Advancing Criminal Justice System Reforms in Armenia | OFOP0001459

Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0001459

The Advancing Criminal Justice System Reforms in Armenia opportunity is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) cooperative agreement aimed at increasing Armenians trust in the criminal justice system through practical, visible reforms that people can actually feel in their interactions with law enforcement, courts, and defense services. The project is framed around the idea that confidence grows when the system produces fairer, more understandable outcomes, protects rights consistently, and demonstrates professional competence across the institutions involved in criminal cases.

The program focuses on several reform areas tied directly to everyday public experience. One priority is improving public confidence in case outcomes, which generally points to efforts that make processes more transparent, decisions better explained, and results more consistent and credible. Another major component is strengthening legal defense mechanisms and public advocacy, suggesting support for more effective defense representation, stronger defender capacity, and a more informed public that can advocate for rights and accountability. INL also emphasizes institutionalizing technical and legal skills training for criminal justice officers, signaling an interest in moving beyond one-off trainings toward sustainable systems for continuous professional development, standards, and skills reinforcement. A final core focus is protecting the rights of the most vulnerable individuals in Armenia, indicating targeted work to ensure that those at higher risk of rights violations (for example, marginalized groups, detainees, or individuals with limited resources) receive meaningful safeguards and access to justice.

INL is looking for a partner that can deliver sustained institutional change in specific justice sector areas identified by INL, while also staying flexible enough to respond quickly to evolving needs and real-time observations on the ground. The solicitation calls for an approach that is collaborative, creative, data-driven, and iterative. In practical terms, that implies programming built on evidence and assessment, close coordination with relevant stakeholders, ongoing learning and adaptation during implementation, and measurement of results to show what is working and what needs adjustment.

This is a discretionary funding opportunity with a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, which typically means the U.S. government expects substantial engagement during implementation rather than a fully hands-off grant. The total award ceiling is $2,500,000, with INL expecting to make one award. The funding activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services (CFDA 19.703). The opportunity was created on 2024-06-07, and the original application closing date was 2024-07-23.

Eligibility is open to a range of organizational types, including U.S.-based nonprofit/NGOs, U.S.-based educational institutions that qualify under 501(c)(3) or under 26 U.S.C. 115, as well as foreign-based nonprofit/NGOs and foreign-based educational institutions. The opportunity number is OFOP0001459, and the title is Advancing Criminal Justice System Reforms in Armenia.

• The Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Criminal Justice System Reforms in Armenia" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.703.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for OFOP0001459

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: