Opportunity Information: Apply for S ISNCT 18 001
The "Countering North Korea (DPRK) Missile and Nuclear Program" funding opportunity is a U.S. Department of State program run through the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, specifically the Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) office. It uses foreign assistance funds from the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account to help partner countries reduce proliferation risks tied to state and non-state actors. In practical terms, the program is designed to strengthen the ability of governments around the world to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) and related sanctions aimed at slowing and disrupting North Korea's nuclear and missile development. The underlying rationale is that the DPRK relies heavily on overseas procurement, shipping, and financial networks to obtain sensitive materials and technology and to generate revenue that supports its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, and that many countries need additional capacity, tools, and training to fully implement the obligations set out in UNSCRs.
Awards are made as cooperative agreements, meaning the U.S. government expects to have substantial involvement in shaping and overseeing project implementation rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal interaction. ISN/CTR indicates a clear preference for proposals with budgets under $500,000, although it notes that multiple awards or multiple projects could collectively exceed that amount. Cost effectiveness is a major evaluation theme: proposals that meet the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) requirements and program goals at the lowest technically acceptable cost are prioritized. Applications are submitted electronically via Grants.gov, with the standard Grants.gov support channels available for technical questions. The opportunity was originally posted in November 2017 with a closing date in January 2018, and it is cataloged under CFDA 19.033.
Geographically, the effort is global, spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, but the emphasis is on countries that either trade with the DPRK or can be used as transit points, logistics hubs, flagging jurisdictions, or financial conduits. The notice highlights several notional groupings to show where projects are likely to focus: first, Southeast and East Asian countries where DPRK-linked entities may operate or where WMD-related materials and financing may flow (examples given include Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam). Second, jurisdictions that can be exploited through flags of convenience, ship registries, shell structures, or permissive banking arrangements (examples include Comoros, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Panama, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Saudi Arabia). Third, governments that maintain bilateral relationships with the DPRK and may engage in commercial or arms-related trade (examples include the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Namibia, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam). A final set of additional states that could be exploited is also mentioned, such as Algeria, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Ukraine. One important limitation is explicit: ISN/CTR does not support activities that involve training, engagement, or redirection of DPRK nationals or DPRK government or non-government agencies, so projects must be structured around partner-country capacity building rather than direct work with North Korean participants or institutions.
The program objectives focus on building partner-country legal, regulatory, operational, and investigative capacity to detect and disrupt sanctions evasion and proliferation finance. Proposed projects are expected to advance one or more of several core goals by the end of the performance period. A major track is helping governments develop and implement the legal and operational frameworks needed to impose and enforce asset freezes and other sanctions connected to proliferation activities. Another track is providing technical and policy support to relevant government bodies so they can implement DPRK-related sanctions more effectively and address proliferation finance in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidance, which is particularly relevant for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of proliferation requirements.
A substantial portion of the scope is tied to shipping and maritime enforcement, reflecting the DPRK's historical reliance on deceptive maritime practices. The NOFO calls for improving the identification and disruption of illicit DPRK shipping, including the use of flags of convenience, false or fraudulent ship registries, and other concealment tactics. It also targets revenue-generating activities that can bankroll WMD programs, such as conventional arms sales, trade in luxury goods, and counterfeit goods. Beyond goods trade, it includes services and labor-related revenue streams, explicitly pointing to DPRK laborers, coal and other mineral trade, commercial fishing, and other associated activities that can generate funding. In addition, projects may aim to strengthen enforcement of UNSCR travel prohibitions to prevent DPRK individuals from moving internationally for sanctions evasion purposes.
Training and outreach are central implementation methods throughout the opportunity, with audiences that extend beyond government ministries. The NOFO encourages training for both government and non-government stakeholders, including private companies and industry associations, to help them recognize and interrupt both licit and illicit commercial activity that could be diverted to support the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs. It also emphasizes improving end-user due diligence and end-user checks so that industry and regulators can reduce the risk of unwitting support to proliferation-related procurement networks. Finally, it seeks to build the operational capacity of law enforcement and regulatory bodies, including national police bureaus, to recognize sanctions-evasion patterns, investigate and act on DPRK-linked financial activity, and support identification, investigation, and arrest actions where appropriate, particularly in cases involving financing for nuclear and missile programs or the trafficking of WMD-related information and technology.Apply for S ISNCT 18 001
- The Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering North Korea (DPRK) Missile and Nuclear Program" 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 Nov 11, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 19, 2018. (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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Countering North Korea (DPRK) Missile and Nuclear Program" funding opportunity?
It is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity administered by the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), specifically the Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) office. The program uses foreign assistance funds to help partner countries reduce proliferation risks by strengthening their ability to implement and enforce United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) and related sanctions focused on slowing and disrupting North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.
Which U.S. government office runs this program?
The program is run through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) office.
What funding account supports this opportunity?
It is supported by foreign assistance funds from the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is designed to build partner-country capacity to enforce DPRK-related UNSCR obligations and sanctions. The rationale is that the DPRK depends on overseas procurement, shipping, and financial networks to obtain sensitive materials and technology and to generate revenue that supports its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, and many countries need more tools, training, and capacity to counter those networks.
What type of award is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Awards are made as cooperative agreements. This means the U.S. government expects to have substantial involvement in shaping and overseeing project implementation, rather than issuing a standard grant with minimal federal engagement.
Is there a preferred budget size for proposals?
Yes. ISN/CTR indicates a clear preference for proposals with budgets under $500,000. At the same time, it notes that multiple awards or multiple projects could collectively exceed $500,000.
How will cost be considered during evaluation?
Cost effectiveness is a major evaluation theme. Proposals that meet the NOFO requirements and program goals at the lowest technically acceptable cost are prioritized.
Where are applications submitted?
Applications are submitted electronically via Grants.gov.
Where do applicants go for technical help with Grants.gov?
For technical questions related to electronic submission, applicants are directed to use the standard Grants.gov support channels.
When was this opportunity originally posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was originally posted in November 2017 and had a closing date in January 2018.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA 19.033.
Is the program limited to a specific region or is it global?
The effort is global, spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The emphasis is on countries that trade with the DPRK or that can be used as transit points, logistics hubs, flagging jurisdictions, or financial conduits.
What types of countries are prioritized for project focus?
The notice emphasizes countries that may be involved in trade or financial flows connected to the DPRK, or that can be exploited as transit hubs, shipping flag jurisdictions, or financial conduits. The NOFO provides notional groupings and examples to illustrate where projects are likely to focus.
Which Southeast and East Asian countries are mentioned as examples?
Examples listed include Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Which "flags of convenience" or similar jurisdictions are mentioned as examples?
Examples listed include Comoros, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Panama, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Saudi Arabia.
Which countries with bilateral relationships with the DPRK are mentioned as examples?
Examples listed include the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Namibia, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam.
Which additional states are mentioned as potentially exploitable?
Additional states mentioned include Algeria, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
Are projects allowed to involve DPRK nationals or DPRK agencies?
No. ISN/CTR explicitly does not support activities that involve training, engagement, or redirection of DPRK nationals or DPRK government or non-government agencies. Projects must be structured around partner-country capacity building rather than direct work with North Korean participants or institutions.
What kinds of capacity building does the program seek to support?
The program focuses on strengthening partner-country legal, regulatory, operational, and investigative capacity to detect and disrupt sanctions evasion and proliferation finance tied to the DPRK.
What legal and regulatory outcomes are emphasized?
A major objective is helping governments develop and implement legal and operational frameworks needed to impose and enforce asset freezes and other sanctions connected to proliferation activities.
Does the program address proliferation finance and financial-sector controls?
Yes. The NOFO includes technical and policy support to help relevant government bodies implement DPRK-related sanctions more effectively and address proliferation finance in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidance, especially as it relates to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of proliferation requirements.
Why is maritime and shipping enforcement a major part of the scope?
The NOFO places substantial emphasis on shipping and maritime enforcement because the DPRK has historically relied on deceptive maritime practices. Projects may focus on improving identification and disruption of illicit DPRK shipping and related concealment tactics.
What deceptive maritime practices are specifically mentioned?
The notice highlights the use of flags of convenience, false or fraudulent ship registries, and other concealment tactics used to support illicit DPRK shipping.
What revenue-generating activities does the program aim to disrupt?
The scope includes disrupting revenue streams that can bankroll WMD programs, including conventional arms sales, trade in luxury goods, and counterfeit goods.
Does the program include labor-related or services-based revenue streams?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly points to DPRK laborers, coal and other mineral trade, commercial fishing, and other associated activities that can generate funding.
Does the program support work related to UNSCR travel prohibitions?
Yes. Projects may aim to strengthen enforcement of UNSCR travel prohibitions to prevent DPRK individuals from moving internationally for sanctions evasion purposes.
Who are the intended audiences for training and outreach activities?
Training and outreach are central methods and can target both government and non-government stakeholders. The NOFO encourages training for government entities as well as private companies and industry associations.
What is the goal of engaging private sector companies and industry associations?
The goal is to help companies and industry groups recognize and interrupt both licit and illicit commercial activity that could be diverted to support the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs, including improving end-user due diligence and end-user checks.
What is meant by end-user due diligence and end-user checks in this context?
In this opportunity, it refers to steps taken by industry and regulators to verify legitimate end users and reduce the risk that lawful trade or services are unknowingly diverted to support DPRK-linked procurement or sanctions-evasion networks.
What kinds of law enforcement and investigative capabilities are emphasized?
The NOFO seeks to build the operational capacity of law enforcement and regulatory bodies (including national police bureaus) to recognize sanctions-evasion patterns, investigate and act on DPRK-linked financial activity, and support identification, investigation, and arrest actions where appropriate, particularly in cases involving financing for nuclear and missile programs or trafficking of WMD-related information and technology.
What core results are expected by the end of the performance period?
Proposed projects are expected to advance one or more core goals by the end of the performance period, including improved legal and operational sanctions frameworks (such as asset freeze capabilities), stronger implementation of DPRK-related sanctions aligned with FATF guidance, enhanced maritime and shipping enforcement against deceptive practices, better disruption of revenue-generating activities supporting WMD programs, improved enforcement of travel prohibitions, and stronger training/outreach and investigative capacity across government and relevant non-government stakeholders.
What is the program ultimately trying to disrupt?
The program targets the overseas procurement, shipping, and financial networks the DPRK relies on to obtain sensitive materials and technology and to generate revenue that supports its missile and nuclear programs.
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