-stakeholder approach to curbing cartel influence. Eligible applicants include U.S.- and foreign-based non-profit organizations and educational institutions, with for-profit and public international organizations explicitly excluded. Cost sharing is encouraged but not mandatory. The award will total between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 over a two-year period, with only one award expected to be issued. The estimated project start date is June 2026. The targeted implementation area is Mexico, specifically six high-risk states: Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Michoacan, and Guerrero. Priority will be given to proposals that are evidence-based, sustainable, and demonstrate clear impact pathways via measurable deliverables. Applications are due by April 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST through www.grants.gov. Questions must be submitted by March 6, 2026, to the INL contacts listed in the NOFO. Required application materials include standard federal forms (SF-424 series), a comprehensive project narrative, a performance monitoring plan (including a Change Map and Performance Indicator Reference Sheet), a project risk analysis, timeline, budget and budget narrative, and documentation on organizational and personnel qualifications. Applicants must also register with SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) before submission. The proposed project must address one or more of the NOFO’s five objectives, ranging from advancing legal reforms that criminalize recruitment to strengthening prosecutorial and law enforcement capabilities. Applications should propose at least three activities per selected objective and demonstrate innovation, contextual awareness, and alignment with INL data and strategies. Submissions will be evaluated using a 100-point rubric, with the highest weight placed on project analysis, design, and implementation feasibility. Cost effectiveness, risk management, and institutional capacity also contribute significantly to the evaluation process. Successful applicants will be required to use INL’s DevResults system for quarterly performance reporting. Additional administrative and policy requirements include compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, anti-trafficking regulations, and U.S. foreign assistance restrictions. Selected recipients must also support State Department vetting under the Leahy Amendment for any proposed assistance to foreign security forces. Award notifications are expected by July 31, 2026, and project expenses can only begin after formal award issuance by the INL Grants Officer. There is also potential for future project expansion pending performance and funding availability.

Align with evidence-based strategies; address risks; ensure Theory of Change links activities to outcomes.