Countering Chemical Weapons Threats

The U.S. Department of State’s International Security and Nonproliferation Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) is offering funding under its Chemical Security Program (CSP) through the Countering Chemical Weapons Threats grant. The initiative aims to bolster U.S. and international security by targeting chemical weapons (CW) proliferation threats posed by adversaries, with an emphasis on preventing state and non-state actors from accessing the materials, equipment, and knowledge necessary to develop CW. The CSP uses targeted programming to increase resilience, reinforce global norms, and promote security standards in alignment with U.S. counter-WMD strategies. CSP seeks to engage stakeholders from frontline countries—government, private sector, law enforcement, and academia—to train and equip them to identify, investigate, and disrupt CW-related activities and transfers. It promotes the adoption of U.S. chemical security best practices, and facilitates cooperation between different sectors to address vulnerabilities and improve counterproliferation strategies. Priority areas include the interdiction of illicit CW shipments, countering PBA weaponization, sanction enforcement training, and strengthening forensic attribution of chemical attacks. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits, businesses, academic institutions, as well as foreign-based NGOs, universities, public international organizations, and federally funded research and development centers. Cost sharing is not required but may be voluntarily included. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, with complete documentation including required forms (SF-424, SF-424A), project narratives, detailed budgets, monitoring plans, and key personnel information. Applications are due by 11:59 PM EDT on July 31, 2025. Projects must address one or more of four objectives: disrupting CW-related transfers, enhancing CW response and attribution, reinforcing global CW norms and CWC implementation, and preventing non-state CW attacks. Each proposal must be focused on specific target countries listed by region and should clearly outline the approach, methods, expected outcomes, risk assessments, and sustainability plans. ISN/CTR anticipates awarding up to 10 grants ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000, with total available funding of $4 million, contingent on appropriations. Projects must be completed within 15 months. Evaluation criteria include the quality and feasibility of the project idea (25 points), organizational capacity and past performance (20), project planning and objective alignment (15), financial capacity and cost-effectiveness (15), monitoring and evaluation plans (15), and sustainability (10). ISN/CTR staff will be actively involved in project oversight, including participant selection, event content, and logistical coordination. Proposals that demonstrate local partnership, regional leadership, sustainability planning, and data-driven nonproliferation impact are encouraged. For questions, applicants may contact CSP@state.gov and ISN-CTR-BUDGET@state.gov. Q&A responses will be posted weekly through July 25, 2025. Awards will be announced by October 15, 2025, and projects are expected to start on January 1, 2026. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a UEI and comply with all federal anti-discrimination and anti-terrorism regulations.

Use data to support nonproliferation impact, propose realistic and country-tailored strategies, and ensure strong M&E metrics. Emphasize sustainability, collaboration, and practical implementation.