Reinforcing Protection of the Kenya Border shared with Somalia

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of Counterterrorism, is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity titled Reinforcing Protection of the Kenya Border shared with Somalia. This funding opportunity is part of the broader Global Counterterrorism Programs initiative and reflects the U.S. government’s strategic commitment to strengthening international security partnerships and protecting U.S. personnel and interests abroad. The Bureau of Counterterrorism works globally to counter terrorist threats by building partner nation capacity, particularly in regions facing persistent extremist activity. This specific program is focused on enhancing Kenya’s ability to secure its eastern border with Somalia, an area of ongoing concern due to terrorist infiltration risks. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to improve the operational capabilities of an advanced tactical law enforcement unit within Kenya’s Administrative Police Services. The program is designed to deliver targeted training and equipment over a 15-month performance period. It emphasizes three core areas of capability development: improving low-light and night-vision operations, expanding the use of unmanned aircraft systems for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance, and developing organic explosive ordnance disposal capabilities. These enhancements are intended to increase the effectiveness of Kenyan forces in detecting, deterring, and neutralizing terrorist threats along the border. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support a single award, with a total program funding amount and award ceiling of 5,920,078 dollars and a minimum award floor of 200,000 dollars. The funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, indicating that the Bureau of Counterterrorism will have substantial involvement during the implementation of the program. Allowable uses of funds include training delivery, procurement of necessary equipment, and programmatic activities directly tied to strengthening tactical capabilities. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, allowing a wide range of organizations to apply. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations such as civil society groups and think tanks, public and private educational institutions, for-profit entities, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. The opportunity explicitly invites all eligible entities to propose programs that align with the stated objectives of enhancing Kenya’s border security capabilities and protecting critical U.S. interests, including the Manda Bay Military Base. The application process is conducted through Grants.gov, where applicants must submit a complete proposal package by the deadline of June 10, 2026. While the synopsis does not detail all required components, applicants should expect to provide a comprehensive program narrative, budget justification, and supporting documentation consistent with federal grant application standards. There is no mention of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent or concept paper, indicating that the full application is the primary submission mechanism. Applications will be evaluated based on their ability to deliver measurable improvements in the targeted operational capabilities, alignment with program objectives, and feasibility of implementation within the specified timeframe. The Bureau of Counterterrorism is expected to assess proposals for technical merit, organizational capacity, and cost effectiveness. Although specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the synopsis, standard federal review practices will likely apply. The application window opened on April 10, 2026, and closes on June 10, 2026. The program is not indicated as recurring, and no future cycles are described. Award decisions and notifications are not specified in the synopsis, but the program duration is clearly defined as 15 months. For questions or technical difficulties accessing the full announcement, applicants are directed to contact the program email provided by the Bureau of Counterterrorism.