Effectively Strengthening Safety and Security of Biological Research Globally

The U.S. Department of State, through the Office of the Biological Policy Staff under the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN/BPS), has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Activities in Support of the Biological Weapons Convention" under opportunity number DFOP0017422. This funding opportunity aligns with Executive Order 14292, which emphasizes the need to enhance the safety and security of biological research to protect the United States and its global partners from potential misuse or accidents involving biological materials. The announcement offers a total of $2 million in funding for a cooperative agreement or Inter-Agency Agreement, with a performance period of up to 24 months. The anticipated project start date is October 2025, and applications are due by August 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. The program aims to globally strengthen biosafety and biosecurity, particularly focusing on national-level implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The grant supports efforts to help countries build capabilities to meet their BWC obligations, improve oversight mechanisms for gain-of-function research, and enhance operations and maintenance of high-containment biological laboratories. These efforts aim to prevent biological accidents and deliberate misuse, ultimately promoting the safety of the United States and the international community. Priority regions for this funding include the Western Hemisphere, East Asia Pacific, and globally, with specific engagement expected in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Three core objectives structure the funding priorities: (1) Strengthening biorisk management practices at high-containment laboratories in Latin America (~40% of funds), (2) Promoting national policies for oversight of potentially dangerous pathogen research (~40% of funds), and (3) Supporting international coordination of a global biosafety research agenda (~20% of funds). The funding office will maintain substantial involvement throughout project planning and implementation, including participant selection, training content review, and visa coordination for international participants. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, foreign nonprofits and higher education institutions, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), and Foreign Public Entities (FPEs). While cost sharing is not required and does not influence competitive ranking, voluntary contributions are permitted. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration on SAM.gov. Only one application per organization is allowed. The submission package must include completed forms SF-424, SF-424A, and, if applicable, SF-424B and SF-LLL, along with key narrative sections including a Summary Page, Key Personnel list, Monitoring and Evaluation Narrative and Tracker, Project Narrative, and Budget Justification Documents. A thorough project narrative must outline goals, methods, timelines, risk mitigation strategies, expected outcomes, and continuity plans. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov unless applying for an Inter-Agency Agreement, in which case submission is through ISN-BPS-DL@state.gov. Proposals will be evaluated based on six weighted criteria: quality and feasibility (25 points), organizational capacity (20 points), program planning (15 points), financial cost-effectiveness (15 points), monitoring and evaluation (15 points), and potential for lasting impact (10 points). Applications undergo technical eligibility screening followed by merit review by a panel of subject matter experts. Award notifications are expected by November 30, 2025, and payments will be administered via the HHS Payment Management System or G-Invoice system for IAAs. Quarterly reporting and post-award compliance with U.S. regulations, including anti-discrimination and anti-terrorism laws, is required.

Clearly outline goals, provide measurable outcomes, detail partner roles, use U.S. dollars, and ensure all documents are submitted via Grants.gov.