Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0002752
The Undercover Backstopping Project (Funding Opportunity Number OFOP0002752) is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity administered by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the U.S. government expects to stay substantially involved during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The opportunity falls under the Law, Justice, and Legal Services activity area (CFDA 19.705) and is framed as a national security and public safety initiative intended to protect American communities by strengthening Mexico's capacity to run safe, effective undercover operations against transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels.
At its core, the project aims to improve how Mexican federal and state law enforcement agencies conduct undercover work that supports both U.S. and Mexican investigations targeting cartel networks and other cross-border criminal groups. The program is focused on "backstopping," meaning the policies, legal safeguards, administrative processes, and technical systems that protect undercover personnel and make covert identities credible and durable over time. The grant is specifically oriented toward producing recommendations for the Mexican government on two major problem areas: first, closing critical gaps in Mexico's legal protections for undercover agents, and second, strengthening identity management systems that allow undercover identities to be created, maintained, verified, and protected in ways that reduce operational risk and increase reliability during long-term investigations.
The deliverables implied by the description are largely advisory and capacity-building in nature rather than direct enforcement activity. A competitive proposal would likely involve structured assessments of current Mexican legal frameworks related to undercover authorities and agent protections, identification of vulnerabilities that expose agents or compromise operations, and practical options for reform that fit Mexico's institutional context. On the identity side, the work would be expected to address how undercover identities are established and supported across systems that criminals might check, and how information security, record controls, and interagency processes can prevent leaks, detect compromise, and sustain cover documentation without endangering personnel or undermining prosecutions. Because the goal is to enable safer and more reliable undercover operations, recommendations would be expected to connect legal protections, operational policy, and identity infrastructure into a coherent set of improvements rather than treating them as separate issues.
The funding structure indicates up to two awards are expected, with an award ceiling of $1,500,000 per award. The opportunity was created on May 15, 2026, and the original application closing date is June 15, 2026. The small number of anticipated awards suggests a competitive process that may favor applicants with demonstrated expertise in undercover operational support, rule-of-law reform, identity and credentialing systems, sensitive information protection, and cross-border justice sector cooperation. The cooperative agreement format also signals that applicants should be prepared for ongoing coordination with the U.S. government during planning, execution, and reporting.
Eligibility is open to a range of non-profit and educational institutions, both U.S.-based and foreign-based. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit and non-governmental organizations, U.S.-based educational institutions that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or under 26 U.S.C. 115, as well as foreign-based NGOs and foreign-based educational institutions. In practical terms, this allows universities, research centers, policy institutes, and specialized non-profits with relevant legal, technical, and law enforcement capacity-building backgrounds to apply, including organizations with established partnerships or experience working with Mexican justice and security institutions.
Overall, the opportunity is designed to reduce the operational and institutional risks associated with undercover investigations of powerful criminal networks by helping Mexico strengthen the legal and identity-management foundations that make undercover work viable. The intended downstream impact is improved effectiveness and safety for joint or parallel investigations that disrupt cartel activity and transnational criminal operations with direct implications for U.S. national security and community safety.Apply for OFOP0002752
- The Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Undercover Backstopping Project" 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 2026-05-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-15. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is called the Undercover Backstopping Project.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OFOP0002752.
Which U.S. government office is administering this opportunity?
It is administered by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
What type of award is being offered?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. That generally means the U.S. government expects to remain substantially involved during implementation, rather than issuing funds with minimal engagement.
What is the activity area and CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the Law, Justice, and Legal Services activity area and is listed under CFDA 19.705.
What is the overall purpose of the Undercover Backstopping Project?
The project is framed as a national security and public safety initiative intended to protect American communities by strengthening Mexico's capacity to run safe, effective undercover operations against transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels.
Who is the project intended to benefit operationally?
The project focuses on improving how Mexican federal and state law enforcement agencies conduct undercover work that supports both U.S. and Mexican investigations targeting cartel networks and other cross-border criminal groups.
What does "backstopping" mean in the context of this project?
In this context, "backstopping" refers to the policies, legal safeguards, administrative processes, and technical systems that protect undercover personnel and help ensure covert identities are credible and durable over time.
What are the two major problem areas the grant is focused on?
The grant is oriented toward recommendations to the Mexican government in two main areas: (1) closing critical gaps in Mexico's legal protections for undercover agents, and (2) strengthening identity management systems so undercover identities can be created, maintained, verified, and protected to reduce operational risk and improve long-term reliability.
Is this program intended to fund direct law enforcement operations?
Based on the description provided, the deliverables are implied to be advisory and capacity-building rather than direct enforcement activity.
What kinds of deliverables or work products are implied by the description?
The description suggests work such as structured assessments of current Mexican legal frameworks related to undercover authorities and agent protections, identification of vulnerabilities that expose agents or compromise operations, and practical options for reforms that fit Mexico's institutional context.
What kinds of topics are expected on the identity-management side?
The work is expected to address how undercover identities are established and supported across systems that criminals might check, and how information security, record controls, and interagency processes can prevent leaks, detect compromise, and sustain cover documentation without endangering personnel or undermining prosecutions.
Does the opportunity emphasize connecting legal, policy, and technical recommendations?
Yes. The description indicates that recommendations should connect legal protections, operational policy, and identity infrastructure into a coherent set of improvements rather than treating them as separate issues.
How many awards are expected under this opportunity?
Up to two awards are expected.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,500,000 per award.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 15, 2026.
What is the original application closing date?
The original application closing date is June 15, 2026.
What does the small number of anticipated awards suggest about competitiveness?
With up to two awards expected, the process is likely to be competitive.
What capabilities or experience may be important for applicants to demonstrate?
The description suggests the opportunity may favor applicants with demonstrated expertise in undercover operational support, rule-of-law reform, identity and credentialing systems, sensitive information protection, and cross-border justice sector cooperation.
What level of coordination should applicants expect during implementation?
Because it is a cooperative agreement, applicants should be prepared for ongoing coordination with the U.S. government during planning, execution, and reporting.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to a range of non-profit and educational institutions, both U.S.-based and foreign-based.
Which U.S.-based organizations are eligible?
Eligible U.S.-based applicants include U.S.-based non-profit and non-governmental organizations, and U.S.-based educational institutions that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or under 26 U.S.C. 115.
Are foreign-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include foreign-based NGOs and foreign-based educational institutions.
What types of organizations are most likely to be a fit for this opportunity?
Based on the description, likely applicants include universities, research centers, policy institutes, and specialized non-profits with relevant legal, technical, and law enforcement capacity-building backgrounds, including organizations with experience working with Mexican justice and security institutions.
What is the intended downstream impact of the project?
The intended downstream impact is reduced operational and institutional risk in undercover investigations of powerful criminal networks, leading to improved effectiveness and safety for joint or parallel investigations that disrupt cartel activity and transnational criminal operations with direct implications for U.S. national security and community safety.
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