Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016720
The U.S. Department of State's Office of Global Criminal Justice (GCJ) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Countering Abuses by Private Military Contractors" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0016720). The award will be made as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the government expects to have substantial involvement during the life of the project, such as collaboration on objectives, coordination, or oversight beyond what is common in a standard grant. The opportunity is categorized under "Other" funding activity and is listed under CFDA number 19.990.
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support real-world accountability efforts connected to alleged atrocity crimes committed around the world by members of the Wagner Group and similar Kremlin-backed paramilitary entities. The focus is not only on documenting or publicizing abuses, but on strengthening concrete legal and quasi-legal processes that can lead to accountability. A notable element of the NOFO is its emphasis on identifying and tracking "enablers" of these paramilitary groups. Enablers are described as including corporate actors and financial services firms, pointing to an interest in understanding and disrupting the business, logistics, financing, and institutional support networks that help such groups operate.
GCJ indicates that supported "accountability processes" can take multiple forms and can occur in different jurisdictions and forums. This includes investigations and prosecutions pursued by national authorities, specifically referencing Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) as one example, as well as other domestic authorities elsewhere. The NOFO also highlights situations where national legal systems may exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction, meaning a country may investigate or prosecute conduct that occurred outside its borders when its laws allow it. Beyond domestic systems, the opportunity can support cases before international and hybrid courts, reflecting an intent to back efforts that use internationalized mechanisms where appropriate.
In addition to criminal accountability, GCJ explicitly recognizes corporate accountability pathways. The NOFO notes that efforts may involve corporate governance actions and civil or administrative proceedings, which can include measures such as shareholder or board-level accountability mechanisms, regulatory enforcement, sanctions compliance implications, civil litigation strategies, or other non-criminal legal tools that may be more immediately available than criminal prosecutions in some contexts. The scope also includes proceedings before human rights mechanisms, which can refer to regional or international bodies that receive complaints, conduct inquiries, issue findings, or otherwise contribute to formal accountability and public record-building even when criminal jurisdiction is limited or slow-moving.
Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes U.S.-based nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, whether or not they have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. It also welcomes foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, public international organizations, foreign public organizations, institutions of higher education (private, public, or state), and even for-profit organizations or businesses. In practice, this means the competition is open to a wide mix of implementing partners, including organizations specializing in international justice, investigative documentation, financial forensics, corporate research, legal aid and case-building, and support to prosecutors or accountability bodies.
The application closing date listed is July 26, 2024 (original closing date). The maximum funding amount shown (award ceiling) is $1,300,000. The posting lists expected awards as 0, which sometimes appears in federal listings when the number of awards is not predetermined, may depend on available funds, or was not specified in the public synopsis, so applicants typically should not assume only one award or no awards will be made based solely on that field.
Taken together, the opportunity is designed for organizations that can help move atrocity-crime accountability forward in practical ways: strengthening investigations, building case files, supporting lawful prosecutions in domestic or international venues, and mapping or challenging the corporate and financial infrastructures that enable Kremlin-aligned paramilitary actors such as the Wagner Group.Apply for DFOP0016720
- The Office of Global Criminal Justice in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering Abuses by Private Military Contractors" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.990.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-26. (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 $1,300,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Countering Abuses by Private Military Contractors (DFOP0016720)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Global Criminal Justice (GCJ), titled "Countering Abuses by Private Military Contractors" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0016720). It is listed under CFDA 19.990 and categorized under the "Other" funding activity type.
What is the main purpose of the NOFO?
The purpose is to support real-world accountability efforts connected to alleged atrocity crimes committed globally by members of the Wagner Group and similar Kremlin-backed paramilitary entities. The emphasis is on strengthening concrete legal and quasi-legal processes that can lead to accountability, not just documenting or publicizing abuses.
What type of award will be made?
The award will be made as a cooperative agreement. This typically means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as collaboration on objectives, coordination, or oversight beyond what is typical in a standard grant.
How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant in this context?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement signals that GCJ anticipates being actively involved during implementation. That may include coordination and collaboration on objectives or other forms of involvement beyond routine grant monitoring.
What kinds of activities does GCJ want to support?
GCJ is focused on accountability processes that can lead to tangible legal or quasi-legal outcomes. Examples described include strengthening investigations, building case files, supporting lawful prosecutions, and mapping or challenging enabling networks (such as corporate and financial support structures) that help paramilitary entities operate.
Is this opportunity only about documenting human rights abuses?
No. While documentation can be part of accountability, the NOFO places particular emphasis on advancing processes that lead toward accountability in practice, such as investigative, legal, and institutional actions across criminal, civil, administrative, and human rights mechanisms.
Which actors are specifically referenced as a focus of the NOFO?
The NOFO references alleged atrocity crimes committed by members of the Wagner Group and similar Kremlin-backed paramilitary entities. It also highlights the importance of identifying and tracking "enablers" that support these groups.
What does the NOFO mean by "enablers"?
"Enablers" are described as including corporate actors and financial services firms. The NOFO indicates interest in understanding and disrupting the business, logistics, financing, and institutional support networks that allow such paramilitary groups to operate.
What kinds of accountability processes can be supported?
The NOFO indicates supported accountability processes can take multiple forms in different jurisdictions and forums. These include national investigations and prosecutions, cases in systems exercising extraterritorial jurisdiction, proceedings before international and hybrid courts, corporate accountability pathways, and proceedings before human rights mechanisms.
Does GCJ mention any specific national authority as an example?
Yes. The NOFO specifically references Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) as an example of a national authority pursuing investigations and prosecutions.
What does "extraterritorial jurisdiction" mean in this NOFO?
As described, extraterritorial jurisdiction refers to situations where a national legal system may investigate or prosecute conduct that occurred outside its borders when its laws allow it.
Are international or hybrid courts included in the scope?
Yes. The NOFO highlights that support may extend to cases before international and hybrid courts, reflecting an intent to back internationalized accountability mechanisms where appropriate.
Does the NOFO include corporate accountability, or is it limited to criminal prosecutions?
It includes corporate accountability. GCJ explicitly recognizes corporate accountability pathways, including corporate governance actions and civil or administrative proceedings.
What are examples of corporate accountability approaches mentioned?
The NOFO notes that efforts may include corporate governance actions and civil or administrative proceedings. Examples described include shareholder or board-level accountability mechanisms, regulatory enforcement, sanctions compliance implications, civil litigation strategies, and other non-criminal legal tools that may be more immediately available than criminal prosecutions in some contexts.
Are human rights mechanisms part of the eligible scope?
Yes. The NOFO includes proceedings before human rights mechanisms, described as regional or international bodies that may receive complaints, conduct inquiries, issue findings, or otherwise contribute to formal accountability and public record-building even when criminal jurisdiction is limited or slow-moving.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. It includes U.S.-based nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (whether or not they have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status), foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, public international organizations, foreign public organizations, institutions of higher education (private, public, or state), and for-profit organizations or businesses.
Do U.S. nonprofits need 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
No. The eligibility description states that U.S.-based nonprofits and NGOs may apply whether or not they have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
Can foreign organizations apply?
Yes. The opportunity welcomes foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, public international organizations, and foreign public organizations.
Can universities or colleges apply?
Yes. Institutions of higher education are included, whether private, public, or state.
Are for-profit entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes for-profit organizations or businesses.
What kinds of applicants does this NOFO seem designed for?
Based on the scope described, it is designed for organizations that can move atrocity-crime accountability forward in practical ways, including international justice organizations, investigative documentation groups, financial forensics teams, corporate research organizations, legal aid and case-building providers, and entities that support prosecutors or accountability bodies.
What is the application deadline?
The application closing date listed is July 26, 2024 (original closing date).
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The maximum funding amount shown (award ceiling) is $1,300,000.
How many awards does GCJ expect to make?
The posting lists expected awards as 0. The information provided notes that this sometimes appears in federal listings when the number of awards is not predetermined, may depend on available funds, or was not specified in the public synopsis. Applicants should not assume only one award or no awards will be made based solely on that field.
Is the focus limited to one country or region?
No. The NOFO describes alleged atrocity crimes committed around the world. While Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General is referenced as an example, the scope is broader and includes other domestic authorities and multiple jurisdictions.
What kinds of legal forums are contemplated by the NOFO?
The NOFO contemplates domestic criminal justice systems (including those using extraterritorial jurisdiction), international and hybrid courts, corporate governance and civil/administrative pathways, and human rights mechanisms.
What is the overall theme of the NOFO in plain terms?
The overall theme is turning allegations of serious abuses by Kremlin-backed paramilitary actors (like the Wagner Group) into actionable accountability outcomes by supporting investigations, case-building, prosecutions, and parallel legal strategies, while also identifying and disrupting the corporate and financial networks that enable these groups.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: Combatting Information Manipulation through Game Jam
Previous opportunity: YSEALI Regional Workshop: Advanced Media Literacy for Digital Creators
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DFOP0016720
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DFOP0016720) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Small Grants Capacity Building Apply for PAS ALG FY24 04 Funding Number: PAS ALG FY24 04 Agency: U.S. Mission to Algeria Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| SportTech Entrepreneurship Program Apply for PAS MOROCCO FY24 09 Funding Number: PAS MOROCCO FY24 09 Agency: U.S. Mission to Morocco Category: Other Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Ouagadougou Greenbelt Biodiversity Restoration Apply for ECON BF FY24 ESF NOFO 001 Funding Number: ECON BF FY24 ESF NOFO 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Burkina Faso Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Combatting Information Manipulation through Game Jam Apply for PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO Funding Number: PDS SIV 100 FY24 NOFO Agency: U.S. Mission to Cote d Ivoire Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Request for information: Sources Sought Notice: USAID Bangladesh Digital Development Activity. Apply for RFI SSN 388 24 000099 Funding Number: RFI SSN 388 24 000099 Agency: Bangladesh USAID-Dhaka Category: Other Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| SDMF Implementation Project Apply for 24CS07 Funding Number: 24CS07 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mali Addendum to Locally Led Development APS Apply for 72068824APS00002 Funding Number: 72068824APS00002 Agency: Mali USAID -Bamako Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity for a Technical Secretariat to Support the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Apply for DFOP0016743 Funding Number: DFOP0016743 Agency: Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program Apply for DHS USCG STATE 2025 Funding Number: DHS USCG STATE 2025 Agency: United States Coast Guard Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Ethiopia Public Diplomacy Notice of Funding Opportunity: Supporting the Transition of Ethiopia’s Public Universities to Autonomous Governance Apply for PDS 005 FY2024 Funding Number: PDS 005 FY2024 Agency: U.S. Mission to Ethiopia Category: Other Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Apply for PD SEOUL FY24 05 Funding Number: PD SEOUL FY24 05 Agency: U.S. Mission to South Korea Category: Other Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Cambodia Media Development (CMD) Activity Apply for 72044224RFA00006 Funding Number: 72044224RFA00006 Agency: Cambodia USAID-Phnom Penh Category: Other Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
| Expanding PEP Databasing (E-PEP) Project Apply for DFOP0016775 Funding Number: DFOP0016775 Agency: Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR ATLANTIC COOPERATION SUPPORT Apply for 7200AA24RFI00022 Funding Number: 7200AA24RFI00022 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2024-2026 English Without Borders Network Program Apply for STI400 24 CA 0007 Funding Number: STI400 24 CA 0007 Agency: U.S. Mission to Tajikistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $273,000 |
| Trilateral Women in Security Apply for PD SEOUL FY24 06 Funding Number: PD SEOUL FY24 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to South Korea Category: Other Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Namibia Media Literacy and Counter Disinformation Programs Apply for PDS WINDHOEK FY2024 05 6 Funding Number: PDS WINDHOEK FY2024 05 6 Agency: U.S. Mission to Namibia Category: Other Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| YSEALI Regional Workshop on Digital Policy and Emerging Technologies – A Catalyst for Inclusive Economic Growth Apply for YSEALI FY2024 Funding Number: YSEALI FY2024 Agency: U.S. Mission to Vietnam Category: Other Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Borno WAS Activity Apply for 72062024RFA00004 Funding Number: 72062024RFA00004 Agency: Nigeria USAID-Abuja Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Building Awareness and Understanding of People’s Republic of China Sub-National Diplomacy in Europe Apply for CPIF GR ESF 001 Funding Number: CPIF GR ESF 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Greece Category: Other Funding Amount: $488,812 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DFOP0016720", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.