Advance Tech Innovation Collaboration Through C-SIPA

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, through the U.S. Embassy in Manama, has announced the funding opportunity “Advancing Innovation and Collaboration Through C-SIPA” under opportunity number DOS-Manama-PD-2025-003. This program supports research and innovation initiatives aligned with the Comprehensive Strategic Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) between the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom. C-SIPA focuses on three pillars: defense and security, economic, commercial, and trade partnerships, and science, technology, and network security. The initiative seeks to strengthen strategic cooperation, promote secure and resilient technology ecosystems, and encourage collaboration between academic institutions and private industry across the three countries. The funding is available to eligible not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and non-governmental organizations, and public and private educational institutions registered in the United States, Bahrain, or the United Kingdom. Cost sharing is not required but is highly encouraged and positively weighted in the merit review. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in SAM.gov before an award is made. Individuals are not eligible to apply. The program anticipates issuing two awards, each ranging from $10,000 to $60,000, with a total funding pool of $120,000, pending the availability of funds. The length of the performance period may range from 6 to 18 months, with anticipated project start dates of March 1, 2026. The funding instrument may be a grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement, with potential substantial involvement from the Embassy in project implementation, including media and public communications. Proposals should advance high-tech research collaboration and innovation among U.S., Bahraini, and British institutions, focusing on C-SIPA priority topics such as supply chain resilience, regional economic integration, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, secure networks and ICT infrastructure, and sustainable digital systems. Projects should result in tangible outcomes like joint publications, memoranda of understanding, or frameworks for sustained collaboration. Budgets may include costs for staff time, virtual engagements, and travel between the participating countries but cannot include the purchase of equipment. Applications must be submitted in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars. Required materials include the SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B forms, an optional summary page, a proposal of no more than eight pages addressing goals, objectives, activities, methods, timeline, personnel, partners, monitoring and evaluation plans, and sustainability. A detailed budget justification narrative and attachments such as CVs of key personnel, letters of support, and any required permissions must also be included. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, MyGrants, or via email to ManamaPAO@state.gov by January 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM AST. Evaluation criteria include program quality and feasibility (30 points), organizational capacity (20 points), program planning and ability to achieve objectives (15 points), budget detail and reasonableness (10 points), monitoring and evaluation plan (15 points), and sustainability (10 points). Selected recipients will be notified by February 2, 2026, and may only incur expenses after the award document is signed. The program follows all applicable U.S. federal laws and regulations, including 2 CFR 200, and includes specific reporting requirements on financial and program performance. For further inquiries, applicants may contact the Public Affairs Section at ManamaPAO@state.gov.