Nonproliferation Scientist Engagement Program | SFOP0010108

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.

• 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.

Apply for SFOP0010108

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