Deadline: 4-Mar-23
The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation is currently accepting applications for Addressing WB6 Trade and Security Gaps.
Under this NOFO, ISN/ECC seeks proposals to advance U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities by supporting initiatives that make decision-making structures and processes in fragile, conflict, or crisis-affected contexts more reflective of and responsive to the needs and perspectives of partner states to ensure strategic trade control systems meet international standards and by engaging on bilateral, regional and multilateral levels with foreign governments to aid in the establishment of independent capabilities to regulate transfers of weapons of mass destruction, WMD-related items, conventional arms, and related dual-use items, and to detect, interdict, investigate, and prosecute illicit transfers of such items.
The purpose of this NOFO is to address gaps in Western Balkans Six (WB6 – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) regulatory frameworks for strategic trade control (STC) licensing and enforcement, customs control, and border security to bring WB6 regulations into better alignment with European Union (EU) standards. EXBS previously funded an assessment to identify such gaps and provide recommendations specific to each WB6 partner, which has now been compiled into a ~100-page report. This report will be made available to recipients of this award as government furnished information to inform programming under this cooperative agreement.
Objectives
ISN/ECC expects that the Activities and Outcomes of this Award will work towards the following ISN Goals and EXBS Program Objectives:
- EXBS Objective 1.3. Strengthen Mechanisms for Catch all Controls. Assist governments to strengthen controls on catch-all principles, expanding the scope of brokering controls to apply to brokers of dual-use items located outside of host country territory. Encouraging strategic trade licensing agencies to develop fully indigenous, sustainable training programs for licensing officers, including comprehensive instruction for new personnel and continuing education for veteran officials.
- EXBS Objective 1.4. Improve Capacity for Trade Compliance Enforcement. Advance Customs transit management controls – addressing steps to take in amending relevant Customs Code and its implementing regulations to address gaps in electronic data systems and transit control.
- EXBS Objective 2.1. Strengthen Partners’ Export Enforcement and Sanctions Implementation Capabilities.
- EXBS Objective 2.3. Improve Partners’ Interagency Coordination and Information Sharing. Advancing and aligning border security policymaking and planning, international cooperation and information sharing.
- EXBS Objective 2.5. Improve Partners’ Border Security Regulatory Capacity. Assist in development of more comprehensive border security legislation focusing on risk assessment and surveillance as well as development of a comprehensive national multi-layer situational picture.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $400,000
- Award Floor: $400,000
Target Region/Countries: Western Balkans Six (WB6) – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to educational and research institutions and U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, foreign educational and research institutions, Domestic & Foreign For-Profit Organizations (must waive fee/profit), and foreign not-for-profits/NGOs and international NGOs and PIOs.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.