other · DOS-ACN

Export Controls and Investment Screening for Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation · DFOP0018149

Closed

Award Range

$0 – $5.4M

Total Program Funding

$5.4M

Expected Awards

Deadline

July 20, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

State Department's Bureau of Arms Control is funding a single $5.4M project to strengthen export controls and investment screening for critical minerals supply chains globally. The goal: prevent U.S. adversaries from acquiring critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, rare earths, etc.) through weak export control regimes in producing and transit countries. You'll work with foreign governments to build their capacity to screen exports and investments in critical mineral sectors.

Who Should Apply

Nonprofits, think tanks, educational institutions, or (possibly) for-profit organizations with expertise in export controls, trade compliance, critical minerals supply chains, and international capacity-building. Must be able to work with foreign governments across multiple countries.

Who Should NOT Apply

Mining companies, organizations without export control/nonproliferation expertise, domestic-only organizations, or anyone who can't operate internationally in mineral-producing countries.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Must be a nonprofit, educational institution, or international organization (for-profits may apply but face additional review)
•Must have expertise in export controls and investment screening
•Must focus on critical minerals supply chain security
•Must work internationally with mineral-producing and transit states
•Must address adversary acquisition prevention
•No cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

This is a national security grant disguised as a trade compliance project. The subtext: China and Russia are securing critical mineral supplies through countries with weak export controls. Your proposal needs to name specific countries where critical minerals are vulnerable (DRC, Indonesia, Chile, etc.) and show how you'll help their governments build screening capacity. If you've done EXBS (Export Control and Related Border Security) work before, you're a known quantity. New entrants need serious nonproliferation credentials.

Competitiveness: High — single $5.4M award in a specialized field. Likely 5-10 credible applicants with the right combination of export control and international minerals expertise.

What This Grant Funds

This NOFO seeks to enhance protective measures for the supply chain of critical minerals, which are commodities of proliferation concern due to their prevalence in countless dual-use items. ACN/EXBS seeks an implementer to bolster export controls, customs screening, and investment screening across key critical mineral producers and transit states worldwide to mitigate their acquisition by U.S. adversaries, while securing supply chains from predatory and illicit practices to bolster U.S. national and economic security.

Attachments

PDF

DFOP0018149 NOFO Package

DFOP0018149_NOFO_Package.zip

Who Can Apply

The following U.S. or foreign organizations are eligible to apply: Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations. Public and private educational institutions. For-profit organizations (only if allowed by appropriation - not for PD funds), applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards.

Eligible Applicant Types

Other (see NOFO for details)

Funding Details

Maximum Award: $5.4M
Total Program Funding: $5.4M
Expected Number of Awards: 1
Cost Sharing Required?: No
Funding Instrument: cooperative_agreement

Key Dates

Posted: June 25, 2026

Application Deadline: July 20, 2026 (0 days remaining)

Agency Contact

EXBS_Grants@state.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

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