Counter ISIS Ideologies in Returnee Populations from Northeast Syria

The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) at the U.S. Department of State has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled “Counter ISIS Ideologies in Returnee Populations from Northeast Syria.” This funding opportunity, under the assistance listing number 19.701 and opportunity number DFOP0017298, is part of the FY24 Economic Support Fund (ESF) and supports initiatives that address violent extremist ideologies and behaviors among returnees from Northeast Syria (NES), particularly those repatriated to Iraq via the Al Amal Rehabilitation Center. The project’s overarching aim is to reduce radicalization and potential recidivism through skill-building among local stakeholders and service providers. The grant opportunity offers a cooperative agreement funding instrument, emphasizing substantial involvement by the U.S. government in project execution and oversight. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to empower local stakeholders—such as Al Amal Rehabilitation Center staff, Iraqi government personnel, and local community leaders—with the skills needed to prevent and counter the ideologies associated with ISIS. This program responds to the expected increase in individuals, including children and adolescents, returning from NES camps such as al Hol and Roj, many of whom may have been exposed to or hold ISIS-aligned views. The project must support skill development in early detection, counter-radicalization methods, and engagement strategies for effective reintegration of returnees into Iraqi communities. It is aligned with the CT Bureau's Functional Bureau Strategy Goals 3.1 and 3.2, which focus on reducing violent extremist recruitment and strengthening partner capacity to counter extremism. Funding of up to $986,500 is available for one selected organization to implement a 24-month program starting on October 1, 2025. The Department of State will consider continuation funding for successful projects based on performance and available resources. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Matching funds are not required and do not affect competitive ranking. Only one application may be submitted per organization; submitting more than one will render all applications from that organization ineligible. Applications must be submitted through MyGrants by 11:59 p.m. EST on August 4, 2025. All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov at the time of submission. Applications must include a full proposal of no more than 12 pages, a budget and narrative justification, required SF-424 forms, a risk analysis, resumes of key personnel, and optional support documents like letters of support and NICRA documentation. A mandatory performance monitoring plan (PMP) must include three CT-specific indicators and a logic model and theory of change, all of which will be incorporated into a quarterly Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT). The successful applicant must also comply with quarterly narrative and financial reporting requirements. Proposals will be evaluated based on quality and feasibility, past organizational performance, cost-effectiveness, logic model design, and potential for sustainable impact. The Department of State may request additional documentation or clarifications during the review process. All applicants will be notified of the outcome after the review panel concludes. Contact for application questions is ArbogastC@state.gov, with a deadline for receipt of questions by 5:00 p.m. EST on July 3, 2025. The cooperative agreement will be administered by a designated Grants Officer. While the Department will support selected programs through significant oversight and collaboration, the award does not guarantee future funding beyond the initial period. Proposals must comply with all relevant CFR provisions, Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, and U.S. government policies, including those related to human rights vetting and financial transparency.

Use templates provided for the logic model and PMP. Ensure strong alignment with CT Bureau Strategy and SMART outcome indicators.