Countering Iran and DPRK’s WMD, Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Drone Proliferation | DFOP0017260

Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017260

The grant opportunity titled "Countering Iran and DPRK's WMD, Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Drone Proliferation" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0017260) is a discretionary U.S. government funding call administered by the Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, specifically through its Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR). The program behind this opportunity is the Counterproliferation and Sanctions Enforcement (CASE) program, which focuses on building practical, real-world capacity around the globe to implement and enforce U.S. and international sanctions targeting Iran and North Korea (DPRK). The central idea is to reduce these countries' ability to obtain the technologies, materials, financing, and expertise that support weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation and the development of nuclear capabilities, ballistic missiles, and drone/unmanned aerial system (UAS) programs that the U.S. views as direct national security threats.

CASE is described as both a training and enabling platform. On the DPRK side, it was established in 2017 to reinforce international pressure by helping partner governments better carry out sanctions meant to constrain North Korean WMD-related proliferation. On the Iran side, it is positioned as ISN's primary program tool supporting the "Maximum Pressure" approach referenced in National Security Presidential Memorandum 2. In practice, the opportunity is aimed at projects that make sanctions enforcement more effective and harder to evade. That includes equipping foreign partners and relevant private-sector actors with the know-how, tools, and operational methods needed to detect and disrupt sanctions evasion networks, prevent illicit procurement, and stop transfers of proliferation-sensitive items and expertise.

The scope described in the notice suggests activities that strengthen systems and enforcement capabilities in several high-impact areas. A major emphasis is maritime security, reflecting how sanctioned regimes often move goods and generate revenue through complex shipping practices and deceptive maritime logistics. Another emphasis is cybersecurity, which can relate to tracking illicit networks, protecting sensitive systems, countering digital-enabled evasion tactics, and improving information sharing and investigative capacity. More broadly, the opportunity supports efforts that reinforce global sanctions regimes by improving implementation and compliance, disrupting revenue generation streams tied to proliferation activity, and reducing vulnerabilities that sanctions evaders exploit across borders and industries. The notice also frames these goals as protective of U.S. economic and security interests, including safeguarding U.S. supply chains, protecting U.S. companies' overseas investments, and preserving U.S. access to international markets by reducing illicit and destabilizing activity tied to sanctions evasion.

This funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects an active partnership role during performance rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, and the agency anticipates making around 10 awards. The opportunity falls under CFDA number 19.033. The posting lists an original closing date of July 30, 2025, and a creation date of May 30, 2025.

Eligibility is broad and includes a mix of U.S. and non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include U.S. for-profit organizations and businesses; U.S.-based nonprofits and NGOs (including those with or without 501(c)(3) status); U.S.-based private, public, and state institutions of higher education; foreign-based nonprofit/NGO organizations; Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs); Public International Organizations (PIO); Foreign Public Entities (FPE); and foreign-based institutions of higher education. Overall, the opportunity is designed to attract implementers with operational sanctions enforcement expertise, training capacity, investigative or compliance experience, maritime or trade security knowledge, cybersecurity competence, or the ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder efforts that make sanctions harder to circumvent.

• The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering Iran and DPRK’s WMD, Nuclear, Ballistic Missile, and Drone 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 2025-05-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-30. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DFOP0017260

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: