Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0008399
The Global Biological Threat Reduction and Border Security grant opportunity (SFOP0008399) is a Department of State program run through the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, specifically the Office of Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF). It is designed to reduce the risk that dangerous biological agents or high consequence pathogens are accidentally released, naturally spread without timely containment, or deliberately misused by hostile actors. The overall emphasis is on helping foreign partners build practical, sustained capacity across public health, animal health, law enforcement, and border security so they can prevent, detect, and respond to biological incidents before they become larger regional or international threats.
At the core of the program is strengthening detection and response systems where they matter most. The opportunity prioritizes improvements in pathogen detection at both the laboratory level and across wider laboratory networks, meaning it is not only about buying equipment, but also about ensuring labs can reliably identify high consequence pathogens, share results through secure and effective channels, and support public health or veterinary decision-making quickly. In parallel, the program targets biosafety and biosecurity upgrades in laboratories and medical facilities that might encounter these pathogens. That includes physical and procedural measures that reduce the chance of lab-acquired infections, accidental releases, theft, or diversion of infectious materials, along with the broader “culture of responsibility” and operational practices that keep sensitive biological work safe and secure.
Another major goal is improving coordination across sectors that often operate separately during routine times but must work together during a crisis. The program explicitly aims to promote stronger multisectoral collaboration between human and animal health authorities, law enforcement, and border security. In practice, that can involve developing joint protocols, information-sharing arrangements, coordinated training and exercises, and clearer operational roles so that a suspected biological incident, whether natural or deliberate, triggers an efficient and unified response. This approach reflects the reality that outbreaks can begin in animals, cross into humans, and then intersect with criminal or security concerns, especially if there is suspicion of intentional misuse or cross-border movement of dangerous materials.
ISN/NDF indicates that activities will be focused geographically and strategically rather than spread evenly worldwide. Priority is placed on countries and regions where high consequence pathogens are endemic, where there is evidence of interest or capability by state or nonstate actors to pursue biological agents, and where existing biological infrastructure could be attractive to malicious actors. The underlying logic is to invest where the combination of pathogen presence, security risk, and infrastructure vulnerabilities could create the greatest opportunity for proliferation or large-scale harm.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under CFDA 19.224, with an award ceiling of up to $8,500,000 and an expectation of about four awards. The opportunity was posted on September 22, 2021, with an original closing date of November 22, 2021. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits that do not have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), which signals that the funding is intended for specific categories of implementers rather than the broadest nonprofit pool. Overall, the program’s intended outcome is a measurable increase in partner countries’ ability to handle high consequence pathogens safely, detect them early, secure them against misuse, and coordinate a cross-sector response that reduces both public health impact and proliferation risk.Apply for SFOP0008399
- 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 "Global Biological Threat Reduction and Border Security" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.224.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 22, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 22, 2021. (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 $8,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Global Biological Threat Reduction and Border Security grant opportunity (SFOP0008399)?
SFOP0008399 is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity focused on reducing biological risks, including accidental release, natural spread without timely containment, or deliberate misuse of dangerous biological agents and high consequence pathogens.
Which U.S. government office runs this program?
The program is run through the Department of State Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), specifically the Office of Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF).
What problem is this program trying to solve?
The program aims to reduce the risk that high consequence pathogens are released accidentally, spread naturally without being contained in time, or are deliberately used by hostile actors. It also seeks to lower the risk that biological materials are stolen, diverted, or otherwise misused.
What kinds of capabilities is the program trying to build in partner countries?
The emphasis is on practical, sustained capacity across public health, animal health, law enforcement, and border security so foreign partners can prevent, detect, and respond to biological incidents before they grow into regional or international threats.
Is the focus only on public health?
No. The program explicitly supports a multisector approach that includes human health, animal health, law enforcement, and border security, reflecting that biological incidents can cross sectors and borders and may involve security concerns.
What does the opportunity mean by strengthening detection and response systems?
It prioritizes improvements in pathogen detection at individual laboratories and across broader laboratory networks, along with the ability to share results through secure and effective channels and support rapid public health or veterinary decision-making.
Does the grant focus only on buying laboratory equipment?
No. While laboratory capability can include equipment, the opportunity emphasizes reliable identification of high consequence pathogens, functional laboratory networks, and secure/effective communications that support timely decision-making and response.
What biosafety and biosecurity improvements are included in the program scope?
The opportunity targets biosafety and biosecurity upgrades in laboratories and medical facilities that might encounter high consequence pathogens. This includes physical and procedural measures intended to reduce lab-acquired infections, accidental releases, theft, or diversion of infectious materials.
What is meant by a "culture of responsibility" in laboratories?
Based on the opportunity description, it refers to broader operational practices and professional norms that keep sensitive biological work safe and secure, beyond equipment or facility upgrades alone.
How does the program approach coordination during a biological incident?
It aims to strengthen multisectoral collaboration so that suspected biological incidents (natural or deliberate) trigger an efficient, unified response across human and animal health authorities, law enforcement, and border security.
What types of coordination activities are contemplated?
Examples mentioned include joint protocols, information-sharing arrangements, coordinated training and exercises, and clearer operational roles across sectors that typically operate separately during routine periods.
Why does the program include animal health as a major element?
The opportunity notes that outbreaks can begin in animals and cross into humans, and that biological events can intersect with security concerns, particularly when there is suspicion of intentional misuse or cross-border movement of dangerous materials.
Is the program global, or does it focus on certain countries and regions?
ISN/NDF indicates activities will be focused geographically and strategically rather than spread evenly worldwide, prioritizing countries and regions with higher biological risk and security relevance.
How are priority geographies described in the opportunity?
Priority is placed on places where high consequence pathogens are endemic, where there is evidence of interest or capability by state or nonstate actors to pursue biological agents, and where existing biological infrastructure could be attractive to malicious actors.
What is the rationale for focusing on those priority areas?
The stated logic is to invest where pathogen presence, security risk, and infrastructure vulnerabilities combine to create the greatest opportunity for proliferation or large-scale harm.
What is the CFDA number for this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.224.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is up to $8,500,000.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity notes an expectation of about four awards.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on September 22, 2021, with an original closing date of November 22, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply based on the description provided?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits that do not have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education).
Does the eligibility language suggest the funding is open to all nonprofits?
No. The eligibility description indicates the funding is intended for specific categories of implementers rather than the broadest nonprofit pool.
What is the intended overall outcome of the program?
The intended outcome is a measurable increase in partner countries' ability to handle high consequence pathogens safely, detect them early, secure them against misuse, and coordinate a cross-sector response that reduces public health impact and proliferation risk.
What kinds of incidents does the program consider (natural vs. deliberate)?
The opportunity addresses biological incidents that may be accidental, naturally occurring but insufficiently contained, or deliberately caused by hostile actors.
How does border security fit into biological threat reduction under this opportunity?
Border security is included as a key sector for prevention, detection, and response, especially where there may be cross-border movement of dangerous materials and where coordinated operations are needed during a suspected incident.
What role does information sharing play in the program?
The opportunity highlights secure and effective channels for sharing laboratory results and promoting information-sharing arrangements across sectors so decision-makers can act quickly and in a coordinated way.
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