Well Told Grants

Grants / Department of State / Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement

OFOP0002496: Countering Cartel Recruitment in Mexico

Closed Closed April 6, 2026 Opportunity OFOP0002496

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Balanced Prosecution of Transnational Organized Crime Cases (OFOP0003790). Status: Closes November 9, 2026 (2 days left). It is in our archive of Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement notices from 2026.

Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement offered grants of up to $1.5 million (at least $1.0 million) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on April 6, 2026.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed February 7, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.

Key dates

PostedFebruary 6, 2026
DeadlineApril 6, 2026

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.

U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the U.S. tax code; Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); Foreign-based educational institutions

Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

To carry out a project to aimed at reducing recruitment by organized crime groups in Mexico. This project will advance U.S. security interests by promoting a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, prosecution, and legal reform. The initiative will engage stakeholders in key Mexican states to implement intelligence-driven prevention strategies, strengthen public advocacy, enhance prosecutorial capacity, support disengagement programs, and advance legislative reform to criminalize organized crime recruitment. These efforts will disrupt criminal networks that facilitate the flow of illicit drugs, violence, and illegal migration into the United States. By fostering stability and the rule of law in Mexico, this project not only supports our regional partners but also directly contributes to the safety and security of the United States

Category: Other.

Who has won Trans-National Crime grants before

From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Trans-National Crime (19.705) awarded $352 million across 264 grant awards, an average of $1.3 million per award.

Largest recipients, fiscal 2021 to 2025
RecipientStateAwardsAmount
National Center for State CourtsVirginia13$91.8 million
Wildlife Conservation SocietyNew York22$37.1 million
Traffic International16$19.0 million
World Wildlife Fund, Inc.District of Columbia6$13.6 million
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime3$10.0 million

Top states: Virginia ($98.5 million), District of Columbia ($63.4 million), New York ($42.3 million), Florida ($13.4 million), Arizona ($3.5 million).

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, OFOP0003790, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.

Questions people ask

Is OFOP0002496 still open?

No. It closed on April 6, 2026. A newer notice is open: OFOP0003790, closes November 9, 2026 (2 days left).

Who can apply for Countering Cartel Recruitment in Mexico?

Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

What is the deadline for Countering Cartel Recruitment in Mexico?

Closed April 6, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $1.5 million each.

Who has won Trans-National Crime grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were National Center for State Courts, Wildlife Conservation Society, Traffic International. The program made 264 awards worth $352 million in that time.

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