Countering Iran and DPRKs WMD, Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Drone Proliferation

The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR), within the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Counterproliferation and Sanctions Enforcement (CASE) program. This initiative seeks to strengthen global capacity to enforce U.S. and international sanctions targeting Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). These regimes have consistently engaged in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), ballistic missile technology, drones, and nuclear capabilities that threaten global stability and U.S. national security. Launched in 2017 to support sanctions on DPRK, the CASE program also underpins the Maximum Pressure campaign on Iran, as directed by National Security Presidential Memorandum 2. The CASE program has an overarching goal of impeding Iran and DPRK from acquiring or developing WMD-related technologies and associated delivery systems. It provides funding to projects that enhance enforcement mechanisms within partner governments and the private sector to identify and disrupt evasion tactics used by these states. Activities may include improving maritime, cyber, and financial sector oversight; conducting open-source investigations; and offering technical training and capacity-building programs. Specific emphasis is placed on priority regions such as Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. This grant opportunity is federally funded under the FY 2025/2026 Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account. The anticipated total funding is approximately $12.5 million, subject to availability, with individual awards ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000. Up to 10 awards are expected to be made. The performance period is 12 to 24 months, and projects are encouraged to be completed within 15 months. Funding will be disbursed through grants, cooperative agreements, or inter-agency agreements, depending on the nature of the recipient and the involvement of the ISN/CTR team. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign nonprofit and for-profit organizations, higher education institutions, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), public international organizations (PIOs), and foreign public entities. While cost sharing is not required and does not affect competitiveness, voluntary cost share may influence funding levels. All applicants must possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov prior to award issuance. Multiple project proposals may be included in one application, but only the final submission will be reviewed. Applications are due no later than July 30, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. EDT via Grants.gov. Required documents include SF-424 series forms, a summary page, key personnel descriptions, a monitoring and evaluation plan, project narratives, line-item and narrative budgets, and any relevant attachments such as CVs and NICRA documents. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult Section D of the NOFO for formatting and submission instructions. ISN/CTR will post responses to submitted questions weekly on Grants.gov until July 25, 2025. Notifications of selection or non-selection will be issued by October 15, 2025. Evaluation criteria are weighted with a focus on the feasibility and impact of the proposed project (25 points), organizational capacity (20 points), program planning and achievement potential (15 points), financial justification (15 points), monitoring and evaluation quality (15 points), and sustainability (10 points). Proposals should demonstrate alignment with CASE objectives, a detailed understanding of current threat environments, and the ability to enhance partner capacity through data-driven, scalable strategies. All funded activities must comply with U.S. laws and Department of State regulations, including anti-terrorism and human rights provisions.

Proposals should be tailored, threat-informed, data-driven, and locally supported. Include measurable objectives, build partner capacity, and ensure compliance with all application instructions.