Protecting U.S. Critical Energy Investments Through C-UAS and UAS Surveillance Capabilities in Iraq

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of Counterterrorism, has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity titled Protecting U.S. Critical Energy Investments Through C-UAS and UAS Surveillance Capabilities in Iraq. This program is designed to advance U.S. national security and economic interests by strengthening the Government of Iraq’s ability to counter threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. The initiative reflects broader strategic priorities outlined in U.S. national security frameworks and emphasizes safeguarding American personnel, infrastructure, and private sector investments in Iraq’s energy sector. The Bureau of Counterterrorism will administer the award as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement in program oversight and implementation. The primary purpose of the funding is to build sustainable Iraqi capabilities in both counter-unmanned aircraft systems and proactive surveillance using unmanned platforms. The program focuses on enabling Iraqi civilian and security forces to independently detect, track, and neutralize hostile drone threats while also conducting surveillance to prevent attacks before they occur. The initiative supports both the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, requiring applicants to propose strategies that balance coordination and political sensitivities between these entities. The long-term objective is to reduce Iraq’s reliance on U.S. assistance by fostering institutional self-sufficiency and integrating training into national systems. The total available funding for this opportunity is 6808090 dollars, with one anticipated award covering a project period of up to 24 months. Funding is provided through Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs resources under the Foreign Assistance Act. While cost sharing is encouraged, it is not required and does not influence the competitiveness of applications. Applicants may propose training aids and non-weaponized equipment such as surveillance drones, provided they comply with U.S. export controls and do not include operational counter-UAS systems, which are being procured separately. All activities must adhere to strict regulatory requirements, including Leahy vetting and prohibitions on certain foreign-manufactured drone systems. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, for-profit entities where permitted, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Applicants must possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov. Only one application per organization is permitted. Proposals must include detailed program design elements such as a situational analysis, problem statement, logic model, theory of change, and performance monitoring plan. Additional required components include standard federal forms, a detailed budget justification, resumes of key personnel, and supporting documentation such as letters of partnership and risk analyses. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or MyGrants by June 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Questions regarding the application process must be submitted by April 23, 2026, with responses posted publicly by April 30, 2026. The review process evaluates proposals based on criteria including program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, alignment with counterterrorism objectives, monitoring and evaluation plans, budget justification, and sustainability. Final award decisions are made by a Department of State Grants Officer following a merit review and risk assessment process. Successful applicants can expect notification by early July 2026, with an anticipated project start date of September 30, 2026. The Bureau of Counterterrorism will remain actively engaged throughout implementation, participating in program design approvals, monitoring, and strategic decision-making. Recipients must comply with extensive reporting requirements, including quarterly performance tracking and financial documentation. This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in strengthening Iraq’s security infrastructure while directly supporting U.S. strategic and economic interests abroad.

Ensure strong alignment with counterterrorism objectives; provide detailed implementation plan; demonstrate organizational capacity and prior experience; include clear monitoring and evaluation framework; justify all budget items thoroughly