Development of Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Tools to Identify Unexplained Wealth Held by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) | SFOP0007091

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), listed under Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007091. It focuses on strengthening anti-corruption and anti-money laundering capacity by improving how stakeholders identify politically exposed persons (PEPs) and detect signs of unexplained wealth connected to corruption.

What is the main goal of the project being funded?

The main goal is to support the creation of an NGO-run, non-commercial database (or an interconnected network of databases) that compiles and preserves public information relevant to PEPs. The intention is to make it harder for corrupt officials and their associates to hide assets across borders by improving access to reliable public reference information.

What does "PEP" mean in this opportunity?

PEP stands for "politically exposed person." In this opportunity, the term is used in the context of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering screening and due diligence, where identifying PEPs can help flag elevated corruption risk and potential indicators of unexplained wealth.

What kind of tool is INL trying to support: compliance, accountability, or both?

Both. The project is framed as a compliance tool (helping public and private entities meet regulatory and due diligence obligations when screening customers, partners, vendors, or public officials) and an accountability tool (supporting efforts to hold malign actors responsible by improving visibility into corruption indicators, particularly unexplained wealth).

What information is expected to be included in the database?

The database is described as compiling and preserving public information relevant to PEPs. The emphasis is on transparency and keeping public reporting accessible over time, so that information related to official corruption does not disappear.

Is the database intended to be commercial or non-commercial?

It is intended to be non-commercial and NGO-run, according to the description of the core idea for the project.

Why is preserving information over time emphasized?

The opportunity highlights a transparency goal: ensuring that reporting on official corruption remains accessible rather than disappearing over time. Preserving public information is positioned as a way to strengthen accountability and support long-term anti-corruption efforts.

Why does the opportunity stress a transnational approach?

Because corruption and money laundering often involve moving funds and assets internationally. A transnational approach is meant to reduce the ability of PEPs to park ill-gotten gains outside their home jurisdictions and to improve cross-border visibility of corruption-linked indicators.

Who is expected to use the database or network of databases?

The intended users include governments, financial institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders. The stated broader ecosystem beneficiaries include investigators, journalists, watchdog organizations, and compliance teams who need better tools to spot risk and follow leads related to unexplained wealth and corruption-linked assets.

What outcomes is the U.S. Department of State aiming for with this project?

The overarching outcome is an improvement in rule of law and anti-corruption enforcement ecosystems by providing better tools to identify PEPs, detect signs of unexplained wealth, and follow leads tied to corruption-linked assets across borders.

What is the initial geographic focus of the project?

The initial focus is on Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and the Western Balkans during the early period of performance.

Is the project expected to expand beyond the initial region?

Yes. The opportunity indicates an expectation that the approach can be scaled later to additional countries or regions, implying the solution should be designed for growth, interoperability, and sustained use over time.

What kind of structure is envisioned: a single database or multiple databases?

Either a single NGO-run, non-commercial database or an interconnected network of databases. The description suggests interoperability and long-term sustainability are important design considerations.

What agency and bureau issued this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

What is the CFDA number and category listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued under CFDA 19.703 and categorized under Law, Justice, and Legal Services.

What is the funding instrument?

The funding instrument used for this opportunity was a grant.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

How much funding was available (maximum)?

The posted award ceiling was $800,000.

How many awards did the agency expect to make?

The agency anticipated making one award.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on June 12, 2020, with an original closing date of August 14, 2020.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007091.

Does the description specify a required target audience for access to the information?

It emphasizes making public information available to civil society and supporting a broad set of stakeholders (including governments and financial institutions). The database is positioned as a transparency resource and a due diligence reference tool.

Does the opportunity describe how the database should support detecting unexplained wealth?

It indicates the database should improve visibility of corruption-related indicators, especially wealth that appears inconsistent with lawful income, by compiling and preserving relevant public information tied to PEPs.