Yemen Counter Smuggling Investigations

The Yemen Counter-Smuggling Investigations grant is administered by the Bureau of Counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State under opportunity number DFOP0017360. This funding opportunity seeks to support initiatives that bolster the Republic of Yemen Government’s (ROYG) capacity to combat cross-border weapons smuggling and related illicit activities. The ultimate goal is to curtail the trafficking of weapons, dual-use items, and explosives into Yemen, which has been a significant enabler for terrorist groups like the Houthis, AQAP, and ISIS. By building investigative capabilities and enhancing interagency coordination among Yemeni security services, this program aims to strengthen Yemen’s national security infrastructure and protect U.S. partners and interests in the region. The program is funded through FY24 Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs/Anti-Terrorism Assistance (NADR/ATA) funds, with total funding of $3,946,719. A single cooperative agreement award is anticipated, with projects lasting between 12 and 36 months. Applicants must propose programs that train Yemeni law enforcement, particularly the Ministry of Interior and Border Guards, in investigative and interdiction techniques. Focus areas include weapons tracking, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), forensics, and smuggling network analysis. The grantee must also implement performance monitoring using standardized indicators and reporting formats. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (such as NGOs and think tanks), for-profit entities if allowed by appropriation, public and private higher education institutions, international organizations, and government institutions. Cost sharing or matching is required. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov at the time of submission. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov or MyGrants by 12:00 a.m. EST on July 30, 2025. A deadline for submission of questions is set for July 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The evaluation of proposals will be based on multiple criteria, including the feasibility and quality of the proposed program, organizational capacity, cost effectiveness, program design and logic model, ability to achieve stated counterterrorism outcomes, and sustainability of impact. Proposals must clearly link activities to desired outcomes and demonstrate alignment with the CT Functional Bureau Strategy (FBS), especially objectives related to disrupting terrorist networks and enhancing border security. A logic model and theory of change are mandatory components of the proposal, along with a performance monitoring plan (PMP) and Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT). Applications must include a proposal not exceeding 12 pages, a budget narrative, mandatory forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), recent audits, CVs of key personnel, letters of support from partners, and risk analysis documents. Recipients must comply with numerous administrative and policy regulations, including those outlined in 2 CFR 200 and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. Reporting requirements include quarterly financial and programmatic submissions, with cumulative annual performance data to be reported using the provided PMP and PITT templates. For questions, applicants may contact the grant administrator at videlai@state.gov. Award announcements are expected after the close of the technical evaluation panel. The anticipated program start date is September 30, 2025, and all proposed activities must be completed within a 36-month period unless continued funding is approved. Funding is contingent on availability and satisfactory progress.

Submit early, use CT templates, ensure SAM.gov and MyGrants registration, align with FBS goals.