Countering Proliferator State Advanced Conventional Weapons Proliferation | DFOP0016985

Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016985

The grant opportunity titled "Countering Proliferator State Advanced Conventional Weapons Proliferation" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0016985) is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), under its Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) efforts. It uses a cooperative agreement structure, which typically means the government expects to be actively involved during the project period through collaboration, oversight, and coordination rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The overall purpose is to strengthen the ability of foreign partner governments and institutions to counter the harmful effects of advanced conventional weapons (ACW) sales, procurement, and proliferation networks linked to so-called proliferator states.

Programmatically, the opportunity is focused on the reality that certain states use sophisticated conventional weapons exports not just for revenue, but as a strategic tool of influence. These exports can deepen or prolong regional conflicts, shift military balances, and create long-term defense dependencies where a recipient country becomes reliant on the supplier for maintenance, spare parts, training, upgrades, and ammunition. Beyond the direct security impact, the funding call highlights an evolving pattern of cooperation among proliferator states, including "no-limit" partnerships designed to evade international sanctions and export controls. In practical terms, this implies coordinated procurement, transshipment, technology sharing, rebranding of end users, and the use of intermediary companies or jurisdictions to obscure origin and destination, ultimately enabling weapons flows to destabilizing state and non-state actors.

The activities supported by this program are intended to build partner capacity to detect, disrupt, and prevent these networks and their enabling mechanisms. While the notice summary does not list specific project categories, the stated goals strongly point toward capacity-building work such as training and advising relevant foreign entities; improving analytic, investigative, and interdiction capabilities; strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks tied to export controls and sanctions compliance; enhancing information sharing and coordination across agencies; and building institutional resilience against procurement schemes and influence operations associated with ACW sales. Because the emphasis is on countering procurement and proliferation networks (not only the weapons themselves), competitive proposals would typically align with network disruption approaches, including identifying nodes and facilitators, mapping supply chains, and improving the operational ability of partners to respond lawfully and effectively.

The funding details indicate a sizeable program. The award ceiling is $5,000,000, and the agency anticipates making up to 12 awards. The opportunity falls under CFDA/Assistance Listing number 19.033, associated with nonproliferation-related foreign assistance. The original closing date is January 17, 2025, and the opportunity was created on October 26, 2024. These data points suggest applicants should plan for a competitive selection process with potentially multiple awards covering different regions, partners, or technical focus areas, rather than a single large implementer.

Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and non-U.S. entities across several categories: 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.-based private/public/state institutions of higher education, foreign-based institutions of higher education, and U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses. That mix signals the program is open to implementers ranging from policy and technical NGOs to universities and research organizations, as well as commercial entities with relevant technical expertise. The wide eligibility pool also suggests the agency is looking for specialized capabilities, regional access, or technical depth that could be delivered by different kinds of organizations.

In plain terms, this opportunity is aimed at practical, partner-facing security assistance that helps countries reduce the impact of advanced conventional weapons proliferation driven by malign state actors. The emphasis is not only on stopping individual shipments, but on reducing the strategic leverage that comes from weapons-driven dependencies, closing pathways used to evade sanctions, and strengthening partner systems so they can spot, investigate, and interrupt the procurement and proliferation ecosystems that keep these weapons moving.

• The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering Proliferator State Advanced Conventional Weapons Proliferation" 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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DFOP0016985

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