Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019391
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (Office of Children`s Issues) is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement to support a single, in-depth research study on the effects of international parental child abduction (IPCA). The central purpose of the project is to generate clearer, evidence-based understanding of how IPCA impacts both abducted children and the parents left behind, with the practical aim of improving the support available to affected individuals, families, and communities across the United States. Because this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, the award implies an active partnership where the government agency is likely to have substantial involvement during the study (for example, coordination, shared planning, or ongoing input on deliverables).
The funded study is expected to examine both short-term and long-term impacts of IPCA across multiple domains, not just a single outcome area. The opportunity explicitly calls for research that can capture psychological and mental health effects, child development outcomes, and child welfare concerns, while also looking at economic and financial consequences for families. In addition, it seeks attention to social and community factors, along with the ways legal systems, law enforcement, and other government systems shape families` experiences during and after an abduction. In other words, the study should be broad enough to reflect the real-world complexity of IPCA cases, where emotional trauma, disrupted caregiving, schooling instability, legal costs, employment impacts, and interactions with multiple agencies can all intersect.
Beyond documenting impacts, a key requirement is to identify gaps in support for abducted children and left-behind parents in the United States. This means the project is not only about describing harm or challenges, but also about mapping where existing services, programs, and institutional responses fall short. Those gaps could include limited access to trauma-informed counseling, uneven availability of legal assistance, difficulties navigating cross-border processes, barriers tied to language or culture, or inconsistent coordination between local, state, federal, and international actors. The final objective then builds on this needs assessment: the study must recommend concrete solutions to address the gaps in U.S.-based support. The government is looking for findings that translate into actionable improvements, whether through service models, policy recommendations, coordination protocols, training needs, or resource strategies.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, public and private research institutions, and nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), as well as other eligible applicants listed under the opportunity. The program expects to make one award, emphasizing that the goal is to fund a single comprehensive study rather than multiple smaller projects. The award ceiling is $1,973,000, with an application deadline of September 16, 2026. The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 19.043 and is categorized under science and technology and other research and development, signaling that the intended output is rigorous research capable of informing real improvements in how IPCA-affected families are supported in the United States.
Key identifiers for this funding opportunity include the title "Effects of International Parental Child Abduction on Abducted Children and Left-Behind Parents" and the funding opportunity number DFOP0019391, created July 23, 2026. Overall, this opportunity is aimed at producing a multi-domain, policy- and practice-relevant evidence base that helps the Office of Children`s Issues and U.S. partners better understand IPCA-related harm, pinpoint where support systems fail families, and propose realistic fixes that can be implemented domestically.Apply for DFOP0019391
- The Bureau of Consular Affairs in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Effects of International Parental Child Abduction on Abducted Children and Left-Behind Parents" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.043.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,973,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Effects of International Parental Child Abduction on Abducted Children and Left-Behind Parents."
Which U.S. government office is offering this award?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Children's Issues.
What type of funding is being offered: grant or cooperative agreement?
The Department of State is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement, not a standard grant.
What does "cooperative agreement" imply for the project?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, the award is expected to involve an active partnership with the government. The agency is likely to have substantial involvement during the study, such as coordination, shared planning, and ongoing input on deliverables.
What is the overall purpose of the project?
The central purpose is to produce a clearer, evidence-based understanding of how international parental child abduction (IPCA) affects abducted children and the parents left behind, with the practical goal of improving support for affected individuals, families, and communities across the United States.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The program expects to make one award, with the intent to fund a single comprehensive study.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,973,000.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is September 16, 2026.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0019391.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 23, 2026.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 19.043.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development, indicating the expected output is rigorous research intended to inform real improvements in support for IPCA-affected families in the United States.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, public and private research institutions, and nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), as well as other eligible applicants listed under the opportunity.
What kind of project will be funded?
The award will support a single, in-depth research study focused on the effects of international parental child abduction on abducted children and left-behind parents.
What populations should the study focus on?
The study is expected to focus on abducted children and the parents left behind, with an emphasis on impacts and support needs within the United States.
What time horizons should the study examine?
The study is expected to examine both short-term and long-term impacts of IPCA.
What outcome areas or domains should the study cover?
The opportunity calls for research that spans multiple domains, including psychological and mental health effects, child development outcomes, child welfare concerns, economic and financial consequences for families, and social and community factors.
Does the opportunity require analysis of systems beyond family impacts?
Yes. The study is expected to examine how legal systems, law enforcement, and other government systems shape family experiences during and after an abduction.
Is the study expected to focus on only one impact area (for example, mental health only)?
No. The opportunity emphasizes a multi-domain approach rather than focusing on a single outcome area, reflecting the real-world complexity of IPCA cases.
What practical realities of IPCA cases does the opportunity expect the research to reflect?
The description highlights that IPCA cases can involve emotional trauma, disrupted caregiving, schooling instability, legal costs, employment impacts, and interactions with multiple agencies, which may intersect and compound impacts.
What is required beyond documenting impacts?
A key requirement is to identify gaps in support for abducted children and left-behind parents in the United States. The project is expected to go beyond describing harm by mapping where services and institutional responses fall short.
What kinds of support gaps does the opportunity suggest may be relevant?
Examples mentioned include limited access to trauma-informed counseling, uneven availability of legal assistance, difficulties navigating cross-border processes, barriers tied to language or culture, and inconsistent coordination among local, state, federal, and international actors.
Are recommendations required as part of the study?
Yes. The study must recommend concrete solutions to address identified gaps in U.S.-based support.
What kinds of solutions or outputs is the government looking for?
The opportunity indicates interest in actionable improvements, which could include service models, policy recommendations, coordination protocols, training needs, or resource strategies that can be implemented domestically.
What is the intended value of the study for government and partners?
The goal is to produce a policy- and practice-relevant evidence base that helps the Office of Children's Issues and U.S. partners better understand IPCA-related harm, identify where support systems fail families, and propose realistic fixes.
Is the project expected to benefit communities across the United States?
Yes. The stated aim is to improve support available to affected individuals, families, and communities across the United States.
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