Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0018149
Apply for DFOP0018149
- The Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Export Controls and Investment Screening for Critical Minerals Supply Chain" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.317.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-20. (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 $5,409,250.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (ACN) and its Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program, is soliciting proposals under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Export Controls and Investment Screening for Critical Minerals Supply Chain" (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0018149). The goal is to strengthen protective measures around the global supply chain for critical minerals, which the U.S. government views as commodities of proliferation concern because they feed into a wide range of dual-use goods and technologies. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at reducing the risk that U.S. adversaries can acquire sensitive minerals and related supply chain advantages, while also helping partner countries defend their mineral sectors from predatory, illicit, or otherwise risky practices that could undermine U.S. national and economic security.
The program is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the government expects to be substantially involved during implementation rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The Department is looking for a single implementer (Expected Awards: 1) that can work internationally with key critical mineral producing countries and major transit states to improve three core areas: export controls (so controlled materials and relevant goods do not move to prohibited end users or programs), customs and border screening (to better detect, interdict, and investigate suspicious shipments and trade-based evasion), and investment screening (to help governments evaluate and manage national security risks tied to foreign investment, ownership, and influence in critical mineral assets and related infrastructure). The underlying emphasis is on stopping diversion, circumvention, and strategic acquisition by adversarial actors, while increasing resilience and transparency across critical nodes of the supply chain.
The maximum available funding for the award is $5,409,250 (Award Ceiling: 5409250). The opportunity was created on 2026-06-25, and the original application deadline is 2026-07-20. The listing references CFDA number 19.317 and categorizes the activity broadly under "Other," reflecting that this is a specialized nonproliferation and security-focused capacity-building effort rather than a conventional development program.
Eligibility is open to a range of U.S. or foreign organizations. This includes not-for-profit entities such as think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations, as well as public and private educational institutions. For-profit organizations may apply only if permitted by the governing appropriation (and not for PD funds), and proposals from for-profit applicants may face added scrutiny after panel selection. A key constraint is that the Department of State does not allow profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards, which effectively means even if a for-profit is eligible to apply, the budgeting and cost structure must align with the Department's rules for assistance instruments rather than profit-bearing contracting.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted, security-oriented capacity-building award meant to help foreign partners and transit hubs build stronger legal, regulatory, and operational defenses around critical minerals trade and investment. The intended outcome is a more secure and resilient critical minerals supply chain that is harder to exploit for proliferation-sensitive purposes, illicit finance, sanctions evasion, and strategic control by U.S. adversaries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is titled "Export Controls and Investment Screening for Critical Minerals Supply Chain".
What is the funding opportunity number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DFOP0018149.
Which U.S. government office is offering this award?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (ACN) and its Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program.
What is the primary goal of the program?
The goal is to strengthen protective measures around the global supply chain for critical minerals, which the U.S. government views as commodities of proliferation concern due to their role in dual-use goods and technologies.
Why are critical minerals a focus of this NOFO?
The NOFO focuses on critical minerals because they can feed into a wide range of dual-use goods and technologies, creating proliferation and national security concerns if diverted or strategically acquired by adversarial actors.
What outcomes is the Department of State seeking?
The intended outcome is a more secure and resilient critical minerals supply chain that is harder to exploit for proliferation-sensitive purposes, illicit finance, sanctions evasion, and strategic control by U.S. adversaries.
What type of award is being offered?
The program is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects to be substantially involved during implementation rather than issuing funds with minimal engagement.
What does "cooperative agreement" mean for implementation?
It means the Department of State expects to have substantial involvement during the project period, rather than simply awarding funding and stepping back.
How many awards does the Department expect to make?
The NOFO indicates Expected Awards: 1, meaning the Department is looking for a single implementer.
What is the maximum amount of funding available?
The award ceiling (maximum available funding) is $5,409,250.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-06-25.
What is the original application deadline?
The original application deadline is 2026-07-20.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The listing references CFDA 19.317.
How is the activity categorized?
The activity is categorized broadly under "Other", reflecting that it is a specialized nonproliferation and security-focused capacity-building effort.
What kinds of activities or capacity-building does the program support?
The program aims to work internationally with key critical mineral producing countries and major transit states to improve three core areas: export controls, customs and border screening, and investment screening.
What does the NOFO mean by strengthening export controls?
It refers to improving controls so that controlled materials and relevant goods do not move to prohibited end users or programs, reducing the risk of diversion and circumvention.
What does the NOFO mean by customs and border screening improvements?
It refers to building capabilities to better detect, interdict, and investigate suspicious shipments and trade-based evasion related to critical minerals and associated goods.
What does the NOFO mean by investment screening in the critical minerals sector?
It refers to helping governments evaluate and manage national security risks linked to foreign investment, ownership, and influence in critical mineral assets and related infrastructure.
Which countries are intended to benefit from this work?
The NOFO emphasizes international work with key critical mineral producing countries and major transit states.
What risks is this program specifically trying to reduce?
The program is aimed at reducing the risk that U.S. adversaries can acquire sensitive minerals and supply chain advantages, and at helping partner countries defend against predatory, illicit, or otherwise risky practices that could undermine U.S. national and economic security.
Is this opportunity more development-focused or security-focused?
Based on the description, it is a security-oriented capacity-building opportunity focused on nonproliferation, export controls, border enforcement, and investment screening rather than conventional development programming.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to a range of U.S. or foreign organizations, including not-for-profit entities (such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations) and public or private educational institutions.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
For-profit organizations may apply only if permitted by the governing appropriation (and not for PD funds). Proposals from for-profit applicants may also face added scrutiny after panel selection.
Can a for-profit applicant include profit in its budget?
No. The Department of State does not allow profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. If a for-profit applies (where permitted), the budget must align with assistance-award rules rather than profit-bearing contracting.
What is the overarching rationale behind the program?
The program seeks to increase resilience and transparency across critical nodes of the supply chain and to stop diversion, circumvention, and strategic acquisition by adversarial actors, supporting U.S. national and economic security goals.
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