Criminal Justice Task Force Initiative | INL23CA0025 EA BIH CRIMJUS 04272023

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Criminal Justice Task Force Initiative (INL23CA0025)

What is the Criminal Justice Task Force Initiative?

The Criminal Justice Task Force Initiative is a grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It is designed to strengthen criminal justice reform by creating a structured process for coordinated, cross-sector teamwork across the justice system.

What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The main goal is to support sustainable, long-term institutional change by helping mixed teams of justice sector actors identify a pressing reform issue, coordinate responses across institutions, and implement practical improvements that can last beyond the life of the project.

What kinds of problems is the program trying to solve?

The program focuses on complex criminal justice challenges that cannot be solved effectively by a single institution acting alone. It emphasizes cross-sectoral problems that sit at the intersection of policing, investigations, prosecution, adjudication, and other justice functions, where poor coordination can contribute to inefficiency, unfairness, or weak accountability.

What does "cross-sector" mean in this program?

"Cross-sector" refers to bringing together key actors from across the justice system, such as police, investigators, judges, prosecutors, and other relevant justice sector representatives, to work jointly on a shared reform issue.

Who is expected to participate on the task force teams?

The program envisions teams composed of criminal justice officials, experts, and practitioners drawn from multiple parts of the justice system. The individuals involved are expected to have roles and influence that are instrumental to advancing the targeted reform priority.

Is this grant more focused on training or on institutional change?

Based on the description provided, the initiative is positioned as a targeted, team-based reform program that focuses less on one-off trainings and more on building durable, collaborative capacity across justice institutions to address a specific, high-priority reform challenge.

What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?

The activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services.

What is the opportunity number for this grant?

The funding opportunity number is INL23CA0025.

What is the CFDA number associated with this listing?

The listing is associated with CFDA number 19.703.

How many awards does INL expect to make under this competition?

INL anticipates making one award under this competition.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is $700,000.

What type of award is this?

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement suggests the U.S. government is likely to have an active role in shaping or supporting implementation during the project period, rather than simply providing funds with minimal involvement.

What is the expected approach or structure of the project?

The project design is expected to follow a multi-phased, sequenced model. While the notice does not spell out each phase in detail, it implies stages such as problem selection and diagnosis, joint planning, coordinated implementation, and follow-through to embed changes in policies, procedures, or interagency practices.

What does "multi-phased approach" imply for applicants?

It implies that the work should be organized into logical stages that move from identifying and understanding a priority reform issue through planning and coordinated action, and then into steps that help institutionalize the improvements so they endure after the project ends.

What kinds of outcomes is the initiative aiming for?

The initiative aims for practical improvements that can be embedded into policies, procedures, or interagency practices, supporting sustainable reforms that continue beyond the grant period.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (also excluding institutions of higher education).

Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?

No. The eligibility language provided explicitly excludes institutions of higher education.

Can a nonprofit without 501(c)(3) status apply?

Yes. Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, as described, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.

Who is the funding agency?

The funding agency is the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 27, 2023.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was June 30, 2023.

Does the description specify all project phases in detail?

No. The notice does not spell out each phase in detail, but it does indicate a sequenced, multi-phased structure that moves from issue selection through implementation and institutionalization.

Why does the initiative emphasize coordination across institutions?

The initiative is built around the idea that certain criminal justice reform challenges are cross-cutting and require coordinated action. Gaps in coordination across policing, investigations, prosecution, and adjudication can contribute to systemic problems, so the program prioritizes integrated solutions developed and implemented by mixed teams.

What makes this initiative different from a single-agency reform effort?

The defining feature is the structured opportunity for joint work by multiple justice sector actors on a shared reform problem. The emphasis is on teamwork and coordinated implementation across institutions, rather than isolated efforts by one institution working on its own.