Strengthening Philippine Maritime Legal Units
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- OFOP0002785
- Agency
-
Bureau of International Narcotics Law Enforcement
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $2,500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 19.703 Criminal Justice Systems
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Law, Justice and Legal Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- inlmanila@state.gov
- Marco Horta hortama@state.gov
- Elizabeth Hilburg hilburge1@state.gov
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is soliciting applications for a $2.5 million grant to strengthen maritime legal capacity within Philippine justice institutions, with applications due July 20, 2026. Cost share is recommended but not required. One fixed-amount award of $2.5 million is anticipated, with a 36-month performance period beginning January 2027.
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, U.S.-based or foreign-based, that demonstrate experience in legal capacity building, maritime law expertise, knowledge of Indo-Pacific maritime security issues, and organizational capacity to manage substantial donor engagement. Applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active SAM.gov registration.
The project targets the Philippine Office of the Solicitor General and Department of Justice, delivering technical training, legal advisory support, professional exchanges, and institutional design assistance focused on maritime law, UNCLOS, international arbitration, litigation strategy, and maritime case development. Core deliverables include establishing dedicated maritime legal units, developing a training-of-trainers framework, conducting case-development workshops and litigation simulations, and supporting interagency coordination. The initiative aims to build durable in-house maritime legal expertise and strengthen rules-based approaches to maritime issues, supporting regional stability and partner self-reliance in the Indo-Pacific.
Evaluation weights project analysis and design (50 points), program monitoring and risk (25 points), institutional record and capacity (10 points), and cost effectiveness (15 points). Proposals must include a narrative limited to 20 pages, SF-424 and SF-424A forms, performance monitoring plan with Change Map and indicator reference sheets, project risk analysis, detailed budget with narrative, organizational information, and management capability documentation. Recipients must submit quarterly performance reports through INL's DevResults system and comply with Leahy Amendment vetting requirements. The opportunity is posted under CFDA 19.703 (Criminal Justice Systems).
Synopsis
This project will support the development of sustainable maritime legal capacity within the Philippine Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other relevant agencies. Through technical training, legal advisory support, interagency coordination, and professional exchanges, the initiative aims to strengthen institutional expertise in maritime law, UNCLOS, arbitration, litigation strategy, and maritime case development. The project will support establishment of long-term training and knowledge-transfer mechanisms, including a multiyear training roadmap, Training-of-Trainers framework, and development of maritime legal reference materials. By building durable, in-house maritime legal expertise and strengthening rules-based approaches to maritime legal issues, the initiative supports regional stability, lawful commerce, and partner self-reliance in the Indo-Pacific.
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