The purpose of this award is to support the staffing needs and operational readiness of the CNP and Colombian navy by increasing recruitment of qualified applicants from economically disadvantaged rural populations, including among women and Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.
The program
credit:
will also indirectly reduce the recruitment of youth in rural areas into illegal armed groups, discourage illicit crop cultivation, and build trust in Colombian public security institutions by providing economic opportunities to qualified recipients.
The scholarship program will support approximately 900 CNP students and 161 navy students per year to pursue non-commissioned officer positions and 100 CNP students and five navy students to study to become commissioned officers.
The award recipient will be responsible for managing more than $4,200,00 0. 00 annually in U. S. government funds to support the purchase of required uniforms and equipment, tuition and meals, and expenses required for CNP and navy training courses.
The recipient will be responsible for on-time monthly electronic funds transfer payments to bank accounts of scholarship recipients.
The recipient will also advise the CNP and navy on methods to increase interest in the program; organize public outreach campaigns in target areas; work with the CNP and navy to pre-select candidates for INL-Bogota’s consideration; and gather and report statistical information about the performance of scholarship recipients in their respective institutions.