Cartel Recruitment Understanding Suppression Hub (CRUSH)

The Cartel Recruitment Understanding & Suppression Hub (CRUSH) is a grant opportunity administered by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), a sub-agency of the U.S. Department of State. INL's core mission is to combat international narcotics and crime, promote stability, and uphold the rule of law abroad. Through programs such as CRUSH, the agency aims to tackle transnational crime at its root by disrupting illicit networks that affect both the United States and partner nations. CRUSH specifically addresses the recruitment activities of cartels in Mexico, a critical nexus point for drug trafficking and organized criminal activity that significantly impacts public safety, migration patterns, and institutional governance across the U.S.-Mexico corridor. The purpose of the CRUSH initiative is to design and implement a comprehensive cartel anti-recruitment program. The funded project must be capable of detecting, monitoring, analyzing, and forecasting cartel recruitment trends and determining how these trends influence broader cartel operations in Mexico. Through the establishment of a dedicated hub, the program intends to generate actionable intelligence and analysis that can inform policy and operational responses, ultimately reducing the strength and reach of criminal organizations. The grant supports a multifaceted approach that spans data analysis, institutional capacity building, and regional collaboration, all contributing to reduced cartel influence and enhanced U.S. border security. This grant falls under the category of discretionary cooperative agreements and is classified as addressing transnational crime. The Department of State will play an active role in the project, likely through technical collaboration or oversight. There are no matching or cost-sharing requirements for applicants, reducing financial barriers to participation. The estimated award ranges from a minimum of $1,000,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000, with a single award expected under this opportunity. While the estimated total program funding was not provided, the funding range signals a significant investment in countering organized criminal networks. Eligibility is extended to both U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations and educational institutions, including those designated under section 501(c)(3) or section 26 US 115 of the U.S. tax code. The openness to international entities highlights the cross-border nature of the problem and the U.S. government’s intent to foster collaborative solutions that strengthen institutional resilience in Mexico. This inclusive eligibility model supports a wide range of potential implementers with experience in security, criminology, social interventions, or data analytics relevant to criminal organizations. Applications must be submitted by March 6, 2026. No pre-application stages such as a concept note or letter of intent are required based on the current public information. Interested applicants are advised to review the opportunity through the MyGrants portal and to prepare a comprehensive proposal aligned with the stated objectives. While detailed application components or evaluation criteria were not disclosed in the synopsis, successful proposals will likely need to demonstrate strong methodological rigor, regional experience, and capacity for collaboration. For technical or submission-related inquiries, applicants may contact Grants Officer Najar Starr at [email protected]. The opportunity was posted and last updated on February 6, 2026. While no indication of future recurrence is provided, applicants may wish to monitor this or similar opportunities through the Department of State’s grants portal, particularly given the strategic priority placed on anti-cartel initiatives. No PDF with full application instructions was provided directly in the announcement.