National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) | HHS 2025 ACF IOAS OTIP ZV 0002

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2025 ACF IOAS OTIP ZV 0002

The National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) funding opportunity (HHS 2025 ACF IOAS OTIP ZV 0002) is a discretionary federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), within the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). It supports the ongoing operation of a nationwide, toll-free hotline that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and can be reached through multiple channels including phone, text, and online chat. The hotline is intended to assist both adults and minors who may have experienced a severe form of human trafficking as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, and it functions as a central access point for crisis assistance, information, and connections to services.

At its core, the grant is designed to fund a single entity to run a coordinated national communications system that keeps the hotline continuously available and functional across its telephone, text, chat, and website platforms. A major expectation is that the recipient will provide timely, accurate information and referrals for victims and survivors using approaches that are trauma-informed and person-centered, meaning interactions should prioritize safety, dignity, choice, and survivor autonomy. The work must also be culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate, recognizing that trafficking affects people from many backgrounds and that meaningful access often depends on language support and culturally competent engagement.

Another central responsibility is coordinating notifications to law enforcement when appropriate, reflecting the hotline's role not only in helping victims access services but also in handling tips and potential trafficking situations that may require official response. This aspect implies the awardee must have clear protocols for assessing information received, determining when a report is warranted, and making referrals in a way that aligns with relevant laws and established procedures, while also balancing survivor safety and confidentiality considerations.

The opportunity also places strong emphasis on building and maintaining a comprehensive referral infrastructure. The recipient must establish and maintain a nationwide online directory of community-based service providers, along with internal referral directories that support hotline staff in real time. This directory work is not meant to be a static list; it requires ongoing relationship-building with service organizations across the United States to identify providers, verify capabilities, keep information current, and ensure referrals are made to vetted organizations that can meet survivor needs. Importantly, the directory must include organizations equipped to provide services to survivors and/or respond appropriately to tips, consistent with established referral protocols. In practice, this means the hotline operator needs systematic processes for vetting providers, updating entries, and ensuring that services listed are relevant, accessible, and credible.

This funding will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which generally signals that the federal agency expects substantial involvement in the project beyond a standard grant, such as collaboration on key program elements, oversight, and shared problem-solving. The funding activity category is Income Security and Social Services, and the associated CFDA number is 93.598. The opportunity anticipates one award, with an award ceiling of $5,000,000.

Eligibility is broad across public and private sectors, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. However, individuals, including sole proprietorships, are explicitly ineligible, and foreign entities are also not eligible and would be disqualified from merit review. Faith-based and community organizations that otherwise meet eligibility requirements are eligible and may apply on the same basis as any other organization. The notice also underscores non-discrimination protections related to an organization's religious character, consistent with 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.

Key dates provided include a creation date of January 16, 2025, and an original application closing date of May 2, 2025. Overall, the grant is aimed at sustaining a single, nationally coordinated hotline operation that combines around-the-clock multi-channel access, survivor-centered service and referral support, appropriate engagement with law enforcement when needed, and the ongoing development of a trusted, vetted nationwide directory of service providers that can respond effectively to the needs of trafficking survivors and to credible trafficking tips.

• The Administration for Children and Families-IOAS-OTIP in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.598.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-05-02. (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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for HHS 2025 ACF IOAS OTIP ZV 0002

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