Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0010108
The Nonproliferation Scientist Engagement Program (NSEP) is a discretionary U.S. government funding opportunity administered under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) framework by the Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. Its central purpose is to reduce proliferation risks by providing near-term capacity-building and research support to civilian scientists, technicians, and engineers from Ukraine and other former Soviet emigre communities who possess dual-use expertise. The program is designed specifically for individuals who have been geographically displaced or pushed into financial vulnerability as a result of Russia's expanded invasion of Ukraine, conditions that can increase the risk that hostile states or illicit networks attempt to recruit or exploit their expertise.
The program is tightly focused on a particular at-risk population: Ukrainian and emigre technical experts whose knowledge could realistically be redirected toward weapons of mass destruction or delivery systems. NSEP is concerned with expertise that could be leveraged to advance nuclear, biological, chemical, or missile programs, especially where such capabilities could be used by proliferator states or rogue actors in ways that threaten the United States and its allies and partners. In practical terms, the program aims to keep sensitive know-how engaged in legitimate, peaceful research and professional pathways rather than allowing it to be diverted by actors seeking to build or improve prohibited or destabilizing weapons capabilities.
Support under NSEP is framed as both capacity-building and research assistance, emphasizing near-term measures that stabilize careers and sustain professional engagement. While the notice does not list specific project topics in the excerpt provided, the intent is clear: fund efforts that provide meaningful, lawful scientific work and institutional support structures for displaced or financially vulnerable dual-use STEs, thereby lowering the incentives and opportunities for proliferation-related recruitment. This kind of engagement approach typically prioritizes practical deliverables, measurable participation by the target STE community, and safeguards that ensure the work remains consistent with nonproliferation objectives.
A wide range of applicant types are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations, public and private educational institutions, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and for-profit organizations. The eligibility list also includes public international organizations and governmental institutions, indicating the program can support proposals led by a variety of domestic and international entities capable of organizing research, training, fellowships, collaborative projects, or other structured engagements for the targeted scientist and engineer population.
Administrative details from the listing include the funding opportunity title "Nonproliferation Scientist Engagement Program" with opportunity number SFOP0010108 and CFDA number 19.033. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary, with the funding instrument type listed as "Other" and the activity category also listed as "Other," suggesting flexibility in the form of awards and the types of supported activities compared to standard grant programs. The opportunity was created on 2023-10-30, with an original closing date of 2024-01-31. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, and the agency anticipated making up to 25 awards, implying the program expected to fund multiple separate projects or implementing partners rather than concentrating funds into a small number of large awards.
Overall, NSEP is a targeted nonproliferation risk-reduction initiative built around the idea that maintaining legitimate scientific employment, research collaboration, and professional stability for displaced or vulnerable dual-use experts is itself a national and international security measure. By channeling support through universities, nonprofits, research centers, companies, international bodies, and government institutions, the program seeks to create practical, lawful alternatives to exploitation and to preserve scientific capacity in ways that align with global nonproliferation and security goals.Apply for SFOP0010108
- The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Nonproliferation Scientist Engagement 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 2023-10-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-31. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Nonproliferation Scientist Engagement Program (NSEP)
1) What is the Nonproliferation Scientist Engagement Program (NSEP)?
NSEP is a U.S. government discretionary funding opportunity under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) framework. It is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. The program supports engagement and near-term capacity-building and research assistance aimed at reducing proliferation risks.
2) What is the main goal of NSEP?
The central purpose is to reduce proliferation risks by keeping at-risk dual-use scientific and technical expertise engaged in legitimate, peaceful research and professional pathways. The program is designed to lower the chance that hostile states or illicit networks recruit or exploit displaced or financially vulnerable experts for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or delivery-system-related activities.
3) Who is the program trying to help or protect?
NSEP is tightly focused on civilian scientists, technicians, and engineers (STEs) from Ukraine and other former Soviet emigre communities who possess dual-use expertise. The program is specifically aimed at individuals who have been geographically displaced or pushed into financial vulnerability due to Russia's expanded invasion of Ukraine.
4) Why does displacement or financial vulnerability matter for this program?
The opportunity description highlights that displacement and financial vulnerability can increase the risk that hostile states or illicit networks attempt to recruit, pressure, or exploit technical experts. NSEP is meant to provide lawful alternatives and stability that reduce incentives and opportunities for such recruitment.
5) What kinds of expertise does NSEP consider "dual-use" and relevant?
NSEP is concerned with expertise that could realistically be redirected toward WMD or delivery systems. This includes knowledge that could be leveraged to advance nuclear, biological, chemical, or missile programs, especially where those capabilities could be used by proliferator states or rogue actors in ways that threaten the United States and its allies and partners.
6) What types of activities does NSEP fund?
Based on the description provided, NSEP funds near-term capacity-building and research support. While specific project topics are not listed in the excerpt, the intent emphasizes structured engagement that provides meaningful, lawful scientific work and institutional support for the targeted population of displaced or financially vulnerable dual-use STEs.
7) Does the opportunity list specific research topics or technical areas?
No. The excerpt does not list specific project topics. It does, however, clearly describe the program intent: support efforts that maintain legitimate scientific engagement and reduce risks of diversion of sensitive know-how to prohibited or destabilizing weapons capabilities.
8) What outcomes or characteristics does the program appear to prioritize?
The description suggests NSEP prioritizes practical deliverables, measurable participation by the target STE community, and safeguards that ensure supported work remains consistent with nonproliferation objectives. The program is framed as a risk-reduction tool as much as a scientific support mechanism.
9) Who can apply for NSEP funding?
A wide range of applicant types are eligible, including:
- Not-for-profit organizations (think tanks, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations)
- Public and private educational institutions
- Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs)
- For-profit organizations
- Public international organizations
- Governmental institutions
10) Is this funding only for U.S.-based organizations?
The eligibility list includes public international organizations and governmental institutions, and the target population includes Ukrainian and other former Soviet emigre communities. That combination indicates the program can support proposals led by a variety of domestic and international entities, as long as they are eligible applicant types described in the opportunity.
11) What kinds of organizations are best positioned to implement NSEP projects?
Based on the eligible applicant categories and the program intent, organizations capable of organizing structured engagements for scientists and engineers are likely relevant. Examples referenced in the description include universities, nonprofits, research centers, companies, international bodies, and government institutions that can administer research collaborations, training, fellowships, or similar engagement models.
12) What is the funding opportunity number for NSEP?
The opportunity number is SFOP0010108.
13) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.033.
14) Which U.S. government office administers this opportunity?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) framework.
15) What type of funding instrument is used?
The listing shows the funding instrument type as "Other." The activity category is also listed as "Other," which suggests flexibility in award form and supported activities compared to more standard grant categories.
16) Is NSEP a discretionary or mandatory funding opportunity?
It is categorized as discretionary.
17) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
18) How many awards were anticipated?
The agency anticipated making up to 25 awards, indicating an expectation of multiple separate funded efforts or implementing partners.
19) When was the opportunity created?
The listing indicates the opportunity was created on 2023-10-30.
20) What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date listed is 2024-01-31.
21) How does NSEP connect scientific support to nonproliferation and security goals?
NSEP is built on the idea that maintaining legitimate employment, research collaboration, and professional stability for displaced or vulnerable dual-use experts is itself a national and international security measure. By funding lawful, constructive engagement, the program aims to reduce the likelihood that sensitive expertise is diverted to proliferator states, rogue actors, or illicit networks.
22) What safeguards or compliance expectations are implied by the program description?
The excerpt emphasizes that supported work should remain lawful and consistent with nonproliferation objectives. It also notes an emphasis on safeguards to ensure activities align with the program's purpose of reducing proliferation risk and preventing diversion of knowledge to prohibited or destabilizing weapons capabilities.
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