Preventing U.S. Adversaries Access to Critical Technologies and Exploitation of Scientific and Commercial Facilities for Military Advancement

The U.S. Department of State’s International Security and Nonproliferation Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) has announced the “Preventing U.S. Adversaries’ Access to Critical Technologies and Exploitation of Scientific and Commercial Facilities for Military Advancement” grant under opportunity number DFOP0017248. This funding aims to protect critical U.S. technologies and intellectual property (IP) from exploitation by foreign adversaries, notably China. It supports efforts aligned with national security priorities, especially preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and advanced military capabilities. Funded projects are expected to support capacity building in partner countries to recognize and counter dual-use technology threats. This grant targets a range of activities to safeguard critical technologies and deter misuse by foreign adversaries. Eligible activities include awareness training on dual-use technologies, development and improvement of research security policies, enhancement of data and cybersecurity practices, and strengthening of physical and personnel security in technological supply chains. It also includes supporting risk assessments and sharing of case studies and tools to identify and mitigate security risks in scientific and commercial ventures. The initiative encourages global engagement, especially in countries with advanced technology sectors like AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and smart cities. Funding is provided through FY25/26 Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR) and other related accounts. Up to $30 million is available for this program, with individual awards ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000. The expected project duration is 12 to 24 months, with a maximum of 15 months encouraged. The anticipated start date for projects is January 1, 2026. Ten awards are expected to be granted, contingent on funding availability. Eligible applicants include a broad array of U.S. and foreign-based organizations: for-profits, nonprofits, educational institutions, NGOs, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), and Foreign Public Entities (FPEs). There is no requirement for cost-sharing or matching, although voluntary contributions may influence the scale of the award. All applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and can only submit one application per organization, though multiple standalone projects can be included within it. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by July 30, 2025, 11:59 P.M. EDT. Required application components include federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A), a project summary, personnel details, a monitoring and evaluation plan, a consolidated project list, and detailed project narratives and budgets. Submissions from U.S. government entities applying for Inter-Agency Agreements must be sent via email. All proposals must be in English and formatted according to strict guidelines. Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria including the quality and feasibility of the idea (25 points), organizational capacity (20), planning and likelihood of achieving objectives (15), financial cost-effectiveness (15), monitoring and evaluation plans (15), and sustainability (10). Awardees will be notified by October 15, 2025. Reporting requirements include quarterly financial and progress reports, and a final report due 120 days after the project ends. The Department of State reserves the right to terminate awards that no longer align with program goals or agency priorities.

Ensure clear alignment with national security objectives, measurable outcomes, and robust risk management; carefully follow formatting and submission instructions