Biological Threat Reduction with Global Partners Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

The Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), with the funding opportunity number HDTRA1-24-S-0002, aims to mitigate biological threats by enhancing global biosurveillance and biosecurity. The BAA, open from April 29, 2024, through April 28, 2029, supports international collaborations to improve the detection, diagnosis, and reporting of infectious diseases, with a particular focus on pathogens that pose significant risks, such as U.S. Biological Select Agents and emerging infectious diseases. The program emphasizes building the capabilities of partner countries to detect and respond to biological threats, fostering sustainable public health systems, and ensuring biosecurity. The BTRP's mission encompasses various technical areas and lines of effort (LOEs), including reducing pathogen repositories, strengthening biorisk management, enhancing national regulatory frameworks, and supporting disease detection, laboratory diagnostics, epidemiological analysis, and reporting capabilities. Proposals should ideally integrate these LOEs, aiming to consolidate pathogen samples, implement biorisk best practices, and align with national and international biosecurity standards. The announcement encourages multi-sectoral and multi-institutional collaborations that leverage prior BTRP investments and partnerships with local and international organizations. Funding is available for grants or cooperative agreements, with the duration of each award limited to a maximum of five years. The number and size of awards depend on the availability of funds, and submissions can be made at any time during the open period. The BAA specifies a three-phase application process: submission of an Abstract, followed by a White Paper, and finally a Full Proposal. Applicants must clearly align their projects with BTRP’s objectives and LOEs, providing detailed plans for experimental design, sustainability of methodologies, and project outcomes. Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign academic institutions, non-profits, and private organizations, but not U.S. federal agencies or laboratories. Collaborations with international partners, particularly in regions such as the Former Soviet Union, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, are strongly encouraged. Proposals should also emphasize ethical standards, including biosafety, regulatory compliance, and data confidentiality. The BAA prohibits work related to Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) or projects involving select agents that pose dual-use risks. The evaluation process focuses on five criteria: scientific merit, mission alignment, personnel and facility capabilities, cost realism, and dual-use potential. BTRP encourages proposals that include significant contributions from partner country institutions and support early-career scientists. The program also requires adherence to stringent reporting, biosecurity, and regulatory standards, including export controls and ethical reviews by oversight boards, prior to the commencement of any funded activities.