Tajikistan: Early Detection and Response Pilot

The Bureau of Counterterrorism within the U.S. Department of State has announced a funding opportunity titled “Tajikistan: Early Detection and Response Pilot” under Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0017310. This initiative is categorized as a discretionary grant and will be administered through a cooperative agreement. The program operates under the Assistance Listing Number 19.701, designated for Global Counterterrorism Programs. This opportunity reflects the Department's commitment to enhancing regional security and counterterrorism capacity, particularly in critical geopolitical areas such as Central Asia. The primary purpose of this grant is to strengthen early detection and response capabilities in Tajikistan, especially in frontier communities susceptible to recruitment and mobilization by terrorist groups such as ISIS-K. The rugged and remote geography of Tajikistan’s borders creates vulnerabilities to illicit movement and cross-border activities. The U.S. Department of State recognizes that the greatest threat stems not solely from border porosity but from the potential radicalization and organization of individuals within Central Asia who could pose risks to regional and global security. As such, the program emphasizes community-based strategies to identify and report trends and indicators of terrorist activity early, thereby enhancing Tajikistan’s ability to respond to and interdict such threats at their source. The project seeks to develop local capacity for the detection and disruption of illicit and terrorist-related activities through training, outreach, and the establishment of localized reporting mechanisms. Funded activities are expected to focus on early detection frameworks, community awareness, and rapid response systems that can be scaled or replicated across similar geographies. While no specific spending rules were detailed in the notice, the cooperative agreement structure indicates a close partnership between the award recipient and the Bureau of Counterterrorism in executing program objectives. Eligible applicants for this opportunity are restricted to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. This targeted eligibility ensures that community-based or mission-driven entities with a history of operational presence or programming in complex environments can apply. The opportunity is not nationwide in scope; instead, it is geographically limited to Tajikistan, and applicants must demonstrate their capacity to operate effectively in that context. The application window is currently open, with a closing date set for August 7, 2025. There are no preliminary deadlines such as Letters of Intent or pre-applications mentioned in the notice. There is also no indication that this is a rolling or recurring opportunity, so applicants should treat this cycle as the sole submission period unless otherwise notified in future announcements. Questions or difficulties in accessing the announcement may be directed to StearnsBE@state.gov. No phone contact was provided. The opportunity was first posted on June 23, 2025, and the version remains at its initial synopsis. There is no information available on total program funding beyond the fixed award amount of $1,497,975, which is both the floor and the ceiling for this opportunity. Only one award is expected to be made under this solicitation.