Advancing Justice Reform in Argentina | INL17GR0040 INLWHPARGENTINA 05232017

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Advancing Justice Reform in Argentina (INL)

What is the "Advancing Justice Reform in Argentina" grant opportunity?

Advancing Justice Reform in Argentina is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It supports efforts to reinforce the rule of law in Argentina, with human rights and gender equality treated as core principles of the work.

Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is designed to strengthen citizen security and reduce the impact of drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime by helping partner countries improve the reach and credibility of their justice and security institutions. In Argentina specifically, the grant focuses on justice reform that strengthens rule-of-law performance, integrity, and accountability.

What kinds of activities does the opportunity emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes capacity building and technical assistance to improve how justice and security systems operate and coordinate. The announcement highlights support areas that include improving international drug control through interdiction and supply reduction, strengthening civilian law enforcement capabilities, encouraging regional partnerships and information sharing, and advancing the administration of justice and corrections consistent with rule-of-law standards.

What outcomes is INL trying to achieve through this grant?

The intended impact is both operational and institutional: reducing the space in which criminals can act with impunity, strengthening governance and transparency, and bolstering democratic accountability by improving justice-sector performance and integrity.

Does the program address crimes beyond narcotics trafficking?

Yes. While the scope connects to narcotics trafficking, it explicitly links trafficking to other cross-border and organized criminal threats and provides examples such as money laundering, criminal gangs, and wildlife trafficking. This signals that proposals can frame justice reform in ways that also disrupt related illicit economies.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed at Argentine civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), reflecting a preference for local actors.

Are non-Argentine organizations eligible?

The information provided states eligibility is aimed at Argentine civil society organizations and NGOs and indicates a preference for local actors. No additional eligibility categories are specified in the provided description.

What types of roles might eligible organizations play in projects?

Eligible organizations are described as local actors positioned to influence justice reform through approaches such as training, monitoring, advocacy, technical programming, or service-delivery models that complement public-sector reform efforts.

Are human rights requirements part of the grant's core expectations?

Yes. The opportunity centers respect for human rights as a core principle, not an add-on, and expects proposals to strengthen justice under the rule of law while protecting human rights.

How is gender equality addressed in this opportunity?

Gender equality is explicitly described as a core principle of the grant. Proposals are expected to integrate gender equality considerations rather than treating them as optional or secondary elements.

Are there specific required project components listed?

The provided information says the notice does not list specific required project components. However, it states that proposals will be judged against standard evaluation criteria and should directly address the key issues raised in the announcement, including rule-of-law strengthening, human rights, gender equality, and institutional capacity.

What should proposals directly address to be competitive?

Based on the announcement summary, proposals should directly address strengthening justice under the rule of law, protecting human rights, integrating gender equality, and improving institutional capacity in ways that reduce safe haven for criminal actors and improve justice-sector performance and integrity.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a Grant.

What category does this funding opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is in the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 19.703.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is INL17GR0040. It is also shown as INLWHPARGENTINA 05232017.

When was the opportunity created?

The creation date listed is May 23, 2017.

What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date listed is July 31, 2017.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is listed as $200,000.

Who reviews applications?

Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires employees and other selected disinterested parties.

How does INL decide which proposal to fund?

The award is made using a best-value approach. This means the U.S. government intends to fund the proposal that offers the strongest combination of technical merit and cost effectiveness, rather than selecting based on price alone.

What does "best value" mean for applicants?

Based on the description provided, "best value" indicates that reviewers weigh both the quality of the proposed technical approach and how cost-effective the proposal is. A low-cost proposal is not automatically favored if technical merit is weaker, and a strong technical proposal must still demonstrate cost effectiveness.

How does this opportunity fit into INL's broader mission?

The grant sits within INL's broader mission of strengthening citizen security and reducing the impact of drug trafficking and transnational crime by improving the reach and credibility of justice and security institutions in partner countries.

Is the opportunity focused on institutional reform, operational results, or both?

Both. The opportunity describes an intended impact that includes operational changes (reducing the space for criminals to act with impunity) and institutional improvements (stronger governance, transparency, democratic accountability, and justice-sector performance and integrity).