Justice for the Disappeared in Chihuahua | 72052318RFA00003

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this USAID funding opportunity?

The opportunity is a USAID cooperative agreement called Justice for the Disappeared in Chihuahua.

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 72052318RFA00003.

3) Who is administering this opportunity?

This opportunity is administered by USAID Mexico (USAID-Mexico City).

4) What type of award is being offered?

USAID is offering a cooperative agreement.

5) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation, such as ongoing coordination, approvals, and/or joint planning, rather than a more hands-off relationship typical of some grants.

6) What is the program trying to achieve overall?

The program focuses on strengthening how the state of Chihuahua responds to enforced disappearances, with the broader intended outcome of improving public trust and legitimacy in government institutions by showing real results in addressing serious human rights abuses.

7) What is the core idea behind the program design?

The opportunity is built around the idea that disappearances can be reduced and accountability can increase when government institutions work more effectively and transparently alongside victims, victims' families, human rights organizations, and forensic specialists.

8) What geographic area does the activity focus on?

The activity is focused on the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.

9) Why is USAID prioritizing this issue in Chihuahua?

USAID describes the problem as significant and widely recognized. Mexico has more than 35,000 officially recorded disappearance victims, and Chihuahua alone reports at least 1,698 cases.

10) Does the opportunity description suggest the true number of disappearances may be higher than official figures?

Yes. The description notes that the figures likely underestimate the true scale because some disappearances are not reported due to fear of retaliation or limited access to prosecutors, and because prosecutors may misclassify cases in ways that downplay or obscure enforced disappearance.

11) What specific weaknesses in investigations does USAID highlight?

USAID notes that investigations are often weakened by the absence of basic, accurate investigative steps, which makes it harder to identify perpetrators and build viable cases.

12) What forensic capacity gaps are identified in the opportunity?

The opportunity highlights a capacity gap in forensic anthropology and related forensic work, limiting the ability to identify remains, establish cause and manner of death, and provide families with answers and closure.

13) What kinds of improvements does the opportunity aim to support?

Based on the description, the opportunity is aimed at:

• Improving investigations
• Increasing the use and quality of forensic science (including forensic anthropology)
• Supporting stronger victim-centered advocacy so cases move forward and families have a clearer path to truth and justice

14) How does the opportunity address the needs of victims' families beyond investigations?

The description recognizes that families need access to appropriate social services, and that coordinated systems are required to help victims cope with the consequences of disappearance.

15) What role does international law play in the activity design?

The activity is designed to reinforce the principle under international law that the State is responsible for investigating and prosecuting enforced disappearances, while also acknowledging that effective outcomes often depend on structured collaboration with civil society and technical experts.

16) Is USAID expecting collaboration with civil society and technical experts?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes structured collaboration with victims' collectives, families of the disappeared, human rights organizations, and forensic specialists.

17) Is this opportunity connected to any prior USAID work?

Yes. USAID intends this award to build on momentum and political will generated through its prior EnfoqueDH human rights activity in Chihuahua.

18) Does the opportunity suggest applicants should build on existing local efforts?

Yes. The description indicates the award is meant to amplify existing work with victims' collectives, families of the disappeared, and local and international human rights organizations, suggesting applicants should be prepared to partner, coordinate, and strengthen networks already active in Chihuahua rather than starting from zero.

19) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is under CFDA 98.001.

20) What category is this funding opportunity listed under?

It falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.

21) How many awards did USAID expect to make?

USAID anticipated making a single award (Expected Awards: 1).

22) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $2,000,000.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to Mexican non-governmental organizations, and applicants are expected to follow the specific eligibility requirements laid out in Section C of the solicitation.

24) Where are the detailed eligibility requirements described?

The notice indicates that the specific eligibility requirements are laid out in Section C of the solicitation.

25) Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

26) When was the notice created?

The notice was created on May 23, 2018.

27) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was July 9, 2018.

28) What is the intended impact on accountability and transparency?

The opportunity is intended to help increase accountability and transparency by strengthening institutional responses and supporting collaboration with families, human rights organizations, and forensic specialists so cases can move forward and government institutions can demonstrate credible results.

29) What results does USAID associate with stronger forensic science capacity?

The description links improved forensic capacity (including forensic anthropology) to better identification of remains, improved ability to establish cause and manner of death, and providing families with answers and closure.

30) What does the opportunity say about why disappearances may go unreported?

It notes that some disappearances are not reported due to fear of retaliation or lack of easy access to prosecutors.

31) What does the opportunity say about misclassification of cases?

It states that prosecutors may misclassify cases in ways that downplay or obscure enforced disappearance, contributing to undercounting and weaker accountability.