Countering Biological Weapons Threats

The Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) is administered by the Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) within the Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN). This initiative supports the implementation of U.S. Executive Orders aimed at enhancing the safety and security of biological research and maintaining U.S. leadership in biotechnology and biosecurity. The BEP's mission focuses on preventing U.S. adversaries from using or developing biological weapons, securing sensitive U.S. biotechnology and data, and promoting global standards in laboratory safety and cybersecurity through engagements with international partners. The funding opportunity supports projects designed to counter biological weapons threats, specifically targeting the misuse of biotechnological facilities and data by hostile state and non-state actors. The program funds initiatives that secure pathogens, laboratory equipment, and sensitive data, improve laboratory safety, enhance the operations of high containment labs, and build capacity to identify and respond to biological threats. It also protects U.S. biotechnologies by fortifying supply chain security, supporting cybersecurity at biological facilities, and promoting U.S. norms in biotechnology. Eligible applicants include U.S. for-profit and nonprofit organizations, U.S.-based and foreign institutions of higher education, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, Public International Organizations, and Foreign Public Entities. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier and active registration on SAM.gov. Cost-sharing is optional and not required for eligibility, though any voluntary cost-share proposed must comply with federal cost principles. Each organization may submit one application but can propose multiple standalone projects within that application. Applications are due by July 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. Required materials include mandatory federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A), a project summary, key personnel information, monitoring and evaluation plans, a consolidated project list, project narratives for each initiative, detailed budgets, and budget justifications. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, unless applying for Inter-Agency Agreements, which are submitted via email. Additional documentation may include CVs, past performance statements, and NICRA if applicable. Evaluation criteria include the quality and feasibility of the project (25 points), organizational capacity (20 points), project planning (15 points), cost effectiveness (15 points), monitoring and evaluation (15 points), and sustainability (10 points). Applications are reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts and scored on a 100-point scale. Award announcements will be made by January 2026, and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by October 15, 2025. The anticipated project start date is January 1, 2026, with project durations of up to 15 months. For inquiries, applicants may contact bep@state.gov and ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov. Questions submitted to these addresses will be answered publicly each Friday until July 25, 2025, as part of a compiled FAQ attachment on Grants.gov. Awarded projects will be subject to quarterly financial and progress reporting, with detailed evaluation metrics and compliance with federal regulations required throughout the project period.

Ensure compliance with page limits, formatting, and include all required attachments; address monitoring and evaluation clearly; ensure goals align with nonproliferation objectives; consult FAQs regularly before July 25.