Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016984
Build Partner Resilience to Counter Proliferator State Hybrid Threats in the Nonproliferation Arena (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0016984) is a discretionary U.S. government funding opportunity issued by the Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, specifically the Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR). The focus is on strengthening international partners' ability to respond to "hybrid threats" tied to weapons of mass destruction (WMD), with a clear emphasis on chemical weapons incidents and the information warfare that often surrounds them. The program is framed around a broader concern that long-standing nonproliferation norms are weakening, and that some proliferator states and affiliated threat actors are increasingly willing to cross lines that used to carry stronger political and practical deterrents.
The core problem this opportunity is trying to tackle is twofold. First, it highlights a worrying pattern over the last decade: the real-world use of WMD-related materials, particularly chemical agents, not just in battlefields but in targeted attacks such as assassination attempts. Second, it underlines that these incidents are frequently paired with disinformation and competing narratives about what happened, who was responsible, and whether prohibited weapons were involved at all. Those false or conflicting WMD-related narratives can delay attribution, fracture international consensus, erode public trust, and ultimately make it harder for the international community to enforce norms against chemical weapons and other WMD. In practice, the opportunity is aimed at helping partner countries and institutions build resilience not only to the operational side of WMD threats, but also to the narrative manipulation that seeks to deflect blame and generate confusion after an incident.
The award structure indicates a relatively substantial program. The listed award ceiling is $3,000,000, and the agency anticipates making around 10 awards. That combination suggests multiple projects may be funded to address different regions, threat profiles, or capability gaps, rather than a single large flagship effort. The closing date provided is January 17, 2025, giving potential applicants a clear deadline for proposal preparation and submission planning. The opportunity is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 19.033, which corresponds to Department of State assistance programming.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, which signals an interest in pulling expertise from many parts of the nonproliferation and security ecosystem. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits and NGOs (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), public international organizations, foreign public organizations, U.S. and foreign institutions of higher education (public or private), and even U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses. That wide eligibility pool implies the government is open to proposals ranging from policy and analytical work to training, capacity building, technical assistance, applied research, and operationally oriented programming, as long as the work supports the stated goal of countering proliferator-state hybrid threats in the nonproliferation arena.
In short, this grant opportunity is about helping partners withstand and counter a modern pattern of WMD-related coercion and norm-breaking, where chemical weapons use and other WMD-linked incidents are paired with active narrative warfare. The U.S. government is seeking implementers who can help build the practical and institutional resilience needed to reduce confusion, improve responses, and reinforce nonproliferation norms when malign actors attempt to test international red lines through both action and disinformation.Apply for DFOP0016984
- The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Build Partner Resilience to Counter Proliferator State Hybrid Threats in the Nonproliferation Arena" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.033.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Build Partner Resilience to Counter Proliferator State Hybrid Threats in the Nonproliferation Arena."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0016984.
Which U.S. government agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary U.S. government funding opportunity issued by the Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program focuses on strengthening international partners' ability to respond to "hybrid threats" tied to weapons of mass destruction (WMD), with a clear emphasis on chemical weapons incidents and the information warfare that can surround them.
What does the opportunity mean by "hybrid threats" in this context?
Based on the description provided, "hybrid threats" refers to the combination of real-world WMD-related incidents (particularly chemical weapons use) and the coordinated use of disinformation or competing narratives that attempt to confuse what happened, obscure responsibility, or deny prohibited weapons were involved.
Why is this opportunity being offered now?
The opportunity is framed around concern that long-standing nonproliferation norms are weakening, and that some proliferator states and affiliated threat actors are increasingly willing to cross lines that previously carried stronger deterrents. It also highlights a pattern over the last decade of WMD-related materials being used in real-world incidents, including targeted attacks, often paired with disinformation.
What WMD area is emphasized most strongly in this funding opportunity?
The opportunity places a clear emphasis on chemical weapons incidents and the information warfare that often follows such incidents.
Does the opportunity only address operational response capabilities, or also communications and narratives?
It addresses both. The description emphasizes building resilience to the operational side of WMD threats and to narrative manipulation (such as disinformation and conflicting accounts) that can follow an incident.
What specific problem is the program trying to solve?
The problem is described as twofold: (1) the real-world use of WMD-related materials, particularly chemical agents, including in targeted attacks such as assassination attempts; and (2) the disinformation and competing narratives that frequently accompany these incidents, which can delay attribution, fracture international consensus, erode public trust, and weaken enforcement of norms against chemical weapons and other WMD.
How can WMD-related disinformation affect incident response and international action?
According to the description, false or conflicting narratives can delay attribution, fracture international consensus, erode public trust, and make it harder for the international community to enforce nonproliferation norms, including norms against chemical weapons use.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $3,000,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipates making around 10 awards.
What does the expected number of awards suggest about the program structure?
With an award ceiling of $3,000,000 and about 10 anticipated awards, the description suggests multiple projects may be funded to address different regions, threat profiles, or capability gaps rather than one single flagship project.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date provided is January 17, 2025.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 19.033.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: U.S.-based nonprofits and NGOs (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), public international organizations, foreign public organizations, U.S. and foreign institutions of higher education (public or private), and U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses.
Are U.S. nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. The description states U.S.-based nonprofits and NGOs are eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes foreign-based nonprofits/NGOs, foreign public organizations, and foreign institutions of higher education.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses.
Are universities and colleges eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. and foreign institutions of higher education (public or private) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are FFRDCs eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) are included in the eligibility list.
Are public international organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Public international organizations are explicitly listed as eligible.
What types of activities might be supported, based on the opportunity description?
The description implies the government is open to a range of approaches, including policy and analytical work, training, capacity building, technical assistance, applied research, and operationally oriented programming, as long as the work supports countering proliferator-state hybrid threats in the nonproliferation arena.
What outcomes is the program aiming to achieve for partner countries and institutions?
The program aims to help partners build practical and institutional resilience to reduce confusion after incidents, improve responses, counter disinformation, and reinforce nonproliferation norms when malign actors attempt to test international red lines through both action and narrative warfare.
Is this program limited only to chemical weapons issues?
The focus is on WMD-related hybrid threats with a clear emphasis on chemical weapons incidents. The description also references "other WMD-linked incidents," indicating the broader WMD context while highlighting chemical weapons as a priority area.
What broader nonproliferation challenge does this opportunity highlight?
It highlights the weakening of long-standing nonproliferation norms and the growing willingness of certain proliferator states and affiliated actors to conduct WMD-linked actions and then leverage disinformation to undermine deterrence and accountability.
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