FY 2026 CPC Annual Program Statement.pdf

Annual Program Statement (APS)

Child Protection Compacts Annual Program Statement

Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Department of State

Opportunity number: [DFOP0018775] Application deadline(s): September 30; December 31

Contents

A. Basic Information B. Eligibility C. Program Description D. Application Contents and Format E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines F. Application Review Information G. Award Notices H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration I. Other Information

U.S Department of State

DRL/TIP

Annual Program Statement

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title Child Protection Compact Annual Program Statement Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0018775 Announcement Type Initial Announcement Deadline(s) for Applications September 30; December 31 Assistance Listing Number 19.019 Length of performance period 60 months Number of awards anticipated 1-2 Award amounts The average award amount is $10,000,000.

Total available funding $12.5 million pending funding availability Type of Funding FY 2026 International Narcotics Control and Law

Enforcement (INCLE)

Anticipated program start date April, 2027

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (“the TIP Office”) in the U.S.

Department of State announces an Annual Program Statement (APS) for its Child Protection Compacts (CPC) Program. This APS outlines our funding priorities, strategic themes, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant and/or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”).

Program Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in 60 months or less.

The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

2. Executive Summary Priority Region: Western Hemisphere and East Asia Pacific preferred, though organizations may submit proposals for all countries if activities are aligned with the U.S. government’s foreign policy goals. Only one or two countries will be selected each year for a new Child Protection Compact.

Executive Summary The TIP Office invites applications for projects to combat all forms of child trafficking as part of a potential Child Protection Compact (CPC) between the United States and a recipient country proposed by the applicant. A CPC is a multi-year plan developed jointly by the United States and another government to strengthen capacity to effectively prosecute and convict child traffickers, provide comprehensive care and support for child victims, and prevent child trafficking in all its forms. Through collaborative agreements, CPCs aim to durably enhance government and civil society efforts to address child trafficking while furthering the America First agenda by combatting transnational criminal organizations profiting from human trafficking and building the host country’s capacity to support long-standing efforts against human trafficking. The host country makes commitments toward achieving joint objectives with the ultimate goal of sustaining the impacts of U.S. foreign assistance after the compact concludes.

Both governments participate in annual dialogues to review progress, address challenges, and plan for sustainability.

The target audience includes U.S. and foreign organizations and entities with proven experience in designing and implementing anti-trafficking programming. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, public international organizations, governmental institutions, and for-profit organizations (subject to restrictions). The program focuses on four key objectives: (1) Prosecution; (2) Protection; (3) Prevention, and (4) National Coordination.

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects in countries that demonstrate political will to combat child trafficking and align with Administration priorities outlined in the National Security Strategy, executive orders, the FY 2026-2030 Department of State Agency Strategic Plan, and country-specific recommendations in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report.

This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations

• Public and private educational institutions

• For-profit organizations

• Public International Organizations

• U.S. government agencies

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing, cost matching, and cost participation are not required to carry out a project under this funding opportunity. While not required, applicants may propose to include voluntary cost https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders https://www.state.gov/agency-strategic-plan https://www.state.gov/agency-strategic-plan https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/ share. Applications that include voluntary cost share will NOT be evaluated differently than other applications. Applicants that voluntarily propose cost share must read the instructions regarding required budget documents under this announcement. Applicants should list the cost share amount in the SF-424 under Section C - 8b and Section D - 14.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on SAM.gov. Please see Section D.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards to earn a profit. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

Organizations currently receiving funds from the TIP Office may apply for funding under the present funding opportunity. The eligibility requirements for applying to this funding opportunity do not restrict applicants from receiving other sources of funding from the United States government, including from other bureaus within the Department of State.

Under this funding opportunity, applicants may form a consortium with other organizations to implement and carry out project activities. Applicants working with other organizations must clearly identify the lead applicant, and the lead applicant may designate one or more additional organizations as sub-recipients. All mandatory terms and conditions for a successful applicant also apply to any sub-awards awarded.

C. Program Description

1. Goals and Objectives The TIP Office seeks proposals for projects to combat human trafficking outside of the United States.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 USC §7101 et seq.), as amended (TVPA), established the TIP Office in the U.S. Department of State. The TIP Office leads the United States’ global engagement to combat human trafficking and seeks to work with foreign governments, civil society organizations, and other organizations utilizing the “3P” paradigm:

prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims, and preventing trafficking in persons. In most cases, applications should include a plan for how they will collaborate with local governments and civil society in the countries where they propose working.

The U.S. government defines “trafficking in persons” as:

• Sex trafficking encompasses the range of activities involved when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another person to engage in a commercial sex act. It should be noted that when a person younger than 18 is used to perform a commercial sex act, it is a crime regardless of whether there is any force, fraud, or coercion.

• Forced labor, also referred to as labor trafficking, encompasses the range of activities involved when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to exploit the labor or services of another person.

Trafficking in persons does not require the movement of a person. Under the TVPA and generally consistent with the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol), individuals may be trafficking victims regardless of whether they once consented to provide commercial sex acts (with the exception of children, who cannot provide consent), labor, or services; whether they participated in unlawful acts their traffickers compelled them to commit; whether someone transported them into the exploitative situation; or whether they were born into a state of servitude. The TIP Office will not support projects that use alternate definitions of trafficking.

The TVPA requires that the Department of State submit to Congress an annual report assessing the efforts of governments to address trafficking in persons. The annual TIP Report is the primary tool for the Department’s engagement with other governments on human trafficking and informs U.S. policy and assistance priorities to combat this crime.

The TIP Office works to build durable capacity of recipient governments and civil society to combat human trafficking. Information on U.S. government anti-trafficking efforts is available at: https://www.state.gov/u-s-government-response-office-to-monitor-and-combat-trafficking-in-persons/ and a description of international projects currently funded by the TIP Office is available at: https://www.state.gov/tip-office-project-descriptions/.

The Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) invites organizations to submit applications for projects to combat all forms of child trafficking as part of a potential Child Protection Compact (CPC) between the United States and a recipient country proposed by the applicant.

A CPC is a multi-year plan developed jointly by the United States and another government to strengthen capacity to effectively prosecute and convict child traffickers, provide the highest quality of care for child victims of these crimes, and prevent child trafficking in all its forms.

The purpose of a CPC is to collaborate to achieve shared objectives and for U.S. foreign assistance resources to enhance government and civil society efforts to effectively address child trafficking problems in the country. In a CPC, the host country makes commitments toward achieving joint objectives with the ultimate goal of sustaining the impacts of U.S. foreign assistance after the conclusion of the compact. Every year during the CPC, both governments come together in an annual dialogue to review progress against benchmarks, address implementation challenges, and plan for sustainability.

A CPC would support the host government to expand its child protection efforts, a shared priority for the United States. A CPC aims to further the America First agenda by combatting transnational criminal organizations and other malign actors that profit from human trafficking, https://www.state.gov/u-s-government-response-office-to-monitor-and-combat-trafficking-in-persons/ https://www.state.gov/u-s-government-response-office-to-monitor-and-combat-trafficking-in-persons/ https://www.state.gov/tip-office-project-descriptions/ including child trafficking. The United States has previously signed CPCs with Ghana (2015), the Philippines (2017), Peru (2017), Jamaica (2018), Mongolia (2020), Colombia (2022), Cote d’Ivoire (2022), and Romania (2024). More information is available at: https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships/.

Among other criteria, the TIP Office will identify future CPC country(ies) that: demonstrate political will to address child trafficking challenges on a significant scale, offer the potential to have a systemic and sustainable impact, and align with Administration priorities outlined in the National Security Strategy, executive orders, the FY 2026-2030 Department of State’s Agency Strategic Plan, and country-specific recommendations in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications for CPCs in countries that align with priorities stated in these policy documents and reports.

Applicants must clearly articulate why they are proposing a given country for a CPC by outlining child trafficking dynamics in that country, including current government efforts. Applicants should explain why the proposed country is a priority for the current Administration based on their review of relevant policy documents and recommendations in the Annual Trafficking in Persons Report, and how a proposed CPC with a given country would advance America First Foreign Policy goals. Applicants must also demonstrate host government willingness to collaborate with the U.S. Government by submitting a letter of support from a proposed government counterpart (e.g. Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Child Welfare, Ministry of Social Protection, etc.) within the proposed country’s national government.

Note: Applicants are encouraged to submit one application per proposed country and up to three applications to this APS in total per year (see Section E.4). Therefore, an organization is able to submit up to three applications to this APS.

Priority Program Areas:

The below CPC goal and objectives are intended to be illustrative to aid applications in responding to this APS and are subject to change in the context of CPC development with a particular government.

The goal of a CPC: The government combats forced child labor and child sex trafficking in a coordinated, victim-centered, and proactive manner that addresses targeted risk factors, ensures comprehensive victim protection, and effectively investigates, prosecutes, and convicts child traffickers. The anticipated overarching objectives (pending the signing of a CPC) are:

Objective 1 (Prevention): The government coordinates with civil society on child trafficking prevention efforts to reduce the risk factors and vulnerabilities leading to exploitation by traffickers.

Objective 2 (Protection): The government supports child trafficking victims directly by providing accessible victim-centered care and by supporting local civil society working on protection throughout the country.

https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders https://www.state.gov/agency-strategic-plan https://www.state.gov/agency-strategic-plan

Objective 3 (Prosecution): Justice sector actors utilize trafficking-specific legal frameworks to identify child trafficking victims, investigate cases, and prosecute and convict perpetrators of child trafficking.

Objective 4 (National Coordination): The government addresses child trafficking in a coordinated manner across all relevant national and local authorities as well as with civil society.

Participants and Audiences: Nongovernmental organizations, not-for-profit organizations, international organizations, educational institutions, for-profit companies, and U.S. government agencies.

The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;

• Charitable or development activities;

• Programs that support specific religious activities;

• Fundraising campaigns;

• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs in the United States;

• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or

• Programs that duplicate existing programs.

2. Substantial Involvement Examples of substantial U.S. government involvement could include:

1. Review and approve materials produced under the project (pre-publication), including but not limited to assessments, handbooks, and awareness raising materials; and/or

2. In coordination with the grantee, establish a communication process for conveying progress on implementation of project activities that includes but is not limited to 1) standing calls between the TIP Office, the implementer, and the U.S. embassy in the given country, and 2) coordination with CPC implementers in other countries, to share lessons learned or strategies, to include potential standing meetings, as needed; and/or

3. Review and approval of all performance indicators the Recipient must measure to monitor CPC progress; and/or

4. Participate in and support CPC Annual Dialogues.

D. Application Contents and Format Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.

Note: Co-Creation Requirement - Funding for the selected applicant(s) is contingent upon the availability of funds and the willingness and ability of the applicant(s) to collaborate with the U.S. and host governments in a co-creation workshop to develop a CPC implementation plan within 90 days of signing the award. The co-creation event is an opportunity for all participating entities and grantees to develop and validate an implementation plan, clarify the government’s role, identify implementation activities, and agree on key indicators to measure progress. The selected applicant(s) will then submit additional documents that reflect the decisions made during this workshop. Additional documents to be submitted in this revision process include: monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) plans; timelines; risk mitigation and contingency plans; a line-item budget; and a budget narrative.

Content of Application Please ensure:

• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

• All documents are in English

• All budgets are in U.S. dollars

• All pages are numbered

• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 14-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations)

• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals, organizations exempt from registration, and for organizations not required to fully register in SAM.gov)

2. Summary Page (optional) Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

3. Proposal (5 pages maximum) Applicants should not propose activities; an intervention plan would be created and validated at a later date if a CPC is pursued with the country.

Organizations should develop applications that cover the entire funding amount they seek for a multi-year program, with an average award amount of $10,000,000 (USD) for up to five (5) years, understanding that the final budget and proposal narrative will be revised post-award via amendment to reflect activities from the implementation plan agreed by both governments.

Applicants should submit proposals that align with all four objectives (listed above). The TIP Office reserves the right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal activities in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds.

The TIP Office recognizes the value and importance of collaborative efforts in anti-trafficking work. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that reflect cooperation among organizations and are expected to work collaboratively with relevant government ministries and authorities to coordinate with related activities supported by other donors. Applicants are strongly encouraged to form consortia to bring together organizations with varied expertise to propose a comprehensive project in one proposal with a prime grantee with sub-grantees.

You may use your own proposal format, but it must include all the items below.

i. Situational assessment of child trafficking in the proposed country.

ii. Identification of key gaps and potential intervention points.

iii. Previous relevant work on child trafficking, child protection, or related topics the applicant and (when applicable, sub-applicants) have conducted in the country.

iv. Documentation of existing relationships the applicant (and, when applicable, sub-applicants), holds within relevant entities of the government of the proposed country.

4. Budget Justification Narrative After filling out the SF-424A Budget (above), use a separate file to describe each of the budget expenses in detail. See section I. Other Information: Guidelines for Budget Submissions below for further information. The budget should be developed with a final project (e.g. after the co-creation workshop and implementation plan is developed) in mind. Selected organizations will be required to update and provide final budget documents after co-creation.

5. Attachments

• Letters of support from sub-grantees (if applicable)

• Letter of support from a relevant entity within the proposed country’s national government

(e.g. Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Family and Children, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.)

o Note: The letter should indicate that the government is willing to cooperate with the applicant to implement a future project in collaboration with the U.S.

government.

• Donor history annex, showing information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies for the past seven years

• If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package Application forms required above are available at www.grants.gov.

2. Department of State Contacts If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact:

TIPGrants@state.gov.

Please see the TIP Office website (https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-funding-opportunities/) for an FAQ with additional information.

mailto:TIPGrants@state.gov https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-funding-opportunities/ https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-funding-opportunities/

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Required Registrations All organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from the NOFO.

The 2 CFR 200 requires that subrecipients obtain a UEI. Please note the UEI for subrecipients is not required at the time of application but will be required before an award is processed and/or directed to a subrecipient.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

• Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov.

• Organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S.

Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain an NCAGE code. I understand that I will need to submit my registration after this incident is resolved in order to have my registration activated.”

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO NOT plan to do business with the DoD should follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Proceed to SAM.gov to obtain a UEI and complete the SAM.gov registration process. SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually.

Organizations based outside of the United States and that DO plan to do business with the DoD in addition to Department of State should follow the below instructions:

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2Fgsafsd_sp%3Fid%3Dgsafsd_kb_articles%26sys_id%3Dc81018e71b1601d0937fa64ce54bcb57&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W2ShcazZBQbanYGj0cLOTnUJwv%2BGL4xfwr83%2BycQY2E%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fsd.gov%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t32ANWzgpiB93pMWoq%2BFCSHz4YJY9QF1S1iQzCsS6RM%3D&reserved=0

Step 1: Apply for an NCAGE code by following the instructions on the NSPA NATO website linked below:

NCAGE Homepage:

https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/sc/CageList.aspx NCAGE Code Request Tool (NCRT):

NCAGE Code Request Tool (nato.int)

Exemptions An exemption from the UEI and SAM.gov registration requirements may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. See 2 CFR 25.110 for a full list of exemptions.

Organizations requesting exemption from UEI or SAM.gov requirements must email the point of contact listed in the NOFO at least two weeks prior to the deadline in the NOFO providing a justification of their request. Approval for a SAM.gov exemption must come from the warranted Grants Officer before the application can be deemed eligible for review.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Proposals will be accepted throughout the year. Proposals will be reviewed according to the following schedule:

• Proposals received between June 19 and September 30 will be prioritized and will be reviewed by December 31.

• If funding is available, the Department may conduct additional reviews of applications to meet Department priorities.

• Proposals received between October 1 and December 31, 2026, will be reviewed by March 31, 2027.

• Additional reviews may occur if funding is available.

• Applicants will receive responses on a rolling basis determined by final State

Department leadership approvals and the availability of funds.

5. Funding Restrictions

i. Funding Restrictions for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

None of the funds awarded resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be made available for subawards, direct financial support, or otherwise used to provide any payment or transfer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

ii. Prohibition on Funding Activities that Encourage Mass-Migration Caravans towards the United States Southwest Border:

None of the funds awarded under this grant may be made available to encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. Funds may not be made available for legal counseling on the United States asylum process; and/or for referrals to legal representation in the United States.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feportal.nspa.nato.int%2FAC135Public%2Fscage%2FCageList.aspx&data=05%7C01%7Cfjeldkk%40state.gov%7C0cc4e2b471f44abcd32308db093ecead%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638113937577534024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=v3TLT8F%2FNfk5SuTcI2zw7SMhV4HK542OhP9XDx4ln%2BY%3D&reserved=0 https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/Codification/CageTool/home https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110

Funds may only be used for cash cards for use in the country in which they are provided or to facilitate assisted voluntary returns and other purposes that do not encourage, mobilize, publicize, or manage mass migration caravans towards the United States southwest border. The provision of humanitarian assistance is permitted.

iii. Certification Regarding Compliance with applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws

If the place of performance or delivery of any award made under this Annual Program Statement will be within the United States, applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award:

1) Its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code and;

2) It does not operate any programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. A program promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion means a program whose purpose is to promote preferences based on race, color religion, sex, or national origins, such as in training or hiring.

iv. Certification Regarding Compliance with 20 U.S.C. 1011f and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements :

Applicants are advised that IHEs must certify the following at the time of award, and that this certification requirement must be included in any subaward agreements to IHEs:

1) Its compliance in all respects with section 1011f of title 20, United States Code, and any other applicable foreign funding disclosure requirements is material for purposes of section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, and for receipt of appropriate Federal grant funds.

v. Certification of Trafficking in Persons Compliance and Compliance Plan

Applicants are advised that they will be required to certify the following at the time of award for awards where the estimated value of services to be performed outside the United States exceeds $500,000:

• To the best of the Recipient’s knowledge, neither the Recipient, nor any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor of the Recipient or any agent of the recipient or of such a subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor, is engaged in any of the activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a);

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-175

The recipient has implemented a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175(a) and is compliant with this plan; and the compliance plan must follow the minimum requirements described in 2 CFR 175(b)(5).

• That the Recipient has and will implement procedures to prevent activities described in 2 CFR 175.105(a) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any subrecipient, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the recipient engaging in these activities.

Recipients do not need to submit a copy of the plan. However, they must provide it to the Grants Officer upon request, and as appropriate, must post the useful and relevant contents of the plan or related materials on their website and at the workplace. Recipients must re-certify on an annual basis for the entire award period of performance.

vi. Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities

(a) Definitions.

American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list developed and maintained by the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) and published in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov.

FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity.

Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

(b) Prohibition. Recipients of funding under this Annual Program Statement

(including subawards and subcontracts) will be prohibited from:

(1) delivering any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, which includes unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and associated elements;

https://www.sam.gov/

(2) Operating a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system in the performance of the award (section 1824 of Pub. L. 118-31, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.); and

(3) Using Federal funds for the purchase or operation of a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system.

(c) Exemptions, exceptions, and waivers. The prohibitions described above will not apply if the agency determines that an exemption, exception, or waiver applies and the award indicates that such a determination has been made. [See sections 1823 through 1825 and 1832 of Public Law 118-31 ( 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.) for statutory requirements pertaining to exemptions, exceptions, and waivers.].

vii. Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA)

Applicants for foreign assistance awards should be aware of requirements in 2 CFR Part 602, 603, and 604.

These policies are referred to collectively as the Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance (PHFFA) Policy.

2 CFR 602: The award term imposes certain abortion-related requirements on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, public international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

2 CFR 603: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to gender ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

2 CFR 604: The award term imposes certain requirements relating to discriminatory equity ideology on foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), United States NGOs, international organizations, foreign governments, and parastatals.

The Department recognizes there are costs associated with these policies. Potential one-time and recurring costs the Department identifies for recipients and grantees are for familiarization with the policy, development and delivery of organizational training and implementation guidance, routine compliance monitoring, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

viii. Prohibition on support for ineligible recipients:

Foreign assistance funds may not benefit countries or entities that are not eligible recipients of United States foreign assistance or for which there are applicable assistance restrictions. Applicants shall work with the Department of State to ensure that any applicable restrictions and requirements are addressed prior to awarding any sub-awards.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fuscode.house.gov%2Fview.xhtml%3Freq%3Dgranuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title41-section3901%26num%3D0%26edition%3Dprelim&data=05%7C02%7CCarbullidoCC%40state.gov%7C237266465ee34b736eaf08de3442d869%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C639005658853810678%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9HxEeOJc49x2mY9%2FclnBN%2Ft3LvDuWz%2FB6CCs5bB8zPI%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fuscode.house.gov%2Fview.xhtml%3Freq%3Dgranuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title41-section3901%26num%3D0%26edition%3Dprelim&data=05%7C02%7CCarbullidoCC%40state.gov%7C237266465ee34b736eaf08de3442d869%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C639005658853841398%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vOOQC%2FqEnM0FmwOBiz0sKQU2rkL0QZZz6YPZDhMeP3o%3D&reserved=0 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01519/protecting-life-in-foreign-assistance https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01516/combating-gender-ideology-in-foreign-assistance https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/27/2026-01517/combating-discriminatory-equity-ideology-in-foreign-assistance-rules

ix. Restriction on use for construction:

Construction, including modernization and rehabilitation, is not prohibited. Department policy restricts the use of federal awards for construction purposes and additional conditions apply.

6. Other Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted electronically through MyGrants.

For assistance with MyGrants contact Customer Support by calling 1 (888) 313-4567 or by creating an account on the ILMS Self Service Portal. The Support Desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note the hours for Federal holidays may differ. Please note, if an organization has issues submitting an application near the deadline, the only way its late application will be accepted is if it opens a ticket with the help desk to fix the problem prior to the deadline, and if the applicant emails tipgrants@state.gov before the deadline with the ILMS ticket number and an explanation of the problem. A ticket with the help desk can be opened by submitting a ticket through the ILMS Self Service Portal. The ILMS Help Desk utilizes a user-facing ticketing interface that allows users to submit and monitor their MyGrants tickets.

F. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below.

Country Child Trafficking Situational Assessment – 33 points: The application clearly describes the child trafficking context of the country and identifies strategies or approaches that could support successful implementation of a CPC. The application does not include any strategies or approaches contrary to any standing Executive Orders or Department policies.

Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 33 points: The organization demonstrates the experience, capacities, and qualifications that enable it (and sub-applicant(s) if applicable) to implement CPC objectives. The application describes subject matter expertise it could bring to the project. The applicant has internal controls in place to manage federal funds and experience administering projects of similar size and scope in the country, preferably on child trafficking. This includes a financial management system and a bank account. If sub-awards are proposed, applicant demonstrates experience managing subawards.

Anti-Trafficking Relationships – 33 points: The organization demonstrates relationships with key anti-trafficking actors and relevant organizations, for example, government entities, private sector actors, local civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, communities of faith, other donors, international organizations, and academia, that would advance the goal and objectives of the CPC and improve collaboration to effectively address child trafficking in the country.

2. Indirect Costs If two or more applications receive equivalent scores based on the evaluation criteria outlined in this NOFO, preference will be given to the applicant with the lower indirect cost rate, as consistent with Executive Order 14332, Section 4(b)(iii). This preference will only be applied as a tie-breaking mechanism and does not supersede the primary evaluation criteria.

3. Review and Selection Process All proposals will be screened by the TIP Office to determine whether they meet the technical requirements as stated in this announcement. Proposals will be deemed ineligible during the technical review process and will not be considered for funding if they do not: meet the procedural eligibility requirements, respond to the priorities articulated in the program description, and include all required application components.

Following the technical review, a formal content review of each proposal that passes the technical review will commence. Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of regional and subject matter experts within the Department. Panel recommendations will be submitted to the Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, or Senior Bureau Official, for consideration.

Final award decisions will be influenced by whether the application responds to the recommendations contained in the most recent TIP Report; aligns with the National Security Strategy, the U.S. Department of State Agency Strategic Plan, and relevant executive orders.

The U.S. Government reserves the right to obtain clarifications, request additional detail, or suggest refinements in the program description, budget, or other aspects of an application.

4. Risk Review

i. Risk factors

Under the merit review as required by 2 CFR § 200.206, prior to making a Federal Award the Department will review and consider the following risk factors:

a. Financial stability

b. Management systems and standards

c. History of performance

d. Audit reports and findings

e. Ability to effectively implement requirements

ii. Responsibility/Qualification Information in SAM.gov

The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the U.S. government designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);

An applicant can review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

Before making decisions in the risk review required by § 200.206 the Department will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

G. Award Notices The award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer.

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S.

government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received.

Unsuccessful applicants: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified on a rolling basis.

Payment Method: Payments under this award will be made through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment Management System (PMS).

Recipients may not draw down funds without the affirmative authorization of the Department of State. In addition, recipients must submit, with each PMS payment request, a detailed explanation justifying the request.

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following: NOTE:

• Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 89 FR 30046 on April 22, 2024, particularly on:

o Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an impartial process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205), o Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O.

13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341), o Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and o Terminating agreements pursuant to the U.S. Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, including, to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

For the avoidance of doubt, the Department has sole discretion over the determination that an award no longer effectuates program goals or agency priorities, and this provision permits awards to be terminated at the Department’s convenience, including when it determines that the award no longer advances the national interest.

• 2 CFR 25 - UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT

• 2 CFR 170 - REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

INFORMATION

• 2 CFR 175 - AWARD TERM FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

• 2 CFR 182 - GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE

WORKPLACE (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)

• 2 CFR 183 - NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

• 2 CFR 600 – DEPARTMENT OF STATE REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Recipients must comply with Executive Orders as applicable. A searchable list can be found in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/

2. Reporting Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit regular Quarterly Performance Reports (QPR) and Quarterly Financial Reports (QFR) no more than 30 days after the end of each U.S. fiscal quarter: September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30.

A final report is required 120 days after the end of the project period.

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Recipients must report immediately when a program faces unplanned delays in implementation, fails to meet program targets or milestones, or costs increase substantially.

Any revisions to the approved budget categories that total a cumulative 10% or more of the total award amount require prior approval from the TIP Office Grants Officer.

The TIP Office monitors all funded projects. Award recipients should expect the Grants Officer and/or Grants Officer Representative to conduct site visits during the performance period. On-site reviews include assessment of project and administrative effectiveness, financial management, and program implementation. In addition to planned project monitoring, some awards and sub-awards may be selected for independent evaluation.

If the federal share of any award issued under this funding opportunity exceeds $500,000 over the period of performance, potential applicants should be aware…