Global Chemical Security Engagement Activities | S ISNCT 18 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for S ISNCT 18 005

The Global Chemical Security Engagement Activities opportunity is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) funding call that supports the Chemical Security Program (CSP). The overall purpose is to reduce the risk of chemical weapons use by terrorists and proliferant states by helping partner countries prevent, detect, investigate, and respond to chemical attack threats. The program is positioned as foreign assistance funded through the NADR account and is aimed especially at frontline states and higher-risk regions where terrorist threats are increasing, including parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The emphasis throughout is on practical, sustainable improvements in chemical security capacity, not just one-time trainings or purchases.

Projects are expected to fit within one or more of CSPs four core goals. First, CSP seeks to strengthen the ability of partner governments to disrupt chemical attacks by improving national and facility-level oversight policies and programs, building operational readiness through training and (where appropriate) equipping relevant entities, and improving coordination among government agencies and key communities such as law enforcement, technical specialists, medical personnel, and first responders for the detection and investigation of chemical attack plotting. The notice makes clear that the program is interested in the full spectrum of chemical threats, ranging from crude improvised chemical weapons to more sophisticated chemical agents that may be used in conflict settings.

Second, the program aims to prevent chemical attacks by raising awareness of chemical threats and expanding the adoption of threat-mitigation best practices. This includes encouraging chemical security norms and management standards such as responsible use policies, employee vetting approaches, and know-your-customer style practices that reduce the chance of diversion or misuse. It also includes efforts that help partner countries understand and comply with key international obligations and frameworks, notably the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 1540. Another priority in this goal area is broader in-country awareness and inter-ministerial coordination so that chemical security responsibilities are understood across relevant oversight, security, and technical bodies. Proposals that build local ownership and continuity, such as train-the-trainer models designed for long-term sustainability, are explicitly encouraged.

Third, CSP focuses on securing chemical weapons-related assets across the chemical supply chain. Activities under this goal can include training to identify and close physical and procedural security gaps, including the use of facility-appropriate vulnerability assessment methodologies. It also highlights countering exploitation by terrorist networks through measures like insider threat mitigation and specialized security force training. In addition, CSP may support targeted physical security upgrades intended to prevent unauthorized access to dangerous chemicals, equipment, or expertise, including rapid upgrades for high-risk materials and facilities and measures tied to safe neutralization protocols where relevant. A notable emphasis here is developing sustainable controls over precursor chemicals that could be used to produce nerve agents such as sarin and VX, reflecting a focus on upstream prevention rather than only downstream response.

Fourth, CSP wants to develop innovative strategies and explore new tools that keep pace with an evolving chemical weapons threat. The notice points to proposals that tackle emerging and complex challenges, such as mapping laboratories and industrial sites that possess dangerous precursors to improve situational awareness and prioritization. It also calls out rapid train-and-equip efforts that can reduce casualties, including support for chemical weapons detection devices and incident command systems to strengthen response posture, with an explicit reference to countering ISIS-related threats. Another example given is advanced insider threat training for law enforcement, industry staff, and university officials to help them recognize warning signs such as potential radicalization and other indicators of elevated risk.

The opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning awardees should expect substantive engagement and coordination with the U.S. government during implementation rather than a fully hands-off grant. ISN/CTR expresses a clear cost preference: it generally favors projects under 250,000 dollars, although it notes that awards could involve multiple projects whose combined total exceeds 250,000. Selection is framed around efficiently meeting the funding notice and program goals at the lowest technically acceptable cost, so proposals that are lean, targeted, and clearly tied to measurable risk reduction are likely to be more competitive than broad or overly ambitious designs.

Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and non-U.S. entities. Applicants may be not-for-profit organizations, public or private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, and public international organizations. Stakeholders and intended beneficiaries span government ministries and regulators with chemical oversight responsibilities, law enforcement and security services, university and research chemical departments, industrial facilities that manufacture or handle weaponizable chemicals and precursors, relevant professional or industry associations, and international organizations with complementary missions in WMD prevention and chemical management.

Applications are submitted electronically through Grants.gov, with applicants directed to follow the full instructions contained in the notice of funding opportunity and related materials. The original closing date listed for this specific FY2018 notice was January 19, 2018, and the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number S-ISNCT-18-005, under CFDA 19.033, issued by the Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation.

• The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Chemical Security Engagement Activities" 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 2017-11-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-19. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for S ISNCT 18 005

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