Preventing U.S. Adversaries Access to Critical Technologies and Exploitation of Scientific and Commercial Facilities for Military Advancement

The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) within the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) has announced the “Preventing U.S. Adversaries’ Access to Critical Technologies and Exploitation of Scientific and Commercial Facilities for Military Advancement” funding opportunity under assistance listing 19.033. The goal of this opportunity is to support projects that help U.S. and foreign partners safeguard critical and emerging technologies from exploitation by adversarial states or non-state actors, with a specific focus on curbing technology theft by China and other malign entities. The funding supports risk reduction initiatives to prevent the misuse of dual-use technologies for military and WMD-related purposes. The total available funding is $30,000,000, with individual awards ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000, depending on availability of funds and project scope. ISN/CTR anticipates issuing approximately 10 awards. The primary focus areas of this grant include raising awareness among international stakeholders about dual-use technologies, enhancing research and data security policies at academic and commercial institutions, and promoting cybersecurity hygiene and infrastructure. The eligible activities range from workshops and trainings to development of risk assessment tools and vetting frameworks aimed at preventing foreign exploitation of intellectual property and sensitive technologies. Special attention is given to global regions and technology sectors vulnerable to adversarial influence, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, neuroscience, semiconductors, and aerospace. Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, academic institutions, public international organizations, federally funded research centers, and foreign public entities. Applicants must possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and have an active registration in SAM.gov at the time of application submission. While cost-sharing is not a requirement for this opportunity, voluntary cost-sharing may be accepted but will not influence the competitive review process. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov by 30 July 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT. U.S. government entities applying for Inter-Agency Agreements must submit via email to ctr-techprotect-nofo@state.gov and ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov. Required components include SF-424 forms, budget documents, key personnel summaries, a detailed project narrative, and monitoring and evaluation plans. Each project proposed within an application must have its own narrative and budget documentation. Only the final, time-stamped submission per organization will be reviewed. Projects are expected to start on or around January 1, 2026, with performance periods ranging between 12 and 24 months. Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and feasibility of the project idea, organizational capacity and past performance, program planning and likelihood of achieving objectives, financial capacity and cost-effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation plans, and sustainability. ISN/CTR staff will be substantially involved in program planning and participant selection. Successful applicants will submit quarterly performance and financial reports through MyGrants, and final reports within 120 days of the project’s completion. Questions related to the NOFO may be submitted by email and will be addressed in a Q&A document posted weekly on Grants.gov through 25 July 2025. All awards will be administered by the Grants Officer, and funds will be disbursed through the HHS Payment Management System (for grants) or the G-Invoice system (for IAAs). Compliance with anti-discrimination and anti-terrorism laws is mandatory, and applicants must ensure that their programs do not support activities encouraging illegal migration or benefit sanctioned entities.

Only final submission per org is reviewed; start SAM.gov registration early; follow formatting rules precisely.