Effectively Strengthening Safety and Security of Biological Research Globally

The U.S. Department of State, through its Office of the Biological Policy Staff under the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN/BPS), is offering a funding opportunity titled “Activities in support of the Biological Weapons Convention.” This program is focused on strengthening the safety and security of biological research on a global scale by supporting implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The grant opportunity is funded under FY 2024 Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) and related accounts. A total of $2 million is available, with one award anticipated, and the period of performance is 24 months beginning around October 2025. The assistance instrument is expected to be a cooperative agreement or Inter-Agency Agreement, with significant involvement from the funding bureau in project design and delivery. The program's primary objective is to promote international biosafety and biosecurity by supporting foreign nations in implementing the BWC. This includes assisting countries in creating and strengthening national-level policies to safely operate high-containment labs, improve research oversight, and develop scientifically grounded risk management procedures. Priority regions include the Western Hemisphere and East Asia Pacific, with a focus on countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Eligible organizations will develop and implement initiatives such as regional workshops, stakeholder outreach, and global coordination on biosafety research agendas. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign organizations, including for-profit and non-profit entities, public and private institutions of higher education, public international organizations, foreign public entities, and federally funded research and development centers. Applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Only one application per organization is allowed, and registration timelines for SAM.gov may take 4 to 8 weeks. Although cost sharing is not required, voluntary contributions are permitted but must be consistent with federal cost principles. Application packages must be submitted via Grants.gov unless the applicant is a U.S. government entity submitting for Inter-Agency Agreement funding, in which case submissions are accepted via email. Required documents include standard forms SF-424, SF-424A, and, if applicable, SF-LLL and SF-424B. Additional required documents include a summary page, project narrative (including goals, objectives, activities, deliverables, timeline, risks, partners, and budget), key personnel listings, monitoring and evaluation narrative and tracker, budget documents, past performance statements, and relevant attachments like resumes and NICRA if applicable. Applications will be evaluated using criteria such as project idea quality, organizational capacity, planning feasibility, financial clarity, monitoring and evaluation approach, and program continuity. The merit review panel, comprised of subject matter experts, will score applications on a 100-point scale. Final funding decisions rest with senior Department of State officials. The application deadline is August 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Final award notices will be sent by November 30, 2025. Contact for questions is ISN-BPS-DL@state.gov. Following award issuance, payments will be handled through the Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System or via G-Invoice for IAAs. The Department outlines specific funding restrictions, including prohibitions on funding activities related to mass-migration caravans or supporting organizations linked to terrorism or human rights violations. The award is also subject to adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws, the Leahy Law, and other regulatory frameworks. Reporting requirements include quarterly financial and performance reports, and a final report is due within 120 days of project completion.

Ensure all documents are in English, formatted to U.S. standards (8.5x11, 12pt Calibri), and submitted through Grants.gov or via email for IAAs. Begin SAM.gov registration early, as it may take 4–8 weeks.