Cartel Recruitment Understanding & Suppression Hub (CRUSH

Background
The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), aims to enhance safety and stability in the U.S. and Mexico by addressing transnational organized crime, particularly cartel recruitment.

The initiative, known as the Cartel Recruitment Understanding & Suppression Hub (CRUSH), seeks to disrupt fentanyl supply chains and strengthen border security by reducing cartel recruitment and its associated impacts on violence and governance.

Grant Details
The project involves designing and implementing a cartel anti-recruitment initiative that will detect, monitor, analyze, and forecast cartel recruitment trends in Mexico.

Key tasks include:
- Establishing an independent analytical hub for data on cartel recruitment;
- Equipping U.S. and Mexican governments with actionable intelligence;
- Integrating data from various sources;
- Producing regular analytic outputs;
- Conducting field mapping to establish baselines;
- Ensuring sustainability of the initiative beyond initial funding;
- Maintaining substantial involvement from INL throughout the project.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit organizations, educational institutions under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, foreign-based non-profits, and foreign educational institutions.

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov and a valid registration in SAM.gov.

Period of Performance
The project is expected to be completed within 30 to 36 months, starting approximately in May 2026.

Grant Value
The estimated total funding amount is $1,500,000 U.S. Dollars, with a minimum award amount of $1,000,000.

Place of Performance
The primary geographic focus for this grant is Mexico.