Accelerating Prosecution of Criminals and Terrorists in Lebanon by Digitizing Paper Criminal Court files | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Accelerating Prosecution of Criminals and Terrorists in Lebanon by Digitizing Paper Criminal Court files."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0002567.

3) Which U.S. government bureau is funding this program?

The program is funded through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

4) What type of award will be made?

The award will be made as a cooperative agreement (a form of discretionary U.S. government assistance).

5) What is the activity category and CFDA listing for this opportunity?

This opportunity falls under the Law, Justice, and Legal Services activity category and is listed as CFDA 19.703.

6) What problem is this project trying to solve?

The project addresses Lebanon's heavy reliance on paper-based criminal court records, which slows investigations, prosecutions, and information sharing. Paper files can take weeks or months to retrieve, copy, and transmit, creating delays in case progress and coordination.

7) What is the core project approach?

The project aims to convert paper criminal court files into searchable, accessible digital records so authorized stakeholders can locate and use case information much faster.

8) What practical outcome is the funder seeking?

The funder is seeking a major reduction in the time it takes to locate and use criminal case files. The intended shift is from weeks or months of paper retrieval and transmission to minutes for accessing relevant information (for authorized stakeholders).

9) What kinds of cases are emphasized in this opportunity?

The opportunity specifically emphasizes cases involving individuals suspected of supporting or collaborating with Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), including actors who may pose threats to U.S. interests.

10) How does digitizing court files relate to counterterrorism and anti-organized crime goals?

Digitization is framed as an operational upgrade that supports faster investigations and prosecutions, improved accountability, and increased case throughput. Faster access to case information is intended to help Lebanese authorities prosecute FTO/TCO-related cases more efficiently and improve the ability of U.S. agencies to investigate, track, and disrupt FTO/TCO networks operating in Lebanon.

11) Is this opportunity primarily an IT digitization project?

No. While digitization is the mechanism, the opportunity explicitly frames the effort as an enabler for faster investigations and prosecutions and for more effective cross-border cooperation in counterterrorism and anti-organized crime work, rather than an IT exercise alone.

12) How does the program expect to improve collaboration between U.S. and Lebanese law enforcement?

By enabling criminal case files to be shared, reviewed, and analyzed more quickly. This is described as supporting joint investigative work, deconfliction, and more timely decision-making between U.S. and Lebanese stakeholders.

13) What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is $900,000.

14) How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency expects to make one award.

15) When was this opportunity posted?

The posting was created on March 26, 2026.

16) What is the application closing date?

The original closing date for applications is May 26, 2026.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status

18) Are there additional requirements beyond organizational eligibility?

Yes. Applicants must meet specific experience-based requirements intended to ensure they can operate effectively in Lebanon (or similar environments) and deliver a credible justice-sector digitization effort.

19) What regional experience must applicants demonstrate?

Applicants must demonstrate experience working in Lebanon or a comparable Middle Eastern country that routinely deals with conflict.

20) What justice-sector digitization experience is required?

Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of experience working with a judicial system to document and digitize criminal or other case files. This signals the funder is looking for partners who understand judicial workflows and the handling of sensitive case materials, not organizations that only perform basic scanning.

21) Is prior work with non-U.S. partner governments required?

Yes. Applicants must have a proven track record of successfully digitizing court case files for a non-U.S. partner government, indicating the program prioritizes organizations that have already navigated foreign government stakeholder management and sensitive records handling in real-world judicial contexts.

22) Why does the opportunity emphasize experience with court workflows and case file handling?

The requirements suggest the funder expects applicants to understand judicial system realities and handle criminal court records appropriately, including considerations such as evidentiary integrity, chain-of-custody concerns, and court processes that can affect how files are documented, digitized, and used.

23) What is the intended benefit for Lebanese authorities?

The intended benefit is more efficient prosecution of relevant criminal cases through dramatically faster access to case files and improved coordination among authorized justice and law enforcement stakeholders.

24) What is the intended benefit for U.S. interests?

The opportunity describes improved ability for U.S. agencies to investigate, track, and disrupt FTO/TCO networks operating in Lebanon, supported by quicker access to case information and improved collaboration with Lebanese counterparts.