Preventing Terrorist Recruitment of Youth Online

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) has issued a grant opportunity under the title “Preventing Terrorist Recruitment of Youth Online.” This funding opportunity reflects the Department’s urgent strategic focus on combating terrorism by disrupting online recruitment and radicalization, particularly of young people. Recent statistics underscore the urgency: in 2024, teenagers accounted for up to two-thirds of ISIS-linked arrests in Europe, with children as young as 11 implicated in terrorist plots. In light of this growing and alarming trend, the grant initiative seeks to proactively counter extremist exploitation of social media and gaming platforms. The overarching goal of the program is to reduce the accessibility and impact of terrorist content online, while also building the resilience of vulnerable communities. Proposals must incorporate dual objectives: first, to diminish the presence and influence of extremist messaging across online channels; and second, to empower community stakeholders with the tools and resources necessary to identify, resist, and report terrorist threats in digital spaces. The Department emphasizes an interest in practical, scalable approaches that can be adapted across contexts and platforms. Proposals should address both suppression of harmful content and community-based prevention strategies. Funding for this opportunity will be administered through a cooperative agreement, which allows for substantial involvement by CT in both project design and implementation. The total estimated funding available for this initiative is $1,726,689. One award is expected to be issued, with a minimum award threshold of $1,000 and a maximum (ceiling) set at the total program funding level. Matching or cost-sharing is not required for this opportunity. Applicants should ensure that budget submissions reflect realistic and defensible costs associated with each proposed activity. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is restricted to nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, excluding institutions of higher education. In addition, Public International Organizations (PIOs) are also eligible to apply. Applications from individuals, for-profit entities, and educational institutions will not be considered. The application must be submitted through the official Grants.gov portal. The Bureau encourages early submission to prevent last-minute issues that could affect eligibility or technical acceptance. The opportunity is currently active and accepting applications. The opening and posting date is June 24, 2025, and the final closing date for application submission is August 7, 2025. There are no noted deadlines for letters of intent or pre-application materials. Applicants should monitor Grants.gov for updates or potential changes. No information is provided about recurring or future rounds, so the status of recurrence remains undetermined. As this is a one-time posting for now, applicants are advised to meet the current cycle's submission window. For additional information or technical assistance regarding the announcement or submission process, applicants are directed to contact the Bureau of Counterterrorism via the listed email address: corsonkl@state.gov. There is no phone number or additional contact person named in the notice. The grant listing is associated with Assistance Listing Number 19.701, titled “Global Counterterrorism Programs.” All program and administrative requirements must be carefully followed as laid out in the notice and future cooperative agreement terms.