The U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) has announced a funding opportunity under the Program to End Modern Slavery (PEMS) for 2025. This opportunity focuses on combatting human trafficking outside of the United States through innovative, research-driven interventions aimed at significantly reducing its prevalence. Applicants will undergo a two-stage competitive process: first, submitting a five-page Statement of Interest (SOI) by February 4, 2025, and second, if selected, submitting a full proposal. The TIP Office emphasizes systemic and sustainable solutions addressing critical gaps in anti-trafficking efforts, with funding decisions anticipated in late 2025.

The program seeks proposals for interventions that have shown promise but require rigorous evaluation to validate their effectiveness. These may include existing programs not yet thoroughly tested, successful interventions in other fields adapted for human trafficking, or new interventions supported by research but not yet implemented. Projects should reflect a victim-centered, trauma-informed, and survivor-informed approach, with plans for systemic integration and sustainability beyond grant funding. Interventions may target prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships in various global contexts, with a preference for countries assessed as below Tier 1 in the annual TIP Report.

Funding awards range from $500,000 to $5,000,000 for initial periods of 24 to 54 months. Up to $22 million will be allocated in FY24, with the potential for non-competitive continuations (NCCs) based on performance and funding availability. The TIP Office welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign non-profits, higher education institutions, for-profit entities (without profit earning), and other eligible organizations. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local partners possessing contextual expertise and to focus significant portions of their budgets within the target country.

The SOI must include a description of the intervention, an implementation plan, evidence of effectiveness, evaluation plans, and an estimated budget. Proposals should also address potential for impact, systems integration, and sustainability. Evaluations will assess intervention logic, evidence, feasibility, local expertise, and the potential for scaling effective solutions. All applications must comply with strict formatting and content requirements to qualify for review.

Applications must be submitted via the MyGrants system, and technical assistance is available through the ILMS Support Desk. Proposals that do not meet technical and content requirements will not advance to the second stage. Full proposals will require additional documentation, including monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans, and will be reviewed by an interagency panel before final decisions by TIP Office leadership.

Award recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including quarterly performance and financial reports, and adhere to U.S. Department of State policies, including those on anti-discrimination and inclusion of marginalized groups. For additional details and submission guidelines, applicants should refer to the TIP Office's website and contact JTIPGrants@state.gov with any questions.