Chemical Security Program | SFOP0010104

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Chemical Security Program (CSP) Grant

1) What is the Chemical Security Program (CSP)?

The Chemical Security Program (CSP) is a U.S. government discretionary funding opportunity under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) umbrella within the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. It focuses on reducing the global risk posed by chemical weapons.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is to prevent, detect, and counter the development, continued maintenance, proliferation, and use of chemical weapons by both state and non-state actors.

3) What kinds of threats and pathways is CSP trying to disrupt?

CSP supports work that helps partners recognize and interrupt pathways that enable chemical weapons programs, including movement of precursor materials, specialized equipment, technical knowledge, and expert personnel.

4) What types of activities does CSP fund?

CSP pursues its mission through capacity-building, analytical work, and specialized efforts. The opportunity describes funding for projects that measurably strengthen detection, prevention, and response capabilities related to chemical weapons risks.

5) What does "capacity-building" mean in this program?

Capacity-building typically refers to strengthening the ability of foreign government entities and relevant private sector stakeholders to identify chemical security threats, improve controls, and respond effectively when suspicious activity is detected.

6) Does CSP support research and analysis work, or only on-the-ground activities?

It supports both. The opportunity emphasizes a mix of practical capacity-building and analytical work, indicating that CSP funds operational projects as well as research-oriented efforts.

7) Is open source research part of CSP's approach?

Yes. Open source research is highlighted as a core tool. The opportunity suggests using publicly available information to map networks, spot procurement patterns, understand emerging technical trends, and generate actionable insights to help disrupt illicit activity tied to chemical weapons development or use.

8) Who is eligible to apply for CSP funding?

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and civil society or non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations, public international organizations and governmental institutions, and federally funded research and development centers.

9) Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations are listed among the eligible applicant types.

10) Are universities and other educational institutions eligible?

Yes. Both public and private educational institutions are eligible applicants.

11) Are governmental and international organizations eligible?

Yes. Public international organizations and governmental institutions are included in the eligibility list.

12) What is the funding opportunity name and number?

The opportunity is listed as "Chemical Security Program" with funding opportunity number SFOP0010104.

13) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 19.033.

14) Which U.S. government agency is offering this opportunity?

The agency is the Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation.

15) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument type is labeled as "Other," and the activity and instrument categories are also listed as "Other." This can indicate flexible or non-standard award structures depending on the project and applicant type.

16) What was the application closing date for this opportunity?

The original application closing date was January 31, 2024.

17) What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?

Individual awards may be as large as $250,000, which is listed as the award ceiling.

18) How many awards did CSP anticipate making?

The program anticipated making around 25 awards, suggesting a portfolio approach across multiple projects.

19) What does it mean that CSP planned a "portfolio" of awards?

Based on the anticipated number of awards (around 25) and the stated award ceiling, the program appears designed to fund multiple projects rather than concentrate funding into only a few large awards.

20) What kinds of outcomes or impacts does CSP want to see?

The opportunity emphasizes projects that measurably improve the ability of international partners and relevant industries to prevent chemical weapons proliferation and use, including stronger detection, prevention, and response capabilities and practical disruption of enabling networks.

21) What kinds of projects are likely to align with CSP priorities?

Projects that align with CSP priorities are those focused on practical disruption of chemical weapons-enabling networks. Examples described at a high level include training and systems-building, targeted research using open sources, and specialized initiatives that strengthen the ability to detect, prevent, and respond to suspicious activity related to chemical weapons development or use.

22) Does the opportunity focus on state actors, non-state actors, or both?

Both. CSP is aimed at countering chemical weapons development, maintenance, proliferation, and use by state and non-state actors.

23) What kinds of enabling resources does CSP pay attention to?

The opportunity specifically mentions precursor materials, specialized equipment, technical knowledge, and expert personnel as key enabling resources and pathways that projects may help identify and interrupt.

24) Is this opportunity described as discretionary funding?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a U.S. government discretionary funding opportunity.

25) Is CSP positioned under a larger U.S. government framework?

Yes. CSP is run under the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) umbrella within the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.