Denying U.S. Adversaries Access to Sensitive Nuclear, Missile, and Advanced Technical Expertise for Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs that Threaten America
Agency: Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation
Assistance Listings: 19.033 -- Global Threat Reduction
Last Updated: May 30, 2025
Description
ISN/CTR created the Nonproliferation Scientist Engagement Program (NSEP) to provide focused, near-term national security engagement to civilian scientists, technicians, and engineers (STE) with nuclear, missile, and other advanced WMD-relevant technical expertise who are geographically displaced or otherwise rendered financially vulnerable to exploitation by Iran, North Korea, China, or other U.S. adversaries for WMD programs that threaten the American homeland, American lives, and American prosperity. Tailored for FY 25/26 to advance President Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign on Iran, address...
North Korea’s WMD and ballistic missile programs, and deny the Chinese Communist Party access to expertise to advance WMD programs designed to challenge American security and American leadership, NSEP focuses narrowly on the subset of civilian STEs who have scientific or engineering expertise that could be redirected and exploited by U.S. adversaries to support nuclear, ballistic missile, and advanced weapons programs that could be used to attack the United States. Additionally, this program protects America's technological edge by preventing expertise proliferation of sensitive technical expertise to U.S. adversaries and builds U.S. private sector and related scientific partnerships with these scientists instead.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
The following organizations are eligible to apply: U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses; U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code; U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education; foreign-based non-profit organizations/non-government organizations (NGO); Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs); Public International Organizations (PIO) ; Foreign Public Entities (FPE); and foreign-based institutions of higher education.
Grantor contact information
Description
SciEngagement@state.gov
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Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| NSEP_FY25_NOFO_DFOP0017252_-_30_May_2025.docx | NOFO Guidance | May 30, 2025 07:37 PM UTC |
| FY_2025_Budget_Template_241004.xlsx | FY 2025 Budget Template | May 30, 2025 07:38 PM UTC |
| FY25_CTR_Consolidated_Project_List.xlsx | FY25 CTR Consolidated Project List | May 30, 2025 07:38 PM UTC |
| FY25_CTR_Project_Narrative_Template_250401.docx | FY25 CTR Project Narrative Template | May 30, 2025 07:39 PM UTC |
| Monitoring_Indicator_Table_Sample.xlsx | Monitoring Indicator Table Sample | May 30, 2025 07:40 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Closing: July 30, 2025
Award
$6,000,000
Program Funding
5
Expected awards
$100,000
Award Floor
$2,000,000
Award Ceiling
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0017252
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No
Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
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Category of Funding Activity:
Other
Category Explanation:
Non-proliferation
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
May 30, 2025
Archive date:
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