Counter ISIS Ideologies in Returnee Populations from Northeast Syria

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) is soliciting applications for a new funding opportunity titled “Counter ISIS Ideologies in Returnee Populations from Northeast Syria.” The total funding available under this opportunity is $986,500, with a single anticipated award issued through a cooperative agreement. This program is funded through FY24 Economic Support Funds (ESF), with an expected start date of October 1, 2025, and a project performance period of 24 months. The opportunity is intended to address emerging risks related to the reintegration of Iraqis returning from displacement camps in northeast Syria, particularly those who may have been exposed to or influenced by ISIS ideology. The initiative targets individuals returning via Iraq’s Al Amal Rehabilitation Center, which formerly operated as Jeddah-1 (J1). These returnees are expected to include a significant proportion of children and adolescents shaped by time in the al Hol and Roj camps. The grant seeks to equip Al Amal staff, local community service providers, and Government of Iraq personnel with tools to identify, prevent, and counter radicalization and extremism among these populations. The effort supports two major counterterrorism outcomes: first, designing and implementing effective interventions against ISIS ideologies among returnees; and second, building local capacity for early detection and response to radicalization threats. Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign-based not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, for-profit entities, public international organizations (PIOs), and governmental institutions. There is no requirement for cost-sharing or matching contributions, and organizations are limited to submitting one proposal each. Required registrations include a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov. The Department also mandates submission through MyGrants and provides additional information regarding exemptions and alternative procedures for foreign applicants unfamiliar with DoD requirements. The application package must include mandatory federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B), a comprehensive proposal not exceeding 12 pages, a budget justification narrative, recent audits or financial statements, CVs for key personnel, letters of support from partners, and risk analyses. Proposals must also include a logic model, a theory of change, and a performance monitoring plan (PMP) aligned with the Department’s Functional Bureau Strategy (FBS). The PMP must include three CT indicators and be paired with a Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT). The evaluation of applications will consider quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, cost effectiveness, and sustainability of impact. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions about the application process to the designated email address, ArbogastC@state.gov, by 5:00 PM EST on July 3, 2025. All application materials must be submitted electronically by 11:59 PM EST on August 4, 2025. The award notice will be sent following review, but the Department reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and is under no obligation to fund submitted applications. Reporting requirements for selected awardees include quarterly performance and financial reports using CT templates, with regular updates on indicators, outputs, and outcomes.

Proposals should align with the FBS, include three CT indicators, use provided templates, and only one proposal per organization.