Grants for Countering WMD Threats in Iraq

Deadline: 31-Jan-23

The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation is now accepting applications for Countering WMD Threats in Iraq.

The Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR), part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), sponsors foreign assistance activities funded by the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account, and focuses on mitigating weapons of mass destruction (WMD), related delivery systems, and advanced conventional weapons proliferation and security threats from proliferator states and non-state actors.

Goals

For fiscal year 2023, CTR will support projects that build partner capacity and advance CTR’s mission by accomplishing at least one or more of the following goals in Iraq by the end of the award’s period of performance:

Securing WMD materials, expertise, and equipment to prevent their misuse, exploitation, theft, loss, or diversion, focusing on but not limited to materials and precursors of toxins and toxic gasses
- Strengthening transportation security of dual use CB materials
- Improving physical security, including cyber security and CB inventory management, in Iraq and Kurdistan with focus on the KRG
- Strengthening laboratory information systems and access controls
Developing neutralization and destruction capabilities for dual-use CB materials and waste
- Developing human reliability and insider threat programs
- Developing and/or implementing national and facility-level policies and programs to strengthen oversight of CB materials and related assets
Strengthening radiological security practices within hospitals and the oil industry
- Equipping Iraqis to raise awareness and implement CBR risk management
- Training Iraqi trainers on CBR security (i.e., train-the-trainer programs)
- Increasing outreach to more people and sectors through security training grants
Developing SOPs for academia, research facilities, and/or industry
- Supporting Iraqi-led CBR security assessments, especially first responders and hospitals
- Institutionalizing “know-your-customer” programs at CB suppliers, and encouraging the incorporation of stringent commercial review practices into local, regional, and national regulations and guidelines
- Promoting the adoption of CB security norms, management standards, and responsible use policies
Strengthening biological incident prevention, detection, and response of GOI and KRG security forces, focusing on the KRG
- Improving multisectoral coordination among GOI and KRG ministries and the various Iraqi stakeholders listed above in the context of WMD prevention, detection, and response
- Improving understanding of, and compliance with, relevant nonproliferation treaty commitments and UN Security Council obligations, including the Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention, and UNSCR 1540

Funding Information

Length of performance period: 12 months
Number of awards anticipated: TBD (dependent on amounts)
Award amounts: ISN/CTR prefers projects that cost less than $300,000 though awards may involve multiple projects that cumulatively exceed $500,000. ISN/CTR will prioritize proposals that efficiently meet NOFO and programmatic goals at the lowest technically acceptable cost.
Total available funding: $2,922,500