Countering Iran and DPRKs WMD, Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Drone Proliferation

The Countering Iran and DPRK’s WMD, Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Drone Proliferation funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s International Security and Nonproliferation Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR). Through the Counterproliferation and Sanctions Enforcement (CASE) program, ISN/CTR seeks to increase global capacity to implement and enforce U.S. and international sanctions imposed on Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Originally launched in 2017 to support the U.S. pressure campaign against the DPRK, the CASE initiative also serves as a key mechanism for implementing sanctions pressure against Iran under National Security Presidential Memorandum 2. The initiative funds a wide variety of projects that aim to detect, disrupt, and prevent Iranian and DPRK sanctions evasion activities, particularly those involving proliferation-sensitive technologies, materials, and expertise. The funding for this opportunity totals approximately $12.5 million, pending availability of funds, and individual awards may range from $250,000 to $1,000,000. Up to 10 awards are anticipated. The performance period for proposed projects is 12 to 24 months, with an expected start date of January 1, 2026. Funding instruments may include grants, cooperative agreements, or inter-agency agreements (IAAs). Cooperative agreements will involve substantial involvement by ISN/CTR staff in selecting participants, reviewing materials, and advising on implementation logistics. Applicants must be one of the following: U.S. for-profit entities; U.S.-based nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; U.S.-based higher education institutions; foreign-based NGOs or institutions of higher education; Federally Funded Research and Development Centers; Public International Organizations; or Foreign Public Entities. Although cost-sharing is not required, applicants who offer voluntary cost-sharing should be aware that if they fail to meet their proposed contribution, the award amount from DOS may be proportionally reduced. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier and valid registration in SAM.gov. Proposals must address specific sanctions evasion challenges involving Iran or DPRK across a broad range of issue areas, including: missile, nuclear, and drone technology transfers; counter-proliferation finance; cyber-enabled theft and laundering of virtual assets; employment of DPRK IT workers and laborers; and maritime sanctions implementation. Priority geographic regions include Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. Proposals should be data-driven, cost-effective, and aligned with U.S. foreign policy priorities. Training, awareness-raising, investigative reporting, and public-private cooperation activities are emphasized. Applications must include standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A), a summary page, key personnel details, a monitoring and evaluation narrative and plan, a consolidated project list, project narrative(s), a detailed line-item budget and budget narrative, and any necessary attachments such as CVs, NICRAs, and past performance documentation. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov unless applying for an inter-agency agreement, in which case submissions should be sent directly to ISN-CTR-DPRK@state.gov and ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 30, 2025. ISN/CTR will post answers to applicant questions weekly through July 25, 2025. Awards will be made based on a 100-point merit review scale assessing project quality, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, organizational capacity, and sustainability. All reporting—including financial (SF-425) and narrative progress reports—is due quarterly and must be submitted through the Department's MyGrants system. A final report is due within 120 days after the period of performance ends. Applicants should ensure full compliance with all federal anti-discrimination and anti-terrorism financing laws, as well as the Leahy Law and relevant restrictions under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Proposals should emphasize local capacity-building, nonproliferation impact, burden sharing, and tailored threat mitigation approaches.