Countering U.S. Adversary WMD and Drone Threats in Iraq

Deadline: 31-Jul-25

ISN/CTR’s Iraq Program works inside Iraq to target and disrupt Iran’s efforts to threaten U.S. troops and Israel, by denying Iranian-backed proxies and other terrorist groups the ability to pursue unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capabilities, and by preventing UAS and chemical and biological weapons (CBW) attacks on U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq and the broader region.

Goals and Objectives

• The goal of the ISN/CTR Iraq Program is to protect U.S. personnel, including U.S. forces based in the region, from attacks by securing chemical and biological materials, dual-use equipment, technologies, expertise, and infrastructure to prevent their misuse by state and non-state actors.
• In support of the Maximum Pressure Campaign on Iran (NSPM-2) and to protect U.S. troops and other regional allies, the Iraq Program also enhances Iraq’s ability to counter state and non-state unmanned aerial systems (UAS)/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats, especially by Iranian-proxy groups operating in the region. In Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), the program will fund activities that align with and advance one or more of the objectives below. Proposals should clearly indicate which of the objectives the work is intended to support. Audiences for these engagements may include, but are not limited to, Government of Iraq (GOI), the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), first responders, forensic investigators, and private sector enterprises.
• Objectives:
  • Enhance Iraqi Ability to Counter State and Non-State UAS threats: 
    • Support Iraqi-led implementation of the national strategy that regulates UAS usage in Iraqi airspace.
    • Increase Iraqi national security institutions awareness of UAS threats and defensive measures.
  • Bolster Chemical and Biological (CB) Response Capabilities of Security Forces, Forensic Investigators, First Responders, and Medical Staff: 
    • Strengthen preparedness to identify, disrupt, and respond to an incident or attack involving pharmaceutical-based agents, toxins, or other chemical irritants by state and non-state actors.
    • Develop best practices for sample chain-of-custody between the field sampling and confirmation laboratories, particularly in conflict prone environments, and increase forensic investigators’ identification and attribution capacity during WMD incidents.
  • Enhance Public, Private, and Regional Collaborations: 
    • Strengthen government, chemical industry, and academic institution partnerships to mitigate and respond to potential sabotage at high-risk chemical facilities.
    • Develop agency-specific plans to mitigate CB threats related to toxic industrial chemicals, and pesticides, at mass gatherings, or potential insider threats.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $1,500,000 pending availability of funds
• Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $250,000 (approximately)

Duration

• Length of performance period is 12-24 months.

Expected Outcomes 

• All projects should aim to further Iraq’s establishment of a self-sustaining, proliferation-resistant security culture that reduces the threat posed by terrorist organizations or proliferator states seeking the means by which to obtain WMD and delivery systems for the purposes of threatening the United States and related interests.
• All projects will measure partner capacity before and after engagement, with the expectation that skills, procedures, technical understanding, and abilities have increased due to ISN/CTR support.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses;
  • U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code;
  • U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education;
  • foreign-based non-profit organizations/non-government organizations (NGO);
  • Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs);
  • Public International Organizations (PIO);
  • Foreign Public Entities (FPE); and foreign-based institutions of higher education.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.