Sin Rutas, Sin Recursos: Hitting Criminal Networks Where It Hurts

Source-based overview

The U.S. Department of State's Embassy Bogotá announces an open competition to contract an investigative journalist or media production firm to document how reduced illegal migration has disrupted the operations of criminal networks, including Clan del Golfo and Tren de Aragua, that prey on migrants originating from and transiting through Colombia, and the damage these groups cause to Colombian communities and the environment. The project will center human stories and testimonies from affected communities, reinforced by hard data and compelling visual graphics, for dissemination across social and traditional media. Potential formats include an investigative documentary mini-series tracing how migrant "toll" payments financed violence against communities and security forces, as well as high-impact visual journalism/photojournalism highlighting ecological recovery in border zones as illegal transit declines. Working in close coordination with Colombian authorities and relevant U.S. agencies, this program directly advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by demonstrating that reducing illegal migration undercuts financing to narcoterrorist organizations while benefiting Colombian communities — supporting America First priorities and shared U.S.-Colombia security objectives. The official record contains the controlling eligibility, budget, attachment and submission requirements for opportunity OFOP0003648.

Eligibility

Eligible applicant types listed by the agency: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility". Applicants must also satisfy every programme-specific condition in the official notice.

Funding and benefits

Award ceiling: USD 50,000

Expected number of awards: 10

Themes and supported activities

The U.S. Department of State's Embassy Bogotá announces an open competition to contract an investigative journalist or media production firm to document how reduced illegal migration has disrupted the operations of criminal networks, including Clan del Golfo and Tren de Aragua, that prey on migrants originating from and transiting through Colombia, and the damage these groups cause to Colombian communities and the environment. The project will center human stories and testimonies from affected communities, reinforced by hard data and compelling visual graphics, for dissemination across social and traditional media. Potential formats include an investigative documentary mini-series tracing how migrant "toll" payments financed violence against communities and security forces, as well as high-impact visual journalism/photojournalism highlighting ecological recovery in border zones as illegal transit declines. Working in close coordination with Colombian authorities and relevant U.S. agencies, this program directly advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by demonstrating that reducing illegal migration undercuts financing to narcoterrorist organizations while benefiting Colombian communities — supporting America First priorities and shared U.S.-Colombia security objectives.

Opportunity number: OFOP0003648

Deadline and timeline

Applications close 2026-08-31: Applications close 2026-08-31: Aug 31, 2026.

Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.

How to apply

Open the official Grants.gov record, review the full notice and attachments, and use the application package or agency route stated there.

Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.