The National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) funding opportunity is administered by the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This cooperative agreement provides financial support for the operation of a national, toll-free, 24/7 hotline service that includes telephone, text, and online communication channels. The NHTH aims to assist adults and minors who have experienced severe forms of human trafficking, offering information, referrals, and coordinated support across the United States and its territories.

The purpose of the NHTH is to provide timely emergency assistance and tailored information to individuals who have experienced labor or sex trafficking. The hotline must operate continuously with the capacity to handle high volumes of simultaneous communications and prioritize urgent contacts, especially from individuals in active trafficking situations, unsafe environments, or minors potentially facing abuse or neglect. Operators are expected to provide support in English and Spanish and accommodate individuals with hearing and speech impairments.

Funding will support a wide range of activities including maintaining and expanding a national referral directory of community-based service providers, establishing protocols for risk assessment and law enforcement reporting, and ensuring warm handoffs for survivors to appropriate services. Additional responsibilities include conducting needs assessments, collecting and reporting data, managing a dedicated NHTH website, and implementing public awareness campaigns in collaboration with OTIP. The grant also requires comprehensive training and support for hotline staff, engagement of trafficking survivors for program development, and participation in mandatory federal evaluations and meetings.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations with the exception of individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities. Priority will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in operating telephone services for trafficking victims. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching funds, and a single award is expected to be made. The award covers a five-year project period composed of five one-year budget periods.

Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 30, 2025. Required application components include a project narrative, line-item budget, supporting documentation, and standard federal forms. The application must adhere to specific formatting and page limit requirements. Evaluation criteria include the approach (64 points), organizational capacity (10 points), program performance evaluation (18 points), and budget justification (8 points), with up to 11 bonus points available for demonstrated experience and national partnership capacity.

Key project deliverables are tied to specific timelines following the Notice of Award. Within the first year, awardees must operationalize the hotline services, document partnerships and service capacity, and establish necessary protocols and engagement plans. Ongoing performance reporting, federal evaluations, and coordination with law enforcement and child welfare agencies are integral to maintaining the grant.