Countering Chinese and Russian Proliferation of Advanced Conventional Weapons

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR), has announced a funding opportunity titled “Countering Chinese and Russian Proliferation of Advanced Conventional Weapons” under opportunity number DFOP0017236. The objective of this initiative is to address the increasing threat posed by the proliferation activities of Russia and China, particularly through their sale and distribution of advanced conventional weapons (ACW), as well as the malign activities of private military and security companies (PMSCs). This effort is part of broader U.S. nonproliferation, security, and strategic counter-influence initiatives under the FY 2025/2026 Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR). Applicants may submit proposals for standalone projects that support any of the four strategic aims: (1) countering procurement networks for ACW; (2) disrupting state-sponsored proliferation; (3) reducing strategic defense dependencies on proliferator states; and (4) addressing PMSC-linked malign activities, particularly those involving exploitation of critical minerals. Projects should strengthen public-private collaboration, promote best practices, and utilize open-source research to inform in-person workshops and technical consultations. Target audiences include enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, private technology and defense firms, policymakers, and law enforcement agencies. Geographic priorities include East Asia Pacific, Near East, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. The funding ceiling is approximately $6,500,000 per award, with a minimum of $250,000. Total estimated funding available under this opportunity is $17,000,000, pending appropriations. ISN/CTR anticipates issuing up to 10 awards. The length of performance is expected to range from 12 to 24 months, with a preferred completion period of 15 months or less. Awards will be made via grants, cooperative agreements, or Inter-Agency Agreements. Cooperative agreements will involve substantial coordination between the recipient and ISN/CTR, including participant selection, agenda development, and logistical planning. Eligible applicants include a wide array of organizations: U.S.-based for-profit and non-profit organizations, public and private higher education institutions, foreign NGOs and educational institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), and Foreign Public Entities (FPEs). While cost sharing is not required and does not impact competitiveness, applicants may propose voluntary cost-share contributions. Each organization may submit only one application, although that application can contain multiple standalone project proposals. All applicants must possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov. Required application materials include mandatory forms SF-424 and SF-424A, a summary page, key personnel information, a monitoring and evaluation narrative and tracker, a consolidated project list, individual project narratives, and two budget documents (line-item and narrative). Optional documents include SF-424B, SF-LLL, CVs of key personnel, NICRA (if applicable), and documentation of past performance. Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov by 30 July 2025 at 11:59 P.M. EDT, unless the applicant is a U.S. government entity pursuing an Inter-Agency Agreement, in which case submission should be made via email to ctrspecialprojectsproposals@state.gov and ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov. Applications will be evaluated based on project idea feasibility, organizational capacity, project planning, cost-effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and long-term sustainability. Each category is weighted with a defined point scale, totaling 100 points. Final funding decisions will consider panel recommendations and strategic alignment with Department of State priorities. Award recipients will be notified by October 15, 2025. Reporting requirements include quarterly performance and financial reports, along with a final summary due within 120 days of project completion. Projects must comply with applicable federal regulations, including 2 CFR 200 and Department of State policies regarding anti-discrimination, counterterrorism, and international human rights laws.

Stay within page limits; do not include CVs in project narrative; use templates provided where applicable.