Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005005
The Strategic Communications for Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Officials -- Bangladesh grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0005005) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism discretionary grant aimed at strengthening how Bangladeshi provincial-level law enforcement communicates with the public and key local stakeholders while preventing and responding to terrorist threats. The core idea is that effective counterterrorism work is not only operational; it also depends on trust, credibility, and clear communication with communities, civil society, and the private sector. The notice highlights that civilian security personnel in frontline countries like Bangladesh often lack both the practical communications skills and the institutional backing needed to explain their mission and daily activities, manage public messaging, and build constructive relationships with media and online audiences.
The program being solicited is expected to build strategic communications capability tailored specifically to provincial law enforcement officials, meaning the training and support should be usable at the local level where police interact most directly with residents and where misinformation or distrust can quickly undermine security efforts. Beyond individual skills, the opportunity calls for developing an institutional framework to sustain a strategic communications function over time. In practical terms, that implies helping establish internal structures, processes, and possibly designated roles or units that can plan messaging, coordinate with leadership, and maintain consistent engagement with stakeholders rather than relying on ad hoc statements during crises.
A major emphasis is external engagement: improving the ability of law enforcement to communicate with community members and other affected groups, work more effectively with civil society organizations, and interact with private sector actors. The notice also specifically references relationship-building with media and establishing a social media presence, signaling that the program should address both traditional press engagement and modern digital outreach. This can include techniques for proactive messaging, responding to incidents, countering rumors, and communicating in a way that supports public confidence and cooperation without compromising operational security.
Administratively, the opportunity is a grant (not a contract) under the Law, Justice and Legal Services activity category and CFDA number 19.701. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with U.S. 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The Department of State anticipated making one award, with an award ceiling of USD 888,750. The funding opportunity was posted May 3, 2018, with an original application deadline of June 5, 2018.Apply for SFOP0005005
- The Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strategic Communications for Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Officials -- Bangladesh" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.701.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 03, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 05, 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 $888,750.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Strategic Communications for Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Officials -- Bangladesh.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0005005.
3) Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism.
4) Is this a grant or a contract?
This opportunity is a grant, not a contract.
5) What is the overall goal of the program?
The program aims to strengthen how Bangladeshi provincial-level law enforcement communicates with the public and key local stakeholders while preventing and responding to terrorist threats. The underlying premise is that counterterrorism effectiveness depends not only on operational work, but also on trust, credibility, and clear communication with communities.
6) Who is the primary target audience for the capacity-building activities?
The focus is on provincial-level law enforcement officials in Bangladesh, particularly those operating at the local level where police interact most directly with residents.
7) Why does the notice emphasize communications as part of counterterrorism work?
The notice explains that frontline civilian security personnel in countries like Bangladesh often lack both (a) practical communications skills and (b) institutional backing to consistently explain their mission and daily activities, manage public messaging, and maintain constructive relationships with media and online audiences. Weak communication can allow misinformation or distrust to undermine security efforts.
8) What kinds of capabilities is the program expected to build?
The program is expected to build strategic communications capability that is practical and usable at the provincial/local level. This includes improving skills and providing support that helps officials communicate effectively with local communities and stakeholders.
9) Does the opportunity focus only on training individuals, or also on building institutional systems?
It calls for both. Beyond individual skills, it specifically calls for developing an institutional framework to sustain a strategic communications function over time, rather than relying on ad hoc messaging during crises.
10) What does “institutional framework” mean in the context of this notice?
Based on the description, it implies helping establish internal structures and processes that support strategic communications over time. This may include creating or strengthening roles, units, routines, and coordination mechanisms that can plan messaging, coordinate with leadership, and maintain consistent stakeholder engagement.
11) What types of external engagement are emphasized?
A major emphasis is improving the ability of law enforcement to communicate with and engage external groups, including:
- Community members and affected local groups
- Civil society organizations
- Private sector actors
12) Does the program include media relations?
Yes. The notice specifically references relationship-building with media, signaling that press engagement is an expected component.
13) Does the program include social media and digital communications?
Yes. The notice references establishing a social media presence and improving the ability to interact with online audiences, indicating that digital outreach is within scope.
14) What communication challenges is the program intended to address?
The program is intended to address challenges such as communicating proactively, responding to incidents, countering rumors, and maintaining public confidence and cooperation, especially when misinformation or distrust could quickly weaken security efforts at the local level.
15) Does the opportunity mention balancing transparency with operational security?
Yes. The notice indicates that communications should support public confidence and cooperation without compromising operational security.
16) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.
17) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.701.
18) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with U.S. 501(c)(3) status. Institutions of higher education are excluded under the eligibility statement provided.
19) How many awards did the Department of State anticipate making?
The Department of State anticipated making one award.
20) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is USD 888,750.
21) When was the opportunity posted?
The funding opportunity was posted on May 3, 2018.
22) What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was June 5, 2018.
23) What geographic focus does this program target?
The program targets Bangladesh, with a particular emphasis on the provincial level where law enforcement engages local communities.
24) What is the core theory of change described in the notice?
The notice frames effective counterterrorism as dependent on more than operational action. It emphasizes that building and maintaining community trust, credibility, and clear, consistent communication improves cooperation and resilience against terrorist threats and related misinformation.
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