Evaluation of Regional Money Laundering Risks within Colombia | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Evaluation of Regional Money Laundering Risks within Colombia."

Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?

This is a U.S. Department of State program run through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (DOS-INL).

What is the main purpose of the project?

The project aims to create and put into practice a regional risk assessment approach for money laundering in Colombia. The intent is to move beyond treating Colombia as a single, uniform risk environment and instead enable region-by-region analysis that can support targeted policy responses.

What problem is the grant trying to address?

The work is designed to help Colombian government counterparts evaluate and compare money laundering threats and vulnerabilities across different parts of the country, understand what is driving those risks locally, and use evidence to inform smarter prevention, enforcement prioritization, and resource allocation.

What kinds of activities does the grant fund?

Based on the description, funded work focuses on anti-money laundering (AML) policy and analysis, including (1) building a practical regional risk assessment methodology and (2) implementing that approach with relevant Colombian stakeholders so it can be used in practice.

What does "regional risk assessment" mean in this context?

It refers to a structured methodology for evaluating money laundering risk at a sub-national (regional) level, allowing stakeholders to identify and compare threats and vulnerabilities in different areas of Colombia rather than relying on broad national-level assumptions.

What outcomes is the Department of State looking for?

The intended result is an actionable, structured way for Colombian actors to (1) measure and compare regional risks, (2) diagnose key local vulnerabilities and drivers, and (3) translate findings into concrete policy decisions.

Is this grant focused on research, operations, or enforcement?

The description emphasizes that the work is research- and methodology-driven and oriented toward policy design and analysis. It does not describe operational law enforcement activities as the primary focus.

Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity seeks applicants from qualified educational institutions (public or private) and think tanks. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with a note to consult additional eligibility language in the full notice, but the description clearly highlights research and policy design capacity.

Are law enforcement agencies the intended applicants?

The opportunity description emphasizes institutions with research, analytical capacity, and familiarity with financial crime typologies, rather than operational law enforcement entities.

What is the legal authority for this funding?

The legal authority is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SCO 200 16 GR061.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 19.704.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award size (ceiling) is $200,000.

How many awards does the Department expect to make?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of up to five awards.

Does the notice suggest one implementer or multiple implementers?

Because the Department expects up to five awards, the solicitation suggests multiple implementers may be supported, potentially through parallel efforts that contribute to the broader objective.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on January 28, 2016 (and created the same day).

When did the application period close?

The closing date listed is February 26, 2016.

How long was the application window?

Based on the posted and closing dates provided (January 28, 2016 to February 26, 2016), the solicitation was open for roughly one month.

What is the activity category for this grant?

The activity category is listed as community development, which in this context aligns with strengthening institutional capacity and governance tools to reduce illicit financial flows and related social harms.

What country is the project focused on?

The work is specifically focused on Colombia.

Who are the primary intended users of the methodology?

The intended users are Colombian government counterparts and relevant Colombian actors who would apply the regional risk assessment approach to inform policy decisions and prioritization.

What makes this approach different from a national-level assessment?

The key difference is that the methodology is meant to produce area-specific findings, allowing stakeholders to compare different parts of Colombia, understand local risk drivers, and tailor responses accordingly rather than relying on national averages or generalized assumptions.

What kind of expertise is implied for strong applicants?

The description implies applicants should have strong analytical capacity, experience with risk frameworks, and familiarity with financial crime typologies, consistent with a methodology-and-policy focused project.

Is this grant described as earmarked?

Yes. The opportunity is issued as an earmarked grant.