Justice Sector Technical Assistance Program | INL18GR0041 AMELEBANON JUSTSECTTRNG 0719

Opportunity Information: Apply for INL18GR0041 AMELEBANON JUSTSECTTRNG 0719

The Justice Sector Technical Assistance Program (Funding Opportunity Number INL18GR0041) is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant, managed by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), focused on strengthening Lebanon's justice sector through targeted technical assistance. The program is built around the needs of Lebanon's Higher Judicial Council (HJC), the institution responsible for judicial improvement and reform, which has indicated it lacks the specialized technical expertise required to carry out broad, system-level reforms in key criminal justice areas. INL intends to fund one award, with an estimated maximum funding level (award ceiling) of up to $1,000,000.

The central purpose of the grant is to bring in an experienced implementer that can provide practical, expert support to prosecutors, judges, and other justice-sector stakeholders who handle complex criminal cases. A major emphasis is placed on building the capability to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate cases that rely on technical evidence and modern forensic methods. This is especially aimed at crimes that tend to involve sophisticated evidentiary issues, including money laundering, cybercrime, and terrorism-related cases. The opportunity envisions hands-on training, expert advising, and mentorship designed to help justice actors understand how to evaluate technical and forensic evidence, apply it appropriately in court proceedings, and strengthen case processing in a way that holds up under legal scrutiny.

A second major component focuses on improving how cases are resolved and how detention is used within the criminal justice system. The grant seeks support for expanding consistent use of alternatives to incarceration that already exist in Lebanese law, such as bail and parole in minor misdemeanor cases, but are currently applied inconsistently or not used in practice. In parallel, the program calls for assistance in developing the legal and procedural foundations for a plea bargaining system. The source description notes that there is currently no plea bargaining law, so the implementer would be expected to help lay groundwork that could include drafting or advising on legislation, designing processes and guidance for how plea bargaining would function, and providing training and technical support so it can be used to resolve appropriate cases before trial.

In practical terms, the project has a clear two-part vision: first, to increase the judiciary's specialized capacity to handle complex, technically demanding criminal matters using reliable forensic and technical evidence; and second, to reduce unnecessary reliance on incarceration by making existing non-custodial options more routine and consistent while also developing a structured plea bargaining framework to improve efficiency and case resolution. The overall thrust is systemic capacity-building: improving skills, strengthening procedures, and supporting reforms that can make criminal case outcomes more credible, timely, and consistent with modern justice-sector practices.

Administratively, this opportunity was published on July 19, 2018, with an original closing date of September 19, 2018. It is categorized under Law, Justice and Legal Services (CFDA/Assistance Listing 19.703). Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement's eligibility section.

• 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 "Justice Sector Technical Assistance Program" 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 Jul 19, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 19, 2018. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for INL18GR0041 AMELEBANON JUSTSECTTRNG 0719

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