Request for Proposals
General Funding Information
The mission of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) is to end human trafficking by prosecuting traffickers, protecting and assisting victims, and developing efforts to prevent trafficking from occurring or continuing. While G/TIP has many responsibilities with regard to this mission, one important element of G/TIP's strategy is to provide support for anti-trafficking efforts throughout the world. The financial appropriations approved by Congress and the President allow G/TIP to fund anti-trafficking programs in locations that demonstrate considerable need. In Fiscal Year 2008, G/TIP administered approximately $17 million in funds to combat trafficking worldwide.
Funding Update
Proposals submitted to G/TIP for funding consideration in 2007 were funded in 2008. See list of anti-human trafficking programs funded in fiscal year 2008. In 2008 G/TIP received a record number of proposals for funding (350+) and 59 projects were selected for consideration of funding. G/TIP expects that these projects will be awarded from December through March 2009.
New Funding Opportunities
See current RFP: Bilateral, Regional and Global Anti-Trafficking in Persons Programs.
G/TIP's funds are used primarily to address issues or deficiencies identified in the TIP Reports and Interim Assessments in Tier 3, Tier 2 Watch List, and some Tier 2 countries. In addition to the Tier ranking, factors considered include the country's financial resources or lack of resources and the political will on the part of a country's national and/or local governments to work cooperatively to address identified TIP problems. The intent of G/TIP support, which can last up to 36 months, is to create an environment conducive to systemic change that will have a long-term, sustainable, positive impact on combating TIP.
The following list, though not exhaustive, identifies the kinds of activities that G/TIP funds:
- Capacity-building and collaborative efforts between U.S. NGOs and foreign NGOs through mentoring, technical assistance, exchanges, and information-sharing.
- Creating or enhancing cooperative efforts between the criminal justice sector and civil society, especially projects designed to improve victim protection and assistance services;
- Law enforcement-related projects, such as: technical assistance to improve anti-trafficking legislation; development of anti-TIP written polices and procedures for law enforcement agencies; implementation of improved procedures for law enforcement to identify and rescue victims, conduct investigations, protect and assist victims, and prosecute traffickers; and training for law enforcement, immigration officials, prosecutors, and judges.
- Training on trafficking and sexual exploitation/abuse prevention provided by NGOs or IOs for military personnel in peacekeeping operations;
- Assisting NGOs and/or government agencies to develop, implement, or expand comprehensive services for adult and child victims of sex trafficking or forced labor. Comprehensive services include victim protection, appropriate housing, medical and mental health services, as well as assistance with legal advocacy, immigration status, employment and/or education needs, safe repatriation or other resettlement, and coordination with law enforcement on criminal cases.
- Programs to improve the investigation and prosecution of forced labor trafficking cases, including models for training labor inspectors and law enforcement personnel to investigate, identify victims and protect victims, and successful prosecute cases.
G/TIP generally solicits for proposals through www.grants.gov. Solicitations conducted via www.grants.gov involve applicants submitting their proposals through the grants.gov system. Applicants unfamiliar with the requirements of this system should review information on the www.grants.gov website. Prior registration is required so applicants should complete the registration process in a timely manner.
Q: Can an organization work in more than one country?
A: Yes.
Q: May a U.S. based university apply for an NGO Partnership project if they plan to work in partnership with a foreign NGO?
A: Yes.
Q: Please clarify Posts’ involvement in this year’s solicitation process?
A: G/TIP will conduct a technical review all proposals submitted. Bilateral proposals that meet the technical requirements will be sent to the U.S. Embassy (or post) where the proposed work would take place. The post will review the proposals, establish a rank order, and then send this ranking with comments to G/TIP for review.
Q: Will staff at the U.S. embassy (or post) be involved in the competitive review panels?
A: Post will review proposals and submit their rankings based upon the evaluation criteria in the solicitation of proposals to G/TIP. We will convene the competitive review panels which take into consideration embassy rankings.
Q: How will the change in Administration affect the solicitation process at G/TIP?
A: U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking outside our borders have received strong bipartisan support (from both Democrats and Republicans) in the Congress and thus we anticipate that funding for anti-TIP projects will continue in the future.
Q: Are we allowed to talk to Embassies during this process?
A: Yes. U.S. embassy staff have knowledge of TIP issues in each country. All embassies have been notified of the G/TIP solicitation through cables. Embassies responsible for the 44 priority countries have been encouraged to disseminate the solicitation to anti-trafficking organizations working in the country and to post information about the solicitation on their websites, if possible. However in keeping with a fair and transparent process, embassy staff should not be sought out for and will not provide input on content or strategies for the actual project proposals.
Q: If the country I plan to work in is not listed as a priority country may I work from another country that is on the list?
A: G/TIP can not advise you on how to target your proposal or where to work; such decisions are up to each applicant.
Q: Will letters of support from Governments be accepted?
A: Evidence of local support for project activities is considered in the review of a project proposal, any evidence to show such support would be accepted.
Q: Are letters of intent/support included in the page limit?
A: No.
Q: Where can I find specifics regarding funding of projects in past years?
A: The G/TIP website shows anti-TIP projects supported by G/TIP and other USG agencies.
Q: Is there a specific focus G/TIP is looking for this year such as criminal justice or post-rescue victim services?
A: The 2009 solicitation includes a brief listing of the types of program that G/TIP is most likely to support.
Q: Can an applicant submit materials other than the proposal and budget in a language other than English?
A: All information that will be considered by reviewers must be in English.
Q: Will you offer comments to organizations that submitted proposals that were not selected for finding in 2008?
A: G/TIP will respond to requests for this information as time permits.
Q: Does G/TIP have a preference when it comes to Bilateral, Regional, or Global proposals?
A: Previous funding shows that we have funded more bilateral projects than regional or global projects. No quota is set for this; decisions will be based on the quality of the proposals received and reviewed.
Q: If we are granted funding when can we expect to receive funds?
A: G/TIP can not provide a specific date. G/TIP will work to award approved grants by September 30, 2009, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Q: The award ceiling is $500,000 for this solicitation for up to 36 months. Does this mean $500,000 each year for up to three years?
A: No, the entire award may go up to $500,000 for the entire duration of the project.
Q: Can foreign NGOs apply directly for funding?
A: Yes, G/TIP can provide grants to foreign NGOs.
Q: May an organization submit multiple applications?
A: Yes.
Q: How much line item flexibility is there in changing the budget?
A: Grantees may make budget changes not in excess of 10% of the entire award amount within budget categories without written prior approval of the grant officer. However, if the change entails a substantial modification in the approved project activities or budget, the change should be approved by G/TIP. Additionally, written prior approval of the grant officer is required for any new costs consistent with the OMB Circular requirements and for movement between project and administrative costs.
Q: Does the award ceiling of $500,000 include the costs attributed to the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA)?
A: Yes.
Q: Can a For-Profit Organization apply as an NGO Partnership and receive the extra 10 points?
A: No, only not-for-profit organizations can receive the 10 points that can be given for NGO Partnerships during the review of proposals.
Q: Would it be helpful to submit a log frame as part of the proposal? Will it be reviewed if it makes the proposal longer than the page limit?
A: A log frame may be helpful in developing a project proposal if it helps to explain the relationship between goals and objective and outcomes. However, if the proposal is longer than the page limit, it will not meet the technical requirements (page limit) and will not be reviewed for funding.
Q: I am having difficulty downloading the solicitation or applications from Grants.gov. What should I do?
A: First be sure you have PureEdge Viewer or compatible Adobe Reader installed.
If you are still having difficulties contact the Grants.gov helpdesk at: 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. You should contact Grants.gov at least one week prior to deadline to secure a trouble ticket.
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