Combating Wildlife Trafficking between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines | INL20GR0021 CWTASIA 03132020

Opportunity Information: Apply for INL20GR0021 CWTASIA 03132020

The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), announced a discretionary grant opportunity (INL20GR0021; CFDA 19.705) focused on combating wildlife trafficking in the sub-region shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, particularly around the Sulu and Celebes Seas. The opportunity is framed around wildlife trafficking as a form of transnational organized crime that drives poaching and the illegal transport, trade, and sale of wildlife and wildlife products. It highlights how these criminal markets have contributed to severe population declines in iconic and highly trafficked species such as elephants, rhinos, and pangolins, while also fueling corruption, undermining the rule of law, and creating broader risks to peace and security. The solicitation also links wildlife trafficking to public health and community stability, noting that illicit wildlife trade can spread disease and destabilize communities that rely on biodiversity and eco-tourism as a source of livelihood and revenue.

This grant is positioned as part of a larger U.S. government strategy that began with the creation of an interagency Task Force in 2013, followed by the 2014 National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking and its related Implementation Plan. Those efforts emphasize three main lines of work: strengthening law enforcement, reducing demand for trafficked wildlife and wildlife goods, and building international cooperation. The opportunity also references the 2016 END Wildlife Trafficking Act, which reinforced the Task Force and formalized the Strategy and Implementation Plan, reflecting increased U.S. commitment and resources (human, technical, and financial) devoted to addressing wildlife trafficking globally. Within that broader framework, INL describes its role as leveraging specialized foreign assistance authorities to support practical, enforcement-oriented programming in key source, transit, and destination regions, including Asia.

The core purpose of this specific funding opportunity is to strengthen the ability of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks operating across their shared maritime and border spaces. INL identifies the tri-border area as particularly vulnerable because traffickers take advantage of porous borders, limited enforcement reach, and weak institutions, moving wildlife and wildlife products through layered illicit networks that may involve criminal intermediaries and corrupt officials. The program’s approach centers on technical assistance designed to produce real operational improvements, rather than purely awareness-based activities. In particular, the solicitation prioritizes three connected objectives: increasing interdiction of trafficked wildlife (improving the ability to detect, stop, and seize illegal shipments), building investigative and enforcement functions (strengthening case development, investigative capacity, and enforcement follow-through), and developing cross-border regional cooperation (improving coordination and joint action across jurisdictions so traffickers cannot simply shift routes or exploit gaps between agencies and countries).

Funding is offered as a grant, with an award ceiling of $1,600,000. The opportunity was created on March 13, 2020, with an original closing date of May 13, 2020, and it anticipated making awards (the listing notes expected awards but does not specify a number). The funding activity category is Law, Justice, and Legal Services, reflecting the emphasis on enforcement capacity, interdiction, investigations, and cooperation mechanisms. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits/NGOs and educational institutions with 501(c)(3) status, as well as overseas-based nonprofits/NGOs and public or private educational institutions. Overall, the solicitation is aimed at applicants that can deliver hands-on, regionally coordinated assistance that helps partner governments in this maritime Southeast Asia corridor prevent, detect, investigate, and collaboratively disrupt wildlife trafficking as a serious organized crime threat.

• The Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Combating Wildlife Trafficking between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.705.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-03-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-13. (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 $1,600,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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