Building Justice Sector Capacity in Timor-Leste | SFOP0007014

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007014

Building Justice Sector Capacity in Timor-Leste is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity, administered by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), aimed at strengthening how Timor-Leste's justice sector responds to key criminal justice challenges. The project is designed to build practical, on-the-ground capability across the system, with a clear thematic focus on three priority areas: countering corruption, addressing gender-based violence, and combating trafficking in persons. The underlying goal is not only to improve technical skills, but also to reinforce accountability, transparency, and institutional resilience so that justice actors can more effectively investigate, prosecute, adjudicate, and oversee these complex and often sensitive cases.

The core activities described revolve around direct training and longer-term capacity building through the development or establishment of training curricula and programs. In practice, that means the funded organization would be expected to deliver targeted instruction to justice sector professionals while also leaving behind training materials, modules, or institutionalized programs that can continue to be used after the project period ends. The emphasis on curricula suggests the funder is looking for sustainable improvements rather than one-off workshops, including standardizing approaches and strengthening professional norms in areas that are especially vulnerable to misconduct, impunity, or weak case handling.

The intended participants span a broad cross-section of the justice ecosystem in Timor-Leste. Target groups include judges, prosecutors, and public defenders, as well as law students who represent the next generation of legal professionals. The project also explicitly includes oversight and integrity bodies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), alongside law enforcement and civil society organizations. The inclusion of civil society, particularly groups focused on justice sector reform and on combating corruption, trafficking, and gender-based violence, signals an interest in strengthening both state capacity and external accountability or victim-support linkages that can improve reporting, protection, and follow-through.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity with funding provided through a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial programmatic involvement by the U.S. government during implementation compared to a standard grant. The opportunity is listed under CFDA (now often referred to as Assistance Listing) 19.703, within the activity area of Law, Justice and Legal Services. The award structure anticipates a single award, with an award ceiling of $300,000, meaning up to that amount could be provided to one selected implementer depending on the proposed approach and budget.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that have IRS 501(c)(3) status and are not institutions of higher education. The funding opportunity number is SFOP0007014, and the notice was created on May 28, 2020, with an original application closing date of July 28, 2020. Overall, the opportunity is positioned as a focused, capacity-building intervention intended to improve professional competencies and institutional safeguards in Timor-Leste's justice sector, especially in areas where stronger systems can directly reduce corruption and better protect victims and vulnerable populations from gender-based violence and trafficking.

• The Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building Justice Sector Capacity in Timor-Leste" 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 May 28, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 28, 2020. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for SFOP0007014

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