Global Nuclear Security Engagement Activities | S ISNCT 18 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for S ISNCT 18 004

The Global Nuclear Security Engagement Activities opportunity is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) funding notice that supports foreign assistance projects designed to reduce nuclear proliferation and terrorism risks. The work is carried out under CTRs Partnership for Nuclear Threat Reduction (PNTR) and is funded through the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account. The central aim is to prevent states and terrorist groups from diverting or acquiring nuclear material, technology, or expertise that could be used in an attack against the United States, with a particular emphasis on practical measures that strengthen nuclear security at sensitive facilities. A key premise behind the program is that insider involvement is a dominant factor in real-world theft cases involving nuclear material, so PNTR concentrates on reducing risks posed by radicalized, disgruntled, coerced, or otherwise compromised personnel. Importantly, the program explicitly does not fund physical security upgrades or guard force training, signaling that proposals should focus on policies, procedures, training, organizational culture, and human-factor risk management rather than hardware or tactical security operations.

Projects supported through PNTR generally fall into three major objective areas. First are Insider Threat Mitigation activities, which focus on creating or strengthening trustworthiness and personnel reliability systems such as human reliability programs, fitness-for-duty approaches, and related regulatory guidance at facility, organizational, or national levels. This can include developing implementing guidance, standard operating procedures, and institutional frameworks that reduce the likelihood that insiders can exploit access to divert material or knowledge. Second are Nuclear Security Culture in Practice activities, which are meant to turn nuclear security from an abstract principle into day-to-day behavior by strengthening procedures, reinforcing personal responsibility, and building workforce training programs for operators and regulators. The notice highlights approaches such as the IAEA nuclear security culture self-assessment methodology and other structured tools that help organizations measure and improve culture over time. Third are Countering Violent Extremism in the Nuclear Sector activities, which target risks from radicalization or coercion by improving awareness of warning signs, promoting behavioral observation techniques, and training personnel to recognize and address potential pathways to sabotage or diversion. Beyond these categories, PNTR also invites innovative proposals that address emerging or unexpected nuclear and radiological threats, as long as they align with the overall mission of strengthening security practices and reducing insider-related risk.

Although the program is described as global in scope, PNTR prioritizes engagement where it expects the greatest impact, particularly in frontline regions where terrorist threats are increasing, including parts of South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The highest-priority countries identified for proposed engagements are India, Egypt, South Africa, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Libya. PNTR also lists additional "graduate partners" (Algeria, Brazil, Indonesia, Morocco, and Nigeria) where it does not expect to provide substantial support, but may consider limited, small-scale efforts. The intended counterparts are primarily government operators and regulators and the decision-makers within technical organizations who can institutionalize changes, allocate resources, and sustain reforms. At the same time, the program is open to engaging industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations when it makes sense for advancing nuclear security culture and related best practices.

A recurring theme in the notice is that PNTR wants tailored engagement rather than a one-size-fits-all package. Proposals are expected to reflect the partner countrys specific needs, infrastructure, technical and human capacity, and regulatory environment, while also respecting cultural considerations and building on previous PNTR work where applicable. The program encourages using innovative delivery methods, including online training modules and virtual communications, to maintain momentum between in-country activities and to provide consistent support during implementation. PNTR also emphasizes concrete, measurable impact over basic awareness-raising, favoring projects that lead to adoption, implementation, and sustainment of best practices. To achieve this, PNTR is open to leveraging private-sector capabilities and using experienced international partners as trainers or subject matter experts, as well as specialized mechanisms like fellowships, study tours, or consultative visits for key individuals positioned to champion reforms within their institutions.

From a funding and award perspective, the instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should expect a more collaborative relationship with the government than a standard grant, typically involving substantial involvement by the funding agency in planning, coordination, or oversight. ISN/CTR states a preference for projects costing under $250,000, although it may fund multiple projects that together exceed $250,000. Proposals are prioritized based on how efficiently they meet the NOFO and program goals at the lowest technically acceptable cost, so clear scope control, realistic budgets, and strong cost-effectiveness arguments matter. The source data for the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $500,000, a CFDA number of 19.033, and identifies the opportunity as discretionary. Applicants must submit proposals electronically through Grants.gov, and the notice points applicants to Grants.gov resources and the Contact Center for technical submission questions. Eligibility is broad and includes domestic and international not-for-profits, public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, and public international organizations, which leaves room for universities, research institutes, training providers, specialized consultancies, and international bodies to compete, especially where they can demonstrate credible nuclear security expertise, access to relevant partner-country stakeholders, and an implementation approach built around sustained engagement and milestones over the project period.

• The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Nuclear Security Engagement Activities" 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 2017-11-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-19. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 250 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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