Notice of Intent: Program to End Modern Slavery FY 2025

The U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) has announced a funding opportunity under its Program to End Modern Slavery (PEMS). This initiative aims to combat human trafficking globally by reducing its prevalence through innovative and evidence-based interventions. The program is structured as a two-stage competition, with the first stage involving the submission of a Statement of Interest (SOI). Selected applicants will proceed to the second stage, where full proposals will be invited. The deadline for SOI submissions is February 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

The program prioritizes scalable, impactful anti-trafficking interventions with a focus on rigorous evaluation and data-driven results. Applicants are encouraged to address trafficking challenges through prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. Eligible interventions include existing approaches with demonstrated promise, initiatives adapted from other sectors, or new interventions backed by substantial research but not yet implemented or evaluated. SOIs should propose the implementation of such interventions alongside a detailed plan for evaluation to assess effectiveness and scalability.

Funding awards range from $500,000 to $5,000,000, with an average award of $2,500,000 for projects lasting 24 to 54 months. A total of $22 million is available for this opportunity, pending FY24 appropriations. While cost-sharing is not required, applications demonstrating cost-effectiveness and significant local involvement are encouraged. A significant portion of the budget must be allocated to in-country implementation and monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations, public international organizations, institutions of higher education, for-profits, and U.S. government agencies. For-profit entities are restricted from earning profits on awarded funds. Applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Exemptions to these requirements may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

SOIs must be concise, no more than five pages, and include a detailed intervention description, implementation plan, and evidence of effectiveness. Applications should also address sustainability, scalability, and evaluation methodology. Proposals must demonstrate a commitment to victim-centered, trauma-informed, and survivor-informed approaches. Partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders are strongly recommended to enhance contextual understanding and program impact.

All applications must be submitted via the MyGrants platform, and late submissions will only be accepted if technical issues are documented before the deadline. Selected applicants will be notified by April 2025 and invited to submit full proposals. Award decisions will be announced by late 2025, with project activities expected to begin shortly thereafter.

Grant recipients will be required to submit quarterly performance and financial reports and comply with extensive monitoring and evaluation requirements. The TIP Office emphasizes transparency, accountability, and adherence to federal regulations throughout the program lifecycle. For further assistance, applicants can contact the MyGrants help desk or the TIP Office via email.