Impeding Chinese Communist Party Domination in AF Critical Minerals

The Impeding Chinese Communist Party Domination in AF Critical Minerals funding opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation at the U.S. Department of State. This grant program is part of the Department’s ongoing efforts under the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR) and is focused on addressing national security risks posed by Chinese influence in the critical minerals sector within specific African countries. The Bureau has identified Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as priority regions for this initiative due to their importance in the global supply chain of critical minerals essential to emerging technologies, U.S. economic interests, and national security. The purpose of this grant is to map, analyze, and expose the mining and supply chains operated by Chinese-funded entities in Africa, highlighting dual-use applications, illicit activities, and corruption risks that undermine U.S. influence and security. The program seeks to deliver granular data and actionable intelligence on these networks, providing the U.S. government and host nations with the tools necessary to curb illicit exploitation, bolster regulatory environments, and improve U.S. business access to critical resources. Deliverables include country-level analyses with detailed network mapping, case studies of mine-transport-export routes, and regular reporting to the U.S. government and host nations. The goal is to generate actionable information for both diplomatic engagement and enforcement interventions. Eligible applicants for this grant include U.S. or foreign not-for-profit organizations, civil society organizations, think tanks, public and private educational institutions, and for-profit organizations under specific conditions. Public International Organizations and governmental institutions are also eligible. Individual applications are not accepted. While voluntary cost share is allowed, it is not required, nor does it affect the competitiveness of the proposal. All applicant organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov and an active SAM.gov registration at the time of application. Only one application per organization is permitted, and organizations without a valid UEI or SAM.gov registration at the time of application will be deemed ineligible. The total funding available for this opportunity is up to $1,479,750, with a single anticipated award. Projects are expected to last no more than 24 months, and the anticipated project start date is October 1, 2025. Proposed budgets must be submitted in U.S. dollars and may not include cents. Funding restrictions apply, notably that no funds may be provided to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Applicants are required to submit several standard forms, including SF-424 and SF-424A, a detailed budget, proposal narrative, risk assessment, scope of work, and budget justification narrative. Specific instructions regarding formatting, font, and documentation order are provided in the NOFO. Applications must be submitted electronically via MyGrants by August 18, 2025, at 23:59:59 EST. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to ECC_Grants@state.gov by July 30, 2025; answers will be posted by August 1, 2025, in MyGrants. The review process evaluates proposals based on quality and feasibility (30 points), organizational capacity (20 points), program planning (15 points), budget (15 points), monitoring and evaluation (10 points), and sustainability (10 points). Award notices are expected by October 2025 via email. Payment for awarded grants will be processed via the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System or SF-270 reimbursement. Reporting requirements include quarterly programmatic and financial reports aligned with fiscal year quarters. Applicants must adhere to all federal laws, 2 CFR 200 regulations, and Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. Proposals must include risk assessments, monitoring, and mitigation strategies for political, environmental, cybersecurity, and reputational risks. Sustainability planning and/or a responsible exit strategy should also be described. The grant is not offered on a rolling basis and there is no explicit indication that it will recur annually; however, any changes or new opportunities will be posted on MyGrants and grants.gov. The application package, all instructions, and further guidance are available at grants.gov and MyGrants. For application questions, contact ECC_Grants@state.gov.