Build Partner Capabilities to Counter Global Biological Threats

Background
The Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) is announcing an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The ISN/CTR sponsors foreign assistance activities funded by the Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) to prevent proliferator states and non-state actors from developing or using Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

The Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) aims to mitigate global biological threats by securing against the misuse of high consequence pathogens and related materials. It also helps foreign partners develop biosecurity policies and technical capabilities.

Grant Details
The BEP will support projects that engage various organizations including foreign government entities, biological research laboratories, universities, and private industry. Key tasks include:
1) Enhancing partners' risk assessment capacity;
2) Engaging synthetic biology and genomic research communities;
3) Establishing national control measures for bio- and genomic data security;
4) Promoting Biorisk Management (BRM) certification;
5) Preventing cybersecurity threats in biological laboratories;
6) Increasing partnerships with professional associations;
7) Supporting investigations into potential BW use;
8) Denying non-state actors access to expertise and materials for biological attacks;
9) Establishing dialogues with industry on secure supply chains.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based non-profit organizations/NGOs, Federally funded research centers, public international organizations, foreign public entities, U.S.-based institutions of higher education, foreign institutions of higher education, and U.S. for-profit organizations. Applicants must not have any exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Period of Performance
The period of performance for the grant is set at 15 months.

Grant Value
The total funding ceiling for this grant opportunity is $15,000,000 with an anticipated number of awards being five.

Place of Performance
While global in scope, the program focuses on countries facing significant threats from proliferator states or non-state actors. Priority countries may include Angola, Brazil, India, Nigeria, South Africa among others.