Funder: Administration for Children and Families-IOAS-OTIP
Due Dates: May 30, 2025 (Application submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $9,000,000 for the first year; minimum $5,000,000; one award; five-year project period (annual renewals).
Summary: Funds the operation of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, a 24/7 national service providing crisis response, referrals, and law enforcement notification for victims of human trafficking.
Key Information: Priority given to applicants with demonstrated experience providing telephone services to trafficking victims; only one award will be made.
Description
This opportunity supports the operation of the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH), a 24/7, year-round, toll-free service available via telephone, text, chat, and website. The NHTH assists adults and minors who have experienced severe forms of human trafficking, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The funded entity will provide crisis response, timely information, and service referrals using a trauma-informed, person-centered, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate approach. The project also includes law enforcement notification (where appropriate) and the maintenance of a comprehensive, national online directory of community-based service providers.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: May 30, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (electronic submission via Grants.gov).
- Expected Project Start Date: September 30, 2025.
Funding Amount
- Total Funding Available: $9,000,000 (expected for the first year).
- Award Ceiling: $9,000,000 (per year).
- Award Floor: $5,000,000 (per year).
- Number of Awards: 1.
- Project Duration: Up to 5 years (five one-year budget periods, subject to annual renewal and federal appropriations).
- Cost Sharing: Not required.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- State, county, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other tribal organizations)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
Not eligible: Individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities.
Faith-based and community organizations that meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an equal basis.
Priority consideration will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience providing telephone services to victims of severe forms of trafficking.
Application Process
- Registration: Applicants must have active registrations with SAM.gov (including a Unique Entity Identifier) and Grants.gov.
- Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov.
- Application Components:
- Project narrative (including objectives, approach, organizational capacity, evaluation plan, and budget)
- Line-item budget and budget narrative
- Attachments (organizational charts, resumes, proof of nonprofit/for-profit status, third-party agreements, etc.)
- Standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, etc.)
- Page Limit: Combined narrative and attachments must not exceed 120 pages.
- Formatting: Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins.
Additional Information
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Required Activities:
- Operate the NHTH’s telephone, text, chat, and website services 24/7.
- Respond to at least 170 calls and 50 texts per day, in English and Spanish, and accommodate individuals with hearing/speech impairments.
- Prioritize urgent contacts (e.g., individuals in crisis, minors at risk).
- Maintain a national referral directory with at least 2,000 vetted partners and document 6,000 substantive contacts annually.
- Conduct needs assessments and risk evaluations for all contacts.
- Comply with all federal, state, tribal, and local mandated reporting requirements.
- Develop and maintain a standalone NHTH website with required features and accessibility.
- Collaborate on public awareness and outreach, including federal campaigns.
- Engage survivors in program implementation and feedback.
- Participate in federal evaluation and required meetings.
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Restrictions:
- No funds may be used for construction, real property purchase, major renovation, or to promote/advocate prostitution.
- No international travel is allowed under this award.
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Review Criteria:
- Approach (64 points)
- Organizational capacity (10 points)
- Program performance evaluation (18 points)
- Budget and justification (8 points)
- Bonus points (up to 11) for prior experience and national partnership capacity
External Links
Contact Information