Countering U.S. Adversary WMD and Drone Threats in Iraq

The U.S. Department of State’s International Security and Nonproliferation Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) is offering a funding opportunity titled “Countering U.S. Adversary WMD and Drone Threats in Iraq.” This grant is aimed at enhancing the security capabilities of Iraq to counter threats from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), particularly those posed by Iranian-backed proxies. The program seeks to protect U.S. personnel and allies by building Iraqi capacity to prevent and respond to chemical, biological, and drone-related threats. The funding initiative is part of the FY25/26 Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR), and its overarching goal is to promote a self-sustaining, proliferation-resistant security culture in Iraq. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as U.S.-based for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, foreign-based nonprofits and academic institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), and Foreign Public Entities (FPEs). Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). While cost-sharing is not mandatory and will not affect evaluation, voluntary contributions are allowed and will be proportionately considered. The total funding available is approximately $1.5 million, with anticipated individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. ISN/CTR expects to fund up to 10 projects for a performance period of up to 15 months, starting from January 1, 2026. Eligible projects must support one or more of the following objectives: enhancing Iraq's capability to counter UAS threats, strengthening chemical and biological response capacities, and promoting collaboration between public, private, and regional stakeholders. Evaluation criteria include project feasibility, organizational capacity, financial soundness, program logic, and sustainability. Applications are due by July 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. All documents must be submitted through Grants.gov, unless applying under an Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA), in which case submissions should be sent directly to ISN-CTR via email. Required documents include various federal forms (SF-424 series), a summary page, key personnel bios, monitoring and evaluation plans, project narratives, budget documents, and any relevant attachments. ISN/CTR emphasizes adherence to formatting and content guidelines, with all proposals required to be in English and budgets in U.S. dollars. Applications will undergo a technical eligibility review and merit review by a panel of subject matter experts. Proposals will be assessed on criteria such as problem clarity, alignment with NOFO objectives, past performance, budget soundness, and projected sustainability. ISN/CTR reserves the right to request clarifications, make awards based on initial proposals, and impose risk review measures as stipulated by federal regulations. Grant recipients must comply with all reporting requirements, including quarterly performance and financial reports. Additional legal and compliance obligations pertain to human rights, anti-discrimination, terrorism risk mitigation, and U.S. foreign assistance law. Final awards will be issued by a Department of State Grants Officer and will be managed through the Health and Human Services Payment Management System. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by October 15, 2025.

Emphasize nonproliferation and counter-threat alignment Include robust M&E frameworks Tailor proposals to Iraq-specific security challenges Leverage partnerships and cost-share where feasible