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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Global Chemical Security Effectiveness Study (U.S. Department of State, ISN/CTR)

What is the Global Chemical Security Effectiveness Study grant opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity, issued by the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) through the Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR), to fund an independent assessment of the Chemical Security Program (CSP).

What is the main purpose of this award?

The purpose is to support an unbiased evaluation of how well Chemical Security Program activities are working. The study is intended to give program managers evidence-based findings to judge results and improve future engagements, rather than to fund direct implementation of chemical security activities.

What is the Chemical Security Program (CSP) trying to accomplish?

CSP is designed to reduce global chemical threats by preventing unauthorized access to weaponizable chemicals, weapons-applicable expertise, and related infrastructure.

Is this funding meant to run chemical security projects in partner countries?

No. The opportunity is focused on evaluating existing CSP work and its effectiveness, not on implementing CSP activities or delivering on-the-ground program interventions.

How many awards will be made?

ISN/CTR plans to make a single award.

What is the maximum funding available?

Total funding is up to $215,000.

Is cost sharing or a match required?

No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates a more engaged partnership with the federal government during the period of performance than a standard grant. The announcement does not specify the exact level of federal involvement.

What will the evaluation assess?

The funded project will assess CSP engagements in three partner countries and examine how CSP activities are working, including how outreach and coordination function across academic, industry, and government stakeholders.

How are the three partner countries selected for the study?

The assessment is expected to cover three partner countries representing different levels of maturity in their relationship with the program: one advanced partner, one intermediate partner, and one introductory partner.

Why does the study emphasize academic, industry, and government stakeholders?

Chemical security outcomes often depend on cooperation between laboratories, universities, chemical producers and distributors, and national authorities. The assessment is expected to consider CSP efforts that involve outreach and coordination across these stakeholder groups.

Is travel or in-country site work expected?

Data collection is intended to be remote rather than based on in-country site visits.

What remote data collection methods are anticipated?

The announcement anticipates remote tools such as email, phone interviews, and video conferencing, and it also mentions the possibility of using locally hired survey firms.

What kind of experience would a strong applicant likely need?

Because the work is a remote, cross-border evaluation, the opportunity suggests applicants should have strong evaluation design skills, experience conducting structured interviews or surveys at a distance, and the ability to gather credible information without relying on travel.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to (1) nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and (2) public or state-controlled institutions of higher education.

Are institutions of higher education allowed to apply as nonprofits?

No. The eligibility description explicitly excludes institutions of higher education from the nonprofit 501(c)(3) category, while separately allowing public or state-controlled institutions of higher education.

Does the funder prefer an evaluator that is independent from ISN/CTR program implementation?

Yes. ISN/CTR indicates a preference (though not an absolute requirement) for applicants that are not currently implementing nonproliferation engagement activities on behalf of ISN/CTR, to help support an unbiased assessment.

Does that preference mean current implementers are prohibited from applying?

No. The announcement describes it as a preference rather than a strict requirement, but it signals that independence and the ability to avoid conflicts of interest are important for credibility.

What topic area or funding category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA number 19.033, Global Threat Reduction.

When was this opportunity posted and when was it due?

It was posted on August 14, 2015, with a closing date of September 21, 2015.

What is the archive date listed for the opportunity?

The archive date is October 21, 2015.

How do applicants access the full announcement and apply?

Questions about accessing the full announcement were directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center, which indicates the standard federal submission pathway through Grants.gov.

Which government office is issuing this funding opportunity?

The grant opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), through the Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR).

What makes this study different from a typical technical assistance or capacity-building project?

This award is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the Chemical Security Program rather than delivering program services. The emphasis is on independent assessment, evidence gathering, and analysis to support program learning and improvement.